Oscar-winning actress, Louise Fletcher, has died at the age of 88. She is best known for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Her family announced her death to Deadline, saying she passed peacefully in her sleep in her home in Montdurausse, France. 

Fletcher was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 22, 1934. She first made her Hollywood debut when appearing in 1950s television shows, Lawman and Maverick, both popular westerns. In 1959 she married film producer Jerry Bick and they stayed together until 1977.

After welcoming her 2 children with Bick, she took 11 years off acting to be a stay-at-home mom and focus on her family. In 1974 she returned to acting, appearing in Robert Altman’s Thieves Like Us. Following her work with Altman, she was scouted for another acting opportunity in Milos Forman’s adaptation of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. 

When playing Nurse Ratched, Fletcher portrayed a cold-hearted, head nurse at a mental institution, whereas her co-star played by Jack Nicholson, pretended to be insane to avoid being sent to prison. 

For her role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest she received a BAFTA, Academy Award, and a Golden Globe, being one of only 3 women to receive three accolades for a single performance.