'Animal House' actress Mary Louise Weller dies at 79, one day before her 80th birthday

Actress Mary Louise Weller died on October 1, 2026, after a brief illness, her family confirmed. She was 79 years old and just one day shy of her 80th birthday. Weller was best known for playing sorority sister Mandy Pepperidge in John Landis's 1978 fraternity comedy classic 'National Lampoon's Animal House', opposite John Belushi. She also appeared in the 1978 horror film 'The Evil', the 1979 adaptation of Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar', and guest-starred on 1970s and 80s television staples including 'Starsky & Hutch', 'CHiPs', 'The Rockford Files' and 'Fantasy Island'. Away from acting she was an accomplished equestrian and conservation advocate. Tributes poured in through Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Forbes and HELLO! Magazine. Her agent said she passed away peacefully surrounded by family.