Lane Carroll only had four acting roles over the course of a career that lasted about eight years, but each of those roles were notable in some way. Under the name Holle K. Winters, she worked with Russ Meyer on his 1965 film MOTORPSYCHO! In 1970 she appeared with Arnold Schwarzenegger (known as Arnold Strong at that time) in his first film HERCULES IN NEW YORK. And after having an uncredited role in the great George A. Romero's second feature THERE'S ALWAYS VANILLA, Carroll went on to work with him again on his fourth feature, THE CRAZIES… And with her performance as Judy in THE CRAZIES, Carroll earned a lot of fans.
I found her performance in THE CRAZIES to be very endearing and wished that she had done more work, but her acting career ended there.
In addition to her acting work, Carroll also did some modeling, even appearing on the cover of the first issue of National Lampoon magazine. Last year, she made her writing debut with the publication of a novel titled Bespelled, which has the following description:
Candy Jane Rawlings is unsophisticated, maybe a little naive, but not stupid. When her new boss loans her a quirky old computer, invested with the magical talent of a sorcerer, Candy’s latent, more-than-human powers, erupt.
Bizarre things happen in Crystal Beach when an old computer magically enhances Candy Jane’s newspaper articles and draws a malevolent evil to the community where she lives. The computer is NOT evil, although it does display an anomalous sense of humor. When atrocities strike, Candy is forced to grow supernaturally and personally as she rides a wave of untamed magic toward success and malevolent evil.
Bespelled is a magical story that contains humor and suspense as a young woman discovers her otherworldly powers, love, and her own sense of worth.
Copies of Bespelled can be purchased through Amazon.
Carroll was set to make her first ever convention appearance at the Living Dead Weekend in Evans City, Pennsylvania (filming location for THE CRAZIES and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD) later this month. Many fans were looking forward to meeting her, and she was excited to meet them. Sadly, it's not to be. It has been reported that Carroll passed away in her sleep a few nights ago.
It's very upsetting to hear that she has passed away, and it's made even worse that this happened so soon before she was sure to have a lot of fun interacting with fans at the Living Dead Weekend. She'll be on the minds and in the hearts of those who attend the convention. I won't be able to make it there, but I will be having a memorial viewing of THE CRAZIES.
Our sincere condolences go out to Lane Carroll's family, friends, and fans.