Karen Black, American actress, director, screenwriter, composer and singer

American actress Karen Black (photos shown 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 pen name Elsie Rafe. Her stories and stories for the young generation liked both children and their parents. The literary gift of the mother, undoubtedly, passed to Karen by heredity and helped her in the future when writing screenplays.

Theater Courses

Higher education actress received in Illinois, Western University. After graduating from the course, Karen moved to New York and began working in theaters on Broadway. She played simple roles for ten years until she was lucky.

Karen Black had a paternal grandfather who played the leading violin at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. From him, the future actress took over the love of music, and since Karen still 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 the films that were shot according to her scripts, and also sing the songs that were to be performed in the film in the course of the script.

Giving

She managed to realize musical abilities, became a composer and a singer. Her literary talent Karen Black used to write scripts, which were put on interesting, exciting films. In many, she took part as an actress.

Karen Black debuted on the big screen in 1959, in a minute episode of some low-budget film. In the following years, the actress starred in several successful Hollywood films, such as "Airport 1975", "Easy Rider," "Locust Day," "Nashville," "Family Conspiracy," "Burnt Offering" and some others.

Awards

Karen Black - winner of two Golden Globe awards, received in 1971 and 1975, both in the nominations "Best performer of the supporting role". The first prize went to the actress for the character Reyette Digesto in the film "Five Easy Pieces", the girlfriend and cohabitant of Robert Dupee (Jack Nicholson), not too lucky musician, who eventually throws rehearsals and leaves for oil development. In addition to the Golden Globe, Karen was then nominated for an Oscar.

The second "Golden Globe" Karen Black went for the role of Myrtle Wilson in the next screen version of the novel by Francis Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby." The character was at least secondary, 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 very fact of cooperation with such a large director gave her confidence in her abilities.

"Careless Rider"

Five years later, the actress played one of her major roles in the leading theater on Broadway, and since then her popularity has multiplied. In 1969, Karen Black acted as one of the women participating in biker trips. Motorcyclists move that way and here, smoke marijuana and give the impression of unruly young people.

But the whole paradox was that after this film Karen Black gained wide popularity, although in the course of the plot she did nothing in the movie. Nevertheless, the actress received the nomination "Best Actress", and since that time her career has clearly gone up the hill.

Filmography

During her career, Karen starred in more than twenty films, many of which were set according to her scenarios. The musical accompaniment, songs, soundtracks also belonged to her. The actress often acted as a performer of musical numbers, which were included in the film. Karen Black, whose filmography does not contain a large number of masterpieces, yet is a worthy representative of the cast community.

Below is a sample list of paintings with Karen as the performer of the film.

• "Careless Rider" (1969), episodic role;
• "Five Easy Pieces" (1970), character Reyertt Digesto;
• "Born to Win" (1971), the role of Parmes;
• "The Great Gatsby" (1974), the character of Myrtle Wilson;
• "Airport 1975" (1974), the role of Nancy Prior;
• "Nashville" (1975), a character Connie White;
• "Family plot" (1976), the role of Fran;
• "Burned Offering" (1976), character Marian Rolf;
• "Capricorn" (1977), the role of Julie Drinkwater;
• "Praise a woman" (1978), a character of Maya;
• "Bad Manners" (1984), the role of Gladys Fitzpatrick;
• "Aliens from Mars" (1986), the character of Linda Magnusson;
• "Mirror" (1990), the role of Susan Gordon;
• "Children of the Night" (1991), character Karen Thompson;
• "Double Agent - Boy" (1992), the role of Mrs. Elliot;
• "Children of the Corn" (1996), a character of June Roads;
• "The Guardian of Souls" (2001), the role of Martha;
• "Gypsy 83" (2001), the character of Le Bleu;
• "In the house of 1000 corpses" (2003), the role of Firefly;
• "Watercolor" (2008), the character of Mrs. Martin.

Karen Black, whose films are a good example of universalism - in them her music, her songs, acting skills - will forever 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, designed to contribute to successful undertakings and achieve significant results in everyday life.

Death of the actress

Karen Black died on August 8, 2013 in a Los Angeles hospital after a severe, long-lasting oncological illness, at the age of seventy-five.