Lin Shaye

Lin Shaye

Lin Shaye (born October 12, 1943) is an American actress. She is best known for her work in horror franchises, including Nightmare on Elm Street, Ouija, and Insidious. Shaye attended the University of Michigan, where she was an Art History major, although acting in as many University productions as possible, including "Bye Bye Birdie" and "On The Town". After U of M, she attended Columbia University School of the Arts, and acquired a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting. She stayed in New York upon graduation and worked in numerous off- and off-off- Broadway productions, as well as Lincoln Center and Broadway.

More details

Known For

Filmography

2025

Common Side Effects
Common Side Effects
as Sonia (voice)
TV - Released: 2/2/2025

2024

Scared to Death
Scared to Death
as Max
Movie - Released: 8/11/2024
The Last Stand of Ellen Cole
The Last Stand of Ellen Cole
as Ellen
Movie - Released: 10/18/2024

2023

Insidious: The Red Door
Insidious: The Red Door
as Elise Rainier
Movie - Released: 7/5/2023

2022

Frank and Penelope
Frank and Penelope
as Ophelia
Movie - Released: 6/3/2022
Pines
Pines
as Julie (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/4/2022
We Are Gathered Here Today
We Are Gathered Here Today
as Jean Cole
Movie - Released: 8/16/2022
Living with Chucky
Living with Chucky
as Self
Movie - Released: 8/13/2022
Remote
Remote
as Kane
Movie - Released: 10/1/2022
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story

2021

Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman
Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman
as Mrs. Bundy
Movie - Released: 8/16/2021
Behind the Monsters
Behind the Monsters
as Self
TV - Released: 10/27/2021

2020

Darkness Falls
Darkness Falls
as Angela Anderson
Movie - Released: 3/7/2020
Dreamkatcher
Dreamkatcher
as Ruth
Movie - Released: 6/24/2020
The Voices
The Voices
as The Vagabond
Movie - Released: 7/3/2020
Max Reload and the Nether Blasters
Max Reload and the Nether Blasters
as Mrs. Wylder
Movie - Released: 8/11/2020
The Horror Crowd
The Horror Crowd
as Herself
Movie - Released: 8/29/2020
The Call
The Call
as Edith Cranston
Movie - Released: 10/23/2020
Dead Talk Live
Dead Talk Live
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 4/25/2020
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
as Dottie Minter
TV - Released: 4/26/2020

2019

The Grudge
The Grudge
as Faith Matheson
Movie - Released: 12/31/2019
The Final Wish
The Final Wish
as Kate Hammond
Movie - Released: 1/24/2019
Room for Rent
Room for Rent
as Joyce
Movie - Released: 5/3/2019
Gothic Harvest
Gothic Harvest
as Griselda
Movie - Released: 10/15/2019
Get Gone
Get Gone
as Mama
Movie - Released: 7/31/2019
Ambition
Ambition
as Lady Bum
Movie - Released: 9/20/2019

2018

The Main Course: The Making of Critters 2
The Main Course: The Making of Critters 2
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/27/2018
Insidious: The Last Key
Insidious: The Last Key
as Élise Rainier
Movie - Released: 1/3/2018
Herbert West: Reanimator
Herbert West: Reanimator
as Meredith
Movie - Released: 12/15/2018
They Bite!: The Making of Critters
They Bite!: The Making of Critters
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/27/2018
Los Angeles Overnight
Los Angeles Overnight
as Cousins
Movie - Released: 3/20/2018
Eli Roth's History of Horror
Eli Roth's History of Horror
as Self
TV - Released: 10/14/2018

2017

Grow House
Grow House
as Mrs. Gilliam
Movie - Released: 4/20/2017
Buster's Mal Heart
Buster's Mal Heart
as Pauline
Movie - Released: 5/28/2017
The Black Room
The Black Room
as Miss Black
Movie - Released: 4/28/2017
All About the Money
All About the Money
as Mrs. Womack
Movie - Released: 6/2/2017
Mountain Top
Mountain Top
as Muriel Miller
Movie - Released: 2/10/2017

2016

Director's Cut
Director's Cut
as Captain Wheeler
Movie - Released: 7/19/2016
Jack Goes Home
Jack Goes Home
as Teresa
Movie - Released: 3/14/2016
Abattoir
Abattoir
as Allie
Movie - Released: 11/24/2016
Texas Heart
Texas Heart
as Mrs. Smith
Movie - Released: 5/20/2016
Ouija: Origin of Evil
Ouija: Origin of Evil
as Old Paulina Zander
Movie - Released: 10/20/2016
The Midnight Man
The Midnight Man
as Anna
Movie - Released: 9/30/2016

