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Oscar Nominee Karen Black Dies at 74

Oscar Nominee Karen Black Dies at 74

Karen Black, the prolific actress best known for her iconic roles inEasy Rider, Five Easy Pieces,and Nashville, died Wednesday, according to her husband, Stephen Eckleberry. Black was 74, and had been suffering from cancer. Black appeared in more than 100 films throughout her career that spanned more than four decades, often portraying troubled, complex women. She played an openly transgender woman in 1982's screen adaptation ofCome Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, where she portrayed the post-operative trans woman portrayed pre-transition by openly gay actor Mark Patton. Black appeared opposite Cher, Kathy Bates, and out actress Sandy Dennis inFive and Dime.

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Karen Black, the prolific actress best known for her iconic roles in Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces (for which she earned an Academy Award nomintion), and Nashville, died Thursday, according to her husband, Stephen Eckleberry. Black was 74, and had been suffering from cancer. 

Black appeared in more than 100 films throughout her career that spanned more than four decades, often portraying troubled, complex women. She played an openly transgender woman in 1982's screen adaptation ofCome Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, where she portrayed the post-operative trans woman portrayed pre-transition by openly gay actor Mark Patton. Black appeared opposite Cher, Kathy Bates, and out actress Sandy Dennis inFive and Dime. 

Watch a fan-created trailer for Five and Dime heavily featuring Black's character below. 

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Sunnivie Brydum

<p>Sunnivie is an award-winning journalist and the managing editor at&nbsp;<em>The Advocate</em>. A proud spouse and puppy-parent, Sunnivie strives to queer up the world of reporting while covering the politics of equality daily.</p>

<p>Sunnivie is an award-winning journalist and the managing editor at&nbsp;<em>The Advocate</em>. A proud spouse and puppy-parent, Sunnivie strives to queer up the world of reporting while covering the politics of equality daily.</p>