Robert Englund

Robert Barton Englund (born June 6, 1947) is an American actor, voice actor, and director, best known for playing the fictional serial killer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. He received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors in 1987 and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master in 1988, and won a Fantafestival Award for The Mangler in 1995. Englund is a classically trained actor.[1][2]

Robert Englund
Englund in Chicago, September 2017
Born
Robert Barton Englund

(1947-06-06) June 6, 1947
Alma mater
OccupationActor, voice actor, director
Years active1973–present
Known forA Nightmare on Elm Street
Spouse(s)
Elizabeth Gardner
(m. 1968; div. 1972)

Nancy Booth
(m. 1988)
Websiterobertenglund.com
Signature

Early life

Englund was born on June 6, 1947, in Glendale, California, the son of Janis (née MacDonald) and John Kent Englund, an aeronautics engineer who helped develop the Lockheed U-2 airplane.[3][4] He is of part Swedish ancestry and part Scottish. Englund began studying acting at the age of twelve, accompanying a friend to a children's theater program at California State University, Northridge.[5][6]

While he was in high school, he attended the Cranbrook Theatre School (organized by the Cranbrook Educational Community) in Bloomfield Hills. He then attended UCLA for three years, before dropping out and transferring to Michigan's Oakland University, where he trained at the Meadow Brook Theater,[3] at the time a branch of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[1]

Englund had five successful years performing in regional theater[7] including plays by Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw. He married for the first time in 1968 to a nurse Elizabeth Gardner, whom he divorced in 1972.[8] Shortly afterward, he returned to the West Coast in search of film work, and landed a supporting role in the film Buster and Billie, directed by Daniel Petrie.[7]

Career

Englund was briefly considered for a part in the 1977 film Star Wars.[9][10] Englund appeared in the 1977 film Eaten Alive directed by Tobe Hooper. He then played Ranger in Galaxy of Terror, produced by Roger Corman, which was released in 1981. Since then, Englund has made over 100 appearances on film and television. In his early film roles, Englund was usually typecast as a nerd or a redneck, and he first gained attention in the role of Visitor technician and resistance fighter Willie in the 1983 miniseries V, as well as the 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle, and V: The Series, in which he was a regular cast member.

But after such typecasting, Englund went against type when he accepted the role of Freddy Krueger, the psychotic burn victim and child murderer in Wes Craven's hugely successful A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984.

His association with the genre led him to top-billed roles in The Phantom of the Opera (1989), The Mangler (1995) – another film directed by Tobe Hooper, and 2001 Maniacs (2005). He reprised his role as Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) and Freddy vs. Jason (2003).[11]

Englund in Gothenburg, Sweden in March 2005

Englund is one of only three actors to portray a horror character eight consecutive times, the other two being Doug Bradley, who portrayed the Pinhead character eight times in the Hellraiser film series and Tobin Bell who played Jigsaw. Englund has said that he enjoys the role of Freddy as it gives him a break from always acting out the nice guy; indeed, many people who have worked with Englund attest to his congeniality. Makeup artists responsible for the Krueger makeup have commented that Englund was so friendly and talkative that it made the lengthy makeup application slightly more challenging.

Englund's TV appearances include starring in the short-lived series Nightmare Cafe (1992), in which he played Blackie, the mysterious proprietor of the title cafe, and reprising his role of "Freddy Krueger" in the series Freddy's Nightmares – A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series. His guest roles include the science fiction series Babylon 5, one episode of the show MacGyver as Tim Wexler, Masters of Horror, MadTV, Sliders, and Knight Rider, where he appeared as a phantom haunting a film studio, and Walking Tall: The Series as well as a guest star spot on the hit TV show Walker, Texas Ranger.

His work in voice-over animation includes magician Felix Faust in Justice League, The Riddler on The Batman, The Vulture on The Spectacular Spider-Man, and as Dormammu on The Super Hero Squad Show. On the TV witch drama Charmed (Episode: "Size Matters"), he appeared as a demon who used the services of a lackey to lure people into a decrepit household (where he lived in the walls) and shrank them down to action figure size. He also appeared on an episode of Married...With Children as The Devil. He appeared most recently, in one episode of the 2010 season of the television spy send-up Chuck, as a scientist who created a fear-inducing nerve toxin, a similar character to the Scarecrow, one of Batman's enemies in the DC Comics (A character he would later portray in the video game Injustice 2).