2015

Insidious: Chapter 3
Insidious: Chapter 3
as Elise Rainier
Movie - Released: 5/28/2015
Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves
Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves
as Helen Keller
Movie - Released: 10/1/2015
Tales of Halloween
Tales of Halloween
as Lynn's Mother
Movie - Released: 10/16/2015
Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha
Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha
as The Grand Lady
Movie - Released: 1/7/2015

2014

The Signal
The Signal
as Mirabelle
Movie - Released: 3/15/2014
Lost Time
Lost Time
as Mysterious Woman
Movie - Released: 9/19/2014
Grace
Grace
as Helen
Movie - Released: 10/28/2014
Ouija
Ouija
as Paulina Zander
Movie - Released: 10/24/2014

2013

Insidious: Chapter 2
Insidious: Chapter 2
as Elise Rainier
Movie - Released: 9/12/2013
Crazy Kind of Love
Crazy Kind of Love
as Denise Mack
Movie - Released: 5/31/2013
Big Ass Spider!
Big Ass Spider!
as Mrs. Jefferson
Movie - Released: 10/17/2013
All American Christmas Carol
All American Christmas Carol
as Barbara Belnap
Movie - Released: 11/5/2013
Noobz
Noobz
as Mrs. Theodore
Movie - Released: 1/25/2013

2012

FDR: American Badass!
FDR: American Badass!
as Eleanor Roosevelt
Movie - Released: 9/24/2012
3 Days of Normal
3 Days of Normal
as May
Movie - Released: 6/2/2012
Life's an Itch
Life's an Itch
as Gloria
Movie - Released: 12/1/2012
The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges
as Nurse Crotchet
Movie - Released: 4/13/2012
Jewtopia
Jewtopia
as Dr. Sutton
Movie - Released: 4/26/2012
Waffle Hut
Waffle Hut
as Jerrie Wolf
Movie - Released: 1/1/2012
Matchmaker Santa
Matchmaker Santa
as Debbie
Movie - Released: 11/21/2012
EastSiders
EastSiders
as Diane
TV - Released: 12/14/2012

2011

Insidious
Insidious
as Elise Rainier
Movie - Released: 3/31/2011
Take Me Home
Take Me Home
as Jill
Movie - Released: 3/2/2011
Sedona
Sedona
as Claire
Movie - Released: 2/19/2011
Chillerama
Chillerama
as Baglady / Nurse Maleva
Movie - Released: 10/14/2011
I Was a Teenage Werebear
I Was a Teenage Werebear
Movie - Released: 9/1/2011
Rosewood Lane
Rosewood Lane
as Mrs. Hawthorne
Movie - Released: 10/15/2011
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy
as Dody
Movie - Released: 9/2/2011
Goldberg - P.I.
Goldberg - P.I.
as Violet
Movie - Released: 1/1/2011

2010

2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams
2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams
as Granny Boone
Movie - Released: 7/20/2010
Killer by Nature
Killer by Nature
as Leona
Movie - Released: 1/1/2010
Next Stop Murder
Next Stop Murder
as Detective Reeson
Movie - Released: 9/19/2010
Farewell Mr. Kringle
Farewell Mr. Kringle
as Zelda
Movie - Released: 12/4/2010
Movie
Pickin' and Grinnin'
as Bonnie Johnson
Movie - Released: 4/17/2010
The Penthouse
The Penthouse
as Frances
Movie - Released: 3/2/2010
Small Town Saturday Night
Small Town Saturday Night
as Phyllis Ryan
Movie - Released: 5/31/2010
Black Limousine
Black Limousine
Movie - Released: 10/19/2010
VideoDome Rent-O-Rama
VideoDome Rent-O-Rama
as The Lush
Movie - Released: 1/1/2010
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
as Self
Movie - Released: 5/4/2010

2009

Stuntmen
Stuntmen
as Bumble Jackson
Movie - Released: 8/18/2009
Dark Moon Rising
Dark Moon Rising
as Sunny
Movie - Released: 10/10/2009
My Sister's Keeper
My Sister's Keeper
as Nurse Adele
Movie - Released: 6/26/2009
American Cowslip
American Cowslip
as Lou Anne
Movie - Released: 7/24/2009

2008

Doggie Heaven
Doggie Heaven
as Woman
Movie - Released: 11/24/2008
Killer Pad
Killer Pad
as Marge
Movie - Released: 2/5/2008
Asylum
Asylum
as String's Mother
Movie - Released: 3/20/2008
Chronic Town
Chronic Town
as Nurse
Movie - Released: 4/3/2008
Movie
Starz Inside: In the Gutter
as Self
Movie - Released: 7/29/2008

2007

The Election
The Election
as The Wife
Movie - Released: 7/12/2007
Chasing Robert
Chasing Robert
as Martha the Bookie
Movie - Released: 7/17/2007
Homo Erectus
Homo Erectus
as Museum Guide
Movie - Released: 7/10/2007
Pledge This!
Pledge This!
as Miss Prin
Movie - Released: 2/8/2007
Private Practice
Private Practice
as Mrs. Taylor
TV - Released: 9/26/2007

