Theresa Tilly's cinematic odyssey began with a pivotal role as Shelly in Sam Raimi's cult classic, The Evil Dead, marking her feature film debut in 1981. Prior to this, she had honed her comedic skills as a stand-up comedian in her hometown of Detroit, before relocating to Chicago to join the esteemed improv comedy troupe, The Second City. Her impressive work with this renowned group led to a role in the sketch comedy pilot, YouTV, alongside the late-night television legend, Steve Allen. Although the show did not secure a pickup, it served as a catalyst for Tilly to relocate to Los Angeles and pursue a career in acting.
Since then, Tilly has amassed an impressive repertoire of over 100 films, television shows, plays, and commercials. Some of her notable credits include Debutante, opposite Selma Blair and Josh Hartnett; Back in the Day, written and directed by actor Michael Rosenbaum; Appearances, a PBS special written by celebrated author Elmore Leonard; Brutal Massacre: A Comedy, alongside the late horror icon Gunnar Hansen; and Oz the Great and Powerful, which reunited her with The Evil Dead director, Sam Raimi. Additionally, she was the first female to announce ESPN's ESPY Awards.
Tilly's recent work includes American Fable, which earned Anne Hamilton the title of Best New Director at the SXSW 2016 film festival, and Stomping Ground, which won the Soul of Southern Film Award at the Indie Memphis Film Festival in 2014.
