Macabre Daily's Horror Heroes: Adrienne Barbeau

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We’ve focused on some amazing actors in our Horror Heroes column, but this month of March is very special as we shine a well-deserved spotlight on a trailblazing woman who has shaped the genre. The name that stands tall amongst many other deserving ladies is Adrienne Barbeau. We take a look at Barbeau’s career and impact on the horror genre and film in general, all that and more below.

There’s no denying that Adrienne Barbeau has left an indelible mark on the industry, from her early days as a Broadway star to her becoming a beloved horror icon. Her unforgettable performances in genre-defining films, her remarkable contributions to voice acting, and her enduring presence in horror solidify her status as one of the most influential women in the field and a familiar face to many who grew up in the 80s. Let’s dive in, shall we?

EARLY CAREER AND BREAKTHROUGH IN HORROR

Adrienne Barbeau began her journey in entertainment with a Tony-nominated performance as the original Betty Rizzo in “Grease” on Broadway. However, it wasn’t long before Hollywood came calling, and she quickly found herself at the heart of some of the most celebrated horror and sci-fi films of the late 20th century. It seemed like she was everywhere for a while, but how things started would be thanks to director John Carpenter. The two met while on the set of the 1978 series, “Someone's Watching Me!”, and were married the following year.

Barbeau’s breakthrough in horror came when she starred in John Carpenter’s “The Fog” (1980). Her role as Stevie Wayne, a radio DJ caught amid a supernatural revenge plot, showcased her ability to bring intelligence, strength, and vulnerability to her characters. She worked alongside a young Jamie Lee Curtis, who is also very much an original “Scream Queen,” in conjunction with Barbeau. The film has since become a cult classic, with Barbeau’s performance often cited as one of the best in her career, and it truly showed off her acting chops from stage to screen.

Adrienne Barbeau in John Carpenter’s “THE FOG”

Her collaboration with Carpenter didn’t stop there. In 1981, she played the fierce and determined Maggie in “Escape from New York”, further solidifying her status as a genre mainstay. Then, in 1982, she starred in Wes Craven’s “Swamp Thing”, where she took on the role of Alice Cable, a character who fought alongside the titular creature in a battle against evil forces. This was our first introduction to Barbaeu and one that left an undeniable mark on us a kid. We loved “Swamp Thing” and watched the VHS on a loop for months. We also loved Barbeau in the 1982 film “Creepshow.” She was in the segment called “The Crate” and truly had an amazing performance as the overbearing Wilma Northrup. Let’s be honest; her performance was wicked, to say the least. Carpenter and Barbeau would later divorce in 1984 after the birth of their son Cody Carpenter.

While many horror stars of the ’80s disappeared into the shadows, Adrienne Barbeau embraced her scream queen legacy with open arms—and plenty of fake blood. Rather than fading away, she kept the horror flame burning well into the ’90s and 2000s, working with legends like George A. Romero and Dario Argento in “Two Evil Eyes” (1990). She also faced supernatural terror in “Unholy Matrimony” (1991) and went head-to-head with demonic forces in “The Convent” (1999), proving that she was more than ready to keep battling the horrors lurking in the dark. Her career has truly come full circle, from battling creatures in the murky depths of “Swamp Thing” to making a triumphant return—if only for one episode—to the latest iteration of the series. And let’s not forget her involvement in Shudder’s hit “Creepshow”, proving that when it comes to horror, Barbeau isn’t just a legend—she’s a lifer.

WATCH ADRIENNE BARBAEU’s DEATH IN “CREEPSHOW” (1982) BELOW

The Power of Her Voice: Animation and Video Games

We’d be committing a crime worthy of Gotham’s worst if we didn’t mention Adrienne Barbeau’s purr-fect turn as Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, in “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992–1995). Her sultry, mischievous take remains one of the most beloved versions, and she even clawed her way back into the role for “Gotham Girls” and other Batman projects.

But Barbeau’s vocal talents didn’t stop with Gotham’s underworld. She made her mark in the gaming world too, voicing the delightfully drunk and spiteful Hera in “God of War III” (2010), the brilliant Dr. Tilson in “Halo 4” (2012), and the Overseer guiding—or haunting—players through the wasteland in “Fallout 76” (2018). We knew that voice sounded familiar while dodging mutants and hoarding bottle caps, but now we have confirmation. These roles just prove the range that Barbeau brings to any project she is involved in.

Promo Image Of Adrienne Barbeau and “Fluffy” from the “Creepshow” Segment “The Crate” (The Columbus Dispatch")

A Lasting Legacy in Horror

Adrienne Barbeau isn’t just a horror icon—she’s a full-fledged, scream-inducing, monster-battling legend. And the best part? She knows it, and she owns it. Decades after first gracing our screens, she’s still out there, showing up at conventions, sharing stories, and making horror fans feel like they’ve just met their cool, slightly spooky aunt who could outwit a Cenobite and still make it home in time for dinner.

Barbeau is a true “Scream Queen,” and she didn’t just survive in horror—she thrived. She’s been the final girl, the femme fatale, the voice of Gotham’s favorite cat burglar, and even a video game overlord. Her impact on the genre is undeniable, and her ability to embrace every eerie, spine-chilling, and downright bizarre role thrown her way has made her a role model for women in the industry.

Whether she’s dodging swamp creatures, haunting our video games, or making us nostalgic for “Creepshow” marathons, one thing’s for sure—Adrienne Barbeau isn’t just part of horror history. She is horror history. And something tells us she’s far from done giving us chills.

5 Adrienne Barbaeu Roles You Should Watch

1. “The Fog” (1980)

John Carpenter’s eerie ghost story wouldn’t be the same without Barbeau’s sultry-voiced radio DJ, Stevie Wayne, holding down the fort in the seaside town of Antonio Bay. As a supernatural fog rolls in, bringing vengeful spirits with it, Barbeau delivers a tense and captivating performance that solidifies her as a horror star.

2. “Creepshow” (1982)

In George A. Romero and Stephen King’s horror anthology, Barbeau steals the show in “The Crate” segment as the delightfully awful Wilma, a loud-mouthed, overbearing wife whose fate is, well… let’s just say, one of the film’s most satisfying moments. Horror fans still love to quote her infamous, "Just call me Billie. Everyone does!" before things take a monstrous turn.

3. “Swamp Thing” (1982)

Wes Craven’s comic book-inspired creature feature blends sci-fi, horror, and campy action, with Barbeau starring as Alice Cable, a scientist caught in the chaos of Dr. Alec Holland’s transformation into the titular swamp monster. It’s a must-watch for fans of both Barbeau and practical creature effects.

4. “Two Evil Eyes” (1990)

Teaming up with horror legends George A. Romero and Dario Argento, Barbeau stars in “The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar”, one half of this Edgar Allan Poe-inspired anthology film. Her performance as a scheming wife tangled up in a supernatural nightmare is classic Barbeau—commanding, layered, and eerie as hell.

5. “The Convent” (2000)

If you want to see Barbeau go full badass, “The Convent” is your movie. Playing Christine, a leather-clad, shotgun-wielding demon slayer, she leads the charge against a group of possessed nuns in this underrated horror-comedy gem. It’s campy, gory, and a total blast, proving Barbeau still had horror chops decades after her ’80s heyday.

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