Countess Dracula Star Passes on
24 November 2010 | posted by: Rachel Hanson | 121 Comments

Ingrid Pitt, the stunning actress who is synonymous with horror movies died in a hospital after she collapsed a few days earlier. The 73-year old who many regarded as the queen of Hammer horror films passed away in South London in what her daughter, Stephanie Blake, described as an immense shock to the family. Doctors say that she succumbed to heart failure.

Countess Dracula Passes On

Mrs. Blake described her mother as generous and loving, adding that she would be greatly missed.
The actress’ death comes in the wake of the death of her former director in the film ‘Vampire Lovers’, Roy Ward Baker who died at the age of 93.

Pitt who is widely acclaimed for her role as Countess Dracula was reminisced by many as a superb actress. Marcus Hearn, who is the official Hammer historian, termed her as a talented actress as well as a fine writer. He attributed the ushering of a bold era of sensuality in horror films to her, saying that she was divinely uninhibited and a lot of fun to be with. The two were good friends.

The actress’ career began with minor parts in Spanish films in the 60s but in 1968 she got a supporting part in a war film that starred Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton. Her big break was two years later when she starred in ‘The Vampire Lovers’, which was a resounding box office success.

Thereafter she starred in several other Hammer movies, cutting a niche for herself as one of the women to watch in British Horror during the 70s. These movies include ‘The Wicker Man, Who Dares Wins, Smiley People and Wild Geese II. Apart from appearing at horror conventions, Pitt wrote several books on her career in the horror film industry.
Image Credit: Ingrid Pitt



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