Englund performed as host of the Horror Hall of Fame awards show three times from 1989 to 1991.[6]

Englund in 2008

Englund made his directorial debut with the 1988 horror film 976-EVIL, co-written by future Oscar winner Brian Helgeland and starring Stephen Geoffreys. During production, Englund met set decorator Nancy Booth, whom he would marry.[6] His second feature, Killer Pad, was released direct-to-DVD in 2008. As of the beginning of July 2013, he was in pre-production to direct The Vij, about a young priest who is led by an evil genie to commit murder, and who falls in love with an old witch who is not what she seems.

Englund also directed 2 episodes of “Freddy's Nightmares” first was “Cabin Fever” and the second “Monkey Dreams”.

His memoir, Hollywood Monster: A Walk Down Elm Street with the Man of Your Dreams, which Alan Goldsher transcribed from his dictations, was published by Pocket Books on October 13, 2009.

Recently he had starred in the web series "Fear Clinic",[12] where he appeared in five episodes as Dr. Andover.[13]

Englund recently noted he would welcome a guest appearance in the ABC revival of V in an interview with Todd Sokolove from Forces of Geek.[14] But the series was canceled before he could make such a guest appearance.

In January 2010, it was announced that Englund would return as Jackson Roth for the sequel to Dee Snider's Strangeland, titled Strangeland II: Disciple.[15] However, as of December 2010, no specific dates or plans had been made regarding the project.

Englund made a guest appearance in "The Death of the Queen Bee" episode of Bones,[16] appearing as a quirky janitor at protagonist Dr. Temperance Brennan's old high school.[17] His character, a friend of Brennan's, and situation were introduced as "very creepy... it's like Freddy creepy." Englund was a special guest at the 2010 Streamy Awards,[18] and also appeared as a special guest of the CA Weekend of Horrors on 8 October 2010.[19]

Englund appeared on the Creation Entertainment Weekend of Horrors in May 2010.[20] In May 2010, he was signed for the American independent thriller Inkubus.[21]

Englund in the 2014 Fan Expo Canada

Englund appeared as himself in the Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies map, "Call of the Dead" as one of the playable characters, and acted out the part of a Halloween-themed serial killer in the 2010s revival of Hawaii Five-0. He also took part in a Halloween "Come dine with me" for Channel 4 in 2012. He also appeared in Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer and Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.[22]

Although the character of Freddy Krueger is regarded as one of the most terrifying in cinema history, Englund is often described by fellow actors and film crews as being extremely friendly and appreciative of his fans, many admitting that his portrayal of Krueger frightened them as children.

He recently starred in The Last Showing and Fear Clinic, the latter was released on October 22, 2014 at the Screamfest Film Festival. Englund was also a special guest at Shock Comic Con on Valentine's Day 2015.[23] In February 2016, Englund hosted a "Nightmare on Elm Street" marathon on El Rey Network.[24]

Englund was featured in the 2019 documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street, which examines the LGBT themes of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge and the life of actor Mark Patton.[25]

