Karen Black

Karen Black Trailers

Airports TrailerDeadly Dolls: Deepest Cuts TrailerBottomless Pit Trailer

Karen Blanche Black (née Ziegler; July 1, 1939 – August 8, 2013) was an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence for her work in various studio and independent films in the 1970s, frequently portraying eccentric and offbeat characters, and established herself as a figure of New Hollywood. Her career spanned over 50 years and includes nearly 200 credits in both independent and mainstream films. Black received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Golden Globe Awards, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. A native of suburban Chicago, Black studied theater at Northwestern University before dropping out and relocating to New York City. She performed on Broadway in 1965 before making her major film debut in Francis Ford Coppola's You're a Big Boy Now (1966). Black relocated to California and was cast as an acid-tripping prostitute in Dennis Hopper's road film Easy Rider (1969). That led to a lead in the drama Five Easy Pieces (1970), in which she played a hopeless beautician, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Black made her first major commercial picture with the disaster film Airport 1975 (1974), and her subsequent appearance as Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby (1974) won her a second Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Black starred as a glamorous country singer in Robert Altman's ensemble musical drama Nashville (1975), also writing and performing two songs for the soundtrack, which won a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack. Her portrayal of an aspiring actress in John Schlesinger's drama The Day of the Locust (also 1975) earned her a third Golden Globe nomination, this time for Best Actress. She subsequently took on four roles in Dan Curtis' anthology horror film Trilogy of Terror (1975), followed by Curtis's supernatural horror feature, Burnt Offerings (1976). The same year, she starred as a con artist in Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot. In 1982, Black starred as a trans woman in the Robert Altman-directed Broadway debut of Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, a role she also reprised in Altman's subsequent film adaptation. She next starred in the comedy Can She Bake a Cherry Pie? (1983), followed by Tobe Hooper's remake of Invaders from Mars (1986). For much of the late 1980s and 1990s, Black starred in a variety of arthouse, independent, and horror films, as well as writing her own screenplays. She had a leading role as a villainous mother in Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses (2003), which cemented her status as a cult horror icon. She continued to star in low-profile films throughout the early 2000s, as well as working as a playwright before her death from ampullary cancer in 2013.

Most Popular Karen Black Trailers

Total trailers found: 178

Who Is Henry Jaglom? Trailer (1997)

08 July 1997

Hailed by some as a cinematic genius, a feminist voice and a true maverick of American cinema, dismissed by others as a voyeuristic fraud and the "world's worst director," Henry Jaglom obsessively confuses and abuses the line between life and art.

Where the Ladies Go Trailer (1980)

14 March 1980

A small-town bar, open only from 9AM to 3PM and owned by Buck (Earl Holliman), is the setting where bored housewives and wandering husbands go to find some adventure in their miserable lives.

Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue! Trailer (1994)

01 January 1994

Prostrate probing interviews! Live action murder! Naked people! Tired death-rockers! And more! Much more!

Altman on His Own Terms Trailer (2000)

01 January 2000

A look at the life and career of acclaimed independent filmmaker Robert Altman...on his own words. The genius director who shook the cinema industry with countless films examines some of his most important works, along with friends and regular collaborators.

Mythos Hollywood - Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs Trailer (1998)

01 January 1998

Ekchart Schmidt examines the machinery behind the dream factory; the Hollywood myth is unmasked. How does the studio industry work?

Oliver Twisted Trailer (2000)

01 January 2000

A secret turns one family's pleasant life into a blood bath.

Dixie Lanes Trailer (1988)

03 May 1988

Small town America, 1945. The boys are coming home, as is Clarence Laidlaw who served overseas in lieu of serving time in prison.

Double Duty Trailer (2009)

08 December 2009

Funny, action-packed coming of age story portrays *Lesseos *as an ex-marine trying to adjust to civilian life and discover her feminine side, with help from best friend Sophia.

Dr. Rage Trailer (2005)

01 January 2005

After enrolling in an experimental study on Rage Impulse Disorder at the Straun Foundation, Michael Dare discovers that the research is not what it seems.

Henry Jaglom Finds 'A Safe Place' Trailer (2010)

23 November 2010

Henry Jaglom discusses the influence of such filmmakers as Fellini and Cassavetes on his work, and the theatrical nature of "A Safe Place.

The Independent Trailer (2000)

10 November 2000

A notorious B-movie director tries for a comeback by seeking out the film rights to the life story of a serial killer who wants his biography film to be a musical.

