Lorna Raver Dies at 81: Actress from Drag Me to Hell and The Young and the Restless
Lorna Raver, the accomplished actress best known for her chilling role in Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell and her memorable performances on The Young and the Restless, has died at the age of 81.
Her passing, which occurred on May 12, was announced in the “In Memoriam” section of SAG-AFTRA’s Summer 2025 magazine edition.
Raver’s career spanned stage, television, film, and audiobooks, leaving an indelible mark across multiple entertainment mediums. Her portrayal of Mrs. Ganush in Raimi’s 2009 horror film Drag Me to Hell became iconic within the genre.
The Universal Pictures release, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, earned both critical praise and box office success, grossing more than $90 million worldwide against a $30 million budget.
The film continues to be recognized as one of Raimi’s standout returns to horror after his success with the Evil Dead franchise and Spider-Man trilogy.
Born October 9, 1943, in York, Pennsylvania, Lorna Raver Johnson began her career in theater, training at the historic Hedgerow Theatre near Philadelphia.
After relocating to New York, she appeared in the off-Broadway debut of Robin Swicord’s Last Days of the Dixie Girl Café in 1979 and later in Matt Williams’ Between Daylight and Boonville in 1980. Her stage work led to prominent roles in Chicago before she transitioned to Los Angeles to further her career.
Raver made her screen debut in the 1990 comedy Opportunity Knocks and quickly became a familiar face on television. She played Rebecca Kaplan, a Holocaust survivor, on The Young and the Restless from 2006 to 2007 and previously appeared on the soap in 1997 in another role.
Her television credits are extensive, including appearances on ER, Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, Desperate Housewives, and Cold Case. She was also featured in multiple David E. Kelley productions, further cementing her reputation as a versatile performer.
Outside of acting, Raver was widely respected in the audiobook industry, earning numerous Earphones Awards for her narration work. Her contributions to the medium expanded her reach to audiences far beyond the screen and stage.
Raver’s personal life included a long partnership with Yuri Rasovsky, an acclaimed writer, producer, and director for radio who won a Peabody Award and received a Grammy nomination. Rasovsky passed away in 2012 at the age of 67.
As the entertainment industry reflects on her passing, Lorna Raver is remembered as an actress of depth, versatility, and dedication, whose legacy spans decades and genres. Her performances continue to resonate with audiences, ensuring her place in Hollywood history.
For more on her career highlights and legacy, visit Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.