1952 - 2015 (Age 62)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Character actress and philanthropist Mary Ellen Trainor, who appeared in "The Goonies" and "Lethal Weapon" films, has died.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed on Monday that Trainor, a longtime friend, passed away at home in Montecito, California, on May 20. She was 62.
Trainor got her start in the film business as a producer's assistant on a number of movies including the 1979 Steven Spielberg film "1941," which her eventual husband, director Robert Zemeckis, wrote. After the couple married in 1980, Zemeckis cast Trainor in her first film, "Romancing the Stone," as the kidnapped sister of Kathleen Turner's character.
In addition to a number of cameos in Zemeckis' films, including "Forrest Gump" and "Back to the Future," Trainor became a regular fixture in some of the biggest films of the 1980s. She played a police psychiatrist in "Lethal Weapon" and its sequels, a television reporter in "Die Hard" and the mother of two main characters in "The Goonies." She also had a part in "Ghostbusters II."
On the small screen, Trainor was a cast member on the short-lived series "Relativity" and had a recurring role on "Roswell."
"Mare and I have been close since our days together as college roommates, and she even provided the introduction to Steven Spielberg that jumpstarted my career," Kennedy said in a statement. "She was a great actress, warm friend and generous spirit."
Zemeckis and Trainor, who divorced in 2000, had one child, Alex Zemeckis.
A memorial service will be held June 19 in Montecito.
Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
I know it's 10 years later but I didn't realize she had passed until I saw in the comments the lethal weapon 4 reaction. RIP and sorry she had left too soon it seems at 62 and the pain of cancer: sincere condolences and blessings to family and friends.
Richard
August 06, 2024 | Other
Dear Barbara , Many years have passed but I remember your lovely sister when we lived on poppy drive Miss you and wish you the very best and many years since your sisters passing . I am sorry she is gone lovely soul Sincerely Deanna
Deanna Stauffer
January 08, 2023
talented actress her parts werent huge but she had it, should have been bigger such a pretty lady r.i.p. msry ellen Gd has 1 of his angels back home
Thomas Wolf
March 19, 2021 | NY | Acquaintance
My condolences to the Family's and friends...God is a God of all Comfort...
September 19, 2019
Valenda Newell
November 25, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
may her soul rest I peace
Hoover Blair
July 18, 2016
Never forgotten, Rest in Peace, sweet Angel.
Allison Dupont
March 07, 2016 | New Orleans, LA
May the God of comfort be with you all doing this difficult time. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you. ( James 4 : 8 )
August 22, 2015
So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you all during this difficult time. (James 4 : 8 )
Ce
August 21, 2015