Arliss's acting career began at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.[3] She gained attention in Arthur L. Kopit's Broadway play Indians (1970), playing Teskanjavila.[4] She also appeared on Broadway as Eurydice in Antigone (1971) and as Catherine Petkoff in Arms and the Man (1985).[4]
Her films included The Sting (1973), in which she portrayed the contract killer Loretta Salino,[5]Xanadu, Firefox, and Bless the Child. Her acting on television included Bella Mia and Rich Man, Poor Man and episodes of Dallas and Quincy, M. E.[3]
Voice-over work
She voiced Anastasia Hardy in the Spider-Man: The Animated Series episodes "The Sins Of The Fathers, Chapter II: Make A Wish" (1995) and "The Sins Of The Fathers, Chapter IV: Enter The Green Goblin" (1996).[6]