Actress, Instructor Sandra Dorsey Dies at 83 After Battle with Cancer
By Movieguide Staff
Longtime acting instructor, actress and businesswoman Sandra Dorsey died on the morning of Sept. 26 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 83.
Dorsey’s niece, Annilisa O’Toole, confirmed the news of her aunt’s death in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“Sandra was one-of-a-kind,” she wrote. “She was an entertainer, an actress, a bomb-shell in her day! She was a Broadway Star, a theatrical sensation, an entrepreneur, a teacher, a devout Christian, a loving Mother, an extremely proud and engaged grandmother, a friend, the life-of-the-party, and to me, the most wonderful Aunt in the world!”
“She embraced me like a daughter, and we traveled the world together,” the post continued. “It is with tremendous sadness to share the news of my dearest ‘Aunt San’… Sandra Dorsey, passing away this morning. She was diagnosed only 4 weeks ago with Pancreatic Cancer, and past peacefully.”
In recent years, Dorsey was best known for her roles in popular comedies like DUMB AND DUMBER TO and THE THREE STOOGES.
“I am heartbroken but know she left not just unforgettable footprints in the lives of all who knew her – but a Legacy of lessons, memories and love- to all of her students, her colleagues, friends and especially our family,” O’Toole’s post concluded.
With over four decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Dorsey appeared on Broadway, became a beloved acting instructor and acted in movies and TV shows, including THE DUKES OF HAZARD and Disney’s 1994 flick, GORDY.
Through their Broadway connection, Movieguide® founder and publisher Dr. Ted Baehr shared a longtime friendship with Dorsey.
According to Dr. Beahr, they would often discuss God and faith, which helped Dorsey become a devout Christian.
While her conversion to the faith did not happen all at once, her commitment to God grew over the years.
Just two weeks before her death, Dorsey shared that she wholeheartedly trusted God with the outcome of her battle with cancer.
“Slowly but surely, she started coming to Christ,” Dr. Baehr recalled. “She started getting just more and more on fire, and she tried to make all of the Movieguide® awards. She was on our board of reference. She was a good friend. She went through a lot of trials and tribulations…but she was trying to get her grandchildren to go to church. I talked to her two weeks ago. She said she wasn’t afraid. She knew Jesus.”
“It’s just nice to see another wonderful person from the entertainment industry moving into that place where they know where they’re going,” he continued. “Where they know that Jesus loves them. Sandra knew she was going to heaven.”
“The most important thing is that Sandra helped a lot of people to become great actors, and in the process of helping a lot of people, she probably influenced a lot of people to come to Christ too,” he added.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
