Catherine Corcoran (born May 30, 1992) is an American actress best known for her roles as Dawn Emerson in the Terrifier film franchise and Lauren Berggold in the Return to Nuke 'Em High films.
Personal life Corcoran was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and lived in Holland. She later moved to New York City.
Career To market the film Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1 at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Lloyd Kaufman setup a sham marriage ceremony for Corcoran and co-star Asta Paredes during the film's premiere. In 2025, Corcoran started FareStream Pictures and hosted the first episode of Shout! TV's Double Take series.
Terrifier
While filming Terrifier, Corcoran expressed doubt that Damien Leone's film would become so popular. During the MeToo movement, women who worked at Dread Central's Dread Presents did not appreciate the fate of Corcoran's character or how it was used to market the film. In 2023, she was unable to confirm if her character would return for Terrifier 3.
In 2025, Corcoran filed a lawsuit against Leone and producer Phil Falcone for not giving written consent to film her nude or to depict her nude body on merchandise. The scene was shot with her upside down 40 seconds at a time over a 10 hour period. Corcoran was paid a $100 SAG minimum daily rate, but also negotiated for 1% of profits. She said she started receiving royalty checks when Terrifier 2 released, but claims to have only been paid over $8,000 for her involvement in the franchise. Us Weekly obtained a non-disclosure agreement that had Corcoran's signature but not Dark Age Cinema's, the production company behind the franchise.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes2009The Lovely BonesMurder VictimUncreditedThe Seduction of EveDaughter at door2011Gossip GirlMinionEpisode: "Petty in Pink"2012On the Case with Paula ZahnShelbyEpisode: "The Art of Murder"2013Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1Lauren BerggoldThe Good WifeGrace's FriendEpisode: "The Next Week"2016ChuckSandyTerrifierDawn Emerson2017Return to Return to Nuke 'Em High AKA Volume 2Lauren BerggoldThe Special Without Brett DavisEpisode: "A Warlords Christmas"2018Long LostAbbyLast Vermont ChristmasAudreyTV Movie2019100 Acres of HellSissyAfterdeathShort2020Shakespeare's ShitstormMiranda's MomClick Next to ContinueDr. Crystal MadisonTV Short2022Terrifier 2Dawn Emerson2023Do Not WatchLeslie2025If It BleedsDiane WintersTBA3 Days RisingAnnabel PoeFilm adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher"JackalopeLillyAttack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence
References
External links
Interview at MITH Magazine