What do the actors behind the monster masks in famous horror films look like? (16 photos)

Whether the villains are supernatural beings, demons, aliens, or simply vile individuals committing vile acts, audiences often don't perceive them as ordinary people.

Elaborate costumes and makeup certainly contribute to this perception. However, it inevitably raises the question: who is hiding under the layers of latex and makeup?





Robert Englund - Freddy Krueger



Even those who aren't fans of the horror genre are probably familiar with Freddy Krueger.

But would you recognize actor Robert Englund if you encountered him in everyday life?

Englund debuted as Freddy in the classic film "A Nightmare on Elm Street" in 1984 and subsequently returned to the role repeatedly, until 2003's "Freddy vs. Jason."

While Englund is a cult figure in the world of horror films, his fame is significantly lower than Krueger's.

It's a common dilemma for actors playing antagonists in horror films: they commit themselves fully to the role, but their faces remain hidden behind masks.

Sofia Boutella (The Mummy)





Originally planned to become a sprawling film franchise, the 2017 remake of "The Mummy" failed to live up to expectations and quickly faded from view.

Despite the striking appearance of Princess Amonet, played by Sofia Boutella, the updated version failed to match the spectacle of the 1999 film.

Syfy expressed the opinion that the reboot negatively impacted Boutella's career by relegating her character to a supporting role in favor of Tom Cruise. They claimed that the film, despite being titled "The Mummy," didn't give the promising actress the opportunity to fully realize her potential.

Negative reviews and modest box office returns for "The Mummy" cast doubt on the continued existence of "Dark Universe."

Despite the criticism, Boutella's commitment to the project remained steadfast.

The Algerian actress, who previously danced for Madonna and Rihanna before landing her breakout role, admitted in an interview with the Independent that she'd adored classic Universal horror films since childhood.

She noted that they contain not just a mindless monster, but "interesting and profound metaphors, if you look closely at the originals."

Bill Skarsgård ("It")



At first glance, using an actor-model for a role requiring complex makeup may seem counterintuitive.

However, Bill Skarsgård didn't land the role of Pennywise, the dancing clown in the 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King's novel "It," thanks to his good looks.

The Swedish actor brought a whole new depth and expressiveness to the clown, allowing him to create a Pennywise that is significantly different from Tim Curry's interpretation.

For Skarsgård, getting into character proved challenging, and getting out of it even more so.

After filming wrapped, I started having strange and frightening dreams about Pennywise at home," Skarsgård shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "He haunted me every night. I either interacted with him, or Pennywise became a part of me, forcing me to be him in situations I didn't like."

Not only was Skarsgård himself terrified, but some of the young actors who worked with him (many of whom later grew up to become successful) were also deeply shaken.

"Some were intrigued, but others were afraid to look at me, and some were shaking—one kid even started crying," he told Interview.

The actor admitted that as soon as director Andy Muschietti gave the command "Action!", he immediately transformed into Pennywise, bringing tears to the eyes of the children.

When the children would get scared and start crying right on set, I'd think, "Oh my God, what am I doing? What is this? This is terrible."

Ken Kirzinger ("Freddy vs. Jason")



Ken Kirzinger was a former American football player at the University of British Columbia. However, due to a serious knee injury, he changed his career and began a stunt career.

In a conversation with Indie Mac during his "Horror Month" blog post, Kirzinger shared that he had deep down hoped for recognition for his stunt work, but didn't expect his "minor" role in the "Friday the 13th" film series to evoke such a storm of emotion.

Perhaps my favorite role is Jason [Voorhees]," Kirzinger noted. "I had absolutely no idea how iconic a character I was fortunate enough to become."

He debuted in the iconic mask in 1989's Jason Takes Manhattan as a stunt double, and later played one of the characters killed by Jason.

Kirzinger received a stunt fee and didn't think much about the character until he was offered the role.

When I was offered the role of Jason in Freddy vs. Jason, I didn't realize the magnitude of it," he recalls. "Freddy vs. Jason is considered by many to be the most successful installment of the Jason franchise, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring this iconic killer to life.

In this Jason Voorhees film, Kirzinger even got the chance to demonstrate his "heroic qualities" by decapitating Freddy Krueger, played by Robert Englund, in the film's finale.

