Karen Black

Karen Black

Acting
Born 1939-07-01 - Died 2013-08-08Park Ridge, Illinois, USA

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 Northwestern University before dropping out and relocating to New York City. She performed on Broadway in 1965 before making her major film debut in Francis Ford Coppola's You're a Big Boy Now (1966). Black relocated to California and was cast as an acid-tripping prostitute in Dennis Hopper's road film Easy Rider (1969). That led to a lead in the drama Five Easy Pieces (1970), in which she played a hopeless beautician, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Black made her first major commercial picture with the disaster film Airport 1975 (1974), and her subsequent appearance as Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby (1974) won her a second Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Black starred as a glamorous country singer in Robert Altman's ensemble musical drama Nashville (1975), also writing and performing two songs for the soundtrack, which won a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack. Her portrayal of an aspiring actress in John Schlesinger's drama The Day of the Locust (also 1975) earned her a third Golden Globe nomination, this time for Best Actress. She subsequently took on four roles in Dan Curtis' anthology horror film Trilogy of Terror (1975), followed by Curtis's supernatural horror feature, Burnt Offerings (1976). The same year, she starred as a con artist in Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot. In 1982, Black starred as a trans woman in the Robert Altman-directed Broadway debut of Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, a role she also reprised in Altman's subsequent film adaptation. She next starred in the comedy Can She Bake a Cherry Pie? (1983), followed by Tobe Hooper's remake of Invaders from Mars (1986). For much of the late 1980s and 1990s, Black starred in a variety of arthouse, independent, and horror films, as well as writing her own screenplays. She had a leading role as a villainous mother in Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses (2003), which cemented her status as a cult horror icon. She continued to star in low-profile films throughout the early 2000s, as well as working as a playwright before her death from ampullary cancer in 2013.

Movies (178)

The Player
7.2

The Player

1992Movie7.2
Easy Rider
7.0

Easy Rider

1969Movie7.0
House of 1000 Corpses
6.2

House of 1000 Corpses

2003Movie6.2
The Great Gatsby
6.3

The Great Gatsby

1974Movie6.3
Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering
4.5

Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering

1996Movie4.5
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
7.2

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

2014Movie7.2
Airport 1975
5.8

Airport 1975

1974Movie5.8
Nashville
7.3

Nashville

1975Movie7.3
Bad Manners
5.9

Bad Manners

1984Movie5.9
Capricorn One
6.8

Capricorn One

1977Movie6.8
Irene in Time
1.2

Irene in Time

2009Movie1.2
Eternal Evil
4.4

Eternal Evil

1985Movie4.4
The Outfit
6.7

The Outfit

1973Movie6.7
Some Guy Who Kills People
6.1

Some Guy Who Kills People

2011Movie6.1
Night Angel
4.4

Night Angel

1990Movie4.4
Family Plot
6.8

Family Plot

1976Movie6.8
Burnt Offerings
6.5

Burnt Offerings

1976Movie6.5
Five Easy Pieces
7.1

Five Easy Pieces

1970Movie7.1
Trilogy of Terror
6.2

Trilogy of Terror

1975Movie6.2
The Day of the Locust
6.4

The Day of the Locust

1975Movie6.4
The Legendary Life of Ernest Hemingway
8.0

The Legendary Life of Ernest Hemingway

1988Movie8.0
Born to Win
5.4

Born to Win

1971Movie5.4
Mascara
4.0

Mascara

1999Movie4.0
The Independent
5.5

The Independent

2000Movie5.5
Wamego: Ultimatum

Wamego: Ultimatum

2009Movie
Cut and Run
5.3

Cut and Run

1985Movie5.3
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
7.6

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

2015Movie7.6
Killer Fish
4.7

Killer Fish

1979Movie4.7
Invaders from Mars
5.6

Invaders from Mars

1986Movie5.6
Plan 10 from Outer Space
6.0

Plan 10 from Outer Space

1995Movie6.0
Ooga Booga
3.2

Ooga Booga

2013Movie3.2
I Woke Up Early the Day I Died
4.8

I Woke Up Early the Day I Died

1998Movie4.8
You're a Big Boy Now
6.1

You're a Big Boy Now

1966Movie6.1
The Last Horror Film
5.3

The Last Horror Film

1982Movie5.3
Out of the Dark
5.6

Out of the Dark

1988Movie5.6
Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's Caligula
5.8

Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's Caligula

2005Movie5.8
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood
7.1

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

2003Movie7.1
Teknolust
4.5

Teknolust

2002Movie4.5
No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos
5.6

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

2009Movie5.6
Homer and Eddie
5.6

Homer and Eddie

1989Movie5.6
A Gunfight
5.8

A Gunfight

1971Movie5.8
Crazy for Love
5.6

Crazy for Love

2005Movie5.6
Who Is Henry Jaglom?
6.8

Who Is Henry Jaglom?

