Skip to main content
Catherine Carlen
★ Acting

Catherine Carlen

Born 1953 · Cookeville, Tennessee, USA · Active 1973–2025

Catherine Carlen is best known for her role in Chopper Chicks in Zombietown (1989), where she embodies the fierce spirit of a biker in a zombie-infested world. This cult classic showcases her ability to navigate the chaotic blend of horror and comedy that defines exploitation cinema. Carlen's performance contributes to the film's campy charm, making it a memorable entry in the realm of grindhouse films. Her work reflects the era's appetite for audacious storytelling and strong female characters.

▶ Watch on SassyFlix 1 film available
Chopper Chicks in Zombietown

Chopper Chicks in Zombietown

1989 ★ 4.3
as Rox

The film is about an all-female motorcycle gang named the "Cycle Sluts", who cruise into the isolated town of Zariah looking for a good time. Here, an evil scientist-turned-mortician has been killing local townspeople with the aid of his long-suffering dwarf assistant and turning them into zombies to use as labor at an abandoned mine. The mine is too radioactive after underground nuclear testing to be mined by living people. Although the scientist later admits that the real reason he has been doing it is not the money, but because he is just plain mean. The zombies escape after a curious little boy removes the lock to explore the mine, becoming the zombies' first victim. Around this point, a bus-load of blind orphans become stranded just on the outskirts of town as their ride breaks down. Luckily their bus-driver always keeps an Uzi on the bus "for sentimental reasons". With vague memories of life to guide them, the zombies eventually find their way back to town and begin devouring live flesh. Going against the wishes of their leader and despite some rough treatment from the locals earlier in the film, the Cycle Sluts ride to the rescue and begin killing the zombies using chainsaws, baseball bats, welding torches, a garrote and a staple gun. In the final scene, the Cycle Sluts use fresh meat to lure the remaining zombies to the town church, which they have packed with dynamite. They are now aided by the doctor's dwarf who has decided that there are better lines of work than being a henchman. With all the undead inside and the church sealed up, the timer goes off and the church goes up in flames, zombies and all. The Cycle Sluts are rewarded with a sack full of cash and induct the dwarf and several of the blind orphans as honorary Cycle Sluts. They then ride out of town with some of the men folk in tow (their new "bitches") and throw the sack of money to the wind.

Watch Now
Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

39 credits
2020s 10 credits
2025
The Residence as Kim Abkin
TV ★ 7.5
2024
TV ★ 7.6
2024
High Potential as Genevieve
TV ★ 8.1
2022
Mack & Rita as Grammie Martin
Movie ★ 5.5
2022
TV ★ 6.9
2022
The Lincoln Lawyer as Judge Leah Faraday
TV ★ 7.7
2021
Grave Intentions as Eileen (segment "The Bridge Partner")
Movie ★ 4.7
2020
Like a Boss as Aunt Margo
Movie ★ 6.2
2020
Who Wants Me Dead? as Ms. Hanson
Movie ★ 5.3
2020
Perry Mason as Gladys
TV ★ 7.2
2010s 21 credits
2019
Trial by Fire as Abigail
Movie ★ 7.0
2019
Doom Patrol as Puppet Dr. Harrison (voice)
TV ★ 7.5
2019
Doom Patrol as Dr. Harrison
TV ★ 7.5
2018
Sharp Objects as Deeanna
TV ★ 7.8
2018
Dirty John as Celia
TV ★ 6.8
2016
A Fighting Chance as Dr. Williams
Movie ★ 0.5
2016
The Automatic Hate as Aunt Sarah
Movie ★ 5.9
2016
Movie ★ 5.5
2016
Recovery Road as AA Lady
TV ★ 6.4
2016
Greenleaf as Pat Phillips
TV ★ 7.1
2015
Rivers 9 as Cynthia
Movie ★ 5.1
2015
Movie ★ 5.9
2015
Movie ★ 6.8
2015
Weird Loners as Rachel
TV ★ 6.1
2014
TV ★ 7.8
2013
Movie ★ 5.0
2013
TV ★ 8.2
2013
TV ★ 6.6
2012
The Mindy Project as Old Inmate
TV ★ 6.2
2012
Scandal as Governor Kelly Rauch
TV ★ 7.2
2010
Movie ★ 6.0
2000s 2 credits
2009
TV ★ 7.5
2004
TV ★ 7.9
1990s 1 credit
1992
In Sickness and in Health as Woman Friend #1
Movie ★ 4.0
1980s 4 credits
1989
Movie ★ 4.6
1987
TV ★ 7.7
1984
Night Court as Dolly
TV ★ 7.3
1982
Hanky Panky as Bride (uncredited)
Movie ★ 5.3
1970s 1 credit
1973
TV ★ 7.0