The Haunting Lives of Horror Movie Stars: Unveiling Their Current Whereabouts
Discover the current whereabouts of your favorite horror movie stars! From Jamie Lee Curtis to Robert Englund, we reveal the latest updates on these iconic actors Get ready to be thrilled and surprised by their fascinating journeys in the world of horror
Being a child star in a horror film is no easy feat, but numerous actors have embraced the challenge. In October 2018, Jamie Lee Curtis, the lead in the original 1978 Halloween, shared her thoughts on the film's success. Despite its humble beginnings as a small-scale horror flick shot in just 20 days, she acknowledged its dedicated fanbase. Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her annoyance at the notion that the film's triumph was the result of meticulous planning or a stroke of genius, stating simply that it was not the case.
Curtis revealed that director John Carpenter would readily admit that they had no idea about the enormous success the film, along with its numerous sequels, would achieve.
According to Curtis, they were simply creating a slasher movie centered around killing babysitters. Shot in just 20 days and on a limited budget, the film was fast-paced, intense, and brutal. However, what it ultimately became had little to do with their original intentions.
She further explained that their main goal as young filmmakers was to make a movie and then use it as a stepping stone to create more films. The unexpected success of the film transformed it into something more than they had ever anticipated. It opened doors for future opportunities, rather than being seen as a significant achievement from the beginning.
Scroll through the gallery below to see where some of the biggest horror movie stars are today:
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Horror Movie Stars: Where Are They Now?
Being a child star in a horror movie poses significant challenges, yet numerous actors have embraced this role.
In October 2018, Jamie Lee Curtis, who played a lead role in the iconic 1978 Halloween film, shared her perspective with NME. She candidly expressed that the movie, despite its current popularity, was initially a low-budget production completed in a mere 20 days. Curtis emphasized her honesty in remarking that she is not attempting to be flippant or clever. She expressed frustration with the perception that the movie's success was predetermined or meticulously orchestrated, dismissing such notions as unfounded.
Curtis noted that director John Carpenter would readily admit that they had no idea how immensely successful the film, along with its numerous sequels, would become. The original intention of the movie was to create a low-budget slasher film centered around the killing of babysitters. It was a fast-paced, intense production filmed in just 20 days with minimal resources. However, the outcome surpassed their expectations, as the film turned out to be much more than they had initially intended. Curtis explained that the aim was simply to make a movie and then use it as a stepping stone to create more films as a young filmmaker. Yet, it unexpectedly became the catalyst for gaining future employment opportunities, rather than just a stand-alone project.
Scroll through the gallery below to see where some of the biggest horror movie stars are today:
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Danny Lloyd
The 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining featured a young child actor, who played the role of Danny Torrance, famously known for screaming "REDRUM". At just 5 years old during the filming, Lloyd had the opportunity to work alongside Jack Nicholson. Despite the eerie nature of his on-screen portrayal, Lloyd's life took a normal turn as he grew up. He pursued various career paths including becoming a pig farmer, science teacher, and eventually a father of six. Lloyd, in his first interview since childhood in 2013, expressed that he now enjoys a regular life where people no longer recognize him in public.
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Betsey Palmer
Palmer portrayed the sinister neighbor Mrs. Pamela Voorhees, also known as Mother Voorhees, in the original slasher film Friday the 13th (1980). Although offered the opportunity to reprise her role as Mother Voorhees in the 2003 movie Freddy vs. Jason, she declined. Additionally, she had appearances in Penny Dreadful and took on the role of the Bell Witch in the horror film of the same name released in 2007. Palmer passed away at the age of 88 in 2018.
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Tony Todd
The Night of the Living Dead (1990) and Final Destination series featured the actor in the roles of Ben and William Bludworth respectively. Nevertheless, Todd gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the chilling, hook-handed Candyman in the 1992 film bearing the same name. His career in Hollywood has been long and successful, with notable appearances including his return as Bludworth in Final Destination 5 in 2011 and his role in the recent remake of Night of the Living Dead.
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Sissy Spacek
The actress took on the leading role in the 1976 horror film, Carrie, which earned her an Oscar nomination. Playing the part of the prom queen, who is deeply humiliated and possesses the power of telekinesis, she exhibits a burning desire for revenge. Throughout her career, Spacek has continued to shine in Hollywood, appearing in acclaimed projects such as Bloodline, Castle Rock, and Homecoming.
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Christopher Lee
The suave British actor is most famous for his portrayal of Count Dracula in many successful Hammer Horror movies. He has also taken on a number of notable roles in the past ten years, notably playing the character Saruman in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. In 2009, Sir Christopher Lee was knighted for his contributions to the arts. In May 2014, just in time for his 92nd birthday, the legendary actor released a heavy metal album inspired by the exploits of Don Quixote. Lee passed away in June 2015 at the age of 93.
