'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 EMlLYAVA

Vote down Vote up Report this

O stop it,,,,She'll be back

By Tammy Ashley

I think thats why they used her voice on Scariest places on earth, because it had the potential to sound so creepy and alarming. My husband and I were just watching that show on the SCI FI network last night. This is weird.

By ronald

hahaha ya i know she was trying to make her voice sound spookie but she couldent do it anymore that show was faked anyway

Friday 29 January

By ree2u51

Zelda was a great actress and her voice was one of a kind. My sympathy to her family and friends. She will be missed.

Author: R. B. Rose

Asylum: From the Inside

Saturday 30 January

By Anna

The older actor in the suit and hat was named Julian Beck. HE DID NOT DIE OF AIDS. He died of cancer. Married to a woman and I doubt into needles. Do research.

Sunday 31 January

By cybergremlins

aww, thats a shame, she was a great actress and was fantastic in poltergiest, always reminded me of my gran! lol RIP old lady!

Wednesday 03 February

By Kat

Sorry to hear of her death and that she had no surviving family but she had many friends. I could not fly out to see her but sent flowers in December when she was in Cedar Sinai, LA. I will miss her so much.

Thursday 17 March

By Heather

I've seen every single movie that she was in . Loved her in the Poltergeist movies , Teen Witch and Anguish . She was a wonderful actress and lady and will remain part of my childhood and adult memories .

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