1997Movie6.8
Letters from the Big Man
7.2

Letters from the Big Man

2011Movie7.2
Quiet Fire
5.2

Quiet Fire

1991Movie5.2
Hollywood Dreams
3.1

Hollywood Dreams

2007Movie3.1
Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!

Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!

1994Movie
Dixie Lanes
4.0

Dixie Lanes

1988Movie4.0
The Squeeze
5.9

The Squeeze

1978Movie5.9
Law and Disorder
5.0

Law and Disorder

1974Movie5.0
Soulkeeper
5.1

Soulkeeper

2001Movie5.1
Portnoy's Complaint
4.7

Portnoy's Complaint

1972Movie4.7
Light Speed
2.0

Light Speed

1998Movie2.0
Cisco Pike
5.6

Cisco Pike

1972Movie5.6
Altman on His Own Terms
9.0

Altman on His Own Terms

2000Movie9.0
In Praise of Older Women
5.3

In Praise of Older Women

1978Movie5.3
The Double 0 Kid
5.1

The Double 0 Kid

1992Movie5.1
Red Dirt
5.7

Red Dirt

2000Movie5.7
The Little Mermaid
6.8

The Little Mermaid

1987Movie6.8
Zapped Again!
4.2

Zapped Again!

1990Movie4.2
Dark Blood
6.0

Dark Blood

2012Movie6.0
Wild in Blue
4.2

Wild in Blue

2014Movie4.2
Men
4.5

Men

1997Movie4.5
Drive, He Said
5.6

Drive, He Said

1971Movie5.6
Curse of the Forty-Niner
4.3

Curse of the Forty-Niner

2002Movie4.3
Savage Dawn
4.4

Savage Dawn

1985Movie4.4
Judgement
3.9

Judgement

1992Movie3.9
Separate Ways
4.7

Separate Ways

1981Movie4.7
The Trust
10.0

The Trust

1993Movie10.0
One Long Night
3.9

One Long Night

2007Movie3.9
Hostage
7.5

Hostage

1987Movie7.5
Mythos Hollywood - Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs
3.0

Mythos Hollywood - Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs

1998Movie3.0
Final Judgement
4.0

Final Judgement

1992Movie4.0
Whitepaddy
7.5

Whitepaddy

2006Movie7.5
George Sluizer - Filming beyond Bounderies

George Sluizer - Filming beyond Bounderies

Movie
Legend of The Roller Blade Seven
4.6

Legend of The Roller Blade Seven

1993Movie4.6
Plotting 'Family Plot'
6.9

Plotting 'Family Plot'

2001Movie6.9
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
5.9

Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

1982Movie5.9
Crime and Passion
7.0

Crime and Passion

1976Movie7.0
Mirror Mirror
5.2

Mirror Mirror

1990Movie5.2
Rhinoceros
5.6

Rhinoceros

1974Movie5.6
Stir
4.6

Stir

1997Movie4.6
Repo Chick
3.6

Repo Chick

2009Movie3.6
Dogtown
4.0

Dogtown

1997Movie4.0
Evil Spirits
3.7

Evil Spirits

1991Movie3.7
Haunting Fear
4.7

Haunting Fear

1990Movie4.7
Harold Buttleman: Daredevil Stuntman
7.0

Harold Buttleman: Daredevil Stuntman

2003Movie7.0
America Brown
6.0

America Brown

2005Movie6.0
Hard Contract
5.1

Hard Contract

1969Movie5.1
Chanel Solitaire
5.0

Chanel Solitaire

1981Movie5.0
Bound and Gagged: A Love Story
6.0

Bound and Gagged: A Love Story

1993Movie6.0
Bottomless Pit

Bottomless Pit

2015Movie
Paris
3.0

Paris

2003Movie3.0
It's Alive III: Island of the Alive
5.3

It's Alive III: Island of the Alive

1987Movie5.3
BBStory: An American Film Renaissance

BBStory: An American Film Renaissance

2010Movie
Jack Nicholson: The Joker Is Wild
2.0

Jack Nicholson: The Joker Is Wild

2004Movie2.0
Crimetime
4.3

Crimetime

1996Movie4.3
Martin's Day
6.2

Martin's Day

1985Movie6.2
The Roller Blade Seven
3.2

The Roller Blade Seven

1991Movie3.2
Children of the Night
4.3

Children of the Night

1991Movie4.3
Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?
5.9

Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?

