American actress Karen Black (photos are presented on the page), one of the brightest representatives of the US film industry, was born July 1, 1939 in the suburbs of Chicago, Park Ridge. Her mother was a children's writer and signed her books with the pseudonym Elsie Reif. For the young generation, both her children and their parents liked her stories and tales. Mother's literary gift undoubtedly passed on to Karen by inheritance and helped her in future writing scripts.
Theater courses
The actress received higher education in Illinois, Western University. After completing the course, Karen moved to New York and began working in theaters on Broadway. She played simple roles for ten years until luck smiled at her.
Karen Black had a paternal grandfather who played the lead violin at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. From him, the future actress took over the love of music, and since Karen had an absolute musical ear in her childhood, she could only master the musical notation, which she did. Homework under the supervision of his grandfather helped Karen become a good vocalist and composer. The girl got the opportunity to write music for films that were shot according to her scripts, as well as personally perform songs that were supposed to sound in the film during the script.
Talent
She managed to realize musical abilities, became a composer and singer. Karen Black used her literary talent to write scripts that featured interesting, exciting films. In many, she took part as an actress.
Karen Black made her debut on the big screen in 1959, in the minute episode of some low-budget film. In subsequent years, the actress starred in several successful Hollywood films, such as “Airport 1975”, “Easy Rider”, “Locust Day”, “Nashville”, “Family Conspiracy”, “Burnt Offers” and some others.
Awards
Karen Black is the winner of two Golden Globe awards received in 1971 and 1975, both in the Best Supporting Role nominations. The first prize went to the actress for the character Reyatt Digesto in the movie “Five Easy Pieces,” girlfriend and cohabitant Robert Dupie (Jack Nicholson), a not-so-successful musician who eventually gives up rehearsals and leaves for oilfields. In addition to the Golden Globe, Karen then received an Oscar nomination.
The second “Golden Globe” Karen Black went for the role of Myrtle Wilson in the next film adaptation of the novel “The Great Gatsby” by Francis Scott Fitzgerald . The character was, although minor, but quite noticeable.
Acquaintance with the master
In 1960, Karen Black met on the set with Francis Coppola himself , who invited her to participate in one of his films. A small role did not solve anything in Karen’s career, but the fact of cooperation with such a large director gave her confidence in her abilities.
"Easy Rider"
Five years later, the actress played one of her main roles in the leading theater on Broadway, and since then her popularity has increased many times. In 1969, Karen Black played the role of one of the women involved in biker trips. Motorcyclists move here and there, smoke marijuana and give the impression of restless young people.
But the whole paradox was that after this film, Karen Black became widely known, although during the story she did absolutely nothing in the movie. Nevertheless, the actress received the nomination for "Best Actress", and since then her career has gone up markedly.
Filmography
During her career, Karen starred in more than twenty films, many of which were set according to her scripts. Musical accompaniment, songs, soundtracks also belonged to her. The actress often acted as a performer of musical numbers that were included in the movie. Karen Black, whose filmography does not contain a large number of masterpieces, is still a worthy representative of the acting community.
The following is a selective list of paintings featuring Karen as a performer of film roles.
- "Careless Rider" (1969), episodic role;
- Five Easy Pieces (1970), character Reyertt Digesto;
- Born to Win (1971), the role of Parm;
- The Great Gatsby (1974), character Myrtle Wilson;
- "Airport 1975" (1974), the role of Nancy Prior;
- "Nashville" (1975), the character of Connie White;
- The Family Conspiracy (1976), the role of Fran;
- “Burned Offers” (1976), character Marian Rolf;
- Capricorn (1977), the role of Julie Drinkwater;
- Praise the Woman (1978), the character of Maya;
- Bad Manners (1984), the role of Gladys Fitzpatrick;
- “Aliens from Mars” (1986), character of Linda Magnusson;
- The Mirror (1990), the role of Susan Gordon;
- Children of the Night (1991), character Karen Thompson;
- "The Double Agent - The Boy" (1992), the role of Mrs. Elliot;
- "Children of the Corn" (1996), character June Rhodes;
- The Soul Keeper (2001), the role of Martha;
- "Gypsy 83" (2001), the character of Le Bleu;
- "There are 1000 corpses in the house" (2003), the role of Firefly;
- Watercolors (2008), character of Mrs. Martin.
Karen Black, whose films are a good example of universalism - her music, her songs, acting skills - will always remain in the annals of American cinema. The actress is remembered by millions of moviegoers.
Karen Black, personal life
The actress was married four times, gave birth to two children. She was a follower of the Scientology doctrine of Ron Hubbard, according to which a compilation of religious and scientific ideas is created to promote successful endeavors and achieve significant results in everyday life.
The death of the actress
Karen Black died on August 8, 2013 in a Los Angeles hospital after a severe, prolonged cancer, at the age of seventy-five.