Two and a Half Men’s Conchata Ferrell dead at 77

Conchata Ferrell, best known for playing housekeeper Berta on CBS’s Two and a Half Men, succumbed to complications from cardiac arrest on Monday. 

The actress was taken to the hospital in May for an illness and was admitted to the ICU. She went into cardiac arrest in June, and was transferred to a long-term care facility in July, where she remained on a respirator and was unable to communicate.  

Ferrell died at Sherman Oaks Hospital on October 12 while surrounded by her family. She was 77.  

Ferrell earned two Emmy nods for her more than 200 episode run as Charlie’s straight shooting housekeeper on the CBS smash hit. Former show lead Sheen lamented her loss on Twitter.   

“An absolute sweetheart, a consummate pro, a genuine friend a shocking and painful loss,” he wrote. “Berta, your housekeeping was a tad suspect, your ‘people’ keeping was perfect.”

John Cryer, who played Charlie’s live-in brother Alan, mourned Ferrell’s loss in a series of tweets.  “She was a beautiful human,” Cryer posted. “Berta’s gruff exterior was an invention of the writers. Chatty’s warmth and vulnerability were her real strengths. I’m crying for the woman I’ll miss, and the joy she brought so many.”

Cryer recounted her first day on set, which was the show’s second episode, when he told her that he was a fan and she “simply refused to believe it.” He had to recount a comedy bit from one of her old sitcoms before she took him seriously.  

“I’m glad that I absolutely knew how fortunate I was to share a stage with her,” he continued. “I treasured every moment and will continue to until we meet again. I have a feeling she’ll call me “Zippy.””

Costar Melanie Lynskey, who played Charlie’s stalker neighbor Rose, said Ferrell was warm, lovely and brilliant. “Her husband Arnie came to every single taping of Two And A Half Men and sat in the audience, beaming with pride. Her sweet daughter Samantha was often there too.”

Alan’s ex-wife Marin Hinkle tweeted, “though it was called #TwoAndAHalfMen, Berta was perhaps the female heart and soul of the show.

Ferrell’s other notable credits included Edward Scissorhands, Erin Brockovich, Mystic Pizza, and a recurring role on The Ranch, executive produced by Sheen’s season nine replacement, Ashton Kutcher.

an absolute sweetheart
a consummate pro
a genuine friend
a shocking and painful loss.

Berta,
your housekeeping
was a tad suspect,
your "people"keeping was perfect.

?©️? pic.twitter.com/cJMK8APgQV

— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) October 13, 2020

I remember her first day on 2 1/2 Men. It was our second episode and I felt so lucky that they’d been able to cast her on the show. I gushed to her about what a fan i was of hers and she simply refused to believe it.

— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) October 13, 2020

Lovely, brilliant Chatti. I'm weeping. She was the warmest, most gracious lady. Her husband Arnie came to every single taping of Two And A Half Men and sat in the audience, beaming with pride. Her sweet daughter Samantha was often there too. Oh, she was loved. She will be missed. https://t.co/38Nu2QGF6L

— Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) October 13, 2020

Though it was called #TwoAndAHalfMen, Berta was perhaps the female heart and soul of the show.#ConchataFerrell ‘s joy and comic brilliance inspired and moved me every day we shared.

Chatty – I’ll miss your generous and deeply loving spirit so very much! My heart is broken.? pic.twitter.com/YywJprPgnX

— Marin Hinkle (@_MarinHinkle) October 14, 2020

Marie Finn