Quick Facts
Biography
Elmarie Louise Wendel (born November 23, 1928) is an American actress.
Born on a farm in Howard County, Iowa, one of five siblings, Wendel spent her childhood traveling with her musical parents and dancing with her sisters in and around the Midwest in club and concert hall venues, including the Grand Ole Opry. She eventually made her way to New York City where she enjoyed success in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions.
A national touring company of Annie took her to Los Angeles, where she made a successful transition into film and television. She garnered the role of the eccentric Mrs. Dubcek on 3rd Rock from the Sun. She made appearances on such shows as Seinfeld, Love & War, Murphy Brown, Murder, She Wrote, and Empty Nest. She appeared in And the Band Played On and Far from Home. Most recently, she played Gina, an assembly line worker at the aviation factory on The George Lopez Show.
Her musical theater credits include Wonderful Town, Cole Porter Revisited, Little Mary Sunshine and Gigi.
Family
Wendel is the mother of Jennifer "J.C." Wendel, who is also an actress (Dave's World).
Filmography
| Year | Credit | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Fallout 4 (Video Game) | Mandy Stiles / Cathy / Pulowski Voice | Voices |
| 2014 | The Exes (TV Series) | Ruthie | in the episode "The Old Man and the Holly" |
| 2012 | The Lorax | Aunt Grizelda (voice) | Animated film |
| 2011 | Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (TV Series) | Paula | in episode "Devotion" |
| A Bag of Hammers | The Mark | Film role | |
| American Dad! (TV Series) | Voice | in episode "Stanny Boy and Frantastic" | |
| 2008 | General Hospital | Peg | uncredited role, 5 episodes |
| 2003-2007 | George Lopez (TV series) | Gina Sorenstam | 11 episodes |
| 2001-2002 | NYPD Blue | Susan Hornby | 4 episodes |
| 1996-2001 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Mrs. Dubcek | main/recurring role, 120 episodes |
| 2000 | The Angry Beavers (TV Series) | voice of Doris Rabbit | in episode "Driving Misses Daggett/Big" |
| Attraction | Beehive Waitress | Film role | |
| 1998 | Jenny (TV Series) | Doris | in episode "A Girl's Gotta Merger" |
| 1995 | Rumpelstiltskin | Gypsy Woman | Film role |
| 1994 | Weird Science (TV series) | Mrs. Wilder | in episode "She's Alive" |
| 1992-1994 | Empty Nest | Vivian / Agnes | 2 episodes |
| 1993 | The Pink Panther (1993 TV series) | Voice | in episode "Pilgrim Panther/That Old Pink Magic" |
| Love & War (TV Series) | Maude | in episode "They Can't Take That Away from Me" | |
| Murder, She Wrote | Nurse Receptionist | in episode "The Petrified Florist" | |
| 1992 | Santa Barbara (TV series) | Landlady | 1 episode |
| Seinfeld | Helene | in episodes "The Trip" Parts 1 & 2 | |
| 1991 | Major Dad | Mona | in episode "On the Line" |
| Murphy Brown | Mrs. Beale | in episode "Everytime It Rains... You Get Wet" | |
| Babes (TV series) | Sister Katherine | in episode "All Bummed Out" | |
| 1990 | Going Under | Sonar | Film role |
| She Said No | uncredited role | TV Movie | |
| The Immortalizer (Video) | Agnes | Minor role | |
| Sugar and Spice (U.S. TV series) | Bag Lady | in episode "Breaking in Is Hard to Do" | |
| 1987 | The Facts of Life | Jackie | in episode "Sweet Charity" |
| 1985 | The Jeffersons | Mrs. Pardella | in episode "State of Mind" |
| 1982 | Knight Rider | Woman | in episode "No Big Thing" |
| Crisis Counselor (TV series) | Aging Woman | 1 episode | |
| 1961 | A Bowl of Cherries | Daphne | Film short |