Roberta Collins

Roberta Collins
Born Roberta Lee Hefley
(1944-11-17)November 17, 1944
Died August 16, 2008(2008-08-16) (aged 63)
Years active 1969–1986
Spouse(s) Gunther Collins (1966-70; divorced); 1 child

Roberta Collins (November 17, 1944 – August 16, 2008) was a film and television actress who was known for her attractive physique, blonde, curly hair, and Marilyn Monroe appearance. She starred in many exploitation films, including the prostitute Clara in Tobe Hooper's Eaten Alive, and the character Matilda the Hun in the science fiction film Death Race 2000.

Jack Hill, who directed her in The Big Doll House, once gave her as an example of "really great actresses who could have excellent careers but couldn't get their personal lives together ... she would be fantastic one day, do everything right, and then she would be out until 4 A.M. partying and the next day she would be useless." She had one son Michael Collins.[1]

Career

Collins was born Roberta Lee Hefley in 1944. She was married to Gunther Collins from 1966-70 and took his surname. Collins won numerous beauty contests growing up and signed to a contract with a studio almost immediately after graduation from high school. However her option was not picked up, something that was repeated with another studio, "so that made me want to study and become a good actress", she later said.[2]

In 1969 she was appointed Queen of the Warner Bros-Seven Arts International Film Festival in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island.[3]

She gained a level of fame with her appearance in the enormously popular Big Doll House. This led to a series of roles in exploitation films. She worked in a number of non-exploitation roles as well, notably on television.

In the early 1970s Collins briefly dated Glenn Ford.[4] In the early 1990s she worked as a caregiver for Ford.[5]

Death

Collins died August 16, 2008 of an accidental overdose from drugs and alcohol.[6]

TV and filmography

References

  1. ↑ Callum Waddell, Jack Hill, MacFarland (2009), pg. 151
  2. ↑ Lane, Lydia. "BEAUTY: Olive Oil for Natural Facial", Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File), [Los Angeles, Calif], June 28, 1976, p. f4.
  3. ↑ Roberta Collins Queen of Festival Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif], May 8, 1969, p. f17.
  4. ↑ Henry Berger, Chef, Take Turns Noting Year of Rat Jacobs, Jody. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif], February 23, 1972.
  5. ↑ Peter Ford, Glenn Ford: A Life, pg. 300
  6. ↑ Lentz, Harris, I, II (2008, 12). Obituaries: Roberta Collins, 64 - August 16, 2008.

    Legacy

    In 2014, there was a tribute to Collins as part of the St Louis Film Festival. Caged Heat was screened and there was a concert by Stace England and the Screen Syndicate, who played an album of songs inspired by Roberta Collins.<ref>Tom Stockman, [http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2014/11/sliff-interview-stace-england/ "SLIFF Interview: Stace England of Screen Syndicate – A Tribute to Roberta Collins"], November 19, 2014.</ref><ref>SLIFF 2014 – Roberta Collins Tribute, October 26, 2014.

External links

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