Animal House’ Star Mary Louise Weller Dies at 79 — Fans Remember Mandy Pepperidge
Hollywood is mourning the loss of Mary Louise Weller, best known for playing Mandy Pepperidge in the 1978 comedy classic Animal House.
Weller died on October 1 at age 79, just one day before her 80th birthday, following a brief illness. Her family announced the heartbreaking news through her Facebook account and asked for privacy during the difficult time
Born in Brooklyn in 1946, Weller began her acting career in the early 1970s and appeared in films and television shows including Serpico, Starsky and Hutch, Baretta, and Kojak.
But it was her role as Mandy Pepperidge in Animal Housethat made her a familiar face to millions.
The 1978 comedy became one of the most iconic films of its era, starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson and a young Kevin Bacon. Weller later admitted she had been warned that the movie might become the role she was remembered for.
They were right.
Although Animal House remained her most famous role, Weller continued acting in films and television before eventually stepping away from Hollywood.
She later devoted much of her life to horses, equestrian pursuits and writing.