Maria Olsen

For the New Zealand painter and sculptor, see Maria Olsen (artist).

Maria Olsen
Born (1966-07-22) July 22, 1966 (age 58)
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Occupations
  • Actress
  • film producer
Years active2005–present

Maria Olsen (born July 22, 1966) is a South African film producer and actress known for her many roles in horror films. These include Paranormal Activity 3,[1] The Lords of Salem,[2] Gore Orphanage, and Starry Eyes.[3] Non-horror roles include Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.[2]

Early life

Olsen was born on July 22, 1966, in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.[4]

Career

Olsen has appeared in over 100 roles since 2005.[5] Many of these are supporting roles, which she credits as allowing her to work on more projects than actors who focus primarily on leading roles.[2] She says her favorite roles have been in African Gothic, Percy Jackson, Die-ner (Get It?), The Haunting of Whaley House, and Live-In Fear, which was the first film she produced.[6]

In 2011, she founded the production company MOnsterworks66.[7]

In 2018, Olsen starred in, "The Exorcist: Forbidden Screening," a 4D theater attraction at Warner Bros. "Horror Made Here: A Festival of Frights." The attraction took place inside the Midwest St. Church on the Warner Brothers backlot, and Olsen played the role of the host of the horror attraction, based on the 1973 film, The Exorcist.[8][9]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Die-ner (Get It?) Rose
2010 Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Mrs. Dodds/Fury
2011 Vile Woman on TV
2011 Paranormal Activity 3 Creepy Lady
2012 The Lords of Salem Dream Sequence Woman Uncredited
2012 The Cohasset Snuff Film Melissa Wick Uncredited
2014 Bunnyman 2 Bus Driver
2014 Trophy Heads Mom
2014 Starry Eyes The Casting Director
2015 Southbound Sandy
2015 Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension Coven Woman Uncredited
2016 Fear, Inc. Bartender
2017 The Covenant Molly Hanning
2019 I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu Becky Stillman Main role
2020 There's No Such Thing as Vampires Sigfreda
2021 The Resort Book Store Ghost
2022 Moon Garden Princess [10]

Personal life

Olsen came to America in January 2005.[11] Her hobbies include reading and knitting.[6] She is out as a lesbian.[12]

References

  1. ^ Beard, Lanford (17 December 2011). "Best of 2011 (Behind the Scenes): 'Creepy Woman' Maria Olsen talks scaring audiences in 'Paranormal Activity 3'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Talking With The Dead: 13 Questions with Maria Olsen". Horror Society. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  3. ^ Hallam, Scott (15 February 2015). "Starry Eyes (Blu-ray / DVD)". Dread Central. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  4. ^ Vaughan, William Mortensen (7 March 2014). "Interview with Maria Olsen". La Libertad. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  5. ^ Abley, Sean (7 October 2014). "Gay of the Dead: Maria Olsen, Part One". Fangoria. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  6. ^ a b Martin, Todd (1 October 2012). "Interview: Maria Olsen". HorrorNews.Net. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  7. ^ White, Ian (20 August 2014). "Frightfest interview: Another star Maria Olsen". Movie Ramblings. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  8. ^ "WB's Horror Made Here - Survive Your Favorite Scary Movies". 5 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Horror Made Here 2018 Review". 5 October 2018.
  10. ^ Miska, Brad (13 February 2023). "Fantasy and Horror Collide in Stunning Trailer for 'Moon Garden'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Deadly Beauty: Horror's Scream Queens and Rising Talent: Maria Olsen". Horror Society. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  12. ^ Abley, Sean (8 October 2014). "Gay of the Dead: Maria Olsen, Part Two". Fangoria. Retrieved 25 September 2015.


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