Elsa Raven

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Elsa Raven
Born
Elsa Rabinowitz

(1929-09-21)September 21, 1929
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedNovember 2, 2020(2020-11-02) (aged 91)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1961–2011

Elsa Rabinowitz (September 21, 1929 – November 2, 2020), known professionally as Elsa Raven, was an American character actress, perhaps best known for her two years (1988–1990) on the sitcom Amen and playing the mother of Vincent Terranova (Ken Wahl) on the TV series Wiseguy.[1]

Raven is also known for her small but memorable role in Back to the Future (1985) as the clock tower lady with her phrase "Save the clock tower!" while gathering local donations to preserve the clock, whose complimentary leaflet later proves invaluable in the past. She played Ida Straus in the 1997 film Titanic along with Lew Palter, who played Isidor Straus,[2] and had a voice role in the 1981 animated film American Pop.[3]

Raven adhered to Judaism.[4] Raven died on November 2, 2020, in Los Angeles, at the age of 91.[5][6] Upon her death, she was cremated and her ashes returned to her family.

Filmography

Film appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1970The Honeymoon KillersMatron
1971Such Good FriendsTransfusion donor nurseUncredited
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot StraightMrs. Water Buffalo
Lady LibertyPolicewomanUncredited
South of Hell Mountain
1972A Fan's NotesDeborah
1979The Cracker FactoryTourist
The Amityville HorrorMrs. Townsend
1980FatsoPhil's Wife
1981American PopHanneleVoice
The Postman Always Rings TwiceMatron
PaternityPre-natal Nurse
1983Second ThoughtsLarge Nurse
Twilight Zone: The MovieNurse No. 2Segment "Kick the Can"
1985Back to the FutureClocktower Lady
CreatorMrs. Mallory
1988The ModernsGertrude Stein
1991Another YouVolunteer
1993Indecent ProposalCitizenship Student
In the Line of FireBooth's Landlady
FearlessGrey Haired Lady
1995One Night StandMrs. Salvatore
1997TitanicIda Straus
2001Face to FaceGrandma
2002The 4th TenorMama
2005The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan GreenSenior Lady
The CutterMrs. Rosen
Laying Down ArmsEsterShort movie
2006MiriamAunt Levya
2009Dead GameBoogieShort movie
2011They're with MeGreat Great Grandma Fanny FeinerShort movie
Answers to NothingMrs. Harrison

TV appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Million Dollar Infield Dr. Isabel Armen
1978-1982 Quincy, M.E. Miss Beck, Miss Coroner Judge, Nurse Angela Davenport
1983-1984 The A-Team Clara Dickerson, Dr. Marian Ericson
1985 Highway to Heaven Ms. Zabenko
1986 Family Ties Mildred Atkins
1986 General Hospital Tessie
1988 Freddy's Nightmares Mrs. Wildmon
1989-1990 Amen Inga
1987-1990 Wiseguy Carlotta Terranova Aiuppo
1991 Get a Life Marta
1992 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Ida Pollock
1993 Murphy Brown Mrs. Kobolakis
1993 Sisters Madam Sophie
1994 Seinfeld Mom
1999 3rd Rock from the Sun Aunt Florence
2004 Everybody Loves Raymond Mrs. Lopman
2008 ER Rosemary Smalls

References

  1. "Elsa Raven". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. Heyer, Paul (2012). Titanic Century: Media, Myth, and the Making of a Cultural Icon. ABC-CLIO. p. 158. ISBN 9780313398155.
  3. Canby, Vincent (February 13, 1981). "'American Pop' Grown-Up Animation". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  4. "Back to the Future and Seinfeld actress Elsa Raven dies at 91". www.thejc.com. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  5. Neil, Genzlinger (November 5, 2020). "Elsa Raven, 'Back to the Future' Character Actress, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. "'Back to the Future' Writer Bob Gale Pays Tribute to "Memorable" Elsa Raven | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 5 November 2020.