---
name: "Conchata Ferrell"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/conchata-ferrell"
fi1m_id: "conchata-ferrell"
imdb_id: "nm0004916"
tmdb_id: 1909
wikidata_id: "Q232304"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "28 March 1943"
died: "12 October 2020"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-05T04:18:07.504698+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Conchata Ferrell

## Identity

Conchata Ferrell

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/conchata-ferrell
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** conchata-ferrell
- **IMDb ID:** nm0004916
- **TMDB ID:** 1909
- **Wikidata ID:** Q232304
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchata_Ferrell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232304, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004916/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1909

Actor. Born 28 March 1943 in Charleston, West Virginia, USA. Died 12 October 2020.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 28 March 1943, Charleston, West Virginia, USA
- **Died:** 12 October 2020
- **Active:** 1976–2012
- **Also known as:** Conchatta Ferrell, Conchetta Ferrell, کنچاتا فرل
- **Frequently works with:** [Tim Burton](https://film.one/person/tim-burton.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (1), 1980s 81 (1), 1990s 82 (2), 2000s 63 (3), 2010s 79 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 72 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Comedy 2, Crime 2, Romance 2, Science Fiction 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $510m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchata_Ferrell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232304, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004916/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1909

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Edward Scissorhands*](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md) (83), [*Frankenweenie*](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md) (79)
- **Netflix:** [*True Romance*](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md) (82)
- **Peacock:** [*Two and a Half Men*](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) (55)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Conchata Ferrell

> Conchata Ferrell makes bluntness funny without making it foolish. We value her dry authority in supporting parts, though Berta in *Two and a Half Men* gives only a partial view of what she could do.

A blunt line from Conchata Ferrell sounds as though she has already heard quite enough. That worldly impatience helps explain the frequent casting as nurses, judges and housekeepers, and the danger of asking her to supply the same toughness each time. Her early film work offered other possibilities, with a part in Sidney Lumet's *Network* (1976) followed by the lead in the frontier drama *Heartland* (1979). The latter is worth remembering whenever her career is reduced to a reliable supplier of sharp replies.

Tim Burton's *Edward Scissorhands* (1990) places her Helen in a carefully imagined suburban neighbourhood. Her straightforward manner is useful in a film whose fairy-tale setting needs people who feel recognisable, although the central performances do most of the emotional work. We were moved by Johnny Depp and Dianne Wiest because they make the tenderness feel earned, even when the plotting is blunt. Ferrell's presence is a reason to look beyond those leads and attend to the people around them. We readily recommend the film for its performances, with some patience required for the storytelling.

In Steven Soderbergh's *Erin Brockovich* (2000), she plays Brenda, another supporting part in a film held together by its leading performance. Julia Roberts carries the story of a filing clerk taking a utility company to court, and the film is shrewd about how such work actually gets done. Ferrell's practical authority fits that emphasis, though it would be misleading to recommend this chiefly as a Ferrell film. The predictable plotting did not much trouble us, because Roberts makes the work worth following. It is also a reminder of how much of Ferrell's film career was spent supporting someone else's story.

Wider recognition came with Berta in *Two and a Half Men* (2003–2015), a part she played across 212 episodes. At the audition, she argued for her own way of speaking rather than the Russian or Polish accent being sought. That preference makes sense of her appeal: the joke should sound like something the woman would actually say. The long-running part gave audiences more time with her dry delivery than those film appearances could. If Berta is all we know, *Heartland* is the sensible next stop.

## Biography

Conchata Ferrell was an American actress. She graduated from Marshall University and began her career in New York theatre, where she won Drama Desk, Obie and Theatre World awards for her performance in the 1974 play *The Sea Horse*.

Ferrell appeared in films including *Network* (1976), *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), *True Romance* (1993) and *Erin Brockovich* (2000), in which she played Brenda. On television she was a regular cast member in several series and played Berta the housekeeper in *Two and a Half Men* (2003–2015). She received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005 and 2007 for that role, and an earlier nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for *L.A. Law* (1992).

Ferrell died on 12 October 2020.

*Sources: imdb.com, nytimes.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *Frankenweenie* (2012), Fi1m 79, as Bob's Mom (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md)
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), Fi1m 55, as Berta — [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *K-PAX* (2001), Fi1m 56, as Betty McAllister — [page](https://film.one/film/k-pax.md)
- *Erin Brockovich* (2000), Fi1m 78, as Brenda — [page](https://film.one/film/erin-brockovich.md)
- *True Romance* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Mary Louise Ravencroft — [page](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md)
- *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), Fi1m 83, as Helen — [page](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md)
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), Fi1m 81, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *Network* (1976), Fi1m 86, as Barbara Schlesinger — [page](https://film.one/film/network.md)

