National Lampoon’s Animal House star Mary Louise Weller dead at 79
National Lampoon’s Animal House actress Mary Louise Weller passed away on Thursday (01.10.26) at the age of 79.
National Lampoon’s Animal House star Mary Louise Weller has died at the age of 79.
The actress, who played Mandy Pepperidge in the 1978 comedy-drama film, passed away after a short illness on Thursday (01.10.26) - a day before her 80th birthday, her longtime partner Michael Roy Curtis announced, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Mary's close pal David Marks confirmed her death on Facebook with an emotional tribute, which read: "It is with great sadness that I share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend, Mary-louise Weller.
"Beautiful Mary, friend, actress, model, equestrian, passed away quietly. (sic)"
Many paid tribute to the entertainer in the post's comments section, as one penned: "What a BeautyGirl she was. My deepest sympathies David. I am so sorry for your terrible loss. (sic)"
A second typed: "Mary-louise was a wonderful and kind friend. My best wishes and condolences to Michael and ML's family and friends. (sic)"
And a third wrote: "My deepest condolences. May her memory be a blessing."
Mary was born in New York City on October 2, 1946, and was raised in Los Angeles's Westwood area.
The beauty, whose godfather was the late White Christmas actor Danny Kaye, began her entertainment career with modelling before she made her film debut in the 1972 political comedy Hail!.
The following year, she starred opposite Al Pacino, 86, in the 1973 biographical crime drama movie about former New York City police officer Frank Serpico.
In 1978, Mary appeared in the supernatural horror flick The Evil, alongside the late Richard Crenna and the late Joanna Pettet, and the crime drama series Kojak.
Also that year, she was cast as Mandy Pepperidge in National Lampoon's Animal House, which was directed by 76-year-old John Landis.
The film also featured the likes of the late John Belushi, Tim Matheson, 78, Kevin Bacon, 68, and 74-year-old Karen Allen.
In a 2012 interview with Cult Film Freak, Mary remembered that she joined the project after showing the script to the late ABC head Brandon Stoddard.
She recalled: "He also knew it would be an enormous hit, but he warned me that it would be the movie I would always be known for."
After National Lampoon's Animal House, Mary starred in the 1979 psychological drama film The Bell Jar, worked with Ted Danson, 78, and the late Christopher Lee in the 1980 TV movie Once Upon A Spy, and appeared alongside the late Chuck Norris in the 1982 action film Forced Vengeance.
She also had guest roles in the likes of Starsky and Hutch, Fantasy Island, and CHiPs.
Mary's final acting credit was an episode of Quincy, M.E. in 1983.
Speaking about her career in a 1986 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she said: "I was the beautiful girl in trouble or the rich guy’s daughter who owns a Porsche and won’t give you the time of day."
Away from acting, Mary trained with the US Equestrian Team as a teenager and took part in horse-riding competitions.
