Karen Black entered Northwestern University at the tender age of 18, but her academic journey was cut short as she left the institution after just two years. Undeterred, she continued to hone her craft by studying under the renowned Lee Strasberg in New York, and subsequently, she made a name for herself in various off-Broadway productions.
Her Broadway debut in 1965's critically acclaimed "The Playroom" marked a significant milestone in her career, and she soon followed it up with a notable film role in Francis Ford Coppola's "You're a Big Boy Now" in 1966. Shortly after, she made her television debut as Marcia in the series "The Second Hundred Years" in 1967.
However, it was her role in the iconic 1969 film "Easy Rider" that catapulted her to stardom, alongside Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and a young Jack Nicholson. The following year, she starred alongside Nicholson once more in "Five Easy Pieces" (1970),which earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe award.
Throughout her career, Karen has been typecast in roles that often portray her as a waitress, hooker, or woman on the edge. While some of her later films may have underperformed at the box office, she did receive another Golden Globe for her portrayal in "The Great Gatsby" (1974).
One of her most enduring roles is that of the cunning jewel thief in Alfred Hitchcock's final film, "Family Plot" (1976). Another notable performance is her terrifying turn as the woman terrorized by a murderous Zuni doll in the well-received television movie "Trilogy of Terror" (1975).
After a few forgettable films, Karen Black won widespread acclaim for her role in "Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" (1982). Since then, her film career has remained active, albeit with an inconsistent track record.