Takako Fuji (The Grudge)



The 2004 film "The Grudge" was essentially just another Hollywood adaptation of a famous Japanese horror film, which, in theory, should have at least been as good as the original.

Takashi Shimizu, director of the Japanese film "The Grudge," has agreed to direct a remake for American audiences, joined by Takako Fuji, the actress who portrayed the frightening ghost Kayako.

In an interview with IGN, Fuji emphasized the vast difference in funding.

The Hollywood remake is certainly on a larger scale, she stated. "We were able to build sets and use more resources. In Japanese productions, we're often limited by existing buildings and materials."

Unfortunately, the remake didn't garner the same critical acclaim as its minimalist predecessor.

Fuji reprised her role as Kayako in 2006's "The Grudge 2" (her sixth time playing the vengeful ghost), and despite the barrage of criticism for that film, the character still left a lasting mark on the horror genre in the United States.

"I think it's because American ghosts are often zombies, demons, and the like, while Japanese ghosts are more about revenge," Fuji explained. "That resonates with people. I think it's something new for Americans, and maybe that's what's scary about it."

Bonnie Morgan ("The Ring")



During the adaptation of Hideo Nakata's Japanese horror film "The Ring" for American audiences, the setting was moved from Japan to the United States, and the name of the sinister ghost girl, Sadako, was changed to Samara.

Samara was played by a young Daveigh Chase in the 2002 film "The Ring," and appeared in archival footage in 2005's "The Ring 2."

However, most of the scary moments in the sequel were created with the help of Bonnie Morgan's acrobatic skills.

Visual effects were originally planned for key scenes featuring Samara, but a stunt coordinator familiar with Morgan suggested using her.

As Morgan told Bloody Disgusting, she was approached about the possibility of creating a unique and frightening move using her acrobatic experience.

She emphasized that "reality is always scarier."

The famous "spider walk" originated in her living room; the first shots were filmed there, and the director was impressed with the result.

Morgan's involvement in "The Ring 2" led to her being brought on to work on the unexpected sequel, released several years later.

A full decade had passed since the release of the second film. Morgan had almost given up hope of returning to the role of Samara, but in 2017, she reappeared as a ghost in the film "Rings."

Then, in 2017, the red-haired actress told the Daily Dead she was ready to star in a fourth installment of the franchise.

Paul T. Taylor ("Hellraiser: Conviction")



Even though he didn't have a single line in the 2005 noir masterpiece "Sin City," Paul T. Taylor was incredibly excited for his first screen appearance in the film.

Following his role in "Sin City," other projects followed, but hepatitis C forced Taylor to put not only his career but his life on hold.

The battle with the disease became a heavy burden, plunging Taylor into a depth of depression.

"Work stopped bringing me joy," he shared with Bloody Disgusting. "I withdrew into myself, stopped leaving the house. Pizza and movies became my lot, and that was all my life was."

Thoughts of suicide began to haunt him, but an innovative drug for treating hepatitis C brought Taylor back to life.

He started auditioning again, and one day he came across a script called "The Trial" (aka "The Verdict"). As a longtime Hellraiser fan, Taylor immediately realized the catch.

"They kept the film's connection to Hellraiser a secret," the actor said. "But as soon as I read the first line, I knew right away: 'This is Hellraiser!'" I recognized this because I was familiar with the language of this universe. I'm a devoted fan.

After Doug Bradley, the legendary actor who played Pinhead, turned down the role, Taylor was offered the role.

Sheri Moon Zombie ("The Lords of Salem")



For years, actress Sheri Moon Zombie and her husband, musician and director Rob Zombie, have collaborated on horror films, beginning with their debut film, "House of 1000 Corpses," released in 2003.

This film, nostalgic for '70s exploitation cinema, turned out to be genuinely terrifying. (especially after the surprise appearance of Rainn Wilson, star of The Office, as Bill Hadley), but it was Sheri Moon, who stole the show as the deranged Baby Firefly.

She returned to the role in The Devil's Rejects (2005), where she essentially embodied a psychopathic version of herself that didn't require any significant physical modifications.

However, the actress's role in The Lords of Salem (2012) required more extensive preparation.

