Lin Shaye - Actor Profile

Lin Shaye

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 12, 1943
Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA

About Lin Shaye

Lin Shaye (born October 12, 1943) is an American actress. In a career spanning over fifty years, Shaye has appeared in more than a hundred feature films. She is regarded as a scream queen due to her roles in various horror productions, which include the films Alone in the Dark (1982), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Critters (1986) and its sequel Critters 2: The Main Course (1988), Amityville: A New Generation (1993), Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994), Dead End (2003), 2001 Maniacs (2005) and its sequel 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams (2010), Ouija (2014) and its prequel Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), Tales of Halloween (2015), Abattoir (2016), The Final Wish (2018), Room for Rent(2019), The Grudge (2020), Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman (2021), and the Insidious film series (2010–2023). Shaye is also well known for her comedic roles in numerous films by the Farrelly brothers, including Dumb and Dumber (1994), Kingpin (1996), There's Something About Mary (1998), Detroit Rock City (1999), Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Stuck on You (2003), and The Three Stooges (2012). Description above from the Wikipedia article Lin Shaye, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Lin Shaye reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Horror

The majority of Lin Shaye's filmography leans towards the Horror genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 68% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Lin Shaye remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in House of Abraham, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Lin Shaye Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Lin Shaye's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Lin Shaye.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 1000 Women in Horror Self Hit Similar →
2025 House of Abraham - Super Hit Similar →
2024 The Last Stand of Ellen Cole Ellen Super Hit Similar →
2023 Insidious: The Red Door Elise Rainier Hit Similar →
2022 Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story Self Average Similar →
2022 Living with Chucky Self Hit Similar →
2022 Frank and Penelope Ophelia Hit Similar →
2022 Pines Julie (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2021 Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman Mrs. Bundy Hit Similar →
2019 Room for Rent Joyce Average Similar →
2018 Insidious: The Last Key Elise Rainier Average Similar →
2017 Buster's Mal Heart Pauline Average Similar →
2017 Grow House Mrs. Gilliam Average Similar →
2017 Mountain Top Muriel Miller Hit Similar →
2016 Director's Cut Captain Wheeler Average Similar →
2015 Insidious: Chapter 3 Elise Rainier Average Similar →
2013 Insidious: Chapter 2 Elise Rainier Hit Similar →
2011 Insidious Elise Rainier Hit Similar →
2011 Take Me Home Jill Hit Similar →
2010 Farewell Mr. Kringle Zelda Average Similar →
2010 The Land of the Astronauts - Average Similar →
2010 Next Stop Murder Detective Reeson Hit Similar →
2010 Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy Self Super Hit Similar →
2009 My Sister's Keeper Nurse Adele Hit Similar →
2007 The Election The Wife Hit Similar →
2004 Cellular Exotic Car Driver Average Similar →
2004 A Cinderella Story Mrs. Wells Hit Similar →
2004 The Almost Guys Repo Boss Hit Similar →
2003 Dead End Laura Harrington Average Similar →
2000 Me, Myself & Irene Mrs. Caleron Hit Similar →
1999 Detroit Rock City Mrs. Bruce Hit Similar →
1998 There's Something About Mary Magda Hit Similar →
1996 Last Man Standing The Madame Average Similar →
1996 Kingpin Landlady Hit Similar →
1994 Dumb and Dumber Mrs. Neugeboren Hit Similar →
1994 Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter Inmate Average Similar →
1994 New Nightmare Nurse with Pills Hit Similar →
1994 Corrina, Corrina Repeat Nanny Hit Similar →
1990 Pump Up the Volume PTA Parent #3 Hit Similar →
1988 Critters 2 Sal Average Similar →
1987 The Running Man Propaganda Officer Hit Similar →
1987 The Hidden Carol Miller Hit Similar →
1987 Extreme Prejudice Employment Office Clerk Average Similar →
1987 Stillwatch - Hit Similar →
1986 Critters Sally Hit Similar →
1985 Brewster's Millions Journalist at Rally Hit Similar →
1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street Teacher Hit Similar →
1980 The Long Riders Kate Hit Similar →
1979 The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal Freida Hit Similar →
1975 Hester Street Whore Average Similar →

Lin Shaye - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Lin Shaye?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Lin Shaye is "House of Abraham" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Lin Shaye acted in?

Lin Shaye has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Lin Shaye?

Other notable films include "Pines", "The Last Stand of Ellen Cole", and "Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy".