Actress Pamela Susan Shoop portrays Nurse Karen in Halloween II.

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Last updated: June 03, 2003

   On October 31, 1978 Michael Myers returned home for the first time in fifteen years.  His target was his sister Laurie Strode.  However, Michael found that finding Laurie was not as easy as killing her.  Not only did Laurie defend her life with valor but several people seemed to find themselves in the path of Michaels wrath.  In his pursuit of Laurie, Michael would kill thirteen innocent people.  One of these victims was Nurse Karen Bailey who was an employee at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital. (If you have the DVD version of Halloween II and if your DVD player has a zoom feature, you can zoom in on her name tag and clearly see that her last name is Bailey.)

    Nurse Karen, played by Pamela Susan Shoop, balanced charm, quick wit and good looks.  Karen was wonderful, caring person but made mistakes like everyone else.  The character had a sense of innocence about her that made her vulnerable but sexy at the same time.  Besides Laurie, Nurse Karen may have been the strongest character in Halloween II.  I feel that her death should have occurred later in the film via a different method.  But alas, I am not a filmmaker but if I need a vivacious, dedicated, innocent actress to play a role in my film, Pamela Susan Shoop would be my first choice.

Pamela Susan Shoop 2001

Did You Know

• Her brother, Steve, is a doctor.

• Father, Major General Clarence A. Shoop, was Vice President of Hughes Aircraft Company, head of flight testing for Howard Hughes, and Commander-in-Chief of the California Air National Guard until his death in 1968. During World War II, General Shoop flew the first reconnaissance mission over Omaha Beach on D-Day. 

• Co-authored, with her husband Terrance A. Sweeney, the book, What God Hath Joined : The Real Life Love Story that Shook the Catholic Church.

• Apart from her numerous movie and television credits Pamela Susan Shoop is an accomplished stage actress. Her stage credits include productions of GENERATION, with Robert Cummings, PICNIC, playing "Madge" opposite Robert Horton, playing "Julie" in A GOOD LOOK AT BONEY KERN with Don Knotts, and "Mary" in DINNER AND DRINKS opposite William Katt.

Nurse Karen Photos

The photos below are taken from the Halloween II TV Cut

More Nurse Karen Photos are located in my Shapes Women area

Ms. Shoop's photograph was acquired from her Official site

My Favorite Halloween Murder

NURSE KARENS SWIMMING LESSON

BUD IS BUSY AT THE MOMENT

KAREN HAS A VISITOR

AND YET HE DOES HAVE WARM HANDS

KAREN GOES FOR A SWIM...GOODBYE KAREN!!

A FEW PHOTOS WERE TAKEN FROM PAMELA SUSAN SHOOPS OFFICIAL SITE.

The Exclusive Interview:

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What do you remember the most about filming Halloween II?

Ms. Shoop: Well, let's see...there are so many things that come to mind.  I suppose that Rick Rosenthal is a large part of my memories in that he was such a conscientious director.  I learned a lot from working with him.  I'd never done a horror film like that before, and it was really an education in a genre that was unfamiliar to me.  I found the night shooting on location to be really stimulating, too...it always helps to get into the character when the ambience is so real.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: Today, in comparison to 1981 how do you feel about your infamous nude scene?

Ms. Shoop: At the time we shot the nude scene, I was really uncomfortable.  It is the only one I've ever done, and I was a bit distressed by the fact that, although I'd been promised a "closed set," the tiny whirlpool room had 19 people in it!  It took two days to film, and on the second day, I didn't want to return to the set.  I remember walking through the parking lot, dreading the day ahead.  But I also learned that if you get into your character fully enough, you lose sight of your own inhibitions.  I just tried to keep in character and block everyone out - much the same as in any scene.  Today, I probably would approach it differently and with a bit more maturity.  But, all in all, I'm the same person, so I'd do my job and hope for the best!

Mike's Halloween Homepage: When was the last time that you saw Halloween II and what was your reaction?

Ms. Shoop: Actually, I saw it a few months ago.  I try to watch it whenever it's on.  I always wish - as did you - that my character didn't die quite so early!  I'm always a little sad that some of the other scenes were deleted from the final version of the film because they showed more character development.  It's a role I would like to have explored on screen further...but I was pleased with what I did.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What was your personal reaction to the Michael Myers mask?

