Louise Fletcher
Known for
Louise Fletcher went down in film history for bringing to life one of its coldest and most memorable villains. An American actress of serene presence, she played the implacable Nurse Ratched in 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest', a performance of restrained cruelty that earned her the Oscar for Best Actress. Born in Alabama in 1934 and deceased in 2022, the daughter of deaf parents, she used sign language when accepting her award in a much-remembered gesture. Although no later role reached that height, her Ratched remained synonymous with oppressive authority, defined by glacial calm rather than by stridency.
Louise Fletcher
63 Movies
30 Series
Louise Fletcher went down in film history for bringing to life one of its coldest and most memorable villains. An American actress of serene presence, she played the implacable Nurse Ratched in 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest', a performance of restrained cruelty that earned her the Oscar for Best Actress. Born in Alabama in 1934 and deceased in 2022, the daughter of deaf parents, she used sign language when accepting her award in a much-remembered gesture. Although no later role reached that height, her Ratched remained synonymous with oppressive authority, defined by glacial calm rather than by stridency.
Movies
Plays Director of Riverdale Cemetery
Once Upon a Time in America
1984
Plays Nurse Mildred Ratched
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1975
Plays Dr. Granada
The Boy Who Could Fly
1986
Plays Helen Rosemond
Cruel Intentions
1999
Plays Dr. Gene Tuskin
Exorcist II: The Heretic
1977
Plays Louise Fletcher
The Player
1992
Plays Esther
Mulholland Falls
1996
Plays Evelyn
2 Days in the Valley
1996
Plays Mrs. Grady
Best of the Best
1989
Plays Elizabeth Deane
Virtuosity
1995
Plays Belle Delongpre
Two Moon Junction
1988
Plays Mrs. McKeltch
Invaders from Mars
1986
Plays Olivia Foxworth
Flowers in the Attic
1987
Plays Norma Manders
Firestarter
1984
Plays Shirley Turner
Blue Steel
1990
Plays Marlene DuChard
The Cheap Detective
1978
Plays Lillian Reynolds
Brainstorm
1983
Plays Eileene Draygon
Grizzly II: Revenge
2020
Plays Mama Dracula
Mama Dracula
1980
Plays Mattie
Thieves Like Us
1974
Plays Martha Wilson
A Dennis the Menace Christmas
2007
Plays Schuldirektorin Evelyn Doyle
High School High
1996
Plays Mrs. Kemler
A Gathering of Eagles
1963
Plays Mrs. Benjamin
Strange Invaders
1983
Plays Barbara Moorehead
Strange Behavior
1981
Plays Anna Sage
The Lady in Red
1979
Plays Claire
Cassadaga
2011
Plays Innkeeper
Giorgino
1994
Plays Mrs. Perdue
Frankenstein and Me
1996
Plays Nellie Goodwin
A Map of the World
1999
Plays Miz Elda
The Last Sin Eater
2007
Plays Grace Cornwell
Big Eden
2000
Plays Abbie
A Perfect Man
2013
Plays Katherine Mulroney
Very Mean Men
2000
Plays Gloria
The Girl Gets Moe
1997
Plays Iva Doll
More Dogs Than Bones
2000
Plays Pearl
Nobody's Fool
1986
Plays Sally's Mother
Johnny 316
1998
Plays Ruth Shorter
Aurora Borealis
2005
Plays Belle Delongpre
Return to Two Moon Junction
1994
Plays Midge
Russian Roulette
1975
Plays Maggie
Tryst
1994
Plays Ellen Taylor
The Genesis Code
2010
Plays Miriam Steward
Natural Enemies
1979
Plays Val
Silver Man
2000
Plays Esther
Finding Home
2003
Plays Alena Heiss
Love Kills
1999
Plays Dr. Erhardt
Shadowzone
1990
Plays Grammy
Clipping Adam
2004
Plays Warden Mildred Reinecke
Time Served
1999
TV Shows
Plays Kai Winn
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
Plays Mrs. Nora Bloom
VR.5
1995
Plays Peggy Gallagher
Shameless
2011
Plays Roberta 'Birdie' Chadwick
ER
1994
Plays Dr. Coolidge
Heroes
2006
Plays Sarge
The Fire Next Time
1993
Plays Rosie
Girlboss
2017
Plays Jean Taylor
In a Child's Name
1991
Plays Frances Wilder
Private Practice
2007
Plays Eva Garrison
Joan of Arcadia
2003
Plays Evelyn McNabb
Brimstone
1998
Plays Dr. Cline
The Twilight Zone
1985
Plays Agent
Tales from the Crypt
1989
Plays Vivian Caldwell
Wonderfalls
2004
Plays Gladys Doyle
Perry Mason
1957
Plays Mrs. Wagner
7th Heaven
1996
Plays Holly
The Millionaire
1955
Plays Miss Nellie / Alithea
Yancy Derringer
1958
Plays Mother Birch
The Hitchhiker
1983
Plays Jeannie
One Step Beyond
1959
Plays Julie Frazer
Sugarfoot
1957
Plays Sarah Lou Conant
Bat Masterson
1958
Plays Eloise
The Untouchables
1959
Plays Miriam Newquay
Profiler
1996
Plays Aithra McLowery
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
1955
Plays Joanna
Dream On
1990
Plays Doris Leeman
Fantasy Island
1998
Plays Dellie
The Troubleshooters
1959
Plays Elizabeth
Wagon Train
1957
Plays Karen Earl
Worlds Beyond
1986
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
A Star Without a Star: The Untold Juanita Moore Story
Full Filmography
Grizzly II: Revenge
Eileene Draygon
2020
Film
Girlboss
Rosie · 2 episodes
2017–
TV
A Perfect Man
Abbie
2013
Film
Cassadaga
Claire
2011
Film
Shameless
Peggy Gallagher · 4 episodes
2011–
TV
The Genesis Code
Ellen Taylor
2010
Film
Heroes
Dr. Coolidge · 2 episodes
2009
TV
A Dennis the Menace Christmas
Martha Wilson
2007
Film
Private Practice
Frances Wilder · 2 episodes
2007–
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louise Fletcher still alive?
Louise Fletcher passed away on September 23, 2022 at age 88.
What are the most famous roles of Louise Fletcher?
Louise Fletcher is best known for roles in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Once Upon a Time in America, Cruel Intentions.
How many movies has Louise Fletcher been in?
Over a 59-year career (since 1963), Louise Fletcher has appeared in 63 movies and 30 TV shows.
What was Louise Fletcher's first movie?
The career of Louise Fletcher began with A Gathering of Eagles (1963).
What is Louise Fletcher's most recent movie or series?
Louise Fletcher's most recent release is A Star Without a Star: The Untold Juanita Moore Story, which premiered on November 9, 2022.
What TV shows has Louise Fletcher appeared in?
On television, Louise Fletcher has appeared in Shameless, Heroes, Tales from the Crypt, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Louise Fletcher
1934-07-22 · Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Louise Fletcher (July 21, 1934 – September 23, 2022) was an American actress. She was best known for her portrayal of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. She was also well-known for her recurring role as the Bajoran religious leader Kai Winn Adami in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–99), as well as for her role as Helen Rosemond in the movie Cruel Intentions (1999). She was nominated for two Emmy Awards for her roles in the television series Picket Fences (1996) and Joan of Arcadia (2004). Her final role was as Rosie in the Netflix series Girlboss (2017).