Theresa Tilly

Theresa Tilly made a monstrous feature film debut as Shelly in Sam Raimis influential classic The Evil Dead 1981 After working as a standup comedian in her hometown of Detroit she set her sights on acclaimed improv comedy troupe The Second City Chicago Her work there earned her a role on a sketch comedy pilot called YouTV costarring alongside latenight TV legend Steve Allen Although the show was not picked up it served as an impetus for the budding performer to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue her acting career Tilly has since appeared in over 100 films TV shows plays and commercials including Debutante 1998 opposite Selma Blair and Josh Hartnett Back in the Day 2014 written and directed by actor Michael Rosenbaum Appearances a PBS special written by celebrated author Elmore Leonard Brutal Massacre A Comedy 2007 alongside the late horror icon Gunnar Hansen and Oz The Great and Powerful 2013 which reunited her with The Evil Dead director Sam Raimi She was also the first female to announce ESPNs ESPY Awards