The Return of Karen Cliche
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Karen Cliche's career is a testament to embracing life's evolving chapters with confidence and purpose. After captivating audiences in fan-favorite series including Adventure Inc., Mutant X, Young Blades, and Flash Gordon, and leaving her mark on the Saw franchise, the Canadian actress stepped away from the spotlight to focus on motherhood. Today, she's enjoying an exciting return to the screen with an impressive lineup of projects, including Eli Roth's Ice Cream Man, MGM+'s The Westies, and The Bookie and the Bruiser. In this exclusive interview with Miami Living Magazine, Karen reflects on her return to acting and the exciting new chapter unfolding both on and off the screen.
Miami Living (ML): Welcome Karen, it's such a pleasure to have you with us. This has been such an exciting chapter in your career, with Ice Cream Man, The Westies, and The Bookie and the Bruiser all arriving in such a short span of time. Does this current chapter feel like a continuation of the journey you've always imagined, or has it taken you in directions you never expected?
Karen: I call this part of my life “post career interrupted” , after taking 12 years away from the biz to raise my daughter. So it is a continuation of sorts but I feel so different, it seems like a whole separate chapter for me. I am excited about the juicier roles, the deeper dive into what I am capable of after so much more lived experience.
ML: You first worked with Eli Roth on Thanksgiving, and now you've reunited with him for Ice Cream Man. What's something you've come to appreciate about him as a filmmaker that made you excited to collaborate with him again?
Karen: I adore Eli! He is like a kid in a candy shop…or an ice cream shop ;) when he directs or talks horror. He is right there with us when we are filming and loves the genre so much, you and the fans really feel it comes from a genuine passionate place. I also got to act with him this time, playing a married couple so that was such a treat. Especially since he is so good at improv, we had a blast.
ML: You've had the opportunity to work across so many different genres throughout your career, but horror has become such a memorable part of your journey. What is it about the genre that keeps you coming back to it?
Karen: It’s funny, I started my career in comedy, then action, then horror. All 3 require a letting go and pushing yourself hard. There is no “phoning it in” . To sell it means to immerse yourself completely in it and I love that. I also have come to love and appreciate horror fans too, they are so lovely when I meet them and have really inspired me to think about watching more horror films…. Though I would prefer to stick to acting in them!
ML: Your recent projects have paired you with an incredible lineup of actors, from Patrick Dempsey and J.K. Simmons to Vince Vaughn and Theo James. Is there someone you've worked with recently who surprised you in the best possible way, either on set or between takes?
Karen: I had never worked with Vince before and we had such great chemistry and we were in the hands of the incredible S.Craig Zahler who allowed us to take our time and indulge in non verbals, long beats, and undertone more than the dialogue itself. It was such a collaborative effort and he is sitting so close to you in the scenes, right there with you. I had such a great experience on the film, I can’t wait for you to see it.
ML: When you returned to acting after taking time away for your family, did it feel like picking up where you left off, or did it feel like beginning an entirely new chapter?
Karen: I couldn’t get arrested the first year back! Crickets. Nada. I was about to give up and say “hey well I tried! It’s too late, no one wants me anymore.” But then I made a big personal decision to leave my marriage and that unlocked some kind of universal energy and I started working again right away. And as I get older, I am excited about the types of roles available to me. Yes they are way less….but I think the world is more open now to female leads in their 40’s/50’s, as sexy strong women. I am looking forward to that.
ML: Beyond your work on screen, you've dedicated time to advocating against sex trafficking and supporting women's issues. How did you first become involved in this work, and what has it taught you over the years?
Karen: I was always a feminist - someone who wanted equal rights and safety as a woman. Who wouldn’t? I can’t believe how any women still say they aren’t. Makes no sense to me! I grew up in domestic violence and felt the injustice very strongly early on, so I started volunteering at women’s shelters at 18, as a receptionist, then in different cities I lived in, as a cleaner of second stage apartments, food banks, etc. Anything that could help. My mom left with nothing when my sister and I were 12/13 years old and we rebuilt a life. She is my inspiration and I wanted to share that hope with other women and girls too. I sponsored a couple of girls in Thailand and The Philippines to at least save them from the huge sex tourism industry there.
ML: As you look at this newest chapter of your career, what feels different today compared to the actress who first stepped onto a professional set all those years ago?
Karen: I wasn’t comfortable with vulnerability when I was younger. Hence why I was able to play “tough girls” so well. Since becoming a mom 17 yrs ago and having lived so many hardships but also so much love, I broke open and I now can access these emotions so easily, without fear. I think life experience and the wall coming down has made me a much better actress.
