Mary Ellen Trainor Dies; Lethal Weapon, Goonies Actress Was 62

Following successful 25-year career in film and television, actress passed away at her home on May 20

By Rebecca Macatee Jun 08, 2015 9:08 PMTags
E! Placeholder Image

E! News can confirm that Mary Ellen Trainor, an actress who appeared in all four Lethal Weapon movies from 1987 to 1998, has died at age 62.

Per Variety, who was first to report the news of the star and philanthropist's passing, Trainor died on May 20 at her home in Montecito, Calif.

Dominic Mancini, a rep for the actress, told E! News in a statement: "Mary Ellen was a wonderful person, who was always full of life and laughs. She personified "class" and 'elegance,' and will be greatly missed. She would do anything for a friend, and was one of the most loyal and warm people that I have ever had the honor of working with. My condolences to her friends, family, and fans. There will never be another like Mary Ellen."

Per IMBD, Trainor's first onscreen role was a small part on Cheers in 1983. The following year, she starred in Romancing the Stone, and by 1985, she landed a role in The Goonies as Mikey and Brand's mom, Mrs. Walsh. She worked steadily in film and TV for 25 years, with credits including Ghostbusters II, Die Hard and  Back to the Future Part II. From 1999 to 2002 she had a recurring role on Roswell playing the adoptive mother of Katherine Heigl's alien-hybrid character.

The actress, who was married to director Robert Zemeckis from 1980 to 2000, is survived by their son, Alex, as well as her mother Jane, and her siblings Ned, Jack, Barbara and Carolyn.

Per Variety, a memorial service for Trainor will be held June 19 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 1300 E. Valley Road, Montecito, CA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and Wounded Warriors.

—Additional reporting by Holly Passalaqua