Marilyn Burns was an actress.
Marilyn Burns ; ( born Mary Lynn Ann Burns ; May 7 , 1949 -- August 5 , 2014 ) was an American actress who became known for her role as Sally Hardesty in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre film series . Her other film roles included Eaten Alive ( 1977 ) and Future-Kill ( 1985 ) . She is also known for portraying Linda Kasabian in the three-time Emmy-nominated television film Helter Skelter ( 1976 ) . Texas Chainsaw 3D . The film stars Alexandra Daddario , Dan Yeager , Trey Songz , Tania Raymonde , Scott Eastwood , Thom Barry , Paul Rae and Bill Moseley , with Gunnar Hansen and Marilyn Burns , who had appeared in the original 1974 film .