Barbara Steele - Actor Profile

Barbara Steele

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 29, 1937
Birth Place: Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, UK

About Barbara Steele

Barbara Steele (born 29 December 1937) is an English actress and producer, known for starring in Italian gothic horror films of the 1960s. She has been referred to as the "Queen of All Scream Queens" and "Britain's first lady of horror". She played the dual role of Asa and Katia Vajda in Mario Bava's landmark film Black Sunday (1960), and starred in The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962), The Long Hair of Death (1964), and Castle of Blood (1964). Additionally, Steele had supporting roles in Federico Fellini's 8½ (1963), David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975), Joe Dante's Piranha and Louis Malle's Pretty Baby (both 1978), and appeared on television in the 1991 TV series Dark Shadows. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for producing the American television miniseries War and Remembrance (1988–89). Steele appeared in several films in the 2010s, including a lead role in The Butterfly Room (2012) and supporting role in Ryan Gosling's Lost River (2014). Description above from the Wikipedia article Barbara Steele, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Barbara Steele Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Barbara Steele reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Barbara Steele's work falls within the Horror genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 52% of Barbara Steele's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Deep Above, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Barbara Steele Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Barbara Steele's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Barbara Steele has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2021 Fellinopolis Self - Actress (archive footage) Average Similar →
2019 Executioners, Masks, Secrets: Italian Horror in the Sixties Self Super Hit Similar →
2019 Master of Dark Shadows Self Super Hit Similar →
2016 The Phantom The Widow Average Similar →
2015 Lost River Belladonna Average Similar →
2015 The Mill at Calder's End The Apparition of the Mill Hit Similar →
2014 The Shutterbug Man Narrator Average Similar →
2014 Parasite Memories: The Making of 'Shivers' Self Average Similar →
2014 Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2012 The Butterfly Room Ann Average Similar →
2004 Mario Bava: Operazione paura Self Hit Similar →
2003 Italian Kings Of B Self Average Similar →
2000 The American Nightmare Self Hit Similar →
1997 Hollywood Rated 'R' Self Flop Similar →
1994 Deep Above Mrs. Wagner Super Hit Similar →
1992 Dracula in the Movies - Super Hit Similar →
1991 Fear in the Dark Self Super Hit Similar →
1981 Be Pretty and Shut Up! Self Average Similar →
1979 Silent Scream Victoria Engels Average Similar →
1978 Piranha Dr. Mengers Average Similar →
1978 Pretty Baby Josephine Hit Similar →
1978 The Space-Watch Murders - Super Hit Similar →
1975 Shivers Betts Average Similar →
1970 Ciao, Federico! Narrator (voice) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1970 Stop the World... I Want to Get Off! Danielle Super Hit Similar →
1969 Honeymoon with a Stranger Carla Hit Similar →
1966 Young Törless Bozena Hit Similar →
1966 An Angel for Satan Harriet Montebruno / Belinda Average Similar →
1966 For Love and Gold Teodora Super Hit Similar →
1965 Money - Super Hit Similar →
1965 Once Upon a Tractor Lady Clerk Average Similar →
1965 Terror-Creatures from the Grave Cleo Hauff Average Similar →
1964 The Long Hair of Death Helen Karnstein / Mary Karnstein Average Similar →
1964 The Monocle's Sour Laugh Valérie Gasparelli Flop Similar →
1964 Three for a Robbery Barbara Sims Super Hit Similar →
1964 Les baisers Thelma (Episode 3: 'Baiser du soir') Average Similar →
1964 Castle of Blood Elisabeth Blackwood Hit Similar →
1963 A Sentimental Attempt Silvia Hit Similar →
1963 The Ghost Margaret Hichcock Average Similar →
1963 Gloria Morin Super Hit Similar →
1962 The Iron Captain Floriana Hit Similar →
1962 The Horrible Dr. Hichcock Cynthia Hichcock Average Similar →
1961 The Pit and the Pendulum Elizabeth Barnard Medina Hit Similar →
1960 Black Sunday Princess Asa Vajda / Katia Vajda Hit Similar →
1959 Sapphire Student Hit Similar →
1959 Upstairs and Downstairs Mary Average Similar →
1959 The Heart of a Man Girl Hit Similar →
1959 The 39 Steps Extra Average Similar →
1958 Bachelor of Hearts Fiona Average Similar →
1958 Houseboat Minor Role (uncredited) Average Similar →

Barbara Steele - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Barbara Steele?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Barbara Steele is "Deep Above" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Barbara Steele acted in?

Barbara Steele has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Barbara Steele?

Other notable films include "Three for a Robbery", "Dracula in the Movies", and "Master of Dark Shadows".

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