Horror Icon Lorna Raver, Legendary Mrs. Ganush from ‘Drag Me to Hell’, Dies at 81

The world of horror cinema mourns the loss of a truly unforgettable villain. Lorna Raver, the actress whose chilling portrayal of the vengeful gypsy Mrs. Ganush in Sam Raimi’s 2009 cult classic Drag Me to Hell, has passed away at the age of 81. News of her May 12th death emerged publicly through the “In Memoriam” section of SAG-AFTRA’s Summer 2025 magazine, confirmed by her representative to the New York Post. Her rep poignantly stated, “She will now fly in Heaven, not be dragged to Hell. She was an incredible lady and artist. A true chameleon, the complete opposite of this character in real life.” Raver’s performance, marked by grotesque practical effects and terrifying commitment, cemented Mrs. Ganush as one of modern horror’s most iconic antagonists.

How Did Lorna Raver Create Such an Unforgettable Horror Villain?

Raver’s journey to becoming the cursed Mrs. Ganush was unconventional. Surprisingly, despite knowing director Sam Raimi from other work, she wasn’t deeply familiar with his horror roots or the Evil Dead franchise when cast. In Jason Norman’s 2014 book, Welcome to Our Nightmares: Behind the Scene With Today’s Horror Actors, Raver revealed, “While I knew of [Raimi’s] work from other films, I was so ignorant of the whole horror genre that I had never even heard of the Evil Dead [movies].” Her interest stemmed from Raimi’s reputation alone, unaware of the intense physicality and prosthetics awaiting her. She embraced the role’s core strength, adding, “What I liked about the character was that she was powerful.” This focus on the character’s fierce determination, rather than just the supernatural elements, fueled her terrifyingly authentic performance. Raver’s ability to embody such raw, unsettling power, despite her initial unfamiliarity with the genre, showcased her exceptional acting range and commitment, turning Mrs. Ganush into a benchmark for horror villainy.

Beyond the Curse: Raver’s Prolific Screen Career

While Drag Me to Hell brought her widespread recognition, Lorna Raver enjoyed an extensive and varied career spanning decades, primarily on television. She was a familiar and versatile face across numerous beloved shows:

• Drama & Procedurals: ER, The Practice, NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Cold Case, CSI, Bones, Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal, The Pretender.
• Comedy & Drama: Ally McBeal, Desperate Housewives, Malcolm in the Middle, Weeds, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill.
• Genre Favorites: Star Trek: Voyager, Charmed, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Felicity, Beverly Hills 90210.
  Her filmography also included notable roles in movies like Freeway (1996), Walkout (2006), Armored (2009), and The Caller (2011). Raver’s chameleon-like ability to shift between kindly grandmothers, stern authority figures, and, of course, vengeful spirits demonstrated remarkable depth far beyond her most infamous role.

Lorna Raver’s passing leaves a void in the acting community and the hearts of horror fans who will forever remember her as the unforgettable Mrs. Ganush. Her representative’s words resonate deeply – an artist who brought nightmares to life on screen, yet whose real-life warmth and professionalism were cherished by colleagues. Celebrate her legacy by revisiting her terrifying triumph in Drag Me to Hell and discovering the breadth of her impressive career. Her unique talent for embodying power, whether menacing or nuanced, ensures she will never be forgotten.

Must Know

Who was Lorna Raver?
Lorna Raver was an American character actress best known for her terrifying role as the gypsy Mrs. Ganush in Sam Raimi’s 2009 horror film Drag Me to Hell. She passed away on May 12, 2024, at age 81, with the news announced in SAG-AFTRA’s Summer 2025 magazine.

What other roles was Lorna Raver famous for?
Beyond Mrs. Ganush, Raver had a prolific television career, appearing in dozens of shows including ER, NYPD Blue, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Star Trek: Voyager, Ally McBeal, and Gilmore Girls. She also appeared in films like Freeway, Walkout, and The Caller.

How did Lorna Raver get the role in Drag Me to Hell?
Despite knowing director Sam Raimi from other work, Raver admitted she wasn’t familiar with his Evil Dead films or the horror genre when cast. She took the role because of Raimi and was drawn to the character’s inherent power, as detailed in Jason Norman’s 2014 book Welcome to Our Nightmares.

Was Lorna Raver like Mrs. Ganush in real life?
Absolutely not. Her representative explicitly stated she was “the complete opposite of this character in real life,” calling her “an incredible lady and artist” and a “true chameleon.” Her performance was a testament to her acting skill.

When did Lorna Raver die?
Lorna Raver died on May 12, 2024. The news of her passing was made public through the SAG-AFTRA “In Memoriam” section in their Summer 2025 magazine edition.

What made Mrs. Ganush such an iconic horror villain?
Raver’s fearless physical performance under heavy prosthetics, her portrayal of raw, vengeful power, and the character’s grotesque yet tragic nature crafted by Sam Raimi combined to make Mrs. Ganush a uniquely memorable and terrifying figure in modern horror cinema.