Very sad to read that the great Karen Black has died at age 74, from complications of cancer. The prolific actress is best remembered for roles in counterculture classics like "Easy Rider," ''Five Easy Pieces" and "Nashville," but to me she will always be Joanne in the film adaptation of "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean." Only Black, with her God-given larger-than-life feminiity, could have played a comely transsexual so perfectly. I also rewatched "The Great Gatsby" recently and had forgotten her Myrtle was one of the film's high points, a classic case of her being the best thing in nearly everything she was in. With more than 100 film credits to her name, she will liveo n forever. But there will never be another Karen Black.
“It is with great sadness that I have to report that my wife and best friend Karen Black has just passed away, only a few minutes ago. Thank you all for all your prayers and love, they meant so much to her as they did to me.”