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Zelda Rubinstein (1933–2010)

Actress

Diminutive in size (4' 3") but with a larger-than-life presence on film and TV, character actress Zelda Rubinstein gave up a long and stable career in the medical field as a lab technician in order to strive for something more self-fulfilling as middle age settled in. At the age of 45, the feisty lady gave up the comfort of a stable paycheck and attempt an acting career... See full bio »

Born:

in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Died:

(age 76) in Los Angeles, California, USA
Still of Zelda Rubinstein in Poltergeist III Still of JoBeth Williams, Oliver Robins and Zelda Rubinstein in Poltergeist Still of Heather O'Rourke, JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Oliver Robins and Zelda Rubinstein in Poltergeist II: The Other Side Still of JoBeth Williams and Zelda Rubinstein in Poltergeist II: The Other Side Zelda Rubinstein Zelda Rubinstein
12 photos | 22 videos | 53 news articles »

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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActress (51 titles)
2000-2006 The Scariest Places on Earth (TV series)
Narrator
– All New Scariest Places on Earth (2006) … Narrator
– Legendary Haunts (2006) … Narrator
– Urban Legends (2005) … Narrator
– The Hayden Bridge Exorcism (2001) … Narrator
– Haunted Voodoo Plantation (2001) … Narrator
See all 15 episodes »
 
2006 Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
Mrs. Collinwood
 
2006 Southland Tales
Dr. Katarina Kuntzler
 
2006 Unbeatable Harold
Bunny
 
2005 Angels with Angles
Zelda the Angel
 
2005 Cages
Liz
 
2004 The Wild Card (video)
Mrs. Stanfield
 
2002 Wishcraft
Medical Examiner
 
2001 The Flintstones: On the Rocks (TV movie)
Psychiatrist (voice) (as Zelda Rubenstein)
 
2000 The Pretender (TV series)
Pawn Shop Lady
– Corn Man (2000) … Pawn Shop Lady
 
2000 Maria & Jose (short)
Doctor
 
1999 Hey Arnold! (TV series)
Patty's Mother
– Grudge Match/Polishing Rhonda (1999) … Patty's Mother (voice)
 
1999 Frank in Five (short)
Waitress
 
1998 Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights
Princess Shalazar
 
1998 Caroline in the City (TV series)
Phyllis
– Caroline and the Little White Lies (1998) … Phyllis
 
1997 Chock 2 - Kött (TV short)
Mamman
 
1997 Martin (TV series)
Nurse Froyd
– One Flew over the Hoochie's Nest (1997) … Nurse Froyd
 
1997 Mama Dolly
Mama Dolly
 
1997 Critics and Other Freaks
Theatre Director
 
1996 Little Witches
Mother Clodah
 
1996 Poltergeist: The Legacy (TV series)
Christina
– The Reckoning (1996) … Christina
 
1996 Lover's Knot
Woman in Clinic
 
1996 Casper (TV series)
– Three Boos and a Babe/The Whipstaff Inmates/Elusive Exclusive (1996) (voice / as Zelda Rubenstein)
 
1995 Timemaster
Betting Clerk
 
1992-1994 Picket Fences (TV series)
Ginny Weedon / Ginny / Ginny Weeden
– Howard's End (1994) … Ginny
– Frosted Flakes (1994) … Ginny
– My Left Shoe (1994) … Ginny Weeden (credit only)
– Buried Alive (1994) (credit only)
– System Down (1994) … Ginny
See all 44 episodes »
 