As of 2020, Englund hosts the Travel Channel show True Terror with Robert Englund, which showcases scary but true stories about the supernatural or strange.[26][27]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974Buster and BillieWhitey
1975SunburstMichael Sutherland
HustleHold-up Man
1976Stay HungryFranklin
St. IvesHood #1
Eaten AliveBuck
A Star Is BornMartyUncredited
1977The Great Smokey RoadblockBeebo Crozier
1978Big WednesdayNarrator, Fly
BloodbrothersMott
The Fifth FloorBenny
1981Dead & BuriedHarry
Galaxy of TerrorRanger
1982Don't Cry, It's Only ThunderTripper
1984A Nightmare on Elm StreetFreddy Krueger
1985A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's RevengeFreddy Krueger / Bus Driver
1986Never Too Young to DieRiley
1987A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream WarriorsFreddy Krueger
1988A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream MasterFreddy Krueger / Nurse
976-EVILDirector
1989C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.Man in Trenchcoat Walking with Trick-or-TreatersUncredited
A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream ChildFreddy Krueger / Maniac
The Phantom of the OperaErik Destler / The Phantom
1990The Adventures of Ford FairlaneSmiley
1991Freddy's Dead: The Final NightmareFreddy Krueger
1992Dance MacabreAnthony Wager / Madame
1993Tobe Hooper's Night TerrorsPaul Chevalier / Marquis De Sade
1994Wes Craven's New NightmareHimself / Freddy Krueger
1995The ManglerBill Gartley
1996Killer TonguePrison Director
The Paper BrigadeCrazy Man Cooper
The Vampyre Wars
1997Perfect TargetColonel Shakwell
WishmasterRaymond Beaumont
1998Meet the DeedlesNemo
Urban LegendProfessor Wexler
StrangelandJackson "Jack" Roth
1999The Prince and the SurferKratski
Idle Hands The Hand (voice)
2001Wish You Were DeadBernie Garces
2003Freddy vs. JasonFreddy Krueger
As a Bad DreamProfessor
The Return of CagliostroErroll Douglas(Il ritorno di Cagliostro)
Nobody Knows Anything!Jack Sampson
20052001 ManiacsMayor George W. Buckman
RepetitionHimself
2006HatchetSampson Dunston
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie VernonDoc Halloran
HeartstopperSheriff Roger Berger
2007Jack Brooks: Monster SlayerProfessor Gordon Crowley
2008RedMr. Doust
Zombie StrippersIan Essko
Killer PadDirector
2009Night of the SinnerThe Prince
The Vij
2010Web Cam 3D
De mayor quiero ser soldadoPsychologist
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street LegacyHimself
Hollywood Don't Surf!Himself
Tamora GambleRory Columbus
2011Good Day for ItWayne Jackson
InkubusInʞubus
2012Strippers vs WerewolvesTapper
Zombie MutationDream Man
2013SanitariumSam(segment "Figuratively Speaking")
The Moleman of Belmont AvenueMr. Hezekiah Confab
2014The Last ShowingStuart
Witches BloodHimself
2015Fear ClinicDr. Peter Andover
KantemirJohn
The Funhouse MassacreWarden
2016The Midnight ManDr. Harding
2017NightworldJacob
Nightmares in the Makeup ChairHimselfDocumentary
2020In Search of Darkness: Part IIHimselfDocumentary
2021AbruptioMr. SalkPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries:
Mystery of the Fallen Angels
Gar1 episode
Young Joe, the Forgotten KennedyWillyTelevision film
1978Police WomanJonasEpisode: "Sons"
The Courage and the PassionSgt. BellTelevision film
1979The Ordeal of Patty HearstInformerTelevision film
Police StoryPainterEpisode: "A Cry for Justice"
SoapSimon2 episodes
Mind Over MurderTed BeaslyTelevision film
California FeverBuddy BurnsEpisode: "Centerfold"
ParisJ.J. EastwickEpisode: "Dead Men Don't Kill"
1980Charlie's AngelsHarold BelkinEpisode: "Harrigan's Angel"
FloWebEpisode: "The Hero of Flo's Yellow Rose"
1981CHiPsZack1 episode
Walking TallBobby Joe Wilson1 episode
Hart to HartBuddy KilgoreEpisode: "Rhinestone Harts"
1982Thou Shalt Not KillBobby CollinsTelevision film
Mysterious TwoBooneTelevision film
Cassie & Co.CliffEpisode: "Fade Out"
1983The FighterCharlieTelevision film
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't LandScottTelevision film
Simon & Simon3-Card MontyEpisode: "Red Dog Blues"
VWillie2 episodes
I Want to LiveSam CooperTelevision film
ManimalThugEpisode: "Night of the Beast"
Hobson's ChoiceFreddy BeenstockTelevision film
Journey's EndTelevision film
