Elizbeth MacRae acted for 25 years, before ditching the entertainment industry for an entirely new profession in the 90s.
Family members have confirmed the death of Elizabeth MacRae, a seasoned actress who boasted a wide range of TV appearances in the 1960s and 70s, at the age of 89. According to her obituary, MacRae passed away peacefully on May 27. She is survived by her five stepchildren, and an array of nieces and nephews, as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
Family confirms death of actress turned counselor Elizabeth MacRae, 89
MacRae was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on February 22, 1936 – where she would go on to live until her early 20s, before embarking on a journey to New York to fulfill the age-old dream of searching for an acting career in the Big Apple.
The late star enjoyed a great deal of success in her search for stardom and was known for roles in the likes of Route 66, The Andy Griffith Show and General Hospital. MacRae’s most acclaimed acting gig was in Gomer Pyle, USMC, in which she portrayed Lou Ann Poovie.
While she was best known for her TV work, MacRae also appeared on the big screen on multiple occasions – starring in movies such as Love In A Goldfish Bowl and The Incredible Mr. Limpet, as well as the Frances Ford Coppola-directed The Conversation, on which she starred alongside the esteemed Gene Hackman.
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After retiring from showbiz after 25 years, MacRae went on to work as a drug and alcohol counselor with the Freedom Institute in New York – a role described in her obituary as MacRae’s “most significant achievement”.
MacRae and her late husband, Charles, left New York in the late 1990s to relocate to North Carolina before eventually moving to MacRae’s hometown, Fayetteville. The return to MacRae’s home was said to be “a dream come true” for the actress turned councillor.
Tributes paid to ‘versatile’ star
Taking to Twitter (X) to commemorate her passing, movie historian James L. Neibaur wrote: “SAD FAREWELL – Elizabeth MacRae”.
“A versatile actress who had many roles in movies and TV, both comedies and dramas, but I will always best remember her as Lou Ann Poovie on the Gomer Pyle show. RIP.”
Revisiting her role in The Conversation (1974), one fan wrote of MacRae: “(She) didn’t make a lot of films during her career but she sneaks into THE CONVERSATION about halfway through and is a complete game-changer with her sideways glances and silky whispers.”
“Fantastic supporting work by a pro”, they added.
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