Roberta Collins was a dynamic and scene-stealing actress who brought earthy good humor, boundless vitality, superior acting ability, strong personality, and smoldering sex appeal to her roles. Born on November 17, 1944, she began her acting career in the late 1960s and quickly made a name for herself with her impressive performances.
One of her most notable roles was as Alcott, a fiery and feisty prison inmate, in Jack Hill's classic "The Big Doll House" (1971). She also shone as Belle, a bawdy and jovial prison inmate, in Jonathan Demme's "Caged Heat" (1974),and as Matilda the Hun, a champion race car driver, in the outrageous sci-fi comedy "Death Race 2000" (1975).
Roberta's other notable roles include a bitter rival to Claudia Jennings in "The Unholy Rollers" (1972),Jean Harlow in the unusual "Train Ride to Hollywood" (1975),Jim Brown's secretary in the blaxploitation riot "Three the Hard Way" (1974),a forlorn prostitute in Tobe Hooper's "Eaten Alive" (1976),a klutzy student driver in the car chase romp "Speedtrap" (1977),and a neurotic actress in Matt Cimber's "The Witch Who Came from the Sea" (1976).
Despite her impressive early career, Roberta's career began to decline in the 1980s, with lesser credits such as "Hardbodies" (1984),"School Spirit" (1985),and "Hardbodies 2" (1986). However, she did contribute a fine performance as a tough prison security chief in the gritty "Vendetta" (1986).
Roberta also made guest appearances on several TV shows, including "The Rockford Files" (1974),"Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1974),"Cade's County" (1971),and "Adam-12" (1968).
Roberta Collins passed away at the age of 63 on August 16, 2008, due to an accidental overdose of drugs and alcohol.
