American actress and singer Elmarie Wendel, best known for her role as eccentric landlady Mrs. Dubcek on 3rd Rock From the Sun, passed away on July 21, 2018. Her daughter and fellow actress J.C. Wendel (Dave’s World) confirmed her death on Instagram, writing “#ripelmariewendel you were a great mom and a badass dame.” She was 89 years old.

Elmarie Louise Wendel was born on November 23, 1928 in Howard County, Iowa. One of five children in a musical family, Wendel spent most of her childhood traveling around the midwest. After eventually settling in New York City, Wendel found early success in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. While on a national tour of Annie, Wendel entered the Hollywood scene and enjoyed work on film and television. During this time she made guest appearances on such shows as Seinfeld, Empty Nest, Love & War, NYPD Blue, Murphy Brown, and Murder, She Wrote.

In 1996, Wendel joined the hit ’90s sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun as Mrs. Dubcek where she remained until the series end in 2001. She later appeared in And the Band Played On and Far from Home, before lending her voice to 2012’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and the popular video game Fallout 4. Between 2003 and 2007, Wendel starred as assembly line worker Gina on George Lopez. 

Additional Broadway credits for Wendel over the years included Wonderful Town, Little Mary Sunshine, Gigi, and Cole Porter Revisited.

3rd Rock costar Jim Beaver was among the people who paid tribute to Wendel on social media.

I've just heard from her daughter JC that my friend and colleague from 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN, Elmarie Wendel, has died. She was raucous, funny, endearing, and terribly, terribly sweet. Goodnight, Mrs. Dubcek, wherever you are. pic.twitter.com/dIpvDbFsXO

— Jim Beaver (@jumblejim) July 22, 2018