Eileen Dietz

Eileen Dietz (born January 11, 1944) is an American actress who is best known for her appearances in many horror films such as the face of the demon in The Exorcist and for her portrayal of characters on the soap operas Guiding Light and General Hospital.

Eileen Dietz
Dietz in 2017
Born (1944-01-11) January 11, 1944
Other namesEileen Dietz Elber
Eileen Scott
OccupationActress
Years active1963–present
Spouse(s)Thomas Albany (March 1984–present)
Websitehttp://www.eileendietz.com

Early life and career

As a child, Dietz appeared in commercials with her twin sister Marianne DeFossey, and beginning at the age of 12 she started studying acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse. She made her television debut in 1963 in a small guest role on The Doctors. Shortly thereafter she landed a recurring role on the soap opera Love of Life. She made her film debut starring in the 1966 movie Teenage Gang Debs as Ellie. The following year she portrayed Penny Wohl in the critically acclaimed independent film David Holzman's Diary. The film never got much in the way of theatrical distribution despite having Dietz's nude scene featured in Life Magazine's photo spread and in the book of the film. She did not recall if she auditioned for the role of Penny but she added, "it was a fun shoot."[1]

Dietz spent much of the late 1960s and early 1970s appearing in theatre productions. She notably appeared Off-Broadway as the Young Girl in the premiere of Bruce Jay Friedman's Steambath at the Truck and Warehouse Theater in 1970. In 1972, she portrayed an androgynous runaway in the premiere of Joyce Carol Oates' Ontological Proof of My Existence. Her portrayal in the play led to an invitation to do a screen test for The Exorcist. She was cast in two memorable roles in the film: Pazuzu the demon (better known as the face of death), and the 'possessed Regan' (the Linda Blair character). She performed in scenes that were too violent or disturbing for Blair to perform, including the crucifix scene and the fistfight with Father Karras.[2]

After The Exorcist, Dietz had a highly active career on television during the 1970s, appearing as a guest star on such shows as Planet of the Apes, Korg: 70,000 B.C., Barnaby Jones, and Happy Days among others. She also portrayed the recurring role of Linette Waterman in the soap opera The Guiding Light and appeared in the films You Light Up My Life (1977) and Parts: The Clonus Horror (1979).

In 1980, Dietz joined the cast of General Hospital as Sarah Abbott, a role she played for several years. She also appeared as a guest star on Trapper John, M.D. (1982) and in the horror film Freeway Maniac (1989). More recent film credits include Naked in the Cold Sun (1997), Hurricane Festival (1997), Bad Guys (2000), Exorcism (2003), The Mojo Cafe (2004), Neighborhood Watch (2005), Constantine (2005), Karla (2006), Creepshow III (2006), Dog Lover's Symphony (2006), and Tracing Cowboys (2008).

Dietz appeared as Winnie Gilmore in Halloween II (2009) in an uncredited role.

Dietz was cast in the thriller Eden Falls, co-written by Victor Miller, creator of Friday the 13th, and then slated for a 2017 release. However, as of August 2020, the project was still in development.

Personal life

Dietz has been married to Thomas Albany since March 1984.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1966Teenage Gang DebsEllieCredited as Eileen Scott
1967David Holzman's DiaryPenny Wohl
The Game People PlayCredited as Eileen Scott
1973The ExorcistPazuzu's faceUncredited
1974Road Movie
1977You Light Up My LifeBridesmaid
1979Parts: The Clonus HorrorDana
1989Freeway ManiacCostume Girl
1997Naked in the Cold SunSadie
Hurricane FestivalJunkie
2000Bad GuysBank Teller
Left-Overs
Set director
2003ExorcismEvil Nurse
2004The Mojo CafeOscarShort film
2005ConstantineZombieUncredited
Neighborhood WatchMrs. Crews
2006KarlaHelenUncredited
Creepshow IIIClaire The Homeless WomanSegment: Call Girl
direct-to-video
Dog Lover's SymphonyFrightened Mother
2008Tracing CowboysMarilyn
She Turns Back and Faces Forward at PeaceJudyShort film
2009Sibling RivalryMrs. Peters
The Queen of ScreamsEleanor Maxwell
VoidHelenShort film
Halloween IIWinnie GilmoreUncredited
2010KadísLibrarianShort film
Freeway KillerAlice Bonin Benton
Hookers for JesusBlanchShort film
Monsterpiece Theatre Volume 1NinaSegment: Rottentail
ButterflyJoy Greenstahlalso associate producer
The Custom MaryMotherpost-production
See How They RunGracepost-production
The Legend of the Mountain WitchCreepy Ladypost-production
Scream Queen CampfireEthelSegment: Motherly Love
Hallow PointeFran
2011Little Big BoyJimmy's Mother - middle aged
Dead Girls Don't CryDiane Thomasfilming
Stingy JackEsther Flowerpre-production
2012Witches Playgroundfilming
2015Fire TwisterSadie - The Mountain WomanTelevision film
2017Eden FallsBarbarapre-production
2019Itsy BitsySallyPost-production
2019The AssentRhonda
2020The Amityville HarvestMrs. O'Brian
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1963The DoctorsGuest role
Love of LifeRecurring role
1974Korg: 70,000 B.C.Sala
Planet of the ApesJilliaEpisode: The Good Seeds
credited as Eileen Dietz Elber
1975Barnaby JonesCarol DeelonEpisode: Dangerous Summer
1976Helter SkelterFamily GirlTelevision film
credited as Eileen Dietz Elber
How to Break Up a Happy DivorceTelevision film
uncredited
1977Happy DaysRebeccaEpisode: Time Capsule
1978The Next Step BeyondEpisode: A Matter of Pride
Guiding LightLinette Waterman
1980–1981General HospitalSarah Abbot
1982Trapper John, M.D.Sister CharityEpisode: The One and Only
2004What Should You Do?VickiEpisodes: Bee Sting, Near Drowning
2005Dante's CoveEmilyEpisodes: In the Beginning, Then There Was Darkness
2009Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!MotherEpisode: Origins

References

  1. "Interview with Eileen Dietz". Retrieved 2012-05-29.
  2. ""We argued over the crucifix scene": what it was like being the demon in The Exorcist". New Statesman. February 5, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
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