Behind The Mask: The People Who Play Our Favorite Horror Icons!

Everyone loves to see who — or what — is behind the mask of an infamous killer. It’s what makes the Scream franchise so enticing, giving us the thrill of a “whodunnit” while allowing us to make our guesses, right until the killer is revealed. 

But, what if we told you the real people beneath these masks — the ones who take on the persona of such killers — were actually some of the coolest, nicest people around? Folks who don’t wield chainsaws but rather use hedge trimmers to tidy up their rose bushes? People who don’t plot murderous revenge against their guests but instead invite them over for dinner? 

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on some of our favorite horror icons, from legends like Freddy Krueger to more modern-day characters like Art the Clown, to see who’s really under there. So, let’s channel our inner Scooby and buckle up in our Mystery Machine, because we’ve got some uncovering to do... 

1. Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger)

One, two, Freddy’s coming for you… Three, four, better lock your doors…  If you know the rest of this haunting jingle, chances are you’re familiar with Freddy Krueger, the blade-fingered, sweater-wearing slasher who claims his victims in their dreams in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. 

The brainchild of horror legend Wes Craven, Freddy Krueger is a sassy, brutal killer, and perhaps no one could’ve brought him to life like Robert Englund. Having studied and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Englund comes from a classically-trained background (which is funny, considering how un-classical Krueger is). As an actor, fans couldn’t ask for much more, because not only is he dedicated to his craft, but he is also famously kind to his fans.

Those who have had the pleasure of working with Englund often describe him as a kind, down-to-earth person with a fun sense of humor. In fact, he once shared a story with Entertainment Weekly about how he, along with costars Johnny Depp and Nick Corri, grew “sick of the catering” on set and went out for Thai food while Englund was still in full Freddy Krueger costume. According to him, the waiter “dropped his whole tray of food” and then “ran back into the kitchen." Honestly, that’s exactly the kind of thing Freddy would do, though, so we can’t help but appreciate the comedic parallels.

2. Daveigh Chase (Samara)

In the early-2000s, The Ring had the same effect on television-viewing that Jaws had on ocean-swimming in the ‘70s. There’s something deeply unsettling about watching a little girl crawl out of a TV, and nobody could’ve played the part of Samara Morgan better than child actor Daveigh Chase. 

Wait, does that name ring a bell? Well, you might recognize her as the voice of Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch or as Chihiro in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. That’s right, the same girl who gave us nightmares for years also gave us two of the most innocent, heartfelt portrayals of girlhood in modern film.

Chase’s range is nothing short of remarkable, and though she has stepped away from acting in recent years, she remains one of the most versatile child actors of all time, leaving behind a legacy of roles that couldn’t be more different from one another yet impacting us all the same. 

3. Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface)

While Gunnar Hansen may not be the first masked killer on screen, he was certainly one of the first to make the role truly resonate. In fact, many actors who followed in his footsteps have credited Hansen’s portrayal of Leatherface in 1974's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as a source of inspiration for their own performances. 

Born in Iceland, Hansen was always involved in academics and loved to learn new things about the world. He studied English and Scandinavian Studies in college before eventually finding his way into Hollywood. As the story goes, one day he was out having coffee when someone mentioned that a couple of guys in town were making a movie and needed someone to play the killer. Hansen thought, "Hey, I could be that guy." He auditioned, met with director Tobe Hooper, and would, unbeknownst to him, cement his place in horror history.

Though he remained involved in the arts, Hansen lived a quiet life in Maine where he loved to garden and host dinner parties with his friends. He sadly passed away in 2015, but his life and legacy live on through one of the most iconic performances the horror genre has ever seen. 

4. Tim Curry / Bill Skarsgård (Pennywise)

You know that moment when you can’t decide between vanilla and chocolate, so you think, “Why not both?” That’s exactly what’s happening here, because we have one horror ico, but two incredible actors who helped bring him to life.

Pennywise, the intergalactic shape-shifter who loves to take the form of a menacing clown in Stephen King's IT, has been striking fear into our hearts for quite some time now. In the ‘90s, it was legendary actor Tim Curry, best known for his roles in The Rocky Horror Show and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Curry’s Pennywise was conversational and manipulative, while Bill Skarsgård’s later interpretation leans into a more predatory, monstrous energy.

But when Curry wasn’t lurking in storm drains and terrifying children (that scene still haunts me), he was on set, charming, witty, and professional. Outside of his work, Curry, like Gunner Hanson once did, enjoys gardening and has a love for reading and cooking. Simple hobbies for such a vibrant, enriching human being. 

