Tinseltown Talks: Lynda Day George planning a comeback, 40 years after last horror film

While best known for joining the cast of the popular CBS spy series “Mission: Impossible” for the last two seasons in the early '70s, Lynda Day George became something of a minor horror movie icon before retiring from acting in the late '80s. Four decades later, the actress is now contemplating a return to Hollywood.

In the horror realm, she portrayed characters threatened by an army of ants (“Ants,” 1977), a pack of wild dogs (“Day of the Animals,” 1977), a demonic force (“Beyond Evil,” 1980), a haunted mirror (“Fear No Evil,” 1969), a chainsaw-wielding killer (“Pieces,” 1982) and even a deranged undertaker’s assistant in “Mortuary,” her final film in 1983. But would she consider returning to that genre at age 76?

“Oh sure,” said Day George from her home in Sequim, Washington. “I enjoyed doing them. But I also love comedy and drama.”

Off-screen, the actress experienced considerable drama, although horror might be a more appropriate description of her personal tragedies, including the loss of two husbands — one succumbing to cancer and another from a sudden heart attack.

Actor Christopher George, Day George’s second husband of some 13 years, died just weeks after the release of “Mortuary,” which co-starred the husband-and-wife acting team. She continued to guest-star in another half-dozen TV shows during the remainder of the decade before officially retiring, eventually remarrying in 1990 and later moving to Washington.

“After Chris died, I needed to take care of my family,” she explained. “I’ve also lost my mother, father, step-dad and brother, so there’s been a lot of loss to deal with. But right now, I’m feeling great living here in Washington and have a wonderful life with my daughter and friends. My house is between the ocean and an inlet, and I love it here. I do a lot of gardening and I’m involved with many local groups, including the theater.”

Day George ready to resume acting career

The actress admits there are challenges returning to Hollywood after a long absence, but she is prepared to tackle them.

“The industry has changed a lot since I left, but I’ve kept an ear open for what’s been happening,” she said. “I may have to limber up my mind a bit to prepare but have been encouraged by offers that have already come my way.”

Despite the tragedies, Day George has retained her genial nature and joyful spirit and still sports her trademark long blonde hair. Her positive attitude and sense of humor have clearly helped survive the hardships and will likely be qualities she brings to any future film set — even if the script is a macabre one such as the gruesome theme of her '70s film, “Day of the Animals,” which depicted the actors mauled by enraged birds, dogs, wolves, bears, rats and snakes.

Nevertheless, despite the brutal scenes in the movie, Day George says filming was periodically paused when the cast (including Leslie Nielsen, Michael Ansara and Richard Jaeckel) broke out in laughter.

“We just had so much fun making it,” she recalled. “Michael was a terrific, funny guy. Richard was a treasure, just a sweetheart. Every time I saw him after that he was just a big pile of sugar. And Leslie Nielsen could make you laugh at the drop of a hat — he was a one-man riot!”

She also praised the animals and their trainers, recalling a scene where crazed dogs were required to leap through a cabin window and attack the characters (mostly stunt doubles). “I could be petting one, then the trainer would give a command and it would take off like a shot or become threatening and begin growling. They were terrific animal actors.”

Whether working with an animal or human cast in future comedy, drama or horror projects, Day George looks forward to stepping in front of the camera again.

“With all I’ve been through, I’ve ‘grown up’ and can bring better comprehension and more wisdom to a role,” she says. “I have a busy life now, but I’m committed to returning to acting and will do whatever it takes to get back.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See getnickt.org.