--- name: "Lin Shaye" canonical: "https://film.one/person/lin-shaye" fi1m_id: "lin-shaye" imdb_id: "nm0005417" tmdb_id: 7401 wikidata_id: "Q449822" roles: ["Actor"] born: "12 October 1943" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-07T14:19:13.503761+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Lin Shaye ## Identity Lin Shaye - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lin-shaye - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** lin-shaye - **IMDb ID:** nm0005417 - **TMDB ID:** 7401 - **Wikidata ID:** Q449822 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Shaye, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449822, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005417/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7401 Actor. Born 12 October 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 12 October 1943, Detroit, Michigan, USA - **Active:** 1984–present - **Also known as:** Linda Shaye - **Frequently works with:** [James Wan](https://film.one/person/james-wan.md), [Jason Blum](https://film.one/person/jason-blum.md), [Leigh Whannell](https://film.one/person/leigh-whannell.md), [Patrick Wilson](https://film.one/person/patrick-wilson.md), [Ty Simpkins](https://film.one/person/ty-simpkins.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 83 (1), 1990s 80 (3), 2000s 77 (1), 2010s 70 (1), 2020s 63 (3) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 65 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Horror 4, Thriller 3, Drama 2, Animation 1, Romance 1 - **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,119m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Shaye, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449822, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005417/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7401 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Common Side Effects*](https://film.one/tv/common-side-effects.md) (80) - **AMC+:** [*Insidious*](https://film.one/film/insidious.md) (70) - **Disney+:** [*Insidious: The Red Door*](https://film.one/film/insidious-the-red-door.md) (54) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Lin Shaye > Lin Shaye is funny because she commits to the broadest physical jokes, and valuable in horror because she gives us someone to care about. Her films do not always give that conviction enough to work with. Magda's heavy tan in *There's Something About Mary* (1998) leaves Shaye little prospect of looking dignified. The Farrellys ask for broad physical comedy, and she supplies it without trying to look above the material. We laughed at Magda's excess because Shaye commits to it so thoroughly. The film earns its bad manners through performances like this, though its two-hour running time needs firmer control. A teacher in *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984) was typical of the brief early assignments that restricted what Shaye could show. *Dumb and Dumber* (1994) began her association with directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Their appetite for physical comedy made better use of her willingness to look strange, leading to the heavily transformed Magda. The comedy suits her, though there is a risk that the tan will be remembered and the timing taken for granted. The important change came with James Wan's *Insidious* (2010), which gave her a leading role as the psychic Elise Rainier. Shaye could now give a character emotional weight across films, rather than squeeze an effect into a brief appearance. *Insidious: Chapter 3* (2015) expanded Elise's backstory, and *Insidious: The Last Key* (2018) again depended on her ability to hold the series together. The appeal is plain: there is a person to care about while the franchise gets on with frightening us. Her presence is no guarantee that a sequel will work. In Patrick Wilson's *Insidious: The Red Door* (2023), she appears as Elise, but we will not describe how. Wilson handles the Lambert family's father-and-son troubles well, but the scares are too familiar for us to recommend the film. Start with *Insidious* for Elise, or *There's Something About Mary* for an actor willing to look ridiculous. ## Biography Lin Shaye is an American actress, also credited as Linda Shaye. Born on 12 October 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, she studied art history at the University of Michigan and later earned an MFA in acting from Columbia University School of the Arts. She began her career in New York theatre, appearing in off-Broadway and Broadway productions, before moving to Los Angeles in 1977. Shaye has appeared in more than a hundred feature films. She is known for her role as Elise Rainier in the *Insidious* series, including *Insidious* (2010), *Insidious: Chapter 2* (2013), *Insidious: Chapter 3* (2015), *Insidious: The Last Key* (2018) and *Insidious: The Red Door* (2023). Other credits include *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984), *Dumb and Dumber* (1994), *There's Something About Mary* (1998) and several Farrelly brothers comedies. She is the sister of film executive Robert Shaye. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *Insidious: Out of the Further* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Elise Rainier — [page](https://film.one/film/insidious-out-of-the-further.md) - *Common Side Effects* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Sonia (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/common-side-effects.md) - *Insidious: The Red Door* (2023), Fi1m 54, as Elise Rainier — [page](https://film.one/film/insidious-the-red-door.md) - *Insidious* (2011), Fi1m 70, as Elise Rainier — [page](https://film.one/film/insidious.md) - *My Name Is Earl* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Paul's Mom — [page](https://film.one/tv/my-name-is-earl.md) - *There's Something About Mary* (1998), Fi1m 78, as Magda — [page](https://film.one/film/theres-something-about-mary.md) - *Dumb and Dumber* (1994), Fi1m 76, as Mrs. Neugeboren — [page](https://film.one/film/dumb-and-dumber.md) - *My So-Called Life* (1994), Fi1m 87, as Parent #2 — [page](https://film.one/tv/my-so-called-life.md) - *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984), Fi1m 83, as Teacher — [page](https://film.one/film/a-nightmare-on-elm-street.md) ## Complete filmography (197) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Insidious: Out of the Further* (2026), as Elise Rainier — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/insidious-out-of-the-further.md) - *Scared to Death* (2026), as Max · Executive Producer - *House of Abraham* (2025), as Executive Producer - *Common Side Effects* (2025), series, as Sonia (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/common-side-effects.md) - *The Last Stand of Ellen Cole* (2024), as Ellen · Executive Producer - *Insidious: The Red Door* (2023), as Elise Rainier — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/insidious-the-red-door.md) - *Remote* (2022), as Kane - *We Are Gathered Here Today* (2022), as Jean Cole - *The Quarry: Movie Mode* (2022), as Constance Hackett - *Frank and Penelope* (2022), as Ophelia - *Pines* (2022), as Julie (voice) - *Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman* (2021), as Mrs. Bundy - *The Call* (2020), as Edith Cranston - *Max Reload and the Nether Blasters* (2020), as Mrs. Wylder - *The Voices* (2020), as The Vagabond - *Dreamkatcher* (2020), as Ruth · Executive Producer - *Penny Dreadful: City of Angels* (2020), series, as Dottie Minter - *Darkness Falls* (2020), as Angela Anderson - *The Grudge* (2019), as Faith Matheson - *Gothic Harvest* (2019), as Griselda - *Ambition* (2019), as Lady Bum - *Get Gone* (2019), as Mama - *Room for Rent* (2019), as Joyce · Co-Producer - *The Final Wish* (2019), as Kate Hammond - *Herbert West: Reanimator* (2018), as Meredith - *Los Angeles Overnight* (2018), as Cousins - *Insidious: The Last Key* (2018), as Elise Rainier - *All About the Money* (2017), as Mrs. Womack - *Buster's Mal Heart* (2017), as Pauline - *The Black Room* (2017), as Miss Black - *Grow House* (2017), as Mrs. Gilliam - *Mountain Top* (2017), as Muriel Miller - *Abattoir* (2016), as Allie - *Ouija: Origin of Evil* (2016), as Old Paulina Zander - *The Midnight Man* (2016), as Anna - *Director's Cut* (2016), as Captain Wheeler - *Texas Heart* (2016), as Mrs. Smith - *Jack Goes Home* (2016), as Teresa - *Tales of Halloween* (2015), as Lynn's Mother - *Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves* (2015), as Helen Keller - *Insidious: Chapter 3* (2015), as Elise Rainier - *Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha* (2015), as The Grand Lady - *Grace* (2014), as Helen - *Ouija* (2014), as Paulina Zander - *Lost Time* (2014), as Mysterious Woman - *The Signal* (2014), as Mirabelle - *All American Christmas Carol* (2013), as Barbara Belnap - *Big Ass Spider!