Carmen Phillips, 65; Movie and TV Actress, Animal Rights Activist

Carmen Phillips, 65, an actress cast in small roles in some 20 films and 50 television series, including “Easy Rider” and “Perry Mason,” died Sept. 22 of lung cancer at Queen of Angels/Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital.

The Chicago native appeared on both the small and large screens from the late 1950s through the late ‘60s. On television, she was cast in episodes of the drama anthology “Alcoa Presents” and such series as “Perry Mason,” “Laramie,” “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,” “The Lieutenant” and “Laredo.”

In feature films, Phillips had roles in, among others, “Some Came Running” (1958), “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960), “Ocean’s Eleven” (1960), “Marnie” (1964) and “Easy Rider” (1969).

Phillips was an activist for actors rights and animal rights. She befriended many better-known colleagues, including actress Diane Ladd, who presided at her memorial service in Santa Barbara.