How Selma Diamond’s Tragic Death Changed Lives Forever

Selma Diamond played the chain-smoking court bailiff Selma Hacker during the first two seasons of the popular sitcom Night Court, beginning in 1984. Her character, who seemed to have a one-liner for every occasion, was a fan favorite. And while her death was a tragedy, it also led several of her cast mates to make a decision that improved their health and prolonged their lives.

It’s not a coincidence that the character and the actress playing her had the same name — according to the Chicago Tribune, the character was created with her in mind for the role. Selma Diamond had been a comedy writer on both television and radio for almost four decades prior to Night Court, and her wit was legendary. Carl Reiner had patterned the character of Sally Rogers after her on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and in addition to writing, Selma often found herself as a guest on talk shows, visiting with the likes of Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. So, when Night Court debuted in 1984, I think it’s fair to say that Selma, who was 64 at the time, was in the twilight of her career — but no one thought that she would be exiting the program so early in its run.

Everett Collection

Sadly, Selma passed away due to complications from advanced lung disease on May 13th, 1985. According to a spokesperson for the actress, she had been in and out of the hospital since the beginning of the year. Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing is that Selma had no family by her side when she passed away.

As awful as that sounds, some good did come from her death. The information that I’m about to share is not well known, but it comes from an article that I found in the Orlando Sentinel, dated August 4th, 1985. In that article, Markie Post, who was joining the cast as a show regular for the third season, talked about Selma’s death and how it would be acknowledged on the show.

Markie also talked about how many of the cast members, along with the show’s producer, Reinhold Weege, had made the decision to finally give up smoking due to Selma’s early exit from this world.

Warner Bros. Television/Courtesy: Everett Collection.

Among those cast members who finally gave up smoking for good were Harry Anderson and John Larroquette, who both quit the day that Selma died. It’s sad that it took something as tragic as her passing to help both of these fine actors make a decision that in theory should have added years to their lives. I say “in theory” because even though Harry stopped smoking, he still left us rather young as well. He was only 65 when he passed away from a severe bout of influenza, coupled with several strokes. John Larroquette, on the other hand, is still alive and well at 77.

Selma Diamond was a very funny lady. In fact, her gravestone marker says exactly that. And whether she knew it or not, she was also a very influential lady. Her death changed the lives of many of her colleagues for the better, and that, my friends, is something that is truly worthy of remembrance.