* (2013), as Mrs. Jefferson - *Insidious: Spectral Sightings* (2013), series, as Elise - *Insidious: Chapter 2* (2013), as Elise Rainier - *Crazy Kind of Love* (2013), as Denise Mack - *Noobz* (2013), as Mrs. Theodore - *EastSiders* (2012), series, as Diane - *Life's an Itch* (2012), as Gloria - *Matchmaker Santa* (2012), as Debbie - *FDR: American Badass!* (2012), as Eleanor Roosevelt - *3 Days of Normal* (2012), as May - *Jewtopia* (2012), as Dr. Sutton - *The Three Stooges* (2012), as Nurse Crotchet - *Waffle Hut* (2012), as Jerrie Wolf - *Rosewood Lane* (2011), as Mrs. Hawthorne - *Chillerama* (2011), as Baglady / Nurse Maleva - *A Good Old Fashioned Orgy* (2011), as Dody - *I Was a Teenage Werebear* (2011), Actor - *Insidious* (2011), as Elise Rainier — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/insidious.md) - *Take Me Home* (2011), as Jill - *Sedona* (2011), as Claire - *Goldberg - P.I.* (2011), as Violet - *Farewell Mr. Kringle* (2010), as Zelda - *The Land of the Astronauts* (2010), Actor - *Next Stop Murder* (2010), as Detective Reeson - *The Accidental Death of Joey by Sue* (2010), as Mrs. Rawlings - *Small Town Saturday Night* (2010), as Phyllis Ryan - *Pickin' and Grinnin'* (2010), as Bonnie Johnson - *2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams* (2010), as Granny Boone - *The Penthouse* (2010), as Frances - *Killer by Nature* (2010), as Leona - *VideoDome Rent-O-Rama* (2010), as The Lush - *Dark Moon Rising* (2009), as Sunny - *Stuntmen* (2009), as Bumble Jackson - *American Cowslip* (2009), as Lou Anne - *My Sister's Keeper* (2009), as Nurse Adele - *Doggie Heaven* (2008), as Woman - *Chronic Town* (2008), as Nurse - *Asylum* (2008), as String's Mother - *Killer Pad* (2008), as Marge - *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Mrs. Taylor - *Chasing Robert* (2007), as Martha the Bookie - *The Election* (2007), as The Wife - *Homo Erectus* (2007), as Museum Guide - *Pledge This!* (2007), as Miss Prin - *Driftwood* (2006), as Nancy Forrester - *Surf School* (2006), as Larry's Mom - *Down the P.C.H.* (2006), as Wendy O'Hara - *Snakes on a Plane* (2006), as Grace - *Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror* (2006), as Clara - *Bachelor Party Vegas* (2006), as Cassandra - *Hoboken Hollow* (2006), as Mrs. Brodrick - *Unbeatable Harold* (2006), as Jeannie - *My Name Is Earl* (2005), series, as Paul's Mom — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-name-is-earl.md) - *2001 Maniacs* (2005), as Granny Boone - *Drop Dead Sexy* (2005), as Ma Muzzy - *Confessions of an Action Star* (2005), as Samantha Jones - *Hate Crime* (2005), as Kathleen Slansky - *Born Killers* (2005), as Willow - *The Hillside Strangler* (2004), as Jenny Buono - *Cellular* (2004), as Exotic Car Driver - *A Cinderella Story* (2004), as Mrs. Wells - *The Almost Guys* (2004), as Repo Boss - *Who's Your Daddy?* (2004), as Ms. Harding - *Dead End* (2003), as Laura Harrington - *Stuck on You* (2003), as Makeup Babe - *Barely Legal* (2003), as Tequlia - *Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd* (2003), as Margie - *ManFast* (2003), as Marge - *Boat Trip* (2002), as Sonya the Coach - *Wish You Were Dead* (2002), as Jinny Macintosh - *Contagion* (2002), as Laura Crowley - *A Letter from My Father* (2001), as Elise - *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Leather Lauren - *Say It Isn't So* (2001), as Nurse Bautista - *Without Charlie* (2001), Actor - *Attention Shoppers* (2000), as Libby - *Me, Myself & Irene* (2000), as Mrs. Caleron - *Detroit Rock City* (1999), as Mrs. Bruce - *Becker* (1998), series, as Mrs. Cooper - *Living Out Loud* (1998), as Lisa's Nurse - *There's Something About Mary* (1998), as Magda — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/theres-something-about-mary.md) - *Breakfast with Einstein* (1998), as Miss Desmond - *Perversions of Science* (1997), series, as Nurse - *Trading Favors* (1997), as Darla - *Last Man Standing* (1996), as The Madame - *Arli$$* (1996), series, as Shurja - *Kingpin* (1996), as Landlady - *Project: ALF* (1996), as Waitress - *Nature of the Beast* (1995), as Carol Powell - *Trial by Fire* (1995), as Phyliis Cardell - *Sketch Artist II: Hands That See* (1995), as Bonnie - *Dumb and Dumber* (1994), as Mrs. Neugeboren — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/dumb-and-dumber.md) - *Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter* (1994), as Inmate - *Wes Craven's New Nightmare* (1994), as Nurse with Pills - *ER* (1994), series, as Margaret — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *My So-Called Life* (1994), series, as