The Last Word Trailer (1979)

10 October 1979

When politicians try to force out a renter in a corrupt real-estate deal, the man decides to take matters into his own hands.

The Player Trailer (1992)

08 May 1992

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?

Ooga Booga Trailer (2013)

12 March 2013

Revenge is served on a spear when dirty cops brutally murder Devin, an innocent African-American med student.

Nashville Trailer (1975)

11 June 1975

The intersecting stories of twenty-four characters—from country star to wannabe to reporter to waitress—connect to the music business in Nashville, Tennessee.

Whitepaddy Trailer (2006)

01 January 2006

During changing times a White family find themsleves falling in-love with their Black next door neighbors.

Chanel Solitaire Trailer (1981)

16 October 1981

The life and loves of Coco Chanel who rose from the bottom with no family or financial support and became one of the most legendary creative icons.

Fallen Arches Trailer (2000)

15 January 2000

Transplanted from New York, Duke and his brother Frankie Romano live in a rundown LA apartment with their alcoholic mother (Karen Black).

Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage Trailer (1999)

07 October 1999

Documentary about the making and history of the film "Easy Rider."

House of 1000 Corpses Trailer (2003)

11 April 2003

Two teenage couples traveling across the backwoods of Texas searching for urban legends of serial killers end up as prisoners of a bizarre and sadistic backwater family of serial killers.

Easy Rider Trailer (1969)

26 June 1969

Wyatt and Billy, two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth.

A Single Woman Trailer (2008)

21 September 2008

A Single Woman is a distinct, lively portrait of Jeannette Rankin (the first American woman elected to Congress; also a suffragist, peace activist and reformer) that takes us from her childhood in 1880's Montana, to her last television interview in 1972.

Wamego: Ultimatum Trailer (2009)

17 February 2009

Third entry in the documentary series about true independent filmmaking from Steve Balderson, based out of Wamego, KS.

The Great Gatsby Trailer (1974)

27 March 1974

Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby.

Bad Manners Trailer (1984)

11 November 1984

Four teens on the run from an orphanage spring a fellow orphan recently adopted by a rich family, then trash the whole house.

Men Trailer (1997)

23 October 1997

A single young woman moves to Los Angeles, gets a job as a chef and has casual affairs.

The Pyx Trailer (1973)

08 September 1973

A detective investigating the death of a heroin-addicted prostitute uncovers evidence pointing to the existence of a murderous devil cult.

Five Easy Pieces Trailer (1970)

12 September 1970

Robert Dupea spends his days doing various odd jobs, drinking and womanizing until an encounter with his sister makes him revisit his past.

Hard Contract Trailer (1969)

30 April 1969

A cold hearted American hit man goes to Europe for "one last score". His encounter with a beautiful young woman casts self doubt on his lifeblood, and influences him to resist carrying out the contract.

The Trust Trailer (1993)

23 April 1993

William Rice is perhaps the wealthiest man in Texas. With no heirs, Rice plans to leave his estate in the form of a much-needed college.

Stuck! Trailer (2009)

15 November 2009

Beautiful young Daisy feels stuck working as a shopgirl by day and caring for her ailing mother by night.

Paradise Cove Trailer (1999)

01 January 1999

Film noir involving Indian casinos, ex-cons seeking redemption, FBI agents and ruthless family of gas

The Donor Trailer (2001)

13 April 2001

A man falls in love with the surrogate who is carrying his child.

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films Trailer (2014)

06 October 2014

A documentary about the rise and fall of the Cannon Film Group, the legendary independent film company helmed by Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus.

Quiet Fire Trailer (1991)

31 October 1991

Loner Jessie Palmer must piece together information from a growing body count, including the murder of his best friend, in order to bring down a corrupt U.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood Trailer (2003)

09 March 2003

The chronicle of the mind-blowing journey that was Hollywood during the seventies; the true and gripping story of the last golden age of American cinema, an exalted celebration of creativity and experimentation; but also of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll: a turbulent and dark tale of ambition, envy, betrayal, hatred and self-destruction.

Family Plot Trailer (1976)

09 April 1976

Spiritualist Blanche Tyler and her cab-driving boyfriend encounter a pair of serial kidnappers while trailing a missing heir in California.

Legend of The Roller Blade Seven Trailer (1993)

25 June 1993

In a post-apocalyptic world where rollerblading is the chief means of travel, the evil Pharoah sends his minions outside the Wheel Zone to abduct a psychic.

