Actress Denise Dowse died at the age of 64, as confirmed in a statement released on Sunday.
Denise Dowse dies: What’s the cause of death?
Dowse’s sister, Tracey, revealed on Sunday, 7 August 2022, on social media that the character actor had fallen into a coma induced by “a virulent form of meningitis,” adding that it was unclear when she would come out of the coma. Tracey paid a loving tribute to the actor via her sister’s Instagram page.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life,” she wrote.
Dowse did not have a husband. No mentions of her family and children have been made.
Denise Dowse biography
Denise Dowse was born on 21 February 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a US naval officer.
Dowse’s early life was marked by frequent relocations with her family. However, performing remained a priority and constant in her life. By the time she reached high school, Dowse had a decision to make: join the navy and follow in her father’s footsteps, or follow her heart and pursue theatre?
She attended Norfolk State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Theatre.
Dowse’s big break came while she was working as a background actor on the set of the 1980s sitcom ALF. Dowse was able to obtain union representation, and an agent after the episode’s director gave her a line of dialogue. Her career then began to take off.
She would go on to appear in many cameo appearances on television episodes such as Full House, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ER, Monk, and House, among others.
She appeared in the comedy film Guess Who, alongside Bernie Mac. Denise rose to prominence after appearing in a minor role in 1990. In the series Beverly Hills, 90210, she would star as Yvonne Teasley. In 2001, she played Judge Rebecca Damien in 32 episodes of The Guardian. She starred as Vice Principal McBride in the television drama California Dreams in 1993 and 1994.
Additionally, from 2000 to 2004, she provided the voice of Officer Shirley in the Nickelodeon animated series Rocket Power for three seasons.
In 2020, she appeared as Valeria in the thriller film Fatale.
In addition, Dowse was set to direct the upcoming drama film, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, featuring Ledisi, Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Williams, and Columbus Short.
Reactions to Dowse’s passing
Denise’s death comes as a shock to many. Following the news of Dowse’s passing, many colleagues, friends, and fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to the actress.