Scene from Stepfather (1987)

Alternate Names: Jill Marie Schoelen

Physical Characteristics: N/A

First Appearances:

• The Best of Times (1981) as Jill

Most Important Roles:

• Cutting Class (1989) as Paula Carson
• When a Stranger Calls Back (1993) as Julia Jenz
• Behind the Mask: The Making of The Phantom of the Opera (2015) as Self
• The Stepfather (1987) as Stephanie Maine
• Hot Moves (1984) as Julie Ann
• The Best of Times (1981) as Jill
• That Was Then... This Is Now (1985) as Angela Shepard
• Popcorn (1991) as Maggie
• The Phantom of the Opera (1989) as Christine Day
• Curse II: The Bite (1989) as Lisa Snipes

Career Highlights:

• Cutting Class (1989)
• When a Stranger Calls Back (1993)
• Behind the Mask: The Making of The Phantom of the Opera (2015)
• The Stepfather (1987)
• Hot Moves (1984)
• The Best of Times (1981)
• That Was Then... This Is Now (1985)
• Popcorn (1991)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1989)
• Curse II: The Bite (1989)

Awards:

• Sitges Film Festival Best Actress award (1987)

Jill Marie Schoelen, born March 21, 1963 in Burbank, California, is an American actress known for her roles as a 'scream queen' in horror films of the 1980s and early 1990s. Daughter of fashion designer Dorothy Schoelen, Jill began her acting career at age eight with TV appearances and bit parts in movies like D.C. Cab (1983) and Thunder Alley (1985). She gained recognition after starring in Wes Craven's TV movie Chiller (1985), followed by notable roles in The Stepfather (1987) alongside Terry O'Quinn, The Phantom of the Opera (1989) with Robert Englund, and When a Stranger Calls Back (1993). Despite some critically acclaimed performances, Schoelen's career was marred by low-budget films such as Curse II: The Bite (1989) and Cutting Class (1989), which ultimately hindered her progress. She retired from acting after Not Again! (1996), marrying musician/composer Anthony Marinelli and raising two children.