Ms. Shoop: Actually, I never quite understood the mask thing.  I don't see why they couldn't just use an actor's face...was Michael wearing the mask because it was Halloween?  Was that just his face?  I was never really sure!  But it certainly seems to have been effective!

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What was your best experience with a Halloween fan?

Ms. Shoop: The best?  I have had nothing but terrific fan experiences through Halloween II.  I am always intrigued and flattered by what fans have to say about my performance - and genuinely surprised at their loyalty and interest!  Last April I was a guest at the Chiller Theatre show in New Jersey, and I'm still getting email from some of the folks I met there.  It makes an actor feel great!

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What was it like being on the set with Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence?

Ms. Shoop: Both Jamie and Donald were consummate professionals on the set.  Unfortunately, my character and Donald's didn't interact;  however, I loved to stand back and watch him work.  He was so intense. It's a great loss to our community of actors that he is no longer with us.  And Jamie was so much fun!  She had such difficult things to do, but always went forward with a smile on her face. She gave 100% to every scene.  We used to love to hang out in her trailer during the wee small hours of night shooting.  She was gracious and is a wonderful actress.  I hope to work with her again one day.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: How was Rick Rosenthal as a director?

Ms. Shoop: Rick was so thorough and paid great attention to even the smallest details in our performances.  He helped me to create layers in "Karen" that were unlike my initial interpretation of her. He is not as involved with the "gore," but more involved with building suspense, and I like that.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What were your impressions of the Nurse Karen character?

Ms. Shoop: Well, I felt that because she was a nurse, she should have a level of responsibility and maturity to her.  I didn't think that jumping into a hot tub with sleeping sick kids was something she would do without a bit of conscience and forethought.  I tried to play her with vulnerability and sensitivity...I always like to "go against type" in a performance.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: Have you ever met P.J. Soles from the original film?

Ms. Shoop: I don't think I've met any of the other actors, but I've worked with Ana Alicia twice since Halloween II.  PJ Soles did a great job in Halloween I.  However, she was a hot-blooded teenager. I felt my character should have more depth.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What were your impressions of Debra Hill?

Ms. Shoop: Debra Hill is a wonderful producer...she stuck by me at very difficult times on the set. There were times shooting the nude scene when I was particularly happy to have a female producer, and I would most certainly love to work with her again.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What is your favorite film/movie of all time?

Ms. Shoop: Wow...gosh, there are so many.  I loved a film called, "Portrait of Jenny" years ago with Jennifer Jones.  I tend to like old films more than recent ones...they just seem to have more plot.
Perhaps I'm just a romantic at heart!  Of course, the classics are favorites, and just about anything that Maggie Smith ever did.

Mike's Halloween Homepage: Who are your influences as a actress?

Ms. Shoop: My mother, actress Julie Bishop/Jacqueline Wells, was my biggest influence.  In a career that spanned four decades and included 84 films, I grew to admire her profession and wanted to emulate her.  She passed away on her birthday this last August, and it has saddened me greatly.  I remember as a child, sitting on her dressingroom floor, and her teaching me about reading lines.  She was a wonderful inspiration.  I toured with her when I was fourteen and she was in a play with Bob Cummings...and I got the bug!

Mike's Halloween Homepage: What are you into today?

Ms. Shoop: A few years ago, I co-authored a book with my husband, Rev. Terrance A. Sweeney, entitled WHAT GOD HATH JOINED.  You can read about it in my website at: pamelasusanshoop.com.  (The new one will be up shortly.)  I haven't been onscreen since 1996, but I am beginning to entertain the idea of returning to work in front of the cameras.  What do you think?

Mike's Halloween Homepage: Your fans would love to see you onscreen again.  Mr. Akkad should give you a call for Halloween 9!!!! Take care of yourself Ms. Shoop!!!!

Ms. Shoop: Congratulations on your terrific site!  And, as always, my thanks to you and the fans for keeping Halloween II alive - and for taking such an interest in my character!  All the best!

Mike's Halloween Homepage extends it's most gracious thanks for Pamela Susan Shoop for taking the time to participate in this interview.  She is one special person, thanks again Ms. Shoop!!!!

All photos made by myself, Jeff Davis or acquired from the internet between 1997-2001

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