Horror Legend Linnea Quigley
Welcome back to Horror Celebrity Spotlight, my series about the most interesting icons in the horror world! This week, we’re taking a look at the legendary ’80s B-movie scream queen, Linnea Quigley! Let’s examine her distinguished career, the memorable roles she’s played, and all the Linnea Quigley movies you need to watch!
In my article on modern scream queens, I wrote that successful scream queens need three main attributes: acting skills, beauty, and the ability to SCREAM REALLY FREAKIN’ LOUD. Linnea has all of those qualities in spades, along with stage presence, a campy sense of humor, and a consistent ability to never take herself, or the movies she’s in, too seriously.
The Basics
Full Name: Barbara Linnea Quigley
Age: 67
Best Known For: Numerous memorable roles in ’80s horror movies, especially playing Trash in The Return of the Living Dead.
Often Works With: Directors David DeCoteau and Kevin Tenney and actresses Brinke Stevens and Michelle Bauer.
Official website: linnea-quigley.com
The Ultimate ’80s b-movie Scream Queen
Linnea Quigley first pursued acting in the late ’70s, while working at a health spa. She appeared in several minor roles before getting her first larger part in the slasher movie Graduation Day (1981). Quigley went on to appear in dozens of low budget horror films throughout the rest of the decade and beyond.
By the mid-80’s, Quigley was receiving major roles. She built a reputation for her charisma, humor, and willingness to do nude scenes. Linnea became part of a trifecta of famous ’80s B scream queens, along with Brinke Stevens and Michelle Bauer.
Linnea, however, was easily the most famous of the three. The trio didn’t work together in the same film until Sorority Babes in the Slimeball O Rama in 1988, but have appeared together several times since.
The most popular Linnea Quigley movies include The Return of the Living Dead (1985), Night of the Demons (1988), Silent Night Deadly Night (1984), Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (1988), and Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl O Rama (1986). She also makes a brief cameo in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988).
In The Return of the Living Dead Linnea Quigley plays Trash, a sarcastic punk rocker with a penchant for taking her clothes off in public. The movie was popular right away and has also built a substantial cult following.
Today, this is the role that she’s most often associated with. She may not be done with playing Trash (more on that later).
Another personal favorite of mine is Night of the Demons. This Halloween demonic party gorefest is a perennial October watch for me. In Night of the Demons, Linnea Quigley plays the bubbly and ditzy Suzanne, the best friend of Angela Franklin, the main antagonist of the series.
After becoming possessed, Suzanne transforms into a grotesque monster who finds some demented and creative uses for lipstick balm.
Random Tidbits
-She has appeared in over 200 movies, earning her the nickname “queen of the B’s.”
-In the early ’80s, Quigley was the singer in a girl rock band named The Skirts.
-Linnea has written and published three books: I’m Screaming as Fast as I Can, Skin, and The Linnea Quigley Bio and Chainsaw Book.
-Along with acting, modeling, writing, and singing, Quigley *also* made a workout VHS tape – Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout (1988). This ain’t Jane Fonda’s workout – it’s mostly a parody filled with references to Quigley’s B-movie career.
-She has been a vegan since the late ’70s.
Trash’s Revenge?
Quigley is interested in making her own independent sequel to Return of the Living Dead. This proposed installment, named Trash’s Revenge, would be a direct follow up to the first movie and also bring back Thom Matthews and other performers from the original.
It’s unclear whether this project is going to get off the ground, but the fact that Quigley is pursuing this shows how much Trash means to her.
Linnea continues to be active in the industry. She appeared in three movies in 2024 and, besides Trash’s Revenge, currently has several other projects in the works. There’s no sign that the Queen of the B’s is going to slow down anytime soon!
