Conchata Ferrell's journey to television stardom was a long and winding one, taking a full 30 years from its initial prediction to finally achieving recognition as the lovable and sassy housekeeper "Berta" in the popular situation-comedy Two and a Half Men, which premiered in 2003.
Originally tipped for stardom with her powerful performance as the prostitute "April" in the Norman Lear-produced series Hot l Baltimore back in 1975, Ferrell's turn as the character had been recreated from her off-Broadway hit, Lanford Wilson's Hot L Baltimore. However, what had been a hit play in New York surprisingly turned out to be a flop on national television, and despite working steadily in the industry ever since, it wasn't until her supporting role alongside Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer in Two and a Half Men that she finally received the recognition her talents so richly deserved.
For her iconic portrayal of "Berta", Conchata Ferrell earned a total of three Emmy nominations, including nods for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in both 2005 and 2007. Prior to this, she had received an Emmy nomination in 1992 for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work on L.A. Law, which had premiered in 1986.
Born Conchata Galen Ferrell on March 28, 1943, in Charleston, West Virginia, she was the daughter of Mescal Loraine (George) and Luther Martin Ferrell. Ferrell attended West Virginia University and Marshall University, graduating from the latter with a degree in social studies in education. She then went on to pursue a life in the theater, achieving success off-Broadway as a member of the Circle in the Square theatrical company in Wilson's Hot L Baltimore.
Ferrell's subsequent off-Broadway appearance, as "Gertrude Blum" in Edward J. Moore's The Sea Horse, earned her a trio of prestigious awards, including the Drama Desk, Theatre World, and Obie Awards for Best Actress in 1974. She continued to work steadily in television and film ever since.
In her personal life, Ferrell was married to Arnie Anderson and had one daughter.
