Zelda Rubinstein, 1933-2010
It is with great sadness that I post about the passing of Zelda Rubinstein. Actress, character, and early anti-AIDS activist, Zelda represents the kind of Angeleno that makes this city shine.
Zelda will no doubt be best remembered for her role as the psychic Tangina in Poltergeist, who guides Carol-Anne towards the light. But her participation in a mid-80s anti-AIDS campaign in LA was a courageous and compassionate move in an age when so many prominent people were content to watch faggots die.
With top government officials betraying us and televangelists demonizing us, Zelda was one of our first high profile defenders. Her familiar face, so closely linked with the protective spirit of Tangina, was perhaps uniquely able to make straight America aware of the disease. While the mainstream media was discussing AIDS quarantines, Zelda made us focus on treatment, outreach and compassion.
The LA Times has a touching obituary about the woman who guided us through nightmares both on and off screen.
Introducing Tangina:
The rescue
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Rest In Peace, Zelda.
Her film talents were really underutilized.
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