1994/II Last Resort (video)
Old Hermit
 
1993 Acting on Impulse (TV movie)
Nosy lady
 
1992 Tales from the Crypt (TV series)
Nora
– The New Arrival (1992) … Nora
 
1992 Stormy Weathers (TV movie)
Rosamund
 
1991 The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (TV movie)
Butterfingers O'Malley
 
1991 Darkwing Duck (TV series)
– The Secret Origins of Darkwing Duck (1991) (voice / as Zelda Rubenstein)
 
1991 Guilty as Charged
Edna
 
1990 Mr. Belvedere (TV series)
Murphy
– Bad Marsha (1990) … Murphy
 
1989 Teen Witch
Madame Serena
 
1988 Poltergeist III
Tangina Barrons
 
1987 Sable (TV series)
Sister Glory
– Evangelist (1987) … Sister Glory
 
1987 Faerie Tale Theatre (TV series)
Old Woman
– The Dancing Princesses (1987) … Old Woman
 
1987 Anguish
Mother
 
1987 The Tortellis (TV series)
Cookie Detzer
– The Ad Game (1987) … Cookie Detzer
 
1986 ABC Weekend Specials (TV series)
Ralph's Mother
– The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1986) … Ralph's Mother (voice) (as Zelda Rubenstein)
 
1986 Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Tangina Barrons
 
1984 Santa Barbara (TV series)
Mental Patient
– Episode #1.46 (1984) … Mental Patient (uncredited)
 
1984 Sixteen Candles
Organist
 
1984 Whiz Kids (TV series)
Madame Zerleena
– Amen to Amen-Re (1984) … Madame Zerleena
 
1983 Matt Houston (TV series)
Flower Girl
– Target: Miss World (1983) … Flower Girl
 
1983 Jennifer Slept Here (TV series)
– One of Our Jars Is Missing (1983)
 
1983 A Chip of Glass Ruby
Daughter
 
1982 Frances
Mental Patient (as Zelda Rubenstein)
 
1982 Poltergeist
Tangina
 
1981 Under the Rainbow
Iris
 
1980 The Flintstone Comedy Show (TV series)
Atrocia Frankenstone
– RV Fever/Birthday Boy/Clownfoot/Fred Goes Ape/Flying Mouse/Ghost-sitters (1980) … Atrocia Frankenstone (voice)
 
Show ShowSelf (9 titles)
2012 Calling Spielberg (documentary) (post-production)
Herself
 
2008 USIDent TV: Surveilling the Southland (video documentary short)
Herself
 
2007 The Insider (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 23 November 2007 (2007) … Herself
 
2004 Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride (short)
Herself
 
1999 VH-1 Where Are They Now? (TV series documentary)
Herself
– Horror Movie Stars (1999) … Herself
 
1990 The Horror Hall of Fame (TV documentary)
Herself - Presenter
 
1988 Win, Lose or Draw (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 28 October 1988 (1988) … Herself
– Episode dated 27 October 1988 (1988) … Herself
– Episode dated 26 October 1988 (1988) … Herself
– Episode dated 25 October 1988 (1988) … Herself
– Episode dated 24 October 1988 (1988) … Herself
 
1987 Reading Rainbow (TV series)
Herself
– A Three Hat Day (1987) … Herself (voice)
 
1986 Arsenal (TV series)
Herself
– No explorat (1986) … Herself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)
2008 Bigas Luna: La mirada entomòloga (documentary short)
Alice Pressman, the Mother (old movie)
 
1997 Poltergeist: The Legacy (TV series)
 

Related Videos

Bigas Luna: La mirada entomòloga -- An exploration of the world and the work of the most international Catalan filmmaker through the director’s entomological vision and his portrayal of the characters and themes he loves and hates. Picket Fences: Season 2: Episode 20 -- When Father Barrett’s shoe fetish gains media attention, it places him at risk of losing his parish. Teen Witch -- He's even straightened out the refrigerator shelves!
See all 22 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1985) Played the role of a mother in a series of TV commercials warning about AIDS called L.A. Cares. Zubinstein also was featured in various newspaper and billboard ads as the mother character for the same campaign. See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Interview  | 1 Article  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Zelda Rubenstein

Height:

4' 3" (1.30 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

Little people are societally handicapped. They have about two minutes to present themselves as equals -- and if they don't take advantage of that chance, then people fall back on the common assumption that "less' is less. See more »

Trivia:

She attended the first AIDS Project Los Angeles AIDS Walk in 1985. See more »

Trademark:

High pitched raspy voice See more »

Star Sign:

Gemini