Parent #2 — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-so-called-life.md) - *Corrina, Corrina* (1994), as Repeat Nanny - *Even Cowgirls Get the Blues* (1994), as Rubber Rose Maid - *In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance* (1994), as Foreman #2 - *Brain Smasher... A Love Story* (1993), as Make up Artist - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Anne — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *The Hidden II* (1993), as Carol Miller (archive footage) - *Amityville: A New Generation* (1993), as Nurse Turner - *Three of Hearts* (1993), as Operator - *The Temp* (1993), as Rosemary - *National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1* (1993), as Witness - *Roadside Prophets* (1992), as Celeste - *Critters 3* (1991), as Sal (archive footage) - *Pump Up the Volume* (1990), as PTA Parent #3 - *Book of Love* (1990), as Mrs. Flynn - *Life Goes On* (1989), series, as Parent #2 - *Lucky Stiff* (1988), as Bratty Kid's Mom - *Critters 2* (1988), as Sal - *The Running Man* (1987), as Propaganda Officer - *The Hidden* (1987), as Carol Miller - *Mistress* (1987), as Woman Customer - *Slam Dance* (1987), as Librarian - *Extreme Prejudice* (1987), as Employment Office Clerk - *My Demon Lover* (1987), as Anemic Counter Girl - *Stillwatch* (1987), Actor - *Critters* (1986), as Sally - *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as Kate Simmons (segment "Chameleon") - *Brewster's Millions* (1985), as Journalist at Rally - *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984), as Teacher — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/a-nightmare-on-elm-street.md) - *Who's the Boss?* (1984), series, as Mrs. Padnick - *Highway to Heaven* (1984), series, as Lila Barnes - *Summer Fantasy* (1984), as Woman on Beach - *Why Me?* (1984), Actor - *Alone in the Dark* (1982), as Receptionist at Haven - *Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again* (1982), as Nurse with Telegram - *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, as Secretary — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md) - *Falcon Crest* (1981), series, as Smoking Female Prisoner - *A Cry for Love* (1980), Actor - *The Long Riders* (1980), as Kate - *The Seeding of Sarah Burns* (1979), as 2nd Nurse - *The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal* (1979), as Freida - *Goin' South* (1978), as Parasol Lady - *A Secret Space* (1977), as Amy - *Sex and the Married Woman* (1977), as Sandra - *Eight Is Enough* (1977), series, as Band Member - *Hester Street* (1975), as Whore - *Before Memory*, Actor - *The Old World*, as The Aunt (voice) - *Mascotland*, Actor - *The Bench*, Actor - *Jackson's Hole*, as Netter - *Devoted*, as Aunt Dottie - *Dead of Nowhere 3D*, as Meemaw - *The Possession at Gladstone Manor*, as Nurse - *Carrier*, as Joan Pierson ## Gallery - ![Doug Jones & Lin Shaye at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/16436/gallery-8fcb804e9764.jpg) Doug Jones & Lin Shaye at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Doug_Jones_%26_Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026.jpg/1280px-Doug_Jones_%26_Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Kurt Deimer & Lin Shaye at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/16436/gallery-e538e6494548.jpg) Kurt Deimer & Lin Shaye at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Kurt_Deimer_%26_Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg/1280px-Kurt_Deimer_%26_Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Kurt Deimer & Lin Shaye at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/16436/gallery-df79e0e12b46.jpg) Kurt Deimer & Lin Shaye at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Kurt_Deimer_%26_Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg/1280px-Kurt_Deimer_%26_Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lin Shaye, Beverly Hills California on April 28, 2017 - Photo by Glenn Francis of www.PacificProDigital.com](https://film.one/media/person/16436/gallery-1a4c72f931b5.jpg) Lin Shaye, Beverly Hills California on April 28, 2017 - Photo by Glenn Francis of www.PacificProDigital.com — Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Lin_Shaye_2017.jpg/1280px-Lin_Shaye_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lin Shaye](https://film.one/media/person/16436/gallery-35f0c75fc454.jpg) Lin Shaye — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026.jpg/1280px-Lin_Shaye_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lin-shaye