Candace Hilligoss
Encyclopedia
Candace Hilligoss is an American
actress.
After three years at the University of Iowa
, she came to New York City
to study acting at the American Theatre Wing
and made her professional debut in summer stock in Pennsylvania
. She acted at the Cape Cod
Playhouse, appeared in a touring production of Idiot's Delight
with Nina Foch
, performed in television programs produced in New York, and danced at the Copacabana nightclub.
She is best-known for her portrayal of Mary Henry, a church organist haunted by specters, in Carnival of Souls
(1962), a low-budget horror film that has developed a cult
following. She also appeared in The Curse of the Living Corpse
(1964).
, with whom she had two children. They divorced in 1981.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress.
After three years at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, she came to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to study acting at the American Theatre Wing
American Theatre Wing
The American Theatre Wing is a New York City-based organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre," according to its mission statement...
and made her professional debut in summer stock in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. She acted at the Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
Playhouse, appeared in a touring production of Idiot's Delight
Idiot's Delight
Idiot's Delight is a 1939 MGM comedy film, with a screenplay adapted from the 1936 Robert E. Sherwood play of the same name, by Sherwood himself. The movie stars Norma Shearer and Clark Gable. It is notable as the only film where Gable sings and dances, performing a version of the Irving Berlin...
with Nina Foch
Nina Foch
Nina Foch was a Dutch-born American actress and leading lady in many 1940s and 1950s films.- Personal life :...
, performed in television programs produced in New York, and danced at the Copacabana nightclub.
She is best-known for her portrayal of Mary Henry, a church organist haunted by specters, in Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls is a 1962 independent horror film starring Candace Hilligoss. Produced and directed by Herk Harvey for an estimated $33,000, the film did not gain widespread attention when originally released, as a B film; today, however, it is a cult classic...
(1962), a low-budget horror film that has developed a cult
Cult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
following. She also appeared in The Curse of the Living Corpse
The Curse of the Living Corpse
The Curse of the Living Corpse is a 1964 low-budget American horror film, written, directed, and produced by Del Tenney. In the film, a series of murders haunt the family of a man who died leaving extensive instructions in his will to avoid his being buried alive. The film marked the feature film...
(1964).
Personal life
Hilligoss was married to actor Nicolas CosterNicolas Coster
Nicolas Coster is a British-born American actor, most known for his work in daytime drama and as a character actor on nighttime television series.-Biography:...
, with whom she had two children. They divorced in 1981.