2006

Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane
as Grace
Movie - Released: 8/17/2006
Surf School
Surf School
as Larry's Mom
Movie - Released: 9/1/2006
Surf School
Surf School
as Larry's mom
Movie - Released: 9/1/2006
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror
as Clara
Movie - Released: 6/27/2006
Hoboken Hollow
Hoboken Hollow
as Mrs. Brodrick
Movie - Released: 1/4/2006
Movie
Down the P.C.H.
as Wendy O'Hara
Movie - Released: 9/1/2006
Bachelor Party Vegas
Bachelor Party Vegas
as Cassandra
Movie - Released: 4/25/2006
Movie
Unbeatable Harold
as Jeannie
Movie - Released: 1/1/2006
Driftwood
Driftwood
as Nancy Forrester
Movie - Released: 10/20/2006

2005

2001 Maniacs
2001 Maniacs
as Granny Boone
Movie - Released: 5/12/2005
Hate Crime
Hate Crime
as Kathleen Slansky
Movie - Released: 1/14/2005
Drop Dead Sexy
Drop Dead Sexy
as Ma Muzzy
Movie - Released: 3/12/2005
Confessions of an Action Star
Confessions of an Action Star
as Samantha Jones
Movie - Released: 1/23/2005
Born Killers
Born Killers
as Willow
Movie - Released: 1/1/2005
My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl
as Paul's Mom
TV - Released: 9/20/2005
Made in Hollywood
Made in Hollywood
as Self
TV - Released: 9/30/2005

2004

Who's Your Daddy?
Who's Your Daddy?
as Ms. Harding
Movie - Released: 1/7/2004
The Almost Guys
The Almost Guys
as Repo Boss
Movie - Released: 3/3/2004
The Hillside Strangler
The Hillside Strangler
as Jenny Buono
Movie - Released: 11/12/2004
A Cinderella Story
A Cinderella Story
as Mrs. Wells
Movie - Released: 7/16/2004
Cellular
Cellular
as Exotic Car Driver
Movie - Released: 9/6/2004

2003

Dead End
Dead End
as Laura Harrington
Movie - Released: 12/12/2003
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
as Margie
Movie - Released: 4/14/2003
Stuck on You
Stuck on You
as Makeup Babe
Movie - Released: 12/10/2003
Barely Legal
Barely Legal
as Tequlia
Movie - Released: 5/15/2003
ManFast
ManFast
as Marge
Movie - Released: 1/1/2003

2002

Contagion
Contagion
as Laura Crowley
Movie - Released: 5/15/2002
Boat Trip
Boat Trip
as Sonya the Coach
Movie - Released: 10/1/2002
Wish You Were Dead
Wish You Were Dead
as Jinny Macintosh
Movie - Released: 5/21/2002

2001

Say It Isn't So
Say It Isn't So
as Nurse Bautista
Movie - Released: 3/10/2001
Movie
A Letter from My Father
as Elise
Movie - Released: 10/18/2001
Movie
Without Charlie
Movie - Released: 1/1/2001
Crossing Jordan
Crossing Jordan
as Leather Lauren
TV - Released: 9/24/2001

2000

Attention Shoppers
Attention Shoppers
as Libby
Movie - Released: 9/21/2000
Me, Myself & Irene
Me, Myself & Irene
as Mrs. Caleron
Movie - Released: 6/22/2000

1999

Detroit Rock City
Detroit Rock City
as Mrs. Bruce
Movie - Released: 8/13/1999

1998

There's Something About Mary
There's Something About Mary
as Magda
Movie - Released: 7/15/1998
Breakfast with Einstein
Breakfast with Einstein
as Miss Desmond
Movie - Released: 5/24/1998
Living Out Loud
Living Out Loud
as Lisa's Nurse
Movie - Released: 10/30/1998
Becker
Becker
as Mrs. Cooper
TV - Released: 11/2/1998

1997

Trading Favors
Trading Favors
as Darla
Movie - Released: 6/4/1997
Perversions of Science
Perversions of Science
as Nurse
TV - Released: 6/7/1997

1996

Kingpin
Kingpin
as Landlady
Movie - Released: 7/4/1996
Last Man Standing
Last Man Standing
as The Madame
Movie - Released: 9/20/1996
Project: ALF
Project: ALF
as Waitress
Movie - Released: 2/17/1996

1995

Nature of the Beast
Nature of the Beast
as Carol Powell
Movie - Released: 10/23/1995
Sketch Artist II: Hands That See
Sketch Artist II: Hands That See
as Bonnie
Movie - Released: 1/28/1995
Trial by Fire
Trial by Fire
as Phyliis Cardell
Movie - Released: 10/1/1995

