Two and a Half Men alum, Conchata Ferrell, died on October 12, 2020, due to complications
from cardiac arrest, according to a report by Deadline. The outlet noted that the actor,
who was 77 years old, was surrounded by family at the time of her passing.
Conchata reportedly struggled in the months leading up to her death. TMZ reported that
Conchata — who played Berta the housekeeper on the CBS series — was feeling "weak" in
December 2019 after suffering a kidney infection that spread and contaminated her blood. She
spent weeks in the ICU before moving into transitional care in January 2020, and she
went to physical therapy daily. As the star told TMZ, she wasn't sure how she contracted
the infection.
In July 2020, Conchata's husband, Arnie Ferrell, confirmed to TMZ that, in May 2020, the actor
had a heart attack and had required hospitalization. Arnie said that Ferrell got transferred to
a long-term treatment center, where she was put on a respirator and received dialysis
treatment. According to TMZ, she was "semi-conscious" during this time, but unable to communicate.
Arnie said he wasn't able to visit her due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he had been
in frequent contact with her nurse, and said that he was hoping for the best.
Sadly, Ferrell wasn't able to pull through.
Amid the news of Conchata Ferrell's death, Ferrell's former Two and a Half Men co-stars
paid tribute to the actor and her character, Berta.
"There is only room for one alpha dog in this house." "I know." "And who is that alpha dog,
Charlie?" "You are." "Say it." "You're the alpha dog." "Aw, you sweet talker, you."
Charlie Sheen, who played Charlie Harper on the popular series for its first eight seasons,
tweeted that Ferrell was, quote, "an absolute sweetheart, a consummate pro, [and] a genuine
friend." He added,
"A shocking and painful loss. Berta, your housekeeping was a tad suspect, your 'people'
keeping was perfect."
Jon Cryer, who played Alan Harper in every episode of the 12-season series, shared his
own thoughts on Ferrell's passing, writing,
"She was a beautiful human. Berta's gruff exterior was an invention of the writers.
Chatty's warmth and vulnerability were her real strengths. I'm crying for the woman I'll
miss, and the joy she brought so many."
He further recalled,
"I remember her first day on 2 1/2 Men. It was our second episode and I felt so lucky
that they'd been able to cast her on the show. I gushed to her about what a fan I was of
hers and she simply refused to believe it. [...] I'm glad that I absolutely knew how
fortunate I was to share a stage with her. I treasured every moment and will continue
to until we meet again."
Melanie Lynskey, who starred on the show as Rose, tweeted,
"Lovely, brilliant Chatti. I'm weeping. She was the warmest, most gracious lady. Her husband
Arnie came to every single taping of Two And A Half Men and sat in the audience, beaming
with pride. Her sweet daughter Samantha was often there too. Oh, she was loved. She will
be missed."
While Conchata Ferrell is arguably best known for her role as Berta on Two and a Half Men,
she was also an accomplished actor aside from that role. As Ferrell's Two and a Half Men
co-star, Jon Cryer, explained,
"If you're so inclined, today would be a great day to check out her wonderful body of film
work. Edward Scissorhands, Erin Brockovich or some of her work from back in the day like
Network and the little seen gem Heartland with Rip Torn."
Ferrell also appeared in the 2002 Adam Sandler comedy Mr. Deeds, playing the character of
Jan.
"I would do anything, anything to take back what I did to him." "I'm sorry, all I heard
was 'Blah blah blah, I'm a dirty tramp.'"
Following the news of her passing, Sandler took to Twitter to honor his late co-star.
The actor wrote,
"RIP. Great lady. Will be missed terribly. So sorry to her family."
The star earned an Emmy nomination in 1993 for her role as Susan Bloom on the NBC legal
drama L.A. Law. Throughout her career, she also scored nominations in 2005 and 2007 in
the Supporting Actress category for her role as Berta, with other noteworthy credits including
Good Times, ER, Grace and Frankie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more.
Ferrell will be missed by her friends, family, and fans, but her memory lives on in her acclaimed
work.