An American actress, she gained fame as a scream queen primarily for her role in the iconic 1974 horror film, "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," where she played the lead character, Sally Hardesty. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and raised in Texas, she attended the University of Texas at Austin. Her career largely focused on horror, with appearances in "Eaten Alive" and "Helter Skelter." Her performances left a lasting impact on the genre. She passed away in 2014 at the age of 65.