Roberta Collins

Roberta Collins (born Roberta Lee Hefley, November 17, 1944 – August 16, 2008)[1] 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 Matilda the Hun in the science-fiction film Death Race 2000.

Roberta Collins
Born
Roberta Lee Hefley

(1944-11-17)November 17, 1944
Alhambra, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 16, 2008(2008-08-16) (aged 63)
Los Angeles, U.S.
Cause of deathOverdose of drugs and alcohol
OccupationActress
Years active1969–1986
Spouse(s)
Gunther Collins
​
​
(m. 1966; div. 1970)​
Children1

Jack Hill, who directed her in The Big Doll House, said of her, "I think she could have had a great career, but she couldn't get her personal life together ... she would be fantastic one day, do everything right, and then she would be out until 4 am partying and the next day she would be useless."[2]

Career

Collins was born Roberta Lee Hefley in 1944. She was married to Gunther Collins from 1966 to 1970 and took his surname. The couple had one child, a son named Michael. She won numerous beauty contests growing up, and was signed to a contract with a studio almost immediately after graduation from high school. Her option was not picked up, though, something that was repeated with another studio, "so that made me want to study and become a good actress", she later said.[3]

In 1969, she was appointed queen of the Warner Bros-Seven Arts International Film Festival in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island.[4] She gained a level of fame with her appearance in the enormously popular The Big Doll House. This led to a series of roles in exploitation films. She worked in a number of nonexploitation roles, as well, notably on television.

In the early 1970s, Collins briefly dated Glenn Ford.[5] In the early 1990s, she reportedly worked as a caregiver for Ford.[6]

Death

Collins died August 16, 2008, from a reportedly accidental overdose of a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.[7] Her son predeceased her.[8] She is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).

Legacy

In 2014, a tribute to Collins was part of the St. Louis International Film Festival. Caged Heat was screened a concert was held where Stace England and the Screen Syndicate played an album of songs inspired by Roberta Collins.[9][10]

Partial filmography

References
  1. "Ancestry Library Edition". Search.ancestrylibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  2. Callum Waddell, Jack Hill, MacFarland (2009), pg. 151
  3. Lane, Lydia (June 28, 1976). "BEAUTY: Olive Oil for Natural Facial". Los Angeles Times. p. f4.
  4. "Roberta Collins Queen of Festival". Los Angeles Times. May 8, 1969. p. f17.
  5. Jacobs, Jody (February 23, 1972). "Henry Berger, Chef, Take Turns Noting Year of Rat". Los Angeles Times.
  6. Peter Ford, Glenn Ford: A Life, pg. 300
  7. Lentz, Harris, I, II (2008, 12). Obituaries: Roberta Collins, 64 – August 16, 2008.
  8. http://www.elijahdrenner.com/2015/01/roommates-wanted/
  9. Tom Stockman (2014-11-19). "SLIFF Interview: Stace England of Screen Syndicate – A Tribute to Roberta Collins". We Are Movie Geeks. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  10. Tom Stockman (2014-10-26). "SLIFF 2014 – Roberta Collins Tribute with Screening of CAGED HEAT & Live Music November 22nd". We Are Movie Geeks. Retrieved 2016-12-29.

Further reading
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