Mary Louise Weller passed away on October 1 following a brief illness, just one day before what would have been her 80th birthday. Her death was announced via her Facebook account, where a statement shared that “ML” to those who knew and loved her had died that morning and that the family was asking for privacy and respect during this difficult time. Her cause of death has not been revealed. Born on October 2, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, Weller made her screen debut in the 1972 comedy Hail, followed the next year by an uncredited role alongside Al Pacino in the crime classic Serpico. She went on to guest-star in television series including Starsky and Hutch, Baretta, and Kojak, building a steady career across film and TV.

Weller’s breakthrough came with the 1978 comedy Animal House, the film that would ultimately define her public legacy. She played Mandy Pepperidge, a glamorous sorority sister appearing opposite actors such as John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and a young Kevin Bacon. The movie went on to become one of the most famous comedies of the 1970s, making Weller a familiar face to millions. She later recalled being warned that Animal House might be the role she would always be remembered for, a prediction that proved accurate even as her work extended far beyond that film. Her credits included movies like The Bell Jar and Bloodtide, and her final screen appearance came in 1983 on Quincy, M.E. Away from acting, Weller was passionate about horses, became an accomplished equestrian, and eventually shifted her focus to horses and writing. She is survived by her longtime partner, Michael Roy Curtis, and her cousin, author Sheila Weller.