Karen Black

Karen Blanche Black, better known as Karen Black, was an American actress, writer, singer, and songwriter active from 1960 until her death in 2013. Rising to prominence in the 1970s for her work in various studio and independent films, she often portrayed eccentric and offbeat characters. She played key roles in films like Francis Ford Coppola's 'You're a Big Boy Now', Dennis Hopper's 'Easy Rider', 'Five Easy Pieces' that picked her a Golden Globe, 'Airport 1975', and 'The Great Gatsby'. This only affirms her versatility and incredible talent. Her accolades include two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Beyond acting, Black also had an impressive music career, performing two songs for Robert Altman's 'Nashville' which earned her a Grammy nomination. Despite her great success in Hollywood, she favored working in independent films. In the 1990s and 2000s, she starred in various arthouse, independent, and horror films, as well as writing her own screenplays. In Rob Zombie's 'House of 1000 Corpses', Black played a villainous mother role, cementing her status as a cult horror icon. She also worked as a playwright and made contributions to the theater world.