In this film, Sheri Moon portrayed a woman struggling with drug addiction and falling under the influence of demonic forces after contact with a witches' coven.

For this role, she agreed to dreadlocks and fake tattoos, as well as complex makeup.

Sometimes, this took two "hours, sometimes three," the actress shared in an interview with Media Mikes. "The tattoos lasted for several days... it was quite a long process!"

Jonathan Breck ("Jeepers Creepers")



In the category of unexpected sequels, one can recall the film "Jeepers Creepers 3," released in 2017.

Its plot unfolds between the events shown in the first film (2001) and the second (2003).

The original film "Jeepers Creepers" received a mixed reaction from critics, but quickly gained cult status, and the image of the Creeper has long been remembered by fans. horror films.

According to the makeup artist, the actor's transformation took between 3 and 5 hours.

By the time the makeup was complete, I almost felt like a different person... and it was much easier for me to transform into the character," Jonathan Breck shared.

Despite the fact that the actor only recognized his own eyes in the mirror, the Creeper costume didn't cause him any discomfort.

The costume fit me perfectly, like a second skin. When I looked in the mirror and saw that I had become noticeably larger, I felt like I could do anything. It was like putting on a magic cloak and instantly becoming the Creeper.

In an interview with IGN about the third film in the franchise, Breck revealed that to save money in "Jeepers Creepers 3," he performed many of his own stunts.

"I really... "I had to get involved in the process and do a lot of it myself," the actor admitted.

Bonnie Aarons ("The Nun")



The film "The Nun," positioned as the darkest installment in the horror film series "The Conjuring," generated considerable interest. However, the premiere, unfortunately, failed to meet the expectations of audiences and critics, as evidenced by a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—one of the lowest ratings for a film in this universe.

Nevertheless, as actress Taissa Farmiga notes, the film's central antagonist was truly frightening.

According to the leading actress, Bonnie Aarons, who brilliantly portrayed the Nun, actively sought to intimidate her throughout filming. The actress periodically snuck up on Farmiga in the sinister guise of the demon Valak.

Aarons herself fondly recalls her time on set.

In an interview with Coma Music, she shared:

Filming the film was incredibly fun. I love entertaining people, and playing the demonic nun provided plenty of opportunities to build tension.

Interestingly, achieving Aarons's terrifying look didn't require much effort.

The makeup was minimal, and that was intentional, she emphasized. "It took about an hour and a half. In other films I've been in, the makeup was much more complex."

David Howard Thornton ("Terrifying")



As is often the case with horror villains, David Howard Thornton is virtually unrecognizable outside of his role as Art the Clown in the "Frightener" series.

And it's not just the makeup: the actor, with his friendly personality and sense of humor, is radically different from his on-screen character – a bloodthirsty and cruel clown.

Thornton even worries about the impact his on-screen violence might have on audiences.

"I'm always very concerned about audience reactions to my films," Thornton admitted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "Isn't it too much for them?"

Considering that "Frightener" and its sequels contain some of the most shocking scenes in cinematic history, Thornton's concern seems "especially in contrast."

Interestingly, "Frightful" was one of the first films Thornton auditioned for, and his agent initially discouraged him from the role.

She said, "It's a low-budget independent project. Do you really need this?" he recalled in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. And I'd say, "I just want to get some experience in front of the camera so I can add it to my portfolio. I just want to try it."

The actor had absolutely no idea how successful the film would be, much less its sequels.

He was still working as a waiter in New York when the first film was released in 2018.

"I had no idea this role would become a landmark in my career," says Thornton. "You never know where success is going to be."

Jamie Clayton (Pinhead from the Hellraiser remake)



In 2008 In 2015, Observer magazine dubbed Jamie Clayton "New York's second beauty."

Yet, the actress had the courage to take on the role of Pinhead, the sinister character from Hellraiser, in the 2022 remake.

It was a surprising choice, given her career as a successful model and the character of Pinhead—"a bald demon, disfigured, and obsessed with acupuncture."

Despite the fact that the role is best known to Doug Bradley (and subsequently Stephan Smith Collins and Paul T. Taylor), Clayton managed to create a unique character.