1983Movie5.9
Deadly Dolls: Deepest Cuts
5.5

Deadly Dolls: Deepest Cuts

2018Movie5.5
The Pyx
5.5

The Pyx

1973Movie5.5
Auntie Lee's Meat Pies
4.9

Auntie Lee's Meat Pies

1992Movie4.9
Airports

Airports

2025Movie
The Invisible Kid
5.0

The Invisible Kid

1988Movie5.0
Twisted Justice
5.8

Twisted Justice

1990Movie5.8
The Children
4.9

The Children

1990Movie4.9
Invisible Dad
4.1

Invisible Dad

1998Movie4.1
The Last Word
5.0

The Last Word

1979Movie5.0
Miss Right
4.2

Miss Right

1982Movie4.2
Blood Money
5.6

Blood Money

1991Movie5.6
Gypsy 83
6.5

Gypsy 83

2001Movie6.5
Angel Blue
4.5

Angel Blue

1998Movie4.5
Tuesday Never Comes
3.7

Tuesday Never Comes

1992Movie3.7
Charades
4.2

Charades

1998Movie4.2
She Loves Me Not
3.9

She Loves Me Not

2013Movie3.9
Double Duty
7.0

Double Duty

2009Movie7.0
A Single Woman
5.5

A Single Woman

2008Movie5.5
Cries of Silence
7.3

Cries of Silence

1996Movie7.3
Wanderlust
5.9

Wanderlust

2006Movie5.9
Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia
7.7

Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia

2013Movie7.7
Maria My Love
2.0

Maria My Love

2012Movie2.0
Rubin & Ed
6.5

Rubin & Ed

1992Movie6.5
The Underground Comedy Movie
2.5

The Underground Comedy Movie

1999Movie2.5
New York Crossing
4.0

New York Crossing

1996Movie4.0
Suffering Man's Charity
4.9

Suffering Man's Charity

2007Movie4.9
Club Fed
5.5

Club Fed

1990Movie5.5
Police Story: Confessions of a Lady Cop
3.0

Police Story: Confessions of a Lady Cop

1980Movie3.0
Where the Ladies Go
10.0

Where the Ladies Go

1980Movie10.0
Every Minute Is Goodbye
6.0

Every Minute Is Goodbye

1996Movie6.0
Dead Girls Don't Tango
4.0

Dead Girls Don't Tango

1992Movie4.0
Flight of the Spruce Goose
8.0

Flight of the Spruce Goose

1986Movie8.0
Caged Fear
4.1

Caged Fear

1991Movie4.1
Firecracker
6.1

Firecracker

2005Movie6.1
Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage
7.1

Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage

1999Movie7.1
Karen Black: Actress at Work
10.0

Karen Black: Actress at Work

1999Movie10.0
Return to the 5 & Dime: An Interview with Ed Graczyk

Return to the 5 & Dime: An Interview with Ed Graczyk

2014Movie
The Grass Is Singing
4.7

The Grass Is Singing

1981Movie4.7
Nothing Special
5.0

Nothing Special

2010Movie5.0
Ralph S. Mouse
7.0

Ralph S. Mouse

1991Movie7.0
Dr. Rage
3.0

Dr. Rage

2005Movie3.0
Return of the Roller Blade Seven
4.7

Return of the Roller Blade Seven

1993Movie4.7
Stuck!
2.6

Stuck!