## Complete filmography (105)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Deported* (2020), as Betsy
- *A Very Nutty Christmas* (2018), as Clara
- *The Axe Murders of Villisca* (2017), as Mrs. Flanks
- *The Ranch* (2016), series, as Shirley
- *Krampus* (2015), as Aunt Dorothy
- *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Grandma Jean
- *Wishin' and Hopin'* (2014), as Sister Agrippina
- *Yellowbird* (2014), as Marjorie (voice)
- *Frankenweenie* (2012), as Bob's Mom (voice) — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md)
- *Kabluey* (2007), as Kathleen
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Berta — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *Push, Nevada* (2002), series, Actor
- *Mr. Deeds* (2002), as Jan
- *K-PAX* (2001), as Betty McAllister — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/k-pax.md)
- *Stranger Inside* (2001), as Mama Cass
- *Amy & Isabelle* (2001), as Bev
- *The Zeta Project* (2001), series, Actor
- *Buzz Lightyear of Star Command* (2000), series, as Ma (voice)
- *Crime + Punishment in Suburbia* (2000), as Bella
- *Erin Brockovich* (2000), as Brenda — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/erin-brockovich.md)
- *Popular* (1999), series, as Calamity Jones
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Maxine's Co-Worker
- *Get Real* (1999), series, as Rosa Hernandez
- *Becker* (1998), series, as Zora
- *Modern Vampires* (1998), as Wanda, Nico's Mother
- *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Grizzly Bear (voice), Harriet (voice)
- *Two Guys and a Girl* (1998), series, as Shawn's Mother
- *Teen Angel* (1997), series, as Aunt Pam
- *Cow and Chicken* (1997), series, as Lady Neighbor / Voice on Phone (voice)
- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), series, as Nurse Greenliegh — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *Touch* (1997), as Virginia Worrel
- *My Fellow Americans* (1996), as Woman Truck Driver
- *Sabrina, the Teenage Witch* (1996), series, as Bus Driver
- *Townies* (1996), series, as Marge
- *Sweet Dreams* (1996), as Kate Lowe
- *Freeway* (1996), as Mrs. Sheets
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Deanne MacKenzie
- *The Naked Truth* (1995), series, as Maxine Mansfield
- *The Buccaneers* (1995), series, as Mrs. Elmsworth
- *Santo Bugito* (1995), series, as Ethel Roachmuller (voice)
- *Aaahh!!! Real Monsters* (1994), series, as Simpah (voice)
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Judge — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Irene
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mrs. Jenkins — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Duckman* (1994), series, as Roxanne (voice)
- *A Worn Path* (1994), as Nurse
- *Samurai Cowboy* (1994), as Bobbi Bob Pickette
- *Heaven & Earth* (1993), as Bernice
- *True Romance* (1993), as Mary Louise Ravencroft — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/true-romance.md)
- *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Lureen Smith
- *Family Prayers* (1993), as Mrs. Romeyo
- *Hearts Afire* (1992), series, as Dr. Madeline Stoessinger, Ruth Colquist
- *Backfield in Motion* (1991), as Ann Bedowski
- *Chains of Gold* (1991), as Martha Burke
- *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Shelly (voice)
- *Deadly Intentions... Again?* (1991), as Joan
- *Runaway Ralph* (1991), as Aunt Jill
- *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), as Helen — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md)
- *Opposites Attract* (1990), as Flo
- *Hollywood Dog* (1990), Actor
- *A Peaceable Kingdom* (1989), series, Actor
- *Your Mother Wears Combat Boots* (1989), as Specialist Mononaghee
- *Mystic Pizza* (1988), as Leona
- *Portrait of a White Marriage* (1988), as Mrs. Sturgeon
- *For Keeps* (1988), as Mrs. Bobrucz
- *Eye on the Sparrow* (1987), as Mary
- *Picnic* (1986), as Helen Potts
- *Sledge Hammer!* (1986), series, as Judge Ida Grim
- *Where the River Runs Black* (1986), as Mother Marta
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Lorna Landsberg, Susan Bloom
- *Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story* (1986), as Ida Sinclair
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Mrs. Reese
- *North Beach and Rawhide* (1985), as Doc Norman
- *The Three Wishes of Billy Grier* (1984), as Dr. Gardner
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Harriet Lundgren
- *E/R* (1984), series, as Joan Thor
- *Nadia* (1984), as Mili Simonescu
- *Thumbelina* (1984), as Thumbelina's Mother
- *Night Court* (1984), series, as Nurse
- *Emergency Room* (1983), as Nurse Sylvia Kaye
- *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Gina Barnett — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md)
- *Life of the Party: The Story of Beatrice* (1982), as Captain Burnsite
- *Faerie Tale Theatre* (1982), series, as Thumbelina's Mother
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, Actor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Faye Doyle
- *McClain's Law* (1981), series, as Vangie Cruise
- *Heartland* (1981), as Elinore Randall Stewart
- *Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case* (1980), as Helen
- *Reunion* (1980), as Toni Owens
- *The Seduction of Miss Leona* (1980), as Hazel Dawson
- *Knots Landing* (1979), series, as Mrs. Messinger
- *Before and After* (1979), as Marge
- *Who'll Save Our Children?* (1978), as Dodie Hart
- *A Death in Canaan* (1978), as Rita Parsons
- *The Girl Called Hatter Fox* (1977), as Nurse Rinehart
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Bitsy Sheldon
- *Lou Grant* (1977), series, Actor
- *Network* (1976), as Barbara Schlesinger — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/network.md)
- *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, as Mrs. Werner
- *Deadly Hero* (1975), as Annie, the Bartender
- *Hot l Baltimore* (1975), series, Actor
- *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Ella Mae White — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md)
- *Good Times* (1974), series, Actor
- *Maude* (1972), series, Actor
- *Heartland*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![COP'S BEST FRIEND-- Conchata Ferrell plays the close friend of a former police officer -- series star James Arness -- who decides to rejoin the force after seve](https://film.one/media/person/9833/gallery-3ae4d3c411eb.jpg) COP'S BEST FRIEND-- Conchata Ferrell plays the close friend of a former police officer -- series star James Arness -- who decides to rejoin the force after seve — NBC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Conchata_Ferrell_1981.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Conchata Ferrell](https://film.one/media/person/9833/gallery-0e89a49a236d.png) Conchata Ferrell — thepaparazzigamer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Conchata_Ferrell_2016.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Conchata Ferrell](https://film.one/media/person/9833/gallery-42e34dd91964.jpg) Conchata Ferrell — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Theatre World Award 1974: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/conchata-ferrell