MovieChat Forums > The Closer (2005) Discussion > Props to Frances Sternhagen, aka Willie ...

Props to Frances Sternhagen, aka Willie Ray Johnson

posted 12 years ago by margaretbarnes
17 replies | jump to latest

I've been going back through the series over the weekend in anticipation of the finale tomorrow, and I am so impressed all over again by the fine work of this actress. The life and color she brought to the character, the little details, the choices she made that most might never even notice, all made such a difference in making that portrayal so special and fine. Hats off to you, Ms. Sternhagen, for making so many of us care enough to boohoo shamelessly when Willie Ray passed away. Great Job!

[–] NuGram 12 years ago

Hear, hear! And thanks to you margaretbarnes for acknowledging this amazing actress.

Like so many other things of The Closer, Frances added so much, and will be missed.

[–] solesister 12 years ago

I agree. I saw her off-Broadway some years ago in the original production of Driving Miss Daisy and she was amazing

[–] kelly-527 12 years ago

Don't forget Cheers.

Great job. Still sad.

[–] PlayitagainPam 12 years ago

Funny thing. Last week I caught a 30 year old flick on TV that I last saw when it was in movie theaters sometime in the early 80s. Not that great a movie, pretty much a paycheck for Sean Connery. But - Frances Sternhagen was actually a badass in it ....

[–] solesister 12 years ago

Sternhagen is badass. What was the film?

[–] PlayitagainPam 12 years ago

The movie was Outland. I only ever saw it at the movie theater sometime in the early 80s. It was basically a paycheck movie for Sean Connery. He was a cop in a mining colony on a moon of Jupiter. There was a big showdown at the end where he had to face down the bad guys alone. The Sternhagen character was the only help he had in taking them down. I just happened to be channel surfing a couple of weekends ago and caught it from the beginning.

[–] margaretbarnes 12 years ago

Would that be Outland?

[–] jgarner136 12 years ago

Has anybody else seen her in Stephen King's Golden Years (1991)? She was marvelous in that.

[–] greenegg 12 years ago

I've loved Sternhagen's work from when I first saw her in my mother's soaps back in the 60s/70s (Another World, Love of Life, Secret Storm). I adored her work as Carter's grandmother on ER. Her Willie Ray created such a marvelous respite from the crime world in The Closer, without being cloying, her character offered a ray of sun, while also offering so many pearls of wisdom. Thank you, Frances.

Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops!

[–] NuGram 12 years ago

"offering so many pearls of wisdom."

She also added a glimpse into the realities, positive and negative, of old-school style marriage. A loooong committed marriage. Willie Rae demonstrated the gentle love, understanding and patience of a wonderful mother and wife. And mother-in-law!

And Francis played her beautifully.

PS. I agree greenegg. NEVER buy animals from pet shops!!!

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] sevenof9fl 12 years ago

I can add my props to her, too - I've loved her for more years than I care to say
here - from the old soaps that most of you are too young to remember right through the closer - I've always been delighted to see her work.

I cried like a baby myself at her death on The Closer - she brought SO much to that role.

I'll miss seeing her as much as I'll miss seeing Brenda and "Fritzy."

"As the Philosopher Jagger said, you can't always get what you want."

[–] Husskade 12 years ago

Saw that episode the other night and cried too...she was fantastic in this role all the way through.
This is a series I will miss!

Don't worry ever, because this is just a ride.It's just a ride. Bill Hicks.

[–] otr2005 12 years ago

"Romantic Comedy" is one of my all time favorites and showed her flair for comedy and sardonic sense of humor.

[–] FoxyRedFox 12 years ago

When you see Frances Sternhagen in "The Mist", you'll never look at a can of peas the same way again.

BTW if you are going to watch "The Mist" for the first time, you'll need Kleenex for the ending.

[–] ToHelenBackAgain 12 years ago

Having recently begun reviewing from the beginning (it's re-airing on weekends, at least in my area), I've just got to Willie Ray's introduction in Season Two, and she is a sheer delight. Sternhagen is such a master of the craft.

The kids are a mess! You brought them home exhausted and pretentious!

[–] Helena727 10 years ago

Sternhagen is a SUPERB actress who brings truth and subtlety to every role -- and she has a great feel for comedy. Other posters have mentioned her roles on "Cheers" and "ER"; don't miss her as Bunny MacDougal in "Sex and the City" (a forgettable show, but it's worth watching the eps with Sternhagen).

She and Barry Corbin were wonderful as Brenda's parents; all three actors did a great job of creating a plausible family (you could sort of get a sense of what life in their household had been like over the years; you could feel their varying influences on Brenda).

"All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people."