Back to the Future and Seinfeld actress Elsa Raven has died in Los Angeles aged 91. 

Her niece confirmed she died at home, her agent David Shaul told the JC on Thursday. 

The Jewish actress was born in 1929 in Charleston, South Carolina, to Louis and Rosalie Rabinowitz and later moved to New York City, where she launched her acting career.  

She was cast as the “Save the clocktower lady” in the 1985 classic Back to the Future and also appeared on Amen, General Hospital and the daytime soap Days of Our Lives. 

She starred opposite Michael Richards (Cosmo Kramer) in the 1994 Seinfeld episode “the Mom and Pop store” as the co-owner of a neighbourhood shoe-repair business.

Her credits also include the 1997 film Titanic, in which she played Ida Strauss, an elderly passenger who saw out her final moments in her partner’s arms on board the sinking ship. 

Her portrayal of the role was inspired by a real-life couple, both of whom died during the 1912 disaster.

A scene featuring Ms Raven was included in the music video for Celine Dion’s song My Heart Will Go On.

She is reportedly survived by 15 nieces and nephews.