Marilyn Burns was an American actress. While in high school, Burns made her film debut as a tour guide in Robert Altman's experimental comedy filmBrewster McCloud, followed by minor appearances in low-budget independent films where her scenes were ultimately deleted such as Sidney Lumet's drama filmLovin' Molly. Burns was known for her collaborations with filmmaker Tobe Hooper, having appeared in two of his films. In 1974, she found box-office success with her leading role as Sally Hardesty in Hooper's exploitation horror filmThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a role she later reprised in Kim Henkel's sequel . Her other film roles include Faye in another Hooper film entitled Eaten Alive, Dorothy Grim in Future-Kill, and Verna Carson in Texas Chainsaw 3D. She is also known for portraying Linda Kasabian in the television miniseries Helter Skelter which garnered three Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Life and career
Burns was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and raised in Houston, Texas. In seventh grade, she appeared in a musical production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1970, she made her first film appearance in Robert Altman's comedy film Brewster McCloud. Burns attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from there with a degree in Drama in 1971. Burns was cast in Lovin' Molly, but was replaced by Susan Sarandon. Burns stayed on as a stand-in for Sarandon and Blythe Danner. She also had a small role in George Roy Hill's period dramaThe Great Waldo Pepper, where she helped cast some of the film's extras. In Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, in her first lead role, Burns portrayed the heroine Sally Hardesty; a teenager who travels with her brother and some friends to the cemetery where her grandfather is buried to investigate reports of grave vandalism, and then encounters an insane, cannibalistic family including the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. The film was a massive hit, becoming one of the most successful independent films ever at the time. In 1976, Burns had a role in the television miniseries Helter Skelter about the real-life trial of Charles Manson and his "family". In the series, she played Linda Kasabian, a member of the Manson Family who was granted immunity in exchange for her testimony against the defendants. The miniseries was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Recalling her memories of working on Helter Skelter, Burns said: "It was a great experience. But nobody really wanted to touch it . It was like, 'Who wants to be in that picture? Who's actually gonna do that picture?'" Her next role was Faye in the horror film Eaten Alive, which was helmed by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper. She starred alongside Robert Englund. Burns subsequently starred in the films Kiss Daddy Goodbye and Future-Kill. In 1994, Burns briefly reprised her role as Sally Hardesty in the sequel . Burns also made a cameo appearance as Verna Carson in the sequel Texas Chainsaw 3D, which was released on January 4, 2013. However aside from these roles and occasional appearances at horror conventions Burns lived a relatively quiet life out of the spotlight in the Houston area during her later years.
Death
Burns died in her sleep at the age of 65 on August 5, 2014. She was found in her Houston home by her brother Bill; the cause was an apparent heart attack, although not specified.
