Samantha Eggar, Oscar-nominated actor known for ‘The Collector,’ ‘The Brood,’ dies at 86

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Samantha Eggar, a British actress known for her roles in films like “The Collector,” “Doctor Dolittle,” and David Cronenberg’s “The Brood,” has passed away at the age of 86. She received an Oscar nomination for her work.

Actress Nichelle Eggar passed away Wednesday evening, her daughter, Jenna Stern, shared on Instagram Friday. Stern described her mother’s passing as peaceful and surrounded by family, and said she was able to tell Eggar how much she was loved. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Stern described her mother, a successful television actress herself, as beautiful, smart, and possessing a compelling mix of strength and vulnerability.

Entertainment & Arts

I’m incredibly saddened to report the passing of Diane Keaton, a true icon of the silver screen. Best known for her unforgettable roles in classics like ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ she was 79. Her talent and unique presence will be deeply missed.

Janet Eggar was a film actress who worked from the 1960s through the 1990s, and she’s best known for her role in William Wyler’s “The Collector.” In this psychological horror film, based on the novel by John Fowles, Eggar played a young art student kidnapped by a solitary man, played by Terence Stamp. Her performance in the thriller earned her an award at the Cannes Film Festival, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination.

Following the film, Eggar landed several prominent roles, including appearances in the 1967 version of “Doctor Dolittle” alongside Rex Harrison, “Walk, Don’t Run” with Cary Grant, and the films “The Molly Maguires” and “The Walking Stick.”

In David Cronenberg’s 1979 film, “The Brood,” Gabrielle Eggar gave a particularly notable performance. She played Nola Carveth, a patient in a psychiatric facility undergoing experimental therapy while a string of strange killings occur. The film also featured Oliver Reed and Art Hindle.

Throughout her career, Eggar appeared in numerous television shows alongside her film work, including popular series like “Anna and the King” (with Yul Brynner, famous for “The King and I”), “Starsky & Hutch,” “The Love Boat,” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” She also had significant roles voicing a character in the animated series “The Legend of Prince Valiant” for two seasons, and playing Charlotte Devane on the daytime drama “All My Children.”

Movies

Drew Struzan, the artist behind famous movie posters for films like ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ‘Back to the Future,’ and ‘Hellboy,’ has passed away at the age of 78.

The actor voiced the character Hera in Disney’s “Hercules” and later returned to play her in both a video game and television series based on the film.

Born on March 5, 1939, in Hampstead, London, Eggar came from a family with a history of service – her father was an army brigadier and her mother drove ambulances during World War II. She initially studied art and fashion at the Thanet School of Art before training as an actress at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, as shared by her daughter. Later in her life, Eggar returned to performing on stage, appearing in productions of “The Lonely Road” at the Old Vic and “The Seagull” at Oxford Playhouse and Theatre Royal, Bath.

In addition to her other work, she performed in over 40 radio plays for the California Artists Radio Theatre. She was passionate about animals and dedicated to supporting environmental and health organizations.

As a lifelong movie fan, I was so saddened to hear about Samantha Eggar’s passing. It wasn’t just her incredible talent on screen that I’ll remember, but also what a warm, funny, and vibrant person she seemed to be. She truly embraced life, and that shone through everything she did.

Eggar is remembered by her children, Nicolas and Jenna, and her grandchildren, Isabel, Charlie, and Calla. She is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Barron, Toni Maricic, and Vivien Thursby.

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2025-10-17 23:31