Elyse Donaldson, best known for her role in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers and her appearances in acclaimed television dramas, built a career that spanned more than two decades in Hollywood.
She died unexpectedly at her home in Studio City at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of memorable accomplishments and a life rooted in both Texas and Los Angeles.
Born Mary Elise Donalson on October 5, 1947, in Victoria, Texas, she grew up in a family where her father managed the family’s lumber yard and her mother worked as a church secretary and bookkeeper.
After graduating from Victoria High School in 1965, she attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), where she performed in plays and met her future husband, Joe Houde.
The couple eventually moved to Los Angeles, where Donalson pursued his passion for acting.
Her Hollywood journey began in the early 1980s when she took acting classes and landed her first role in 1983 on the CBS fantasy series Wizards and warriors.
From there she appeared in more than two dozen TV series, including Doogie Howser, MD, Anything but love, Chicago hope, Practiceand Beverly Hills, 90210.
She became a familiar face in guest roles across popular shows of the era.
Donaldson’s film work included her memorable appearance in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), where she played a sanatorium patient in a harrowing scene opposite Paul Rudd’s Tommy Doyle.
On TV she portrayed a nun St. Elsewhere (1986), judge in Matlock (1988), nurse in Quantum leap (1989), and an older woman in The X-Files (2000).
Fans of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman can remember her as Mrs. Marley in the 1993 Christmas episode Mike’s Dream: A Christmas Tale.
In addition to acting, Donalson was a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA and balanced his career working at law firms in Los Angeles.
She was known for her love of animals and movies.
She is survived by her sister Harriette Meyer (who shared the news of her sister’s death to The Hollywood Reporter), nieces Kellie and Kate, her brother-in-law Jimmie, great-nieces Madison, Macy and Piper and her great-grandson Clay.
Donaldson’s journey from Texas to Hollywood reflects the determination of an actress who has carved her place in the industry while remaining deeply connected to her family and personal passions.
