Theresa Tilly
Theresa Tilly made a monstrous feature film debut as Shelly in Sam Raimi's influential classic, The Evil Dead (1981). After working as a stand-up comedian in her hometown of Detroit, she set her sights on acclaimed improv comedy troupe The Second City Chicago. Her work there earned her a role on a sketch comedy pilot called YouTV, co-starring alongside late-night TV legend Steve Allen. Although the show was not picked up, it served as an impetus for the budding performer to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue her acting career.
Tilly has since appeared in over 100 films, TV shows, plays, and commercials, including: Debutante (1998), opposite Selma Blair and Josh Hartnett; Back in the Day (2014), written and directed by actor Michael Rosenbaum; Appearances, a PBS special written by celebrated author Elmore Leonard; Brutal Massacre: A Comedy (2007), alongside the late horror icon Gunnar Hansen; and Oz The Great and Powerful (2013), which reunited her with The Evil Dead director Sam Raimi. She was also the first female to announce ESPN's ESPY Awards.
Acting
Movie
Oz the Great and Powerful
as Quadling Seamstress
2013
Movie
The Evil Dead
as Shelly
1981
Movie
American Fable
as Anna Winters
2017
Movie
Back in the Day
as Mrs. Miller
2014
Movie
The Prototype
as Jenna
2022
Movie
Brutal Massacre: A Comedy
as Waitress
2008
TV
Family Law
as Witness
1999
Movie
Hail to the Deadites
as Self
2020
Movie
Stomping Ground
as Susan
2014
Movie
The Evil Dead: Treasures from the Cutting Room Floor
as Self
2007
Movie
One by One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of The Evil Dead
as Self
2007
Movie
Invaluable: The True Story of an Epic Artist
as Self
2014
Movie
Debutante
as Nan's mother
1998
Movie
Appearances
1990
Movie
Life After Dead: The Ladies of the Evil Dead
as Self
2007
Movie
The Evil Dead Halloween 2001 Q&A Session
2001
Movie
Unconventional: The Ultimate Discussion of Grueling Horror
2007
Movie
The Evil Dead: At the Drive-In
2007
Movie
The Evil Dead: Flashback Weekend Horror Convention
2005
Movie
The Ladies of the Evil Dead Meet Bruce Campbell
2007
TV
Dangerous Women
as Shelly
2009