Louise Fletcher

Louise Fletcher (July 22, 1934 – September 23, 2022) was an American actress born in Birmingham, Alabama, whose career spanned over six decades in film, television, and theater. Deaf from early childhood due to measles, Fletcher became a groundbreaking figure in disability representation in entertainment. She studied drama at North Carolina School of the Arts and initially appeared in various television roles before her career-defining performance as the tyrannical Nurse Ratched in Milos Forman's 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975), which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—one of only three women to win an Oscar for a villain role. Beyond this iconic role, Fletcher demonstrated remarkable range, appearing in acclaimed films including 'Brainstorm,' 'Harmagedon,' and the 'Star Trek' franchise. She also had a prolific television career, with notable appearances in 'Picket Fences' and 'Joan of Arcadia.' Fletcher became an inspiration to the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, proving that disability need not limit artistic achievement. Her legacy extends beyond her performances to her advocacy for representation and inclusion in Hollywood.