These 13 Actors Have Earned the Right to be Called Scream Kings
Tyler Doupe'
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Although the term ‘scream queen’ rolls off the tongue a little easier, there are plenty of talented fellas working in the genre space. Some of them are so prolific and so talented as to bear the distinction of being called a ‘scream king’.
What is a scream king, you ask? A scream king is an actor that doesn’t merely work in genre cinema on occasion or by chance but a fella that does so deliberately and proudly embraces his horror credentials. Scream kings may branch out and work in other areas but gentlemen of this ilk always find their way back to the horror space when the right project comes along.
Now that we’re all on the same page regarding the terminology, I invite you to read on for 13 actors that have earned the right to call themselves scream kings.
To open the gates to departed thespians would have more than doubled the entries on this already lengthy list. So, please know I didn’t forget Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Bela Lugosi, or any of their contemporaries. There simply wasn’t room to give credit to all the greats in a single list.
Bruce Campbell
Not only did Bruce Campbell famously star in The Evil Dead trilogy (even emerging as a final fella in all three chapters) he has also made a number of memorable turns in a multitude of genre pictures over the years. A few especially noteworthy outings include Campbell playing a fictionalized version of himself in My Name is Bruce, portraying an elderly Elvis Presley in Bubba Ho-Tep, and who could forget about Maniac Cop? I could keep going. But the beloved actor is well known enough that I don’t really need to sell you on his distinction as a scream king.
Tony Todd
Tony Todd made such an impact on horror fans via the Candyman series that many genre film enthusiasts didn’t think they could bear to see anyone else tackle the role when Nia DaCosta resurrected the franchise. But Todd is not just the Candyman. He has also recurred as William Bludworth in the Final Destination films. Oh, and did I mention Todd also features in more than one installment of the Hatchet franchise? And there was his turn as Ben in Tom Savini’s Night of the Living Dead remake. And the list goes on. Very impressive, indeed.
Lochlyn Munro
Although his name may not be all that well known, Lochlyn Munro’s face certainly is. This character actor has been appearing in the genre space for decades and his horror credentials are quite impressive. Munro’s film appearances include Freddy vs. Jason, Margaux, Dracula 2000, Scary Movie, Needful Things, Trancers 4: Jack of Swords, and more. And that’s to say nothing of his TV credits, which include seven episodes of the original Charmed series, a guest appearance on the USA Network’s The Dead Zone, and two guest spots on The Outer Limits.
Thanks to my friend Will for making sure I didn’t leave this prolific scream king off this list!
Brad Dourif
Brad Dourif is an Oscar-nominated actor with the ability to slip into different roles like a chameleon. But he is gracious enough to keep returning to the horror space time and again. His genre efforts include Eyes of Laura Mars, The Exorcist III, Chain Letter, Urban Legend, and, of course, the Child’s Play franchise. What a guy and what an impressive CV he has.
Reggie Bannister
Aside from appearing in every Phantasm film to date, Reggie Bannister also starred in Bloody Bloody Bible Camp, Wishmaster, Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation, and The Mangler Reborn. The Reg-Man is a down-to-earth dude and has a real knack for playing an ‘everyman’ type that rises to the occasion and turns heroic.
Bill Moseley
Bill Moseley has featured in a number of memorable horror roles. Among his most noteworthy turns are Chop-Top in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Otis Driftwood in Rob Zombie’s Firefly trilogy. Additionally, Moseley appeared in Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out, Tom Savini’s Night of the Living Dead remake, and Army of Darkness. And that’s barely scratching the surface of this scream king’s horror credentials.
Jeffrey Combs
Jeffrey Combs is a brilliant character actor with a versatility that allows him to step into each role in such a way that he is unrecognizable from one to the next. Combs’ impressive resume includes Re-Animator, Dark House, Would You Rather, The Frighteners and so many more!
Lance Henriksen
Lance Henriksen hasn’t just made a handful of horror features. This dude has made a career out of starring in violent and fantastical genre fare. To date, this scream king has appeared in Pumpkinhead, Near Dark, Aliens, Alien3, Alien vs. Predator, Scream 3, Mom & Dad, Man’s Best Friend, The Pit and the Pendulum, and more. Henriksen has entered the living legend phase of his career and we are here for it.
Devon Sawa
In addition to being a funny, self-deprecating good time on social media, Devon Sawa also has an impressive amount of genre credits to his name. This scream king has starred in Casper, Idle Hands, Final Destination, Hunter Hunter, Black Friday, The Exorcism of Molly Hartley, and the Chucky series on SyFy. What’s more, Sawa made it to the end of both Idle Hands and Final Destination, making him not only a scream king but also a two-time final boy. That’s pretty impressive.
Robert Englund
Robert Englund has portrayed Freddy Krueger in seven Nightmare on Elm Street films, plus Freddy vs. Jason. That, in and of itself, qualifies this masterful thespian for inclusion on this list. But his genre cred doesn’t stop there. He has also famously featured in Wishmaster, Urban Legend, Strangeland, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, and many, many others.
Kane Hodder
Kane Hodder is in several of the least loved Friday the 13th films of the franchise. Yet everyone holds him up as the gold standard for playing the Jason character. To break out as a fan favorite from four films that all have their fair share of detractors is really a testament to what an iconic talent Hodder is. Moreover, his impressive genre cred extends far beyond the Friday series. Hodder has made a name for himself as a scream king by way of appearances in films like Wishmaster, the Hatchet franchise, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Chillerama, and so many more!
Kurt Russell
Frequent John Carpenter collaborator Kurt Russell has dazzled genre film enthusiasts with many iconic turns in the horror genre and many more horror-adjacent projects. Amongst his most memorable appearances are Escape from New York, Escape from L.A., The Thing, Death Proof, Bone Tomahawk, and The Hateful Eight. He brings a certain swagger and charisma to the roles he plays. And he is an undisputed scream king.
Tom Atkins
Tom Atkins is a bona fide badass with an unbelievable amount of killer turns in genre projects under his belt. Among his most noteworthy appearances are Night of the Creeps, Halloween III, Trick, Maniac Cop, The Fog, My Bloody Valentine 3D, Drive Angry, and Creepshow. I am content to keep watching Atkins kick onscreen ass for as long as he’s willing to continue doing so.
If you’d like to chat more about scream kings, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @FunWithHorror
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