Black relocated to California and was cast as an LSD-tripping prostitute in Dennis Hopper's road film Easy Rider (1969).
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 received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Golden Globe Awards, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.Ī native of suburban Chicago, Black studied theater at Northwestern University before dropping out and relocating to New York City.
Her career spanned over 50 years and includes nearly 200 credits in both independent and mainstream films. 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. Karen Blanche Black (née Ziegler July 1, 1939 – August 8, 2013) was an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter.