Director David Bruckner noted in an interview with TheWrap:

Her performance was absolutely fearless, especially the way she immersed herself in the role and disappeared into it. Her manner of speaking was Simply captivating. She found a certain sensuality in the character that, in my opinion, distinguishes her interpretation from Doug Bradley's performance. There's something silky about it.

Clayton herself admitted to TheWrap: "I was aiming for a little sexiness in this role," and she succeeded. "You can't replace Doug Bradley... So I didn't try to copy his performance. I wanted to create something of my own."

Critics, regardless of their opinion of the Hellraiser remake, praised her reimagining of the character.

The actress has also expressed interest in a possible sequel, so horror fans can only hope.

Tyler Mane (Rob Zombie's Halloween)



One of the most iconic villains in horror film history, Michael Myers from the Halloween series seems like an invulnerable embodiment of evil.

His silence and impassive face, hidden behind a mask, make it difficult for actors in conveying the character's depth and memorability.

Of the six actors who have portrayed Myers, including the actor who played him in the 2018 reboot, Tyler Mane (who played Michael Myers in the 2007 film and its 2009 sequel) is considered one of the few to have made a lasting mark.

This was made possible by the willingness of director Rob Zombie and Mane, who worked together on The Devil's Rejects (2005), to experiment with the character, giving him greater psychological depth and changing his appearance.

Thanks to his background as a wrestler, Mane possessed an impressive physical presence, which was an advantage for his character.

However, for Mane, Myers presented a more challenging challenge than his other roles.

Myers's lack of presence bothered me most about Michael Myers. "I had a lot of lines," Maine admitted to Media Mikes, answering a question about his most challenging role. "I wanted to do it right, because Halloween fans are very demanding. I also wanted to make sure I brought everything I needed to the role, but also to show the depth and humanity of Michael Myers that I think he deserves. He's not just a silent villain."

Kevin Peter Hall ("Predator")



Standing at over 6'10", Kevin Peter Hall seemed destined to portray awe-inspiring movie monsters.

Hall possessed a wide range of talent, as evidenced by two 1987 films released almost simultaneously: "Harry and the Hendersons" and "Predator."

In the first film, he seamlessly portrayed the good-natured Bigfoot Harry, while in the second, he became famous as an alien hunter with invisibility technology.

Interestingly, Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast in the role, but after his departure from the project, Hall quickly adapted and replaced him.

Hall's role as the alien creature in "Predator" and other similar roles helped Hall overcome the insecurities caused by his appearance.

I felt insecure about my appearance because I stood out so much. Acting became a kind of therapy for me. I could transform into completely different characters,” Hall admitted in an interview with Ebony magazine shortly after the release of “Predator.”

Hall wasn't burdened by the need to hide behind layers of makeup and prosthetics and was quite happy with his career.

I'm like the Robert Redford of monsters. I've never been cast in leading roles or boring characters,” Hall told Ebony. “I think villains are always the most interesting roles. Not only do they bring in money, but they also allow you to express your imagination.”

Tragically, in 1990, the actor was in a car accident, which resulted in him receiving a blood transfusion (which turned out to be HIV-infected). He died shortly thereafter.

Marina Mazepa ("Evil")



Gymnasts and acrobats often portray terrifying characters in horror films, but behind the elaborate makeup are attractive performers.

One of them is Marina Mazepa, whose natural beauty was almost completely hidden by the makeup artists who worked on the acclaimed 2021 horror film "Evil."

Mazepa gained fame after reaching the semifinals of "America's Got Talent," where she was discovered by director James Wan.

Wan cast Mazeppa as the antagonist Gabrielle and used reverse camera techniques to perfectly capture the character's sinister movements and combat skills.

She's simply phenomenal," Wan noted in an interview with Slash Film. "She amazed us immediately, because it would have been impossible to pull off without someone with such physicality. Gabrielle's movements are practically CGI-free."

While Mazeppa's skills were also utilized in "Wicked" and "Resident Evil: Raccoon City," she admitted to Young Entertainment that "Wicked" was her most challenging film yet.

"Because of the costume requirements, the role in "Wicked" was the most challenging and crazy for me," she explained.

Like many pretty actresses who play creepy villains, Mazepa is completely unlike her characters and even experienced some fear about filming horror movies until she saw the process from the inside.

Now horror films don't scare me because I know how much fun they are to make, she shared with Young Entertainment.