Judith O'Dea

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Judith O'Dea
Judith O'Dea clutching grave in Night of the Living Dead bw.jpg
O'Dea in Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Born (1945-04-20) April 20, 1945 (age 80)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active1967-present

Judith O'Dea (born April 20, 1945) is an American actress. She portrayed Barbra in the 1968 George A. Romero classic horror film Night of the Living Dead [1] and Vampira in the 2024 cult comedy Vampire Zombies... from Space! [2]

Contents

Career

O'Dea as the catatonic and helpless Barbra in Night of the Living Dead, seen here with Duane Jones Ben giving Barbra slippers in Night of the Living Dead bw.jpg
O'Dea as the catatonic and helpless Barbra in Night of the Living Dead , seen here with Duane Jones

In addition to her signature role, O'Dea has appeared in the television movie The Pirate in the 1970s. She later took a break from acting to focus on raising her family.

In the 2000s, O'Dea returned to acting in several low-budget horror films, including [3] Claustrophobia , October Moon and Women's Studies. [4] She also returned to the Barbra role for Night of the Living Dead: Genesis. [5]

In 2024 Judith appeared in the Canadian comedy Vampire Zombies... from Space! a parody of, and homage to horror and sci-fi films of the 1950s. O'Dea portrayed Vampira, [6] a role which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Performance at Atlanta's Buried Alive Film Festival, and a Best Ensemble win from Canada's Terror in the Bay Film Festival. [7]

She owns and operates O'Dea Communications, a firm that deals in oral-communications training. [8]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1968 Night of the Living Dead Barbra
1978 The Pirate AnnieTV movie
2003 Claustrophobia Alena Gray
2005 October Moon Mrs. Hamilton
2008November SonEmily Hamiltonaka October Moon 2
2009 Timo Rose's BeastBoomer's Mother
2010Women's StudiesSenator Gayle Hamlin
2011Shy of Normal: Tales of New Life ExperiencesActress on TV
2014Hole in the WallAugusta Gein
They Came from the EtherMiss Clara
2015Abandoned DeadDoctor Pamela Myers
2017Safe InsideCrystal Lake
2024 Vampire Zombies... from Space! VampiraWon: "Best Ensemble" (Terror in the Bay Film Festival)

Nom: "Best Supporting Performance" (Buried Alive Film Festival)

References

  1. ↑ "First Look at Judith O'Dea in Night of the Living Dead: Genesis". Dread Central. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-05-12). "Dracula Goes Cosmic: Black Mandala Acquires 'Vampire Zombies…From Space!' Ahead of Cannes Market". Variety. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  3. ↑ J.C. Maçek III (2012-06-15). "The Zombification Family Tree: Legacy of the Living Dead". PopMatters .
  4. ↑ Womenb's Studies trims down, seeks new home [ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "'Night of the Living Dead's' Judith O'Dea Returns In 'Genesis'!". Bloody Disgusting . 2012-06-15.
  6. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-05-12). "Dracula Goes Cosmic: Black Mandala Acquires 'Vampire Zombies…From Space!' Ahead of Cannes Market". Variety. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  7. ↑ "Judith O'Dea - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  8. ↑ O'Dea Communications


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