Camilla Carr, the Texas-born actress who terrified audiences in gritty 70s horror flicks, has passed away, leaving fans mourning a true underground legend. Her death on February 4, 2026, from Alzheimer’s complications and a dislocated hip, was confirmed by her son Caley O’Dwyer.
Who Was Camilla Carr?
Born around 1942 in Chillicothe, Texas (sources vary slightly on the exact date, like September 17 or August 31), Camilla Carr grew up in rural America before diving into acting. She built a career spanning horror films, TV guest spots, theater awards, and even writing novels and screenplays like “Nobody Lives Forever” and “Escape from Terror: The Teresa Stamper Story.” Later in life, she married Oscar-winning screenwriter Edward Anhalt (divorced) and had son Caley, a writer, poet, and painter.
Killer Horror Legacy
Carr skyrocketed to cult fame collaborating with director S.F. Brownrigg on low-budget shockers that packed big scares. Standouts include “Don’t Look in the Basement” (1973) as violent patient Harriet, “Poor White Trash Part II: Scum of the Earth” (1974) as manipulative Sarah Pickett, and her iconic lead in “Keep My Grave Open” (1977) as a woman with a murderous split personality.
Camilla Carr in “Keep My Grave Open”
In “Keep My Grave Open,” Carr delivered a chilling performance as a woman haunted by her alter ego—believed to be her dead brother—driving the film’s twisted plot. This 1977 Brownrigg gem remains a drive-in horror staple for its raw terror on a shoestring budget, cementing Carr as a scream queen.
TV Spotlight and Beyond
Carr popped up on big shows like “Designing Women” in 1987’s “Killing All the Right People,” playing bigoted client Mrs. Imogene Salinger with the infamous line about AIDS “killing all the right people.” She also guested on “Falcon Crest,” wrote plays (earning Dramalogue Awards), and penned novels like “Topsy Dingo Wild Dog.” After Hollywood, she shifted to writing and production, including associate producer on “Cheaters’ Club.”
What Led to Camilla Carr’s Death?
Carr died Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 83 in her hometown area of El Paso, Texas, from advanced Alzheimer’s disease complications worsened by a dislocated hip. No other recent updates contradict this; tributes poured in from horror fans highlighting her enduring cult impact.