1994

New Nightmare
New Nightmare
as Nurse with Pills
Movie - Released: 10/13/1994
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
as Rubber Rose Maid
Movie - Released: 5/13/1994
Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter
Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter
as Inmate
Movie - Released: 10/14/1994
Dumb and Dumber
Dumb and Dumber
as Mrs. Neugeboren
Movie - Released: 12/16/1994
In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance
In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance
as Foreman #2
Movie - Released: 1/23/1994
Corrina, Corrina
Corrina, Corrina
as Repeat Nanny
Movie - Released: 8/12/1994
ER
ER
as Margaret
TV - Released: 9/19/1994
My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life
as Parent #2
TV - Released: 8/25/1994

1993

Amityville: A New Generation
Amityville: A New Generation
as Nurse Turner
Movie - Released: 9/29/1993
The Temp
The Temp
as Rosemary
Movie - Released: 2/12/1993
Three of Hearts
Three of Hearts
as Operator
Movie - Released: 4/30/1993
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Witness
Movie - Released: 2/4/1993
Brain Smasher... A Love Story
Brain Smasher... A Love Story
as Make up Artist
Movie - Released: 11/17/1993
Frasier
Frasier
as Anne
TV - Released: 9/16/1993

1992

Roadside Prophets
Roadside Prophets
as Celeste
Movie - Released: 3/27/1992

1991

Critters 3
Critters 3
as Sal (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 12/11/1991

1990

Pump Up the Volume
Pump Up the Volume
as PTA Parent #3
Movie - Released: 8/22/1990
Book of Love
Book of Love
as Mrs. Flynn
Movie - Released: 8/3/1990

1989

Life Goes On
Life Goes On
as Parent #2
TV - Released: 9/12/1989

1988

Critters 2
Critters 2
as Sal
Movie - Released: 4/29/1988
Lucky Stiff
Lucky Stiff
as Bratty Kid's Mom
Movie - Released: 11/1/1988

1987

The Hidden
The Hidden
as Carol Miller
Movie - Released: 10/30/1987
Stillwatch
Stillwatch
Movie - Released: 2/10/1987
My Demon Lover
My Demon Lover
as Anemic Counter Girl
Movie - Released: 4/24/1987
Slam Dance
Slam Dance
as Librarian
Movie - Released: 10/2/1987
The Running Man
The Running Man
as Propaganda Officer
Movie - Released: 11/13/1987
Extreme Prejudice
Extreme Prejudice
as Employment Office Clerk
Movie - Released: 4/24/1987
Mistress
Mistress
as Woman Customer
Movie - Released: 10/4/1987

1986

Critters
Critters
as Sally
Movie - Released: 4/11/1986

1985

Brewster's Millions
Brewster's Millions
as Journalist at Rally
Movie - Released: 5/22/1985
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
as Kate Simmons (segment "Chameleon")
TV - Released: 9/27/1985

1984

A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street
as Teacher
Movie - Released: 11/9/1984
Summer Fantasy
Summer Fantasy
as Woman on Beach
Movie - Released: 5/25/1984
Why Me?
Why Me?
Movie - Released: 3/12/1984
Who's the Boss?
Who's the Boss?
as Mrs. Padnick
TV - Released: 9/20/1984
Highway to Heaven
Highway to Heaven
as Lila Barnes
TV - Released: 9/19/1984

1982

Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again
Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again
as Nurse with Telegram
Movie - Released: 11/10/1982
Alone in the Dark
Alone in the Dark
as Receptionist at Haven
Movie - Released: 11/12/1982
Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey
as Secretary
TV - Released: 3/25/1982

1981

Falcon Crest
Falcon Crest
as Smoking Female Prisoner
TV - Released: 12/4/1981

1980

Movie
A Cry for Love
Movie - Released: 10/20/1980
The Long Riders
The Long Riders
as Kate
Movie - Released: 5/16/1980

1979

The Seeding of Sarah Burns
The Seeding of Sarah Burns
as 2nd Nurse
Movie - Released: 4/7/1979
The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal
The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal
as Freida
Movie - Released: 1/30/1979

1978

Goin' South
Goin' South
as Parasol Lady
Movie - Released: 10/6/1978

1977

Sex and the Married Woman
Sex and the Married Woman
as Sandra
Movie - Released: 9/13/1977
A Secret Space
A Secret Space
as Amy
Movie - Released: 12/4/1977
Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough
as Band Member
TV - Released: 3/15/1977

1975

Hester Street
Hester Street
as Whore
Movie - Released: 10/19/1975

Unknown

The Old World
The Old World
as The Aunt (voice)
Movie
Movie
Carrier
as Joan Pierson
Movie
Movie
Movie
Dead of Nowhere 3D
as Meemaw
Movie
Movie
Devoted
as Aunt Dottie
Movie