Laura Ellen Von Stein

1965 - 2024

Laura Ellen Von Stein
Laura Ellen Von Stein, actor, comedian and all-around one-woman entertainer peacefully passed away on May 11, 2024 in Ridgefield, CT after a brief battle with colon cancer. She was 58 years old.
Laura was born on August 31, 1965 in Northbrook, Illinois but grew up in Westport, CT. She graduated Staples High School and was a proud member of the Staples Players. She attended UCONN and graduated Phi Kappa Phi from the University of Bridgeport where she also received the Sydney Litwalk Performing Arts Scholarship for Drama. Laura's college studies included classical acting at Marymount International School under the auspices of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.
Laura had been a member of the Actors' Equity Association. Her passion for the theater and her patient waiting at stage doors after a performance helped build her impressive collection of signed Playbills from many Broadway legends. Laura's wicked sense of humor and comedic celebrity renditions of "Silent Night", as Ethel Merman and "I am the Walrus", as Julie Andrews, to name a few, will be greatly missed.
An enthusiastic reader, Laura accumulated an impressive library, largely built from her time at the annual Pequot Library book sale. In her words "it's like Christmas Day"! Her collection of movies highlighted everything Meryl Streep. Her collection of books varied from Shakespeare to Carrie Fischer and to her beloved Edith Warton. The time she spent in England fostered her love of British history and cultivated an unsurpassed, extensive knowledge of all things royal.
She is survived by her mother, Eleanor Von Stein of Westport (and Trumbull), her brother Robert Von Stein (Linda Guliuzza) of Trumbull (and Massachusetts), her nephews Rob (Molly) of Massachusetts, Mike (Laura) of Rhode Island and Scott (Paul) of Massachusetts as well as many cousins. Laura was predeceased by her father, Robert Von Stein in 2019.
In addition to her immediate family Laura is survived by her extended family, Roger Wolfe of Westport, Christine O'Leary of New Milford, Duane, Gayle, Mike and Stephen Lovello, Jill Lovello and Charlie Sullivan, Christine Lovello and Tom, Susan, Matt, Sam and Rae Iacovacci, as well as multitude of friends from the comedy and theater world.
Laura's wish is for everyone to support theaters, encourage the thespians of all ages to keep going, read a good book and enjoy a movie with lots of popcorn. Laura's life will be celebrated on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at The Ridgefield Playhouse at 5 p.m. All are welcome. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com