Actress Mariclare Costello passed away on April 17 at the age of 90, her family announced.
Horror fans will recognize Costello from Let’s Scare Jessica to Death. She played Emily, a hippie turned vampire who lends herself to one of the 1971 cult classic’s most memorable images: the undead Costello emerging from a lake to attack Jessica.
Costello’s other horror credits include the 1983 horror anthology Nightmares and the Blair Witch Project faux-documentary Shadow of the Blair Witch.
Costello is also known for a recurring stint on “The Waltons” as as devoted schoolteacher Rosemary Hunter. Other notable credits include Indecent Proposal, Ordinary People, and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
Costello got her start on the stage, appearing in nine Broadway productions between 1964 and 1970. She was married to actor Allan Arbus (“M*A*S*H”) from 1977 until his death in 2013.
Costello is survived by her daughter, stage director Arin Arbus, and Arin’s partner, playwright Ethan Lipton; granddaughter Bird; and stepdaughters Amy and Doon.
“Warm, curious, generous and tough, she had the constitution of an ox, was never sick, and was always up for an adventure, especially if she could show up a few minutes late, as was her general inclination,” her obituary reads.
A funeral service will be held in New York City, with burial and remembrance in Peoria.