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John Franklin
The head of a creepy cult comprised of teens in Stephen King's film adaptation of Children of the Corn (1984) was played by the actor, who took on the role of Isaac Chroner. He later portrayed Cousin Itt in two separate Addams Family films. Currently known as John Salapatek, he has transitioned into a high school English teacher. Reflecting on his career, he expressed, "After the events of 9/11, I saw the shallowness of showbiz and felt a strong desire to leave a more significant impact than just being Cousin Itt." Teaching appeared to be the ideal path for him to utilize his theatrical talents. In addition to his teaching career, he has also made appearances in popular TV shows such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fresh Off the Boat, and Hell's Kitty.
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Bruce Campbell
Campbell portrayed the courageous protagonist, Ash Williams, in the initial 1981 rendition of The Evil Dead. Collaborating once again, Campbell and the original scriptwriter and director, Sam Raimi, made an exciting announcement regarding their joint venture for the upcoming TV series within the franchise. Titled Ash vs. Evil Dead, the thrilling show aired on Starz from 2015 to 2018.
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Devon Sawa
The child star, widely known for his notable performances in Casper and Little Giants, achieved a new level of fame when he portrayed Alex Browning in the 2000 horror thriller Final Destination. Recently, Sawa portrayed the character Owen Elliot in the CW series Nikita, which concluded after running for four seasons in late 2013. Sawa is happily married to Dawni Sahanovitch, and together they have two children. Excelling in the horror genre once again, the actor made a comeback in October 2021, taking on a role in the Chucky series presented by SyFy.
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Adrienne King
The lead role of Alice Hardy, the courageous survivor of Camp Crystal Lake in the original Friday the 13th (released in 1980), was expertly portrayed by the actress. While she reprised her role as Hardy in Part 2 of the horror franchise a year later, her character met a grim fate at the hands of Jason Voorhees. Despite subsequently starring in numerous horror movies, the actress is still widely recognized for her iconic portrayal in Friday the 13th. Furthermore, she showcased her talent by assuming the roles of the Queen of Dreams and the Private Nurse in Tales of Poe, released in 2014. Additionally, she thrilled audiences in 2020 with her performance as the protagonist in The Girl in Apartment 3.
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Jamie Lee Curtis
The ultimate "Scream Queen" of the spookiest night of the year is none other than Curtis. At just 19 years old, she astounded audiences as Laurie Strode, the resilient survivor in the renowned classic Halloween (1978) and its subsequent gripping sequels. Curtis continued to captivate horror enthusiasts with her performances in chilling films such as The Fog and Prom Night. Not limited to the realm of terror, Curtis soared to stardom in the 80s with sensational movies like Trading Places and A Fish Called Wanda. Adding to her illustrious career, she charmed viewers with recurring roles in beloved TV shows like NCIS and New Girl. Curtis's creativity extends beyond acting as she has authored numerous delightful children's books, such as Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day. To the delight of fans, she reprised her iconic portrayal of Laurie in the much-anticipated Halloween (2018) and the upcoming Halloween Kills (2021).
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Nick Castle
The actor who portrayed the iconic character of Michael Myers, also known as "The Shape," in the original 1978 film Halloween, directed by his childhood best friend John Carpenter, had a brief replacement only during the unmasking sequence with Tony Moran. Beyond his acting, Castle ventured into the realms of writing and directing, making his mark by contributing to the development of the script for the beloved 1991 fantasy film Hook. Furthermore, Castle co-wrote the screenplay for the romantic drama August Rush in 2007. In a nostalgic twist, he reprised his role as Michael Myers in a single scene in the 2018 iteration of Halloween.
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Robert Englund
Englund gained fame for his portrayal of the iconic slasher villain Freddy Krueger in the 1984 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street, directed by Wes Craven. In an interview with Den of Geek in August 2014, Englund expressed his belief that in an ideal world with an unlimited budget, Freddy would have a unique appearance for each person who encounters him. However, he acknowledged that Freddy's larger-than-life presence is felt by all because he exists in that world. Despite the passage of time, this horror movie legend continues to be active in the industry. Englund played the antagonist in the 2014 psychological horror thriller The Last Showing and has made guest appearances on popular television shows like Chuck, Hawaii Five-0, and Workaholics. Reflecting on his career, the actor mentioned that he was fortunate to have early success in the 1970s. He also expressed disappointment with the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street in the same interview. As a final tribute, Englund donned Freddy Krueger's iconic glove for the last time at a horror convention in August 2014.
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Zelda Rubinstein
The 4'3'' actress portrayed the clairvoyant character Tangina Barrons in Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist (1982). She arrived to "cleanse" the terrifying and enraged spirits that haunted a suburban family. The actress continued to play Tangina in the subsequent two installments of the Poltergeist series, which were released in 1986 and 1988. In addition, she appeared in other movies such as Sixteen Candles, Cages, and Teen Witch. Sadly, the actress passed away at the age of 76 in 2010 due to respiratory and kidney failure.
