Popular television show Two and a Half Men actor Conchata Ferrell, known for her role as Berta the housekeeper in the series, passed away at the age of 77 in Sherman Oaks on Tuesday.
The demise of the two-time Emmy nominated actor was confirmed by a representative of Warner Bros. Television to Variety.
The creator and executive producer of Two and a Half Men, Chuck Lorre in a statement expressed sorrow over the loss and termed the late actor as "one of the greats."
He said, "We called her Chatty. And we all loved her. Twelve years of highs and lows, and lots and lots of laughter. Through it all, she was a rock. One of the greats. I was privileged to call her a friend."
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. TV, the studio behind Two and a Half Men, tweeted, "We are saddened by the loss of Conchata Ferrell and are grateful for the years she brought us laughs as Berta which will live on forever."
Charlie Sheen also took to his Twitter account and wrote, "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."
While Jon Cryer said, "She was a beautiful human 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."
For the uninformed, Ferrell had been ill for a long time was hospitalised earlier this year in May. She also spent over a month in the ICU, where she was also hit by a cardiac arrest at one point. The actor was later relocated to a long-term treatment center, where she was on a respirator and dialysis. Ferrell is most popularly known for essaying the role of Berta during all 12 seasons of Two and a Half Men, for which she had also received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in the category for supporting female actor in a comedy series. She is survived by her sound mixer husband Arnold Anderson, a daughter, and two step-daughters.
(Inputs from ANI)