Georgie Collins

Eileen Georgina "Georgie" Collins (née Given; June 12, 1925 – May 3, 2017)[1] was a Canadian film, stage, and television actress. Collins is known for her role in the 1981 cult horror film Ghostkeeper, as well as her part in Lonesome Dove: The Series (1995).[2]

Georgie Collins
Born
Eileen Georgina Given

(1925-06-12)June 12, 1925
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
DiedMay 3, 2017(2017-05-03) (aged 91)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
OccupationActress, director
Years active1974–2017

In addition to working in film and television, Collins was active in the theater community of Calgary since the 1960s.[3][4] She served as the artistic director of the Pleiades Theater from 1976 until 1990.[5]

Early life

Collins was born Eileen Georgina Given on June 12, 1925 in Calgary, Alberta, to George and Elizabeth Given.[1] She spent her early life on a farm in rural DeBolt, Alberta.[1]

Career

Collins made her film debut in The Visitor (1974), followed by a part in the Walt Disney two-part television film The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (1975). In 1981, she appeared in a pivotal role in the horror film Ghostkeeper.[6] She would later appear in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987), and the comedy Housekeeping (1988), opposite Christine Lahti. She also had a minor part in the television film Body of Evidence opposite Margot Kidder, which was filmed in Calgary.

She had supporting parts in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen film How the West Was Fun (1994). She appeared in a six-episode arc of Lonesome Dove: The Series between 1994 and 1995. In 2005, she appeared in a guest role on the Steven Spielberg-produced series Into the West.

In addition to her work in film and television, Collins has been an active member of the Calgary theater community for multiple decades. She served as the artistic director of the Pleiades Theatre from 1976 until 1990. Now the Vertigo Mystery Theatre, it is the only professional theatre company in Canada that produces a full season of mystery plays.[5]

In 2003, Collins was honored by the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists for being a founding member of ACTRA Calgary.[7]

Personal life

Collins was married to Allen Collins in 1943.[1] The couple had two children, Allen and Debi.[1]

She died on May 3, 2017 at the age of 91.[8]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1974The Visitor
1975The Boy Who Talked to Badgers Mrs. Gilman
1981GhostkeeperGhostkeeper
1983Chautauqua Girl MaudeTelevision film
1986RadLuke's Mom
1987Gunsmoke: Return to DodgeMrs. CollinsTelevision film
1987HousekeepingGrandmother
1988Body of EvidenceLady in Hospital
1988Cowboys Don't Cry Ms. Chapman
1994How the West Was FunMrs. PlaskettTelevision film
1994Strange and Rich Erica Weiss
1994–95Lonesome Dove: The SeriesMrs. HackettSeries; 6 episodes
1996In Cold BloodJournalistMiniseries; 2 episodes
1998NoahDottieTelevision film
2000A Father's Choice DottyTelevision film
2000Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV ShowElderly PersonSeries; 1 episode
2000For All TimeMrs. Clark
2005Into the WestHannah WheelerMiniseries; 1 episode

References

  1. "Eileen Georgina "Georgie" COLLINS Obituary". Calgary Herald. May 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017 via Legacy.com.
  2. "Ghostkeeper". Cinema Canada. Athabasca University. April 1981. p. 43.
  3. Weir, Bruce (June 5, 2012). "It's Curtains for Him". Calgary Herald. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  4. Zelinsky, Tonya (September 21, 2006). "Vertigo's growth is no mystery". Calgary Herald.
  5. "Vertigo Theatre". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. January 22, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  6. "Nightmare at Deer Lodge: An Interview with Jim Makichuck". Terror Trap. October 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  7. "ACTRA 60th Anniversary Honourees" (PDF). InterACTRA. ACTRA. 9 (3): 44. 2003.
  8. Hobson, Louis (May 10, 2017). "Giant of Calgary theatre passes away". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
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