Selma Archerd

Selma Archerd
Born
Selma Helene Fenning

(1925-02-26)February 26, 1925
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedDecember 14, 2023(2023-12-14) (aged 98)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1973–2000
Spouses
  • Howard M. Rosenblum
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1943; div. 1968)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1969; died 2009)​
Children2

Selma Helene Archerd (née Fenning; February 26, 1925 – December 14, 2023) was an American actress, known for her roles in Die Hard (1988), Lethal Weapon (1987) and Lethal Weapon 3 (1992). She mostly played background roles (saleslady, woman, customer, hostage, passenger) throughout her 27-year career in television and film.

Early life and career

Selma Helene Fenning was born on February 26, 1925, in Newark, New Jersey,[1][2] one of two children born to Charlotte Hurdus and A. Harry Fenning,[3][4] a New York-based furrier who relocated with his family to Los Angeles in approximately 1935.[5] Selma attended UCLA and was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi.[2] Besides her many films, listed below, she played roles on television, including 25 episodes of Melrose Place as Nurse Amy.[6] Other television roles included The Brady Bunch, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, The Love Boat, Hotel, Knots Landing, Marcus Welby, M.D., Roseanne, and Cagney & Lacey.[7] She sometimes appeared with her husband on the game show Tattletales.[8]

Personal life and death

Her first marriage, to Howard M. Rosenblum, lasted from June 27, 1943, until their divorce in October 1968.[2][9] They had two sons.[7] The following year, on November 15, she wed entertainment columnist Army Archerd,[10] to whom she remained married until his death on September 8, 2009.[11][12] Selma Archerd died in Los Angeles on December 14, 2023, at the age of 98.[13][14]

Filmography

Airport 1975 (1974) - Frightened Woman[15]

The Big Bus (1976)[15]

Gable and Lombard (1976) - Mrs. Ivan Cooper[16][1]

Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976) - Woman patron[15]

Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976) - unspecified "important role"[17][1]

W. C. Fields and Me (1976) - Salesperson[15]

Fire Sale (1977) - Ellie

Fun With Dick and Jane (1977) - Beverly Hills matron[15]

New York, New York (1977) - Wife of Justice of the Peace[15]

Americathon (1979) - Telethon phone celebrity[15]

The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979) - Passenger[15]

Meteor (1979) - Woman in subway[15]

Can't Stop the Music (1980) - Mrs. Williams[15]

Mommie Dearest (1981) - Connie[15]

Hard to Hold (1984) - Mrs. Adilman[15]

Fever Pitch (1985) - Sister Theresa[15]

Lethal Weapon (1987) - Policewoman[15]

Die Hard (1988) - Hostage #1

Scrooged (1988) - Mrs. Claus at party[15]

Side Out (1990) - Sand and Sea receptionist

Taking Care of Business (1990) - Woman in pro shop

Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) - Officer Selma[15]

Indecent Proposal (1993)[15]

Born Yesterday (1993) - Lois[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Ragan, David (1992). Who's Who in Hollywood, 1900-1976, Vol. 1: The Largest Cast of International Film Personalities Ever Assembled. New York: Facts on File. p. 42. ISBN 0-8160-2009-4. See also:
    • Abcarian, Robin (March 21, 1999). "Perfect Casting". Los Angeles Times Magazine. p. 42.
  2. ^ a b c "Weddings (continued from fifth page)". The Los Angeles Times. June 28, 1943. p. A6. ProQuest 165444488. ROSENBLUM-FENNING — Selma Helene Fenning, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Fenning, 509 N. McCadden Place, recited marriage vows yesterday afternoon with Lieut. Howard M. Rosenblum in the Fenning Gardens. The bride is an Alpha Epsilon Phi from the University of California, Los Angeles campus.[...] They will live in Paso Robles near Camp Roberts.
  3. ^ "Obituary Notices: Fenning, William M.; July 9, 1920 - November 19, 2015". The Los Angeles Times. August 29, 1973. p. 45. ProQuest 1960321237. William Fenning was born on July 9, 1920 to Charlotte and A. Harry Fenning in New York City, and passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, in Los Angeles on November 19, 2015 [...] Bill is survived by his wife Dione [...] and sister Selma Archerd.
  4. ^ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1953", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8KN-M7T : 17 August 2022), A Harry Fenning in entry for William M Fennings and Elaine R Ross, 1947.
  5. ^ "Funeral for Retired Fur Dealer". The Los Angeles Times. August 16, 1955. p. 29. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Clarendon, Dan (2023-12-24). "Selma Archerd, 'Melrose Place' Actress, Dies at 98". TV Insider. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  7. ^ a b Haring, Bruce (2023-12-23). "Selma Archerd Dies: Actress and Wife of Longtime Variety Columnist Army Archerd, Was 98". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  8. ^ Barnes, Mike (2023-12-23). "Selma Archerd, Actress and Widow of Variety Columnist Army Archerd, Dies at 98". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  9. ^ "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP5V-VJJ : 15 May 2014), Selma H Fenning and Howard M Rosenblum, Oct 1968; from "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2007); citing Los Angeles City, California, Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento.
  10. ^ Abcarian, Robin (1999-03-21). "Perfect Casting". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2023-08-01. Alt URL
  11. ^ Sullivan, Ed (November 3, 1969). "Little Old New York". New York Daily News. p. 118. ProQuest 2301157116. Army (Variety) Archerd weds Selma Rosenblum on 15th...
  12. ^ Schudel, Matt (September 10, 2009). "Army Archerd, 87; Longtime Columnist Broadcast Hollywood's Business". The Washington Post. p. B5. ProQuest 1944253196. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Selma Rosenblum Archerd, a son from his first marriage, two stepchildren, and five grandchildren.
  13. ^ "Selma Fenning Archerd". Legacy.com. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Haring, Bruce (December 23, 2023). "Selma Archerd Dies: Actress And Wife Of Longtime Variety Columnist Army Archerd Was 98". Deadline. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Selma Archerd Filmography". AFI Catalog (American Film Institute). Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  16. ^ "MOVIE CALL SHEET: Liza, Father to Team for First Time". Los Angeles Times. August 25, 1975. p. E13. ProQuest 157783405. Castings ... Selma Archerd, wife of Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd, plays the role of Red Buttons' wife in 'Lombard and Gable' [sic] and has a cameo in 'W.C. Fields and Me'.
  17. ^ Lehman, Harry (November 21, 1975). "On Camera Out West; Out West". Back Stage. pp. 4w, 30. ProQuest 963123617. Yates/Mankiewicz production, 'Mother, Jugs and Speed,' a 20th Century-Fox release, has named Selma Archerd for an important role in the film now being lensed throughout Los Angeles locations.


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