Alice Drummond


Alice Elizabeth Drummond was an American actress. A veteran Off-Broadway performer, in 1970, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Mrs. Lee in The Chinese by Murray Schisgal. Despite her extensive acting career, she is most well known as Alice, the librarian, in the opening scenes in the 1984 horror-comedy Ghostbusters.

Early life

Alice Elizabeth Ruyter was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1928, the daughter of Sarah Irene, a secretary, and Arthur Ruyter, an auto mechanic. She graduated from Pembroke College in 1950.

Career

Drummond played Nurse Jackson on the TV series Dark Shadows in 1967 and was a regular on the CBS soap opera, Where the Heart Is, on which she originated the role of Loretta Jardin, which she played until the series ended in 1973. She also appeared in a short-term role on another CBS soap opera, As the World Turns. She appeared in guest roles on television series including Kate & Allie, Law & Order, Boston Legal and Yes, Dear.
One of Drummond's notable movie roles is a librarian haunted and frightened by a poltergeist at the beginning of the feature film Ghostbusters. She also served as the senior citizen stereotype in the movie Furry Vengeance. Drummond also appeared in , To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar and Pieces of April.

Personal life and death

Alice Ruyter married Paul Drummond in 1951. They resided in Manhattan, New York City, New York. They separated in 1975 and divorced in 1976.
She died on November 30, 2016 from complications of a fall at her home in The Bronx, New York City, at age 88.

Filmography

Film

Television