‘Lethal Weapon,’ ‘Goonies’ Actress Mary Ellen Trainor Dies At 62
Mary Ellen Trainor, an actress known for her prolific career in film, has died. Trainor had been in a number of movies including all four installments of Lethal Weapon, The Goonies, and Scrooged. Mary Ellen passed away in her home in Montecito, California, on May 20.
She was 62-years-old. Trainor’s death was confirmed on Monday by her long-time friend Kathleen Kennedy. Kennedy is the president of Lucasfilm and a fellow San Diego State alumna.
Trainor married Oscar-winning Robert Zemeckis in 1980. Three years later, she made her acting debut in an episode of Cheers. A year after that, she played the kidnapped sister in Romancing the Stone (1984). Together, the two would put out a number of movies including Back to the Future Part II(1989) and Death Becomes Her (1990). However, their most famous collaboration might just be Forrest Gump(1994), which won an Oscar for Best Picture.
The couple divorced in 2000.
Mary Ellen Trainor was the mom in The Goonies, the sister in Romancing the Stone, and the shrink in all four Lethal Weapons. Funny lady. RIP
— Scott Weinberg (@scottEmovienerd) June 8, 2015
Most fans probably remember Mary Ellen Trainor as the mom from Goonies. She became a part of our childhoods and is still delighting kids today. In a 2013 interview, Trainor was asked what was her favorite part of filming Goonies. Her answer was simple: The boys and all they got up to.
“The shenanigans of the kids [Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Josh Brolin, Jonathan Ke Quan, et al]. They all fell in love with each other. And Dick Donner encouraged that.”
Trainor was also part of the Lethal Weapon franchise. She played Stephanie Woods, the psychiatrist for the Los Angelos Police department. She always had a word (or three) to say to Riggs and what he was doing to himself.
Those movies weren’t the only action packed films Trainor was in. She also had a role in Die Hard (1988).
Her other films include Ghostbusters II (1989), Action Jackson (1988), Grand Canyon (1991), Little Giants (1994), Congo (1995), Executive Decision (1996), Amy’s Orgasm (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), and Freaky Friday (2003).
Rest in peace, Mary Ellen Trainor. You were in all of my favorite movies. pic.twitter.com/Ml6L8rC7VS
— SPENCE, TODD (@Todd_Spence) June 8, 2015
Trainor is known for her philanthropic efforts, and she supported an array of causes including education, disaster relief, and cancer research.
Mary Ellen is survived by Alex, her son; Jane, her mother; and siblings Ned, Jack, Barbara, and Carolyn.
A memorial service will take place June 19 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 1300 E. Valley Road, Montecito, California.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation andWounded Warriors.
[Image via CNN]