As for Skarsgård, who famously donned the makeup for 2017’s It, the remake that became the highest-grossing horror film of all time, he delivered a captivating performance at just 27. Off-screen, Skarsgård enjoys reading, watching movies, and staying physically active. 

5. Nick Castle (Michael Myers)

It’s always a safe bet that Michael Myers will show up on a list like this. After all, he’s undeniably on the Mount Rushmore of horror villains and has been keeping theater seats filled for nearly 50 years in the Halloween franchise. And while we might love Michael and all his antics across Haddonfield, we can also appreciate Nick Castle, the man who first put on the mask when he was just 31 years old… and was only paid $20 a day for it. 

That’s right, no high demands for this actor. Castle was simply a friend of director John Carpenter, on set to watch his buddy make a movie. But Carpenter eventually asked him to take the role instead of hiring a stuntman, and Castle graciously agreed. And Michael Myers’s iconic slow, deliberate walk? Originally, he was supposed to chase his victims. But Carpenter noticed Castle's rather unique stride and said, “Nick, just walk." And the rest is history. 

After playing the legendary killer, Castle went on to direct a list of family films, including 1993’s Dennis the Menace. He hasn’t completely left the Halloween franchise behind, though, as he made a brief cameo as the unmasked Michael in 2018’s Halloween. 

6. Bonnie Aarons (The Nun)

While not a slasher, the nun from The Conjuring Universe has been haunting nightmares for about a decade now. Formally known as Valak, this demon has gone toe-to-toe with Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) and has proven to be one of the most effective villains of the franchise. With its infamous posture and piercing gaze, this role is a perfect fit for actress Bonnie Aarons, who has played Valak since its introduction in The Conjuring 2. 

However, while filming The Nun 2, director Michael ChaveztoldPeople Magazine that Aarons is the “complete opposite” of everything Valak represents (which, I mean, we would hope). He also called her a “lovely person” and described her as “lively and easy to talk to.”

We're just glad to hear she isn’t a method actor. Otherwise, we fear keeping people on set might have been a real challenge.  

7. David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown)

Without a doubt, the most influential horror icon of the last decade, Art the Clown has been making us laugh, squirm, and look away since his feature debut in 2016's Terrifier. Or, for the hardcore fans, his actual debut in the 2008 short film "The 9th Circle". 

This franchise is not for the faint of heart, and you might wonder what kind of person could play such a gory, sadistic character. Well, a sweetheart, apparently. That’s who. Art is played by David Howard Thornton, who might just be an angel among us. Like some of the other people on this list, Thornton is known for expressing waves of love and gratitude toward his fans and has an infectious, gentle nature that instantly makes you want to be friends with him. 

According to Thornton, he’s always been theatrical and drawn to the arts, particularly physical comedy, which earned him his fair share of bullying in school. But the joke's on them, because he’s now an absolute legend, signing autographs, appearing at numerous conventions, and etching his name into the long list of actors who brought our favorite horror characters to life.

8. Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees)

You definitely don't want to be stranded with any of these killers on this list, but perhaps least of all Jason Voorhees. Standing around 6’5” and not entirely human, he’s an absolute menace in the Friday the 13th franchise. 

While many actors have played the hockey-masked slasher, there is one who stands above the rest, purely for the volume of films in which he starred. We’re talking, of course, about Kane Hodder. Born in Auburn, California, Hodder had a rather difficult childhood, as he was often the victim of severe bullying. As he grew older, though, he made his way to Hollywood, primarily working as a stuntman. During one stunt, Hodder suffered a major accident that left him with second- and third-degree burns over much of his body. Despite this, he pushed through and continued doing what he loved, eventually landing the iconic role as Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood. He went on to play Jason in four films and continued working as a stuntman and actor.

Off-screen, Hodder dedicates his time to burn centers, speaking with patients, offering support, and sharing his story. Known for his kindness to fans and his passion for film, he’s the kind of person you’d want to sit down with over coffee and hear his life story firsthand.

These actors, and the characters they have portrayed, are a true testament to their talent. To play such terrifying figures, they must first take the parts of themselves that are warm and human and bury them deep down. Yet, while approachable and tenderhearted in real life, we can still delight in their gruesome, antagonistic performances on the big screen. And one thing’s for sure: we can’t wait to see what other horror icons are out there, waiting for their spotlight. As fans of the genre, we can anticipate a long future of the adrenaline rushes we so often crave.