Horror films are incomplete without their legendary and terrifying antagonists. For decades, horror films have depended on the enigmatic and mute nature of its primary villains, such as Jason Voorhees terrifying all Camp Crystal Lake guests or Michael Myers relentlessly tormenting the residents of Haddonfield, Illinois.
But who are the actors behind these unforgettable monsters? Discover the performers who brought these dark figures to life, including Nick Castle, Brad Dourif, Derek Mears, and more, each contributing to the horror genre’s most iconic villains.
Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger
Robert Englund has been haunting nightmares since 1984, thanks to his iconic portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Unlike Nick Castle, who returned for the Halloween series’ final trilogy, Englund was the sole actor to take on the role of Krueger until Jackie Earle Haley stepped in for the 2010 remake.
Fans and critics alike reacted negatively to the reboot without Englund, labeling it a “series low,” and it led to no further sequels. Despite the significant role Krueger has played in his career, Englund, now 76, has stated he won’t be reprising the role. “I’m too old and thick to play Freddy now,” he joked. “I just can’t do fight scenes for more than one take anymore; I’ve got a bad neck, bad back, and arthritis in my right wrist. So I have to hang it up, but I would love to cameo.”
Englund has suggested that Kevin Bacon would make an excellent successor. He praised Bacon for his respect for the genre and his physical acting prowess, stating, “I think that in the silences and in the way Kevin moves — it would be interesting.”
Nick Castle as Michael Meyers
Though various actors have donned the mask of Michael Myers throughout the Halloween series, Nick Castle, now 76, was both the original and the final performer to embody the infamous villain.
Castle first brought the menacing Myers to life in the franchise’s debut film in 1978. After taking a step back as the series evolved and spun off into different versions, Castle returned to his iconic role for the final trilogy. He reprised his role in Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022), closing out the franchise’s legacy.
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise
While his brother Alexander is known for playing tough guys on TV, Bill Skarsgård took things to a chilling new level by portraying the terrifying, sewer-dwelling clown Pennywise in It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019).
Bill not only slipped into Pennywise’s oversized clown shoes but also revealed to Conan O’Brien that his signature creepy expression had its roots in his childhood. “My older brother Gustaf, who’s also an actor, had this peculiar way of pointing his lip,” the 33-year-old shared. “I somehow figured out I could do it too,” he added, demonstrating the eerie face. “I created this character named Jürgen, and I’d pull my T-shirt over my head to cover my face and scare my little brother.”
Brad Dourif as Chucky
Another horror icon, Brad Dourif, has been the voice behind Chucky since the Child’s Play franchise began in 1988. Not only has Dourif lent his voice to the infamous possessed doll in the films, but he has also reprised the role for the Chucky TV series.
Dourif, now 73, has clearly found his niche in the horror genre. His impressive resume includes roles such as Sheriff Lee Brackett in Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009), The Gemini Killer in The Exorcist, and serial killer Adam Rain in an episode of Criminal Minds.
Jamie Clayton as Pinhead
Jamie Clayton stepped into the role of Pinhead in the Hellraiser franchise in 2022, following in the footsteps of Doug Bradley, Stephen Smith Collins, and Paul T. Taylor.
Although she wasn’t a method actor, Clayton acknowledged that she needed to keep some distance from her co-stars while on set. “I’m used to walking onto set and everyone being friendly,” the 45-year-old told Entertainment Weekly. “But for this role, I had to be really quiet and say, ‘Don’t you f—ing talk to me.’”
Clayton explained that staying in character was essential for her portrayal. “It’s a heavy place to go to, so I couldn’t just snap in and out of it. I had to remain in character even while they were setting up shots and fixing the set.”
Bonnie Morgan as Evil Samara
Emerging from the well and leaving a chilling mark on audiences was Bonnie Morgan, who portrayed Samara in 2017’s Rings, the latest installment in The Ring franchise. But Morgan’s horror credentials extend beyond this role. Fans of the franchise will also recall her as the girl who executed the spine-tingling spider crawl in 2005’s The Ring Two, chasing Naomi Watts’ character.
The 42-year-old contortionist, known for her unsettling movements, has had a significant impact on the horror genre. “I’ve been told that I’m actually responsible for contortion zombies and contortion horror,” Morgan shared with DailyDead.com. “You see it in movies like The Exorcism of Emily Rose and others. People say I set the trend with that movement, and I’m like, ‘Really? Cool!’ I always thought it was The Exorcist, but I’ll gladly take the credit.”
Roger L. Jackson as Ghostface
Hold onto your pearls for this fun fact: Roger L. Jackson, the voice behind the serial killer Ghostface in the Scream franchise, is also the iconic voice of Mojo Jojo from the children’s cartoon The Powerpuff Girls.
Despite the identity of Ghostface changing with each Scream film, Jackson’s chilling phone voice has remained a constant since he first took on the role in 1996. At 65, Jackson’s impressive voice acting career also includes roles in video games such as Star Trek, The Lion King: Simba’s Mighty Adventure, and The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena, among many others.
