Mary Ellen Trainor
Mary Ellen Trainor | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 8, 1952 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 20, 2015 (aged 62) Montecito, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1979–2007 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Mary Ellen Trainor (July 8, 1952[1] – May 20, 2015) was an American character actress best known for her roles as Irene Walsh in The Goonies, LAPD psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Woods in the Lethal Weapon films, and newscaster Gail Wallens in Die Hard and Ricochet.
Life and career
Trainor attended San Diego State University, where she studied broadcast journalism.[2] She began her career working at radio stations KSDO as well as KCBS.[2] Her first television appearance came in the 1983 Cheers episode "Father Knows Last", and her big-screen debut came the following year in Romancing the Stone (1984).
Trainor became best known for her roles as Irene Walsh in The Goonies (1985), LAPD psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Woods in the Lethal Weapon films (1987-1998), and newscaster Gail Wallens in both Die Hard (1988) and Ricochet (1991). She appeared in other well-known films including The Monster Squad (1987), Scrooged (1988), Ghostbusters II (1989), Death Becomes Her (1992), Forrest Gump (1994), Congo (1995), and Freaky Friday (2003). She had recurring television roles as Judy Lewis in Parker Lewis Can't Lose (Pilot 1990; 1991–1993), as Eve Lukens in Relativity (1996–1997), and as Diane Evans in Roswell (1999–2002).
Three of the films in which she appeared were selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The Goonies (1985), Die Hard (1988) and Forrest Gump (1994).
Marriage
Trainor was married to director Robert Zemeckis for 20 years until their divorce in 2000. The couple had a son, Alexander.[3][4][5]
Death
Trainor died on May 20, 2015 at her home in Montecito, California from pancreatic cancer at the age of 62.[2][6]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Romancing the Stone | Elaine Wilder | |
| The Stone Boy | Doris Simms | ||
| 1985 | The Goonies | Mrs. Walsh | |
| 1987 | Lethal Weapon | Dr. Stephanie Woods | |
| The Monster Squad | Emily Crenshaw | ||
| 1988 | Action Jackson | Liz Massetori, Secretary | |
| Die Hard | Gail Wallens | ||
| Scrooged | Ted | ||
| 1989 | Ghostbusters II | Brownstone Mother | |
| Lethal Weapon 2 | Dr. Stephanie Woods | ||
| Back to the Future Part II | Officer Reese | uncredited | |
| 1990 | Fire Birds | Janet Little | |
| 1991 | Ricochet | Gail Wallens | |
| Grand Canyon | Ms. Green | ||
| 1992 | Kuffs | Nikki Allyn | |
| Lethal Weapon 3 | Dr. Stephanie Woods | ||
| Death Becomes Her | Vivian Adams | ||
| 1994 | Greedy | Nora McTeague | |
| Forrest Gump | Jenny's Babysitter | uncredited | |
| Little Giants | Karen O'Shea | ||
| 1995 | Congo | Moira | |
| 1996 | Executive Decision | Allison, Flight Attendant | |
| 1998 | Lethal Weapon 4 | Dr. Stephanie Woods | |
| 1999 | Anywhere but Here | Homeowner | |
| 2001 | Amy's Orgasm | Amy's Mom | |
| 2002 | Moonlight Mile | Mrs. Meyerson | |
| 2003 | Freaky Friday | Diary Reading Patient | |
| 2005 | The Music Inside | Monica Amado | |
| 2007 | Cake: A Wedding Story | Jane Andrews | Final film role |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Cheers | Mary | Episode: "Father Knows Last" |
| 1985 | Crazy Like a Fox | Connie Olsen[7] | Episode: "Fox and Hounds" |
| 1986 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Helen Dawson | Episode: "The Drug Knot" |
| 1986–1987 | Remington Steele | Estelle Becker | 3 episodes |
| 1987 | Amazing Stories | Mara Webster | Episode: "Moving Day" |
| 1989 | Tales from the Crypt | Wife | Episode: "And All Through the House" |
| Fear Stalk | Jennifer | TV movie | |
| 1990 | Rock Hudson | Female Agent | Television film |
| The Outsiders | Unknown | Episode: "The Stork Club" | |
| 1990–1993 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Mrs. Lewis | 16 episodes |
| 1995 | Seduced and Betrayed | Charlotte | Television film |
| 1996 | A Face to Die For | Mrs. Gilmore | Television film |
| 1996–1997 | Relativity | Eve Lukens | 17 episodes |
| 1997 | Hope | Maize Burns | Television film |
| 1998 | Someone to Love Me | Jocelyn Hart | Television film |
| 1999–2002 | Roswell | Diane Evans | 23 episodes |
| 2006 or 2008[a] | McBride: Requiem | Elizabeth Lucas | Television film (final television role) |
Notes
- ^ Some sources and databases list first airdate in 2006, others in 2008
References
- ^ "MARY ELLEN TRAINOR". E Times. Times of India. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c Dagan, Carmel (June 8, 2015). "Mary Ellen Trainor Zemeckis Dead: 'Lethal Weapon' Actress Was 62". Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ Obituary, variety.com. Accessed October 9, 2025.
- ^ Masters, Kim (January 30, 2013). "Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy on 'Star Wars,' 'Lincoln' and Secret J.J. Abrams Meetings (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (June 8, 2015). "Mary Ellen Trainor, Actress in All Four 'Lethal Weapon' Films, Dies at 62". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (June 9, 2015). "Mary Ellen Trainor Dies: Actress In 'Lethal Weapon' Pics, 'Die Hard' & 'Goonies'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ^ "Die Fälle des Harry Fox Staffel 1, Folge 11: Der Schnüffler an der Leine".