Utter Trash--Kyra Schon

Living Dead Girl

An interview with Kyra Schon, “Karen Cooper” in ‘Night of the Living Dead’

By Bob Ignizio

A picture of Kyra Shcon in her 'Night of the Living Dead' zombie make-up signed to my wife.

Since its original release in 1968, George Romero’s ‘Night of the Living Dead’ has gone on to achieve classic status not just among horror fans but serious film buffs as well. Despite a low budget and a cast of unknowns the film remains extremely effective at creating an atmosphere of genuine horror even today. One of the performers most closely associated with the film is Kyra Shcon. She played Karen Cooper, the little girl who eventually turns into a zombie, eats her father’s arm, and stabs her mother with a masonry trowel. Her image from the film has graced countless posters, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and just about anything else you can put a picture on. While Kyra didn’t pursue an acting career afterwards, she still has fond memories of making ‘Night...’ and regularly appears at horror conventions to share her stories and meet fans. She’ll be doing just that October 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th when she appears at the Cinema Wasteland convention in Strongsville, Ohio. She was also nice enough to answer some of my questions by email, and here’s what she had to say to Utter Trash.

Bob Ignizio: I'm sure you get asked this constantly, but how old were you when you made NOTLD? Did it feel like work, or was it just a lot of fun for you?

Kyra Schon: Oh, Bob. You should have read my FAQ. [Ed. – Doh!] I was almost 10 when I did those scenes. It didn't exactly feel like work, but I remember being worried that I'd screw something up. I knew that they were working with a very limited budget and that they couldn't afford to waste time or film. I think my dad must have impressed that on me because I'm sure I wouldn't have been aware of that otherwise. Luckily, none of my scenes needed to be redone, but then, stabbing someone is so easy. It was really fun watching other people screw up their scenes though!

BI: If I'm not mistaken Karl Hardman, who played your father in the movie, really was your dad. Most kids have at least a little anger towards their parents, so did you draw on that for your acting inspiration? Did your parents hide all the garden tools for a while afterwards?

KS: Actually, the character didn't really exhibit any aggression toward her father. She only ate his arm after he was already dead. It was her mother that bore the brunt of Karen's hostilities. And Marilyn wasn't my real mother, so I didn't have any animosity towards her. I guess any anger I may have felt towards my parents probably didn't surface until a few years later. Sorry Mom. Sorry Dad. Evidently I incurred a serious karmic deficit in my early teen years because I pay for it every day at work. I'm a middle school teacher now.

KS: Not at all. I hate being in front of a camera. I don't even like doing interviews off-camera in person. I'm actually incredibly shy and neurotic about public speaking and performing.

BI: You're image has probably been the one used the most on NOTLD memorabilia and promotional materials. How does it feel to be such a horror icon?

KS: It's great when I see someone with my face tattooed on his (or her) arm or leg. It's the sincerest form of flattery and I love it. And it's cool when I've seen bands like Half Life or The Independents use my image on their shirts. It doesn't feel so good when I see some big company spewing out thousands of t-shirts with my face on them and I don't get a dime for it.

BI: Tell me a little bit about your jewelry and greeting card business. Is there a website where interested parties can go to purchase your wares?

KS: I do lost-wax casting, mostly in sterling silver, though if someone really twists my arm, I'll cast in gold too. I work predominantly on a commission basis but I've sold pieces that I already had, too. The Spiffy Cards are my latest venture and there's a website for them. Spiffy is my pointer-greyhound mutt and she is my muse and soulmate.

BI: You've been doing the convention circuit for some time now. Is it still fun? Do you ever get bored with answering the same questions (probably the ones I've asked) over and over?

KS: I love doing conventions. The people who attend horror conventions are among the nicest people I've met anywhere. I see a lot of the same people at most of the conventions that I do and I look forward to that. Each show is like a reunion. I don't get tired of answering the same questions. Remember, I'm a middle school teacher.

BI: I know John Russo and some of the other NOTLD creators have been doing various sequels and related films with some of the original 'Night' cast. Have you been in any of those, or have any plans to be?

KS: I haven't been in any of the sequels and I have no plans to be. It's that camera thing. But if George Romero asked me to be a totally decayed and unrecognizable zombie in his next film, I'd do it.