'Poltergeist' Star Zelda Rubinstein Dies at 76

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 27th 2010 05:30PM

Actress Zelda Rubinstein, who played spirit talker Tangina in Steven Spielberg's cult 1982 film 'Poltergeist,' has passed away. Her agent, Eric Stevens, confirmed she passed away of natural causes at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 27. She was 76-years-old.

Stevens tells RadarOnline.com, "She had ongoing health issues and unfortunately they finally overtook her."

"At 1:59 this morning Zelda left us. She was very much at peace when she finally rested. I'm so sad right now, but I'm glad I was here to be with her and hold her hand," a friend of the actress said.

She was hospitalized in Los Angeles in December after two of her major organs failed. According to reports, friends and family insisted Rubinstein was on the mend earlier this month.

A friends adds, "She was very much at peace when she finally rested... The world has definitely lost someone very special."

'Poltergeist' was Rubinstein's big break in Hollywood, but she also appeared in 'Poltergeist II: The Other Side,' 'National Lampoon's Last Resort' and 'Sixteen Candles.' Her other credits include 'Caroline in the City,' 'Picket Fences' and 'Mr. Belvedere.'

Tags: Zelda Rubinstein, ZeldaRubinstein

Comments

(68)

Thursday 28 January

By Linda

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I was flipping through the channels this evening and heard Ms. Rubenstein's voice on "The Scariest Places on Earth" (her voice is the only good in an extremely mediocre show). Her voice talent was a true gift from God and she used it well. A very sweet lady who died too soon.

By Pat

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Am very saddened to hear of dear Zelda's passing. I worked on the first two "Poltergeist" films, and Zelda was a very special lady...a professional at her craft...and sheer joy to be around. You will be greatly missed, and thanks for leaving such wonderful memories. RIP, Ms. Rubinstein... Will never forget you.

By kitnmeisner

Hey Greenbob:

This and all other sites I've seen you're evil advertisements is not the place to advertise your swingers parties. Take it somewhere else and stay out of the net.

You are twisted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Emily Rude

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She has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl. She will be greatly missed.

By Diana

Zelda was a good actress, and I never heard one thing bad about her in all these years. She sure scared me in the movie Poltergeist. There was something very scarey in her voice, when she needed it to be. She will be in my prayers tonight. RIP Zelda.

By Melissa

Zelda was excellent in that movie! Now she is up there with the rest of them. God bless you all!!! Rest in Peace Zelda!!! We Love you!

By The Woodster

What I remember Zelda for the most was a series of print ads in the Los Angeles area. It was towards the start of the AIDS crisis, and she played a character named Mother, who reminded her "boys" to always wear their rubbers! She also made public appearances as Mother, and would go out and talk with her "boys" personally, urging them to take care of themselves. She may have been short, but there was nothing small about her - she was loving, caring and genuine. Not to mention brave - this was at a time when almost nothing was known about the disease, and to take a public stance such as she did was considered (by too many) professional suicide. God bless her!

By Patricia

Don't forget TEEN WITCH!

By theatrex

I enjoyed seeing Zelda in the "Poltergeist" films, as well as "Anguish" and most recently, "Southland Tales". She brought an interesting presence to every film she was in. RIP, Zelda.

By Joel

Go into the light.

By Elohssa

A) Dearly missed? I guess when she is reference in a joke or witty retort about midgets and/or creepy people...still RIP
B) I heard Craig T Nelson and the Pathmark guy gave each other AIDS. In fact they developed it in a lab and then secretly released it for what they described as a "Gay Holocaust"
C) The tree also gay, died of AIDS
D) AIDS
Thank You
XOXOX

By melanie

R.I.P. Zelda. I truely enjoyed her in Picket Fences and anything else she acted in. Full of spunk for sure.
God Bless.

By henry

RIP

By Matt

It looks like the Poltergeist curse has struck again. With Zelda Rubinstein's death is up there with Domnique Dunne, Heather O'Rourke, Julian Beck, and Will Sampson. Other things involved in the curse were the 1994 North Ridge Earthquake damaging the Poltergeist house, film was jammimg up in the cameras, special effects not working right, and the skeletons used in the movies turn out to be REAL dead bodies. RIP Zelda

By bethann88

RIP. She also narated ghost Hunters International.

By Jenny

No, not Ghost Hunters International, it was Scariest Places On Earth.

Friday 29 January

By CmdrKat

Lainey Gossip is just that...GOSSIP! I recall that sweet little girl, Carrie Underwood, who timidly walked out onto the wooden stage to audition for AI who was so sweet and innocent-and look at her now! She's gone from the mild cutie with the bad perms to a gorgeous lady who has taken the country music world by storm and from all appearances is still the same "for real" girl she was back then. Her travels to Africa for "AI Gives Back" made me proud. Her tears were genuine and watching her pray over dying people with AIDS and carrying children out to a cemetary to put sad little handsful of flowers on a parent's grave was precious and honest. This lady has so much true love for the Lord and people, why criticize her for not looking "perfect" all the time? She is who she is and I'm thrilled she is engaged. I hope this man is worthy of her. That rock on her hand is unbelieveable!! Not her style, and I pray his love for her is true and the ring isn't just for show. I wish them the very best and also wish her continued success in her awesome singing. May she continue to go platinum with every CD she releases! Who gives a rat's a-- if she doesn't spend dozens of hours making sure every strand of her beautiful hair is in place and screaming at stylists and makeup artists who would fuss over her like some "artists". Her natural beauty shines through whatever she wears-gowns or jeans, she is beautiful inside and out! Clive Davis has a true, respectable lady working for him. God bless you Carrie!

That dear little gal will sorely be missed! I was told she was in W of Oz, but she wasn't small enough was she? And her credits don't list that. She had a special air about her that made you just HAVE to love her! Sadly, Heather O'Rourke passed away in our hospital here in N. San Diego County of an intestinal blockage. She too was a real beauty. Great cast in the movie and "Lady Z" was the icing on the cake. May she rest in peace and be having a wonderful time with the rest of her small--statued fellow stars up in the Heavens. Bet that movie will be THE most-watched movie tonight and for the better part of the weekend. The 2nd movie was OK, and the old preacher gave me the willies, but Ms. Zelda made it all good. Gonna miss ya girl!!

By Amanda

RIP...go into the light Zelda.

She also played a wise witch in the movie "Teen Witch" in the 1980s. She was a funny character in that movie. I loved her characters. She was a big spirited little lady. She made you wish you could give her a hug.

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