Bruce Campbell’s 5 Most Iconic Horror Roles
Tyler Doupe'
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Bruce Campbell is a bona fide horror icon. He has made a name for himself as the lead character in one of horror’s most iconic franchises. And has also enjoyed success as a character actor in both film and television. Campbell has gifted audiences with a vast array of highly-quotable one-liners via a series of unforgettable outings. He’s even made a name for himself as an author, with an impressive bibliography, to boot! Simply put: Bruce Campbell is a legend. And not just in his own mind.
In celebration of the beloved thespian’s storied career, we are looking back on Campbell’s five most iconic turns in the horror genre. So, keep reading for our top picks, and don’t forget to stay groovy.
5. Joe Fasulo in The Woods
Since so many of Campbell’s most memorable roles see the actor featuring as something of a man-child, it’s a bit strange to see him taking on a paternal role. But he doesn’t play an entirely typical father figure in The Woods. He is henpecked by his overbearing wife Alice (Emma Campbell) who isn’t afraid to speak on his behalf and takes great care to be critical at every opportunity. Alice speaks often enough that both her husband and daughter Heather (Agnes Bruckner) seem to intentionally make themselves scarce to avoid her wrath.
While Campbell’s screentime in The Woods is somewhat minimal, he, nonetheless, manages to make an impression. While the role is a departure from the expected, it allows Campbell to show off his versatility. Joe comes off as meek and weary, barely uttering a word for much of the time he appears onscreen. Yet, in spite of being constantly frazzled and not having much to say, it is always clear that he loves his daughter. He doesn’t demonstrate that in words as much as by way of facial expressions and mannerisms that suggest a deep and undying love for the troubled teenager we see him dropping off at boarding school during the film’s opening.
4. Jack Forrest in The Maniac Cop Films
Like Jack Fasulo in The Woods Jack Forrest in Maniac Cop is a more subdued role, compared to some of Campbell’s more outlandish turns. Jack Forrest doesn’t have the sharp tongue or overly-snarky wit with which Campbell fans are likely quite familiar. But that’s part of what makes the actor’s appearance in Maniac Cop noteworthy. It marks a departure from the expected and allows us to see a different side of the actor. Sadly, we don’t get to see much of Jack in the second Maniac Cop film. But it is, nonetheless, a pleasure to see the man with the chin pop in for a glorified cameo in the follow-up effort.
3. Bruce Campbell in My Name is Bruce
Before there was The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, there was My Name is Bruce. This flick sees Bruce Campbell playing a fictionalized version of himself and lovingly poking fun at some of the outrageous roles for which he is best known. Like in The Evil Dead franchise, Campbell plays an unlikely hero that manages to save the day, in spite of the odds.
The actor serves up quite a few memorable one-liners in this often-overlooked offering. The film blurs the lines between fantasy and reality and finds the actor adopting a persona similar to that which he has taken up time and again in his films. But this time, it’s for real and the stakes are higher than ever.
2. Elvis Presley/Sebastian Haff in Bubba Ho-Tep
Bubba Ho-Tep is classic Bruce Campbell. The actor appears like the type of sarcastic, self-serving character he is well-known for playing. But, in Bubba Ho-Tep, it’s a much older version of said character. So, there is a crotchety, curmudgeonly quality to the role that makes Campbell’s turn as an aging (but not dead) Elvis Presley (who claims to have traded places with an Elvis impersonator named Sebastian Haff) fighting a soul-sucking mummy all the more memorable.
I cannot fathom any other actor tackling this role. It is so uniquely tailored to Campbell that without him, the picture would almost certainly not work. This is the role he was born to play. And he slays.
1. Ash in The Evil Dead Franchise
Bruce Campbell was first introduced to a large segment of his fanbase by way of his iconic turn in The Evil Dead films. The actor has appeared as Ash Williams in the original Evil Dead trilogy; he popped up in a post-credit sequence in the 2013 remake; and Campbell also headlined the Starz original series, Ash vs. Evil Dead.
While the actor’s resume is storied and prolific, it would be nearly impossible to get more iconic than Ash. Not only is Ash the most noteworthy role Campbell has taken on, but Ash is also one of the most memorable horror protagonists ever. His one-liners are unforgettable. His prowess at fending off Deadites is unmatched. And all that combined with his lack of self-awareness makes him the perfect accidental hero.
As a die-hard fan of Bruce Campbell’s work, I am grateful for all the chuckles and chills he has given us over the past 40+ years and I anxiously await 40 more years of unforgettable, iconic performances.
If you’re keen to chat more about iconic Bruce Campbell roles, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @FunWithHorror.
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