Elyse Donalson, known to horror fans for her role as a victim in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, has passed away. She was 78 years old.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Donalson died “unexpectedly” on Wednesday at her home in Studio City in Los Angeles, California. Her passing was confirmed by her sister, Harriette Meyer. No other details about her cause of death were divulged.
A native of Victoria, Texas, Donalson was born on Oct. 5, 1947. After graduating in 1965, she met her future husband, Joe Houde, while studying at Southwest Texas State University. She relocated from Texas to Los Angeles, and was taking acting classes to pursue her show business career. One of her first roles was getting hired for an episode of CBS’ Wizards and Warriors in 1983.
Donalson had a memorable part in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, which featured Paul Rudd as Tommy Doyle. One scene sees Rudd’s Tommy meet Donalson’s character, a psychiatric patient in an asylum, after she’d been stabbed by Michael Myers (A. Michael Lerner). She was credited as “Lunatic.”
In 2000, Donalson appeared as an elderly woman in The X-Files‘ Season 7 episode “Signs & Wonders.” She appeared in many other popular TV shows as well, including roles in episodes of St. Elsewhere, Starman, Matlock, Quantum Leap, Doogie Howser, M.D., Switched at Birth, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Beverly Hills, 90210, and JAG. Her final role was in an episode of Medical Investigation as Dr. Eckhart in 2004.
In addition to acting, Donalson also worked for multiple law firms in California. Her family noted that she loved animals and watching films. Survivors include her sister along with her brother-in-law, Jimmie; nieces, Kellie and Kate; great-nieces, Madison, Macy, and Piper; and a great-nephew, Clay.
Rest in peace.
