Karen Black

Personal Info

Know For

Acting

Gender

Female

Birthday

1939-07-01 (74 years old)

Deathday

2013-08-08

Place of Birth

Park Ridge, Illinois, USA

Karen Black

Biography

Karen Blanche Black (née Ziegler; July 1, 1939 – August 8, 2013) was an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence for her work in various studio and independent films in the 1970s, frequently portraying eccentric and offbeat characters, and established herself as a figure of New Hollywood. Her career spanned over 50 years and includes nearly 200 credits in both independent and mainstream films. Black received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Golden Globe Awards, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. A native of suburban Chicago, Black studied theater at...

Acting

1975

Nashville

as Connie White

1997

Men

as Alex

1998

Malaika

as Jessica Martin

2003

House of 1000 Corpses

as Mother Firefly

1992

The Player

as Karen Black

1974

The Great Gatsby

as Myrtle Wilson

1975

The Day of the Locust

as Faye Greener

1971

1988

Out of the Dark

as Ruth Wilson

1995

1976

1985

Cut and Run

as Karin

1986

Invaders from Mars

as Linda Magnusson

2001

Gypsy 83

as Bambi LeBleau

1970

Five Easy Pieces

as Rayette Dipesto

1973

The Outfit

as Bett Harrow

1974

Airport 1975

as Nancy Pryor

2007

One Long Night

as Barbara

1976

Burnt Offerings

as Marian Rolf

1991

Evil Spirits

as Ella Purdy

1979

1992

Rubin & Ed

as Rula

1992

1990

Haunting Fear

as Dr. Julia Harcourt

1990

1966

You're a Big Boy Now

as Amy Partlett

1991

Children of the Night

as Karen Thompson

1998

Invisible Dad

as Courtney Whitmer

2001

Soulkeeper

as Martha la Magnifica

1975

Trilogy of Terror

as Julie / Millicent Larimore / Therese Larimore / Amelia

1996

New York Crossing

as Mrs. Tender

2005

Firecracker

as Sandra / Eleanor

1989

1969

2009

Stuck!

as The Neighbor Lady

1998

Bury the Evidence

as The Mother

1971

A Gunfight

as Jenny Simms

1990

Mirror Mirror

as Susan Gordon

2006

Wanderlust

as Herself

1981

Separate Ways

as Valentine Colby

1971

1973

The Pyx

as Elizabeth Lucy

1971

1985

Savage Dawn

as Rachel

2000

Red Dirt

as Aunt Summer

1999

Conceiving Ada

as Lady Byron / Mother Coer

1985

Eternal Evil

as Janus

2012

2012

Mommy's Little Monster

as Mrs. Melnick

2005

America Brown

as Marianne Brown

1999

Mascara

as Aunt Eloise

1996

Crimetime

as Millicent

2009

Irene in Time

as Sheila Shivvers

1996

Dogtown

as Rose Van Horn

1972

Portnoy's Complaint

as Mary Jane Reid a.k.a. Monkey

1981

The Grass Is Singing

as Mary Turner

1976

Crime and Passion

as Susan Winters

1974

1969

Easy Rider

as Karen

1998

Light Speed

as High Priestess

1985

Martin's Day

as Karen

2013

Ooga Booga

as Mrs. Allardyce

1998

Charades

as Jude

1990

Overexposed

as Mrs. Trowbridge

1991

Blood Money

as Barrett

1991

Quiet Fire

as Kim Martino

1990

Club Fed

as Sally Rich

1978

The Squeeze

as Clarisse Saunders

2010

2013

1992

Judgement

as Tiffany Powers

1987

Hostage

as Laura Lawrence

1974

Rhinoceros

as Daisy

1960

2005

Dr. Rage

as Molly

1991

Caged Fear

as Blanche

1982

1977

1984

Bad Manners

as Gladys Fitzpatrick

2007

1990

Zapped Again!

as Homeroom Teacher

2008

2014

Wild in Blue

as Justine

1990

Twisted Justice

as Mrs. Granger

2002

2000

Fallen Arches

as Lucy Romano

1988

Dixie Lanes

as Zelma Putnam

1980

Power

as Rose Vanda-Buchanan

1980

Police Story: Confessions of a Lady Cop

as Investigator Evelyn Carter

2011

Letters from the Big Man

as Sean's Colleague

2015

Bottomless Pit

as Karen Black

1998

Angel Blue

as Social Worker

2012

OowieWanna

as The Donna

2003

Paris

as Chantelle

1996

Cries of Silence

as Rose Walsh

1977

Capricorn One

as Judy Drinkwater

1992

The Double 0 Kid

as Mrs. Elliot

1981

Chanel Solitaire

as Emilienne d'Alençon

1979

The Last Word

as Paula Herbert

1990

The Children

as Sybil Lullmer

1979

Mr. Horn

as Ernestina Crawford

2000

The Independent

as Karen Black

1992

Final Judgement

as Mrs. Sorrel

1997

Stir

as Dr. Gabrielle Kessler

1995

Starstruck

as Bertha

2009

Repo Chick

as Aunt De La Chasse

2009

Double Duty

as Annabelle

2002

Teknolust

as Dirty Dick

2002

Best of Tromadance Film Festival: Volume 1

as ("Los Vampirios Moronious" short)

1999

1987

The Little Mermaid

as Sea Witch

2000

Oliver Twisted

as Mrs. Mary Happ

1992

2008

A Single Woman

as Storyteller

2002

1992

Dead Girls Don't Tango

as Insp. Wilson

1990

Fatal Encounter

as Joan Caldwell

2018

Deadly Dolls: Deepest Cuts

as (archive footage)

2001

The Donor

as Mrs. Springle

1993

The Trust

as Maria Vandermeer

2008

Watercolors

as Mrs. Martin

1982

The Last Horror Film

as Karen Black (uncredited)

1991

Ralph S. Mouse

as Miss Kuchenbacker

2006

Whitepaddy

as Mrs. Leider

2012

Dark Blood

as Motel Woman

1997

Menage a Trois

as Miss Gati

2013

2005

Production

1975

Nashville

as Music

1998

Charades

as Writer

1998

Charades

as Producer

2005

Firecracker

as Editorial Consultant

1997

Men

as Writer

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