Elizabeth Hoffman
Elizabeth Hoffman (February 8, 1926 – August 21, 2023) was an American actress. She was best known for her regular role as Beatrice Reed Ventnor (mother of the sisters played by Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the NBC drama series Sisters (1991–1996).
Elizabeth Hoffman

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- Name
- Elizabeth Hoffman
- Occupation
- Actress
- Born
- 8 February 1926
- Birthplace
- Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.
- Died
- 21 August 2023
- Place of death
- Malibu, California, U.S.
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Elizabeth Hoffman (February 8, 1926 – August 21, 2023) was an American actress. She was best known for her regular role as Beatrice Reed Ventnor (mother of the sisters played by Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the NBC drama series Sisters (1991–1996).
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Elizabeth Hoffman (1926–2023) was an American actress. Born in Corvallis, the actress died in Malibu. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Elizabeth Hoffman • Occupation — Actress • Born — 8 February 1926 • Birthplace — Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. • Died — 21 August 2023 • Place of death — Malibu, California, U.S. • Years Active — 1980–1998 • Children — 2
Early life
Early life
Elizabeth Hoffman was born in Corvallis, Oregon on February 8, 1926.
Career
Career
Hoffman first appeared on television in a recurring role on Little House on the Prairie (1980–1981) before making her feature film debut in Frank LaLoggia's supernatural horror film Fear No Evil (1981), being cast in a leading role. In 1983, Hoffman portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt in Dan Curtis's historical miniseries The Winds of War. She had a supporting role opposite Barbra Streisand in the drama Nuts (1987), and subsequently reprised her role as Eleanor Roosevelt in the miniseries War and Remembrance in 1988. Hoffman next appeared in Monte Hellman's horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989). From 1991 to 1996, she portrayed Beatrice Reed Ventnor, mother of the titular sister characters played by actresses Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the drama series Sisters. Hoffman guest-starred in a number of television shows and mini-series such as Little House on the Prairie, War and Remembrance, Matlock and thirtysomething, and well as several movies including playing "Grandma Ruth" in Dante's Peak. She also played the role of Catherine Langford in 2 episodes of Stargate SG-1.
Personal life
Personal life
Hoffman had two sons.
Death
Death
Hoffman died at her home in Malibu, California on August 21, 2023, at the age of 97.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Reference • 1980–1981 — Little House on the Prairie — Miss Mason — 3 episodes • 1982 — The Greatest American Hero — Margaret Detwiller — 1 episode • 1983 — The Winds of War — Eleanor Roosevelt — Miniseries • 1983 — The A-Team — Mother Superior — 1 episode • 1984 — Blue Thunder — Mrs. Moynihan — 1 episode • 1985 — Hunter — Mrs. Thelma Atkins — 1 episode • 1988 — Roseanne — Beverly Harris — 1 episode (Unaired pilot) • 1989 — L.A. Law — Jeanne Rubens — 1 episode • 1988–1989 — War and Remembrance — Eleanor Roosevelt — Miniseries • 1989 — Star Trek: The Next Generation — Premier Bhavani — Episode: "The Price" • 1989–1990 — Matlock — Judge Mary Russell — 5 episodes • 1989–1991 — Thirtysomething — Eleanor Krieger — 5 episodes • 1991–1996 — Sisters — Beatrice 'Bea' Reed Ventnor — 127 episodes • 1997–1998 — Stargate SG-1 — Catherine Langford — 3 episodes "Torment of Tantalus", "There But For The Grace Of God", "Out of Mind" as flashback
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Corvallis.
Birth place
Malibu.
Death place
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Reference • 1981 — Fear No Evil — Mikhail/Margaret Buchanan • 1985 — Do You Remember Love — Lila — Television film • 1987 — Nuts — Dr. Johnson • 1989 — Elvis and Me — Mother Superior • 1989 — Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! — Granny • 1989 — Born on the Fourth of July — Passerby • 1991 — The Great Pretender — Rose Outland • 1994 — The River Wild — Gail's Mother • 1995 — Superfights — Runner • 1997 — Dante's Peak — Ruth
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Barnes, Mike. Elizabeth Hoffman, the Mother Bea on ‘Sisters,’ Dies at 97. The Hollywood Reporter. October 23, 2023.
- 2.Baker, Jeff. 17 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Oregon. The Oregonian. April 30, 2014.
- 3.Nuts - Full Cast & Crew. TV Guide.
- 4.Szul, Barbara. New 'Sisters' TV Series Explores The Tangle Of Family, Relationships. Chicago Tribune. May 5, 1991.
- 5.O'Connor, John J. After 5 Years of Family Fractiousness, 'Sisters' Exits Elegantly. The New York Times. May 4, 1996.
- 6.Kempley, Rita. 'Dante's Peak': Lava Among the Ruins. The Washington Post. February 7, 1997.
- 7.Elizabeth Hoffman: Credits. TV Guide.
- 8.Petski, Denise. Elizabeth Hoffman Dies: ‘Sisters’, ‘Winds Of War’ Actress Was 97. October 23, 2023.
- 9.DuPée, Matthew C. A Scary Little Christmas: A History of Yuletide Horror Films, 1972-2020. McFarland & Company. 37. 2022. 978-1-476-64540-7.
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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