Marilyn Burns

Biography

Marilyn Burns was born Mary Lynn Ann Burns on May 7, 1949 in Erie, Pennsylvania, and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Drama. Marilyn was one of the original scream queens, remembered primarily for her role in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). She played Sally Hardesty, a teenager who travels with her brother and some friends to the cemetery where her grandfather was buried to investigate reports of grave vandalism, and then encounters an insane, murderous family, including the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. Her follow-up appearance was in Eaten Alive (1976), where she played a vacationer who unwittingly stumbles upon a hotel managed by a maniac who feeds his guests to his crocodile. Marilyn earned her scream queen status by starring in other horror movies; Kiss Daddy Goodbye (1981) and...

Known For

Career Timeline

197119781985199219992006201320202025
  1. 2025
    Nash the Slash Rises Again!

    Self - Sally(archive footage) • Acting

  2. 2017
    In a Madman's World

    Mrs. Hill • Acting

  3. 2014
    Sacrament

    Beulah Standifer • Acting

  4. 2013
    Texas Chainsaw 3D

    Verna Carson • Acting

  5. 2013
    Butcher Boys

    Ruth • Acting

  6. 2010
  7. 2000
    American Psycho

    Sally Hardesty (archive footage) (uncredited) • Acting

  8. 2000
    The American Nightmare

    Self • Acting

Marilyn Burns - Aperture