2009Movie2.6
Contamination
2.0

Contamination

2008Movie2.0
Fallen Arches
7.0

Fallen Arches

2000Movie7.0
Bury the Evidence
8.0

Bury the Evidence

1998Movie8.0
Little Laura and Big John
4.3

Little Laura and Big John

1973Movie4.3
The Wacky Adventures of Dr. Boris and Nurse Shirley
10.0

The Wacky Adventures of Dr. Boris and Nurse Shirley

1995Movie10.0
The Donor
4.0

The Donor

2001Movie4.0
First Time Long Time

First Time Long Time

2009Movie
Birth of Industry
8.0

Birth of Industry

2004Movie8.0
Paradise Cove
6.5

Paradise Cove

1999Movie6.5
Malaika
10.0

Malaika

1998Movie10.0
The Blue Tooth Virgin
8.0

The Blue Tooth Virgin

2008Movie8.0
Conceiving Ada
4.7

Conceiving Ada

1999Movie4.7
Dinosaur Valley Girls
4.3

Dinosaur Valley Girls

1995Movie4.3
Read You Like a Book
3.6

Read You Like a Book

2006Movie3.6
Watercolors
5.5

Watercolors

2008Movie5.5
Too Bad About Jack
10.0

Too Bad About Jack

1994Movie10.0
Overexposed
3.3

Overexposed

1990Movie3.3
On the tracks of a filmmaker

On the tracks of a filmmaker

1988Movie
The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black: Teather Penumbra

The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black: Teather Penumbra

1994Movie
Because He's My Friend
8.0

Because He's My Friend

1978Movie8.0
OowieWanna
9.8

OowieWanna

2012Movie9.8
The Prime Time
4.5

The Prime Time

1960Movie4.5
Henry Jaglom Finds 'A Safe Place'

Henry Jaglom Finds 'A Safe Place'

2010Movie
Starstruck
4.3

Starstruck

1995Movie4.3
The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver
6.4

The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver

1977Movie6.4
Mommy's Little Monster
3.5

Mommy's Little Monster

2012Movie3.5
Meet the Eye

Meet the Eye

2009Movie
Oliver Twisted
5.0

Oliver Twisted

2000Movie5.0
Best of Tromadance Film Festival: Volume 1

Best of Tromadance Film Festival: Volume 1

2002Movie
Fatal Encounter
9.0

Fatal Encounter

1990Movie9.0
A Light in the Darkness
4.3

A Light in the Darkness

2002Movie4.3
Hawk Warrior of the Wheelzone

Hawk Warrior of the Wheelzone

2012Movie
Vacationland

Vacationland

Movie
WAMEGO: Making Movies Anywhere
8.0

WAMEGO: Making Movies Anywhere

2004Movie8.0

TV Shows (36)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
7.6

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

2001Series7.6
Saturday Night Live
6.9

Saturday Night Live

1975Series6.9
Miami Vice
7.5

Miami Vice

1984Series7.5
The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
Murder, She Wrote
7.5

Murder, She Wrote

1984Series7.5
American Playhouse
6.6

American Playhouse

1982Series6.6
Adam-12
7.1

Adam-12

1968Series7.1
Mannix
6.8

Mannix

1967Series6.8
Party of Five
7.0

Party of Five

1994Series7.0
Run for Your Life
7.1

Run for Your Life

1965Series7.1
The Big Valley
6.2

The Big Valley

1965Series6.2
The Carol Burnett Show
7.7

The Carol Burnett Show

1967Series7.7
Profiler
7.0

Profiler

1996Series7.0
The F.B.I.
5.6

The F.B.I.

1965Series5.6
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
7.2

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

2007Series7.2
The Hunger
6.1

The Hunger

1997Series6.1
The Name of the Game
7.0

The Name of the Game

1968Series7.0
The Hitchhiker
6.3

The Hitchhiker

1983Series6.3
The Invaders
6.9

The Invaders

1967Series6.9
People's Choice Awards
9.2

People's Choice Awards

1975Series9.2
Police Story
7.0

Police Story

1973Series7.0
Faerie Tale Theatre
8.1

Faerie Tale Theatre

1982Series8.1
Judd, for the Defense
7.7

Judd, for the Defense

1967Series7.7
Rude Awakening
6.6

Rude Awakening

1998Series6.6
Ghost Story
7.4

Ghost Story

1972Series7.4
Russians in the City of Angels
8.1

Russians in the City of Angels

2003Series8.1
The Second Hundred Years
6.5

The Second Hundred Years

1967Series6.5
E/R
5.7

E/R

1984Series5.7
Tales of the City
7.7

Tales of the City

1993Series7.7
Moon Over Miami
7.8

Moon Over Miami

1993Series7.8
Worlds Beyond
5.8

Worlds Beyond

1986Series5.8
Mr. Horn

Mr. Horn

1979Series
E! True Hollywood Story
8.1

E! True Hollywood Story

1996Series8.1
Science Fiction Film Awards

Science Fiction Film Awards

Series
Power
7.0

Power

1980Series7.0