Zelda Rubinstein — famous for her role as the psychic in 1982’s Poltergeist has died, according to her agent, Eric Stevens. She was 76.
Rubinstein died Wednesday at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Times reported. Rubinstein was hospitalized about two months ago after suffering a mild heart attack “She had ongoing health issues and unfortunately they finally overtook her,” Stevens told the paper.
The Pittsburgh native made her film debut in the 1981 Chevy Chase film Under the Rainbow. A year later, the 4-foot-3 actress broke through in Poltergeist. In the horror film and its two sequels Rubinstein played a spiritual medium who comes to help push demonic forces out of a suburban family home.
Other notable roles included films such as Sixteen Candles, Teen Witch and Southland Tales. On the small screen, Rubinstein guest-starred on sitcoms like Caroline in the City and starred on the David E. Kelley drama Picket Fences in the mid ’90s. She most recently made a cameo in the 2007 horror film Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.
Zelda Rubinstein in Poltergeist: Our Thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Zelda Rubinstein family.