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Film director Robert Zemeckis (R) signs his name after placing his handprints and footprints in cement in the forecourt of Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, July 8, 1997. Zemeckis is joined by wife Mary Ellen Trainor and son Alex. Zemeckis won an Academy Award for best director for his film "Forrest Gump." His latest film is "Contact," starring Jodie Foster. Reuters / ZEMECKIS

Actress Mary Ellen Trainor who appeared in every “Lethan Weapon” movie and played the mother in “Goonies,” passed away at her home in Montecito, California on May 20. She died at the age 62, after complications following her battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in San Francisco, Trainor moved to Los Angeles in 1980 and discovered her passion for acting, reports Variety Monday. While studying broadcast journalism at San Diego State, she was discovered by a radio station manager and asked to be an on-air personality for KSDO. She soon earned a position at KCBS as station editor, paving the way for a career in entertainment.

She has around three decades of experience in television and film, landing various roles such as Mrs. Walsh in “The Goonies” and Elaine in “Romancing the Stone” -- where Trainor made her big screen debut reportedly at the suggestion of Michael Douglas, states Yahoo UK. She also appeared in all four “Lethal Weapon” movies, “Die Hard,” “Scrooged,” “Ghostbusters II,” “Back to the Future Part II,” “Forrest Gump” and the 2003 “Freaky Friday”.

According to E!News, her first TV appearance was a small part on Cheers in 1983, per IMBD. From 1999 to 2002, she had a recurring role on Roswell playing the adoptive mother of Katherine Heigl's alien-hybrid character. Along with other television appearance including leading roles in “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” and “Relativity.”

Trainor is also a known philanthropist, having supported dozens of causes, from education and disaster relief to cancer research and safe water for developing countries.

Mary Ellen Trainor was married to director Robert Zemeckis from 1980 until 2000, and is survived by her son Alex, her mother Jane and siblings Ned, Jack, Barbara and Carolyn.

A memorial service will take place June 19 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 1300 E. Valley Road in Montecito, California. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may instead be made to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and Wounded Warriors.

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