Anne Ramsey on AllMovie

Bennington College graduate Anne Ramsey married actor Logan Ramsey in 1954; together, they formed Philadelphia's prestigious Theatre of the Living Arts. Despite her many stage credits, Ramsey did not actively pursue a film career during her first two decades as a professional. Put bluntly, she was far from photogenic; thus she decided to hold off working in films until she was as old as she looked. In 1971, she made her film bow, acting opposite her husband in The Sporting Club. She continued essaying minor roles until the 1980s, when tragedy transformed Ramsey into a latter-day star. Suffering from throat cancer, Anne was forced to endure the removal of most of her tongue and jawbone. Thereafter, her performances had a sharp, pit-bull edginess that worked beautifully in such films as Any Which Way You Can (1980) and The Goonies (1985). In 1987, Ramsey was Oscar-nominated for her bravura portrayal of Danny DeVito's monstrous mother in Throw Momma From the Train. Reportedly as salty offscreen as on, Anne Ramsey refused to go gentle into That Good Night, continuing to work in films right up to her death in 1988.