Carol Speed (1945-2022) American Actress

Carol Speed was an American Actress (1945-2022)

She was one of three children born to Cora Valerie Stewart (nee Taylor) and Freddie Lee Stewart on March 14, 1945 in Bakersfield, California, United States. She attended William C. Overfelt High School, graduating in 1963.

She holds the distinction of being the first African-American homecoming queen in Santa Clara County and was one of the first African-Americans to receive a scholarship for the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, California. She was best known for her roles in films during the 1970s blaxploitation Era. She got her start in show business as a back-up singer for Bobbie Gentry at Harrah’s club in Reno, Nevada. She made her film debut as a hooker in “The New Centurions” (1972).

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Her most memorable movie roles include sassy prison inmate Mickie in Jack Hill’s “The Big Bird Cage” (1972), Pimp Goldie’s (portrayed by Max Julien) loyal prostitute girlfriend Lulu in the blaxploitation crime film “The Mack” (1973), sarcastic rock groupie Janice in “Bummer” (1973), club owner Rockne Tarkington’s sweet gal pal Leslie in “Black Samson” (1974) and deaf-mute Sarah in Al Adamson’s “Dynamite Brothers” (1974).

She gave an especially inspired and impressive performance as a minister’s innocent wife who becomes possessed by the malevolent spirit of an evil demon in William Girdler’s immensely entertaining horror flick Abby (1974). She had a recurring part on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives” (1965) in the summer of 1970.

Moreover, she made a guest appearance on an episode of “Sanford and Son” (1972), has appeared in several TV commercials including one for Dolly Madison pies, Dodge Duster automobiles and Jeno’s Pizza and pops up in the made-for-TV films “The Girls of Huntington House” (1973), “Love Hate Love” (1971), “Tenafly” (1973), “Getting Away from It All” (1972) and “The Psychiatrist” (1970).

Outside of acting, She was also a successful writer (she’s the author of the books “Inside Black Hollywood” and “The Georgette Harvey Story”), singer and songwriter (she sings her own compositions “I Can Make It” in “The Girls of Huntington House” and “My Soul Is A Witness” in “Abby.” (2004) Contributed to the book “Gods in Polyester, or A Survivors’ Account of 70s Cinema Obscura” (Succubus Press), which features her thoughts and memories on all her 1970s feature films.

After taking a lengthy hiatus from acting following “Disco Godfather” (1979), Carol was slated to do a small role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown” (1997) but backed out at the last minute.

She made a welcome comeback with a supporting part in the independent thriller “Village Vengeance” (2006). She wrote and produced “The Margaret Mitchell Legacy” for WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. She lived for a short time in Atlanta, Georgia in her later years. She will be remembered for her style, personality, quick wit and “I am going to do it my way” no-nonsense attitude.