Police Academy star Marion Ramsey has died at the age of 73.
The management of the comic actress confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon – although no cause of death has been determined. Deadline, however, reported that she was recently ill.
Marion was best known for playing Officer Laverne Hooks in ‘Police Academy’. The star’s distinctive role comes in the 1984 hit with Steve Guttenberg in the lead role. Her high voice and comic timing made her character stand out in the film.
“Police Academy” was such a success; five sequels emerged over the next five years, with Marion appearing in all of them.
She also starred in the hit 1978 Broadway series “Eubie!” Appear.
Born in Philadelphia, Marion began her career on stage just four years earlier in productions of “Hello, Dolly!” The entertainer later starred with acting legend Bette Davis in the musical “Miss Moffat” – which became a massive flop.
Around this time, Marion switched from stage to screen and landed a guest role in an episode of The Jefferson’s in 1976.