Marilyn Burns Has Passed Away

We're sad to report that Marilyn Burns has passed away at the age of 65. According to TMZ, Marilyn Burns passed away at her home in Texas. The cause of death has not been revealed at this time.

Marilyn Burns is best known by horror fans for playing the lead role of Sally Hardesty in Tobe Hooper's 1974 horror classic, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Coined as one of the original "Scream Queens", Marilyn earned the title in grand fashion in the role of Sally. She brought realistic fear to the screen while being chased by Leatherface through the woods and while sitting at the dinner table with the cannibal clan. Her mix of relieved laughter and primal screaming at the end of the film lingers long after the end credits roll. There's no doubt that Marilyn deserves great credit for complimenting a terrific script and sure-handed directing with believable acting that made The Texas Chain Saw Massacre an experience of palpable fear with a long-lasting legacy.

In addition to starring in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Marilyn also acted in Tobe Hooper's third film, Eaten Alive (1977), and in 1976 played Linda Kasabian in the Charles Manson-based TV movie, Helter Skelter. She had cameos in 1994's Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation and in 2013's Texas Chainsaw 3D and more recently played a supporting role in the 2014 horror film, Sacrament. Our thoughts go out to Marilyn’s family and friends.