Airport 1975 Trailer (1974)

18 October 1974

When an in-flight collision incapacitates the pilots of an airplane bound for Los Angeles, stewardess Nancy Pryor is forced to take over the controls.

Killer Fish Trailer (1979)

07 December 1979

Jewel thieves attempt to recover treasure from piranha infested waters. Mistrust and betrayals happen amongst the gang in the quest for gold.

Drive, He Said Trailer (1971)

13 June 1971

Hector is a star basketball player for the College basketball team he plays for, the Leopards. His girlfriend, Olive, doesn't know whether to stay with him or leave him.

Miss Right Trailer (1982)

01 January 1982

After falling for Juliette, the woman of his dreams, a womanizing journalist in Rome must dump his numerous female lovers one by one.

The Grass Is Singing Trailer (1981)

30 August 1981

In Southern Rhodesia in the 1940s, city-dweller Mary marries farmer Dick Turner and is plucked from the comforts of her cosmopolitan life and forced to live on his unsuccessful farm.

Mr. Horn Trailer (1979)

01 February 1979

Western saga based on the legend of frontier folk hero Tom Horn, including his role in the trackdown of Geronimo in the 1880s with his mentor and pal, Al Sieber, the fabled Indian scout, his later days as a Pinkerton detective, and the way he was used by both sides in turn-of-the-century cattle wars, leading to his tragic death.

Ralph S. Mouse Trailer (1991)

16 February 1991

Ralph the mouse lives at the Mountain View Inn and loves his motorcycle. When the inn becomes overriden with mice and Ralph's friend Matt the bellboy must leave, Ralph asks his other friend Ryan to take him to school as part of a plan to help Matt.

Mascara Trailer (1999)

07 May 1999

Mascara is the story of three very different women who rediscover the value of their friendship at a time when their lives are in turmoil.

Crazy for Love Trailer (2005)

01 March 2005

A suicidal comedy about two young lovers who get married and escape from a mental institution in search of new ways to die.

Capricorn One Trailer (1977)

10 December 1977

In order to protect the reputation of the American space program, a team of NASA administrators turn the first Mars mission into a phony Mars landing.

Malaika Trailer (1998)

01 January 1998

An African elephant wanders into the lives of four wide-eyed children and all pandemonium breaks loose.

Airports Trailer (2025)

17 September 2025

Edited together from all four Airport movies by Academy Award nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence, Infested) and veteran genre fellow screenwriter Adam Rifkin (Small Soldiers, Mouse Hunt), Airports is an exercise in narrative truncation for both newcomers and fans alike in the vein of Soderbergh’s Psychos edit.

Dead Girls Don't Tango Trailer (1992)

06 March 1992

Police inspector must stop a serial killer who dances tango with his victims before strangling them.

Dogtown Trailer (1997)

06 April 1997

Philip Van Horn, who left his small town a long time ago to become a Hollywood actor and hasn't had any success at that, returns to the town for a visit.

Angel Blue Trailer (1998)

15 November 1998

Dennis is a handsome, successful and well-liked civic leader who lives in his hometown with his lovely wife and their new baby.

Evil Spirits Trailer (1991)

03 October 1991

A dark comedy thriller that manages to skillfully blend humor and mystery into one incredible film from its thrilling beginning to the shocking climax! The superb all-star cast is a unique collection of characters who find themselves with one very special thing in common -- they are all boarders of Mrs.

Night Angel Trailer (1990)

02 June 1990

A legendary she-demon, in the updated guise of a beautiful model, infiltrates the offices of a successful fashion magazine with the aim of corrupting the world via mass media.

The Squeeze Trailer (1978)

25 October 1978

A retired safe cracker is recruited by a young conman to return to the "business" for a million dollar heist.

Martin's Day Trailer (1985)

22 February 1985

Threatened with recapture after a prison escape, Martin Stechert grabs a 12-year-old as hostage. He proves to be named Martin, too a quiet "good little boy" always obeying the rules, whom life has given only dismal loneliness and frustration in return.

Invaders from Mars Trailer (1986)

06 June 1986

A boy tries to stop aliens that have taken over his town and are brainwashing its inhabitants.

Children of the Night Trailer (1991)

06 September 1991

In the quiet little town of Allburg, friends Lucy and Cindy are on the verge of going away to college when they partake in a cleansing ritual by swimming in an abandoned church crypt.

Wanderlust Trailer (2006)

12 July 2006

A look at the mystique of road movies, combining interviews, film clips, music, photography, literature and a narrative storyline featuring Paul Rudd and Tom McCarthy.