NEWS
EVENTS
5 actors that will make you shit your pants
Other | Wednesday 8th January 2014 | Matt
Horror has been one of the most successful genres in film history. Unlike other film genres, 'Horror' doesn't necessarily need to rely on A-List Hollywood actors to make a hit film. That does not mean that the acting does not play a huge role in the success of the film. The ability of an actor to convey a genuine sense of fear or evil (depending on the role) is just as important as good effects or a well written story. I have compiled a list of 5 of the most important actors in the horror genre. Who would you have chosen?
NO.5 - BILL MOSELY
Bill Mosely is the King of cult horror films, appearing in more than you could shake a stick at including Repo: the Genetic Opera, Babysitter Wanted and the Tortured. He first came to prominence in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 as Chop Top: Leatherface's deranged, sadistic serial killing brother and partner in crime. More recently he is known for playing the truly terrifying Otis B Driftwood in Rob Zombie's much loved 'The Devil's Rejects' and 'House of 100 Corpses' the role showed us again why he is considered one of the best at what he does. He was convincingly vile and never once left the audience in any doubt about the fact that he is one mean mother you do not want to mess with.
NO. 4 - BRUCE CAMPBELL
Campbell's boisterous and sometimes over the top acting style and brilliant one-liners have garnered a huge cult following. It was Sam Raimi's 1981 'The Evil Dead' that catapulted him from a a struggling actor and film maker into a cult icon over night. Since then he has appeared in the movie's two sequels as well as numerous other cult classics such as 'Maniac Cop' and 'Bubba Ho-Tep' and even a comedy horror film called 'My name is Bruce' in which he pretty much parodies himself and his cult status by playing Bruce Campbell, a cult horror actor who finds himself in a real life horror scenario. This, plus an entire website dedicated to hilarious, outrageous, and normally untrue facts about Bruce Campbell is a true to testament to the impact he has had on the world of horror.
NO. 3 - VINCENT PRICE
The most evil voice in show business! Vincent Price was a true pioneer of the genre appearing in dozens of Horrors throughout his illustrious career. From the eccentric millionaire Fredriwch Loren in House on Haunted Hill (1959) to the Professor in the original House of Wax. He will probably always be best known, however, for his spine tingling monologue that was featured on Michael Jackson's Thriller. The title track off of the worlds best selling album of the same name. A true Legend.
NO.2 - ROBERT ENGLAND
A classically trained actor: Englund had become typecasted in the 70's as an amiable nerd. It wasn't until 1984 when he took the role of Freddy Krueger in the hugely popular 'Nightmare on Elm Street' that he really became a big player in the Horror scene. He brought a real sense of menace to his heavily disfigured role as the child murderer who came to children in their nightmares. After his huge success in the film, Englund went on to reprise the role in many of the sequels and spin offs including Nightmare on Elm Street 1 through 5 and Freddy vs. Jason. Outside of Elm Street England has become a staple of the horror genre starring or making cameos in dozens of horror flicks including Idle hands, Strangeland, Zombie Strippers, Hatchet and 2001 Maniacs. He is known to bring a sense menace and insanity mixed with a tongue in cheek, often dead pan, sense of humour to his roles.
NO.1 - SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE
Having appeared in about 100 or so Horror movies dating back to as long ago as the 1950s and still appearing in horrors now there's is no single actor than has done more for the genre than Christopher Lee. His quintessential portrayal of Dracula in the 1958 adaption of the book has never been done so well before or after and will go down in history as probably the most iconic role in a horror film ever. That's not to say his work since is not to be taken seriously, from his roles with 'Hammer' films in the 60s and 70's to his current work today, Lee never approaches a role without giving it 100%. He has played almost every kind of horror villain ranging from: Frankenstein's monster, The Mummy to Rapsutin and Dr. Jekyll/Mr Hyde to his personal favourite: Lord Summerisle in 'The Wicker Man'. He has played good guys, bad guys and everything in between, showing he has no limitations in his versatility and also making him the most important actor in the history of Horror.
Written by Matt Watkins
@DarkSideNewz