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Jonathan Breck
Breck portrayed the malevolent antagonist in the 2001 horror flick, Jeepers Creepers. In his latest movie appearance, he portrayed Winston Lawson in Parkland, which was released in 2013. Unquestionably, his most triumphant on-screen performance to date is his portrayal as "The Creeper" in Jeepers Creepers and its subsequent installment in 2003.
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Miko Hughes
The 1989 horror film, Pet Sematary, featured a child star named Gage Creed, who portrayed a creature after coming back from the dead. This breakout role paved the way for his appearances in subsequent films such as Kindergarten Cop (1990), Apollo 13 (1995), and Mercury Rising (1998), where he acted alongside Bruce Willis. Aaron Bailey, a character in the beloved TV sitcom Full House, was also brought to life by this talented young actor for a 13-episode arc. In 2015, he had several movies in the works, including A City of Shoulders and Noses and William Froste. However, his most recent acting project was in 2011's Remains, where he portrayed Jensen. He recently took to Instagram to share a photo of himself at the gym, revealing his fit physique and captioning it as "Getting back into that #fitlife."
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Mia Farrow
The doe-eyed actress, known for her captivating performances, took on the role of Rosemary Woodhouse in the iconic 1968 psychological horror film "Rosemary's Baby" directed by Roman Polanski. After captivating audiences with her talent, the actress took a break from the horror genre, only to make a chilling comeback in the 2006 remake of "The Omen" as the sinister Mrs. Baylock. Proving her versatility, she returned to the silver screen in 2022's "The Watcher," captivating audiences once again as Pearl Winslow. Beyond her successful acting career, this talented individual is also recognized as a humanitarian. With a rich personal life, she has been married twice and has the joy of being a mother to 15 children.
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Cary Elwes
In the 2004 psychological thriller, English actor Cary Elwes portrayed Dr. Lawrence Gordon, who finds himself trapped in the clutches of a notorious serial killer known as "Jigsaw." One particularly unforgettable scene involves Elwes' character making the harrowing decision to sever his own foot in order to stay alive. Alongside his iconic role in The Princess Bride, Elwes has enjoyed a consistent flow of acting opportunities in both television and film. Notably, he has appeared in recent projects such as the hit series Stranger Things (2019), the acclaimed show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2019), and the highly anticipated upcoming film Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Elwes tied the knot with Lisa Marie Kurbikoff in 2000, and the couple has been blessed with a child.
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Gunnar Hansen
The original version of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) featured the Icelandic-American actor Jedidiah "Jed" Sawyer, affectionately known as the creepy manic "Leatherface." After his role in Texas Chain Saw, Hansen transitioned from acting to writing. In 1988, he made a return to the spotlight in the scary movie spoof Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers. Throughout his acting career, Hansen also authored several books, one of which was his 1993 publication, Chain Saw Confidential. At the age of 68, he passed away in November 2015.
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Marilyn Burns
The actress starred in the 1974 original Texas Chain Saw Massacre as Sally Hardesty. Burns was found dead in her home in August 2014 at the age of 65.
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Linda Blair
Blair portrayed the character of Regan in the 1973 horror film, The Exorcist. Her performance was so convincing and compelling that she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 1974 Oscars. In the same year, she also won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Blair reprised her role as Regan in the 1977 sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic. Aside from her acting career, she hosted Fox Family's Scariest Places on Earth from 2000 to 2006. Additionally, Blair has become a prominent activist, advocating for animal rights and child welfare. She is the founder of the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation and has coauthored a book called Going Vegan.
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Harvey Stephens
Stephens, at the tender age of 4, was chosen to portray the character of Damien in the acclaimed 1976 original film, The Omen. This significant role continues to be the highlight of Stephens' acting journey. Additionally, he made a brief appearance as Tabloid Reporter #3 in the 2006 remake of the chilling horror movie.
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Lisa and Louise Burns
The Grady daughters, portrayed by the Burns sisters, instilled fear in little Danny Torrance in the renowned horror film The Shining (1980). However, these British siblings retreated from the public eye following the release of this cinematic masterpiece. Their current appearance was recently revealed by the British Film Institute in January 2014, who tweeted a cautionary caption alongside a photo. The tweet stated, "@RenHotels haunting another corridor. Don't take the lift!!"
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Jasen Fisher
The talented young actor, known for his portrayal of Luke Eveshim in the 1990 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches alongside Anjelica Huston, also graced the screens in Hook and Parenthood. Following these notable roles, he decided to wrap up his film career, and has since established himself as a professional golf caddy residing in Florida.
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