Actress Camilla Carr Dies at 83

Actress Camilla Carr, who was known for her roles in 1970s horror movies and TV shows, has passed away at the age of 83. Her son said she died from problems related to Alzheimer's disease and a hip injury. She was a writer too.
By Newsroom | Obituaries, Film |

Camilla Carr, a performer known for her roles in low-budget 1970s horror films and guest appearances on television, has died at the age of 83. Her death occurred on Wednesday in El Paso, Texas. The cause of death was reported as complications from Alzheimer's disease and a dislocated hip. Carr's career spanned cult cinema, television, and theatre, leaving a notable impact on genre filmmaking.

Camilla Carr dead: Keep My Grave Open star dies after heartbreaking Alzheimer's battle - 1

Career Highlights and Personal Life

Born in Texas around 1942, Camilla Carr developed a reputation for her intense and often fearless performances. She gained significant recognition for her collaborations with director S.F. Brownrigg, appearing in his low-budget cult horror films:

Camilla Carr dead: Keep My Grave Open star dies after heartbreaking Alzheimer's battle - 2

  • Don’t Look in the Basement (1973)

  • Poor White Trash Part II (also known as Scum of the Earth, 1974)

  • Keep My Grave Open (1977)

In these films, Carr often portrayed characters described as deranged, wild, or having split personalities. For example, in Don’t Look in the Basement, she played a disturbed patient who murders a nurse. In Keep My Grave Open, she took on the lead role of a woman with a murderous split personality.

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Camilla Carr dead: Keep My Grave Open star dies after heartbreaking Alzheimer's battle - 3

Beyond horror, Carr made appearances in television. She is remembered for a notable role in the sitcom Designing Women in a 1987 episode titled "They’re Killing All the Right People." In this role, her character delivered a line that generated discussion: "As far as I’m concerned, this disease has one thing going for it: It’s killing all the right people." This dialogue occurred during the AIDS crisis and was noted for its controversial nature.

Camilla Carr dead: Keep My Grave Open star dies after heartbreaking Alzheimer's battle - 4

Carr also had roles in other television series, including:

  • Falcon Crest (as housekeeper Nellie Maxwell in three episodes in 1988)

  • Logan's Run (1976)

  • Guest spots on One Day at a Time and Another World.

Her career also extended to theatre, where she met her first husband, actor Hugh Feagin, while performing at Theatre Three in Dallas. Carr was married multiple times; her second husband was Oscar-winning screenwriter Edward Anhalt, known for his work on films like Panic in the Streets and Becket. Carr was also a writer, with credits including novels and screenplays.

Confirmation of Death and Cause

The confirmation of Carr's passing came from her son, Caley O’Dwyer, who is a writer, poet, and painter. O’Dwyer informed The Hollywood Reporter that his mother died of complications stemming from Alzheimer's disease and a dislocated hip. Carr had been living a quiet life away from the public eye in her later years in her home state of Texas.

Legacy in Cult Cinema

Camilla Carr's performances, particularly in the exploitation and horror films of the 1970s, have solidified her place in cult cinema. Director S.F. Brownrigg was known for his ability to create unsettling atmospheres on limited budgets, and Carr's intense portrayals were a key element in the effectiveness of his films. Her work is noted for bringing depth and complexity to her roles, leaving a lasting mark on genre filmmaking and its communities.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Camilla Carr?
Camilla Carr was an actress known for horror movies in the 1970s and TV shows. She was also a writer.
Q: How old was she when she died?
She was 83 years old.
Q: Where did she die?
She died in El Paso, Texas.
Q: What was the cause of her death?
Her death was caused by problems from Alzheimer's disease and a dislocated hip.