Barbara Steele

Barbara Steele (born 29 December 1937) is an famed English film actress, highly recognized for her outstanding roles in 1960's Italian gothic horror films. Often referred to as the 'Queen of All Scream Queens' and 'Britain's first lady of horror', her scintillating performances, particularly in the dual roles of Asa and Katia Vajda in Mario Bava's iconic film Black Sunday (1960), has etched an indelible mark in the film industry. She also triumphantly starred in The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962), The Long Hair of Death (1964), and Castle of Blood (1964). Furthermore, Steele showcased her acting prowess in diverse roles, such as in Federico Fellini's 8½ (1963), David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975), Joe Dante's Piranha and Louis Malle's Pretty Baby (both 1978) and also graced the small screen with her appearance in the 1991 TV series Dark Shadows. Renowned for her extensive contributions to film and television, Steele even ventured into production, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for producing the American television miniseries War and Remembrance (1988–1989). Continually exploring and expanding her oeuvre, Steele has appeared in several films throughout the 2010s, including a lead role in The Butterfly Room (2012) and a supporting role in Ryan Gosling's Lost River (2014).

In the early days of her career, Steele flourished in the Italian horror genre, starring in notable films such as Black Sunday, The Horrible Dr. Hichcock, The Ghost, The Long Hair of Death, and Castle of Blood amidst others. Steele made impactful appearances in British television shows including the spy drama, Danger Man (aka Secret Agent), and marked her American television debut in 1960 as Dolores in the 'Daughter of Illusion' episode of the ABC series, Adventures in Paradise. She also appeared in CBS's Alfred Hitchcock Presents and in the historic second-season episode of NBC's I Spy, 'Bridge of Spies'. Her remarkable career also saw her return to the horror genre in the 1970s with performances in films like David Cronenberg's Shivers, Piranha, and The Silent Scream. As an all-round talent, Steele also served as a producer and shared the 1989 Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special for War and Remembrance.