Karen Allen (born in 1951) is an American actress noted for her film career. After an appearance in *Animal House* (1978), she achieved international fame in the iconic role of Marion Ravenwood in Steven Spielberg's *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981). Here she portrayed an energetic, independent, and resourceful woman, becoming a strong female archetype in adventure cinema.

She solidified her career with significant roles, such as in *Starman* (1984) alongside Jeff Bridges, showcasing a more nuanced emotional range. Throughout the years, Allen has often portrayed resilient, intelligent, and spirited characters, as also demonstrated in *The Perfect Storm* (2000). She reprised her most celebrated role in the sequel *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* (2008), solidifying her legacy as an iconic figure in cinema.