1984AliceSammyEpisode: "Vera, the Horse Thief"
V: The Final BattleWillie3 episodes
1984–1985VWillie13 episodes
1985HunterVaughn1 episode
1986MacGyverTim1 episode
Knight RiderEdward Kent1 episode
North and South Book IIDeserter1 episode
1986–1987DowntownDennis Shothoffer14 episodes
1988D.C. FolliesFreddy Krueger1 episode
1988–1990Freddy's NightmaresFreddy Krueger44 episodes
Director: "Cabin Fever"
1992Nightmare CafeBlackie6 episodes
1994Mortal FearDr. Ralph WannamakerTelevision film
1995LegendMordechai / Willy MilesEpisode: "The Gospel According to Legend"
The Unspoken TruthErnest "Ernie" TrainorTelevision film
1996Walker, Texas RangerLyle EckertEpisode: "Deadline"
Babylon 5JeremiahEpisode: "Grey 17 Is Missing"
SlidersDr. James AldohnEpisode: "State of the A.R.T."
1997Married... with ChildrenLucifer1 episode
1998The SimpsonsFreddy Krueger
(voice)
Episode: "Treehouse of Horror IX"
1999The Jamie Foxx ShowCliveEpisode: "Bro Jack"
The HughleysEvil Bloodthirsty BrianEpisode: "Storm o' the Century"
2000PythonDr. Anton RudolphTelevision film
2001The Nightmare RoomMr. BellEpisode: "The Howler"
CharmedGammill1 episode
2002Justice LeagueFelix Faust
(voice)
Episode: "Paradise Lost" Parts 1 & 2
WindfallScratchTelevision film
2003I'm with HerLeonard HeckmanEpisode: "All About Evil"
2004Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!Ringmaster
(voice)
Episode: "Circus of Ooze"
2004–2008The BatmanRiddler
(voice)
Episodes: "Riddled", "Night and the City",
"Riddler's Revenge", "Rumors"
2005Justice League UnlimitedFelix Faust
(voice)
Episode: "The Balance"
Masters of HorrorThe MCEpisode: Dance of the Dead
2007Black SwarmEli GilesTelevision film
2008–2009The Spectacular Spider-ManVulture
(voice)
4 episodes
2009The Super Hero Squad ShowDormammu
(voice)
Episode: "Enter Dormammu!"
Fear ClinicDr. Andover5 episodes
2010BonesRay Buxley1 episode
ChuckDr. Stanley WheelwrightEpisode: "Chuck Versus the Aisle of Terror"
SupernaturalDr. RobertEpisode: "Appointment in Samarra"
2011Hawaii Five-0Samuel Lee1 episode
2011–2017Regular ShowThe Stag Man / Anti-Pops
(voice)
8 episodes
2012Green Lantern: The Animated SeriesMyglom
(voice)
Episode: "Razer's Edge"
Criminal MindsDetective Gassner1 episode
Lake Placid: The Final ChapterJim BickermanTelevision film
2013WorkaholicsDr. TelAmeriCorp / Josh1 episode
2014Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesDire / Dread Beaver
(voices)
Episode: "In Dreams"
2015Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.Pluto
(voice)
Episode: "The Tale of Hercules"[28]
Hell's KitchenHimself1 episode
Lake Placid vs. AnacondaJim BickermanTelevision film
2017Uncle GrandpaBoogie Man (voice)Episode: "Broken Boogie"
2018The GoldbergsFreddy KruegerEpisode: "Mister Knifey-Hands"
Spy Kids: Mission CriticalThe Squatter (voice)Episode: "Home Sick"
2020True Terror with Robert EnglundHimselfcurrently on season 1- The Travel Channel
JJ Villard's Fairy TalesHive Head / Toilet / Porridge Dad (voices)Episode: "The Goldilox Massacre"
TBAStranger ThingsVictor CreelRecurring role[29]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role Ref.
1987 "Dream Warriors" Dokken Freddy Krueger
1988 "Are You Ready for Freddy" The Fat Boys Freddy Krueger [30]

Web

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Fear Clinic Dr. Andover 5 episodes

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleNotes
2011Marvel Super Hero Squad OnlineDormammu
2011Call of Duty: Black OpsHimself
2011Mortal KombatFreddy Krueger
2016Master of Orion: Conquer the StarsTerran Khan
2017Injustice 2Dr. Jonathan Crane / The Scarecrow[31]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
1988Saturn AwardBest Supporting ActorA Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream WarriorsNominated
1990Saturn AwardBest Supporting ActorA Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream MasterNominated
1995FantafestivalBest ActorThe ManglerWon
2001Saturn AwardThe Life Career Award-Won
2004Fangoria Chainsaw AwardsBest ActorFreddy vs. JasonNominated
2007Sitges Film FestivalTime-Machine Honorary Award-Won
2009Fangoria Chainsaw AwardsBest Supporting ActorJack Brooks: Monster SlayerNominated
2010New York City Horror Film FestivalLifetime Achievement Award-Won
Streamy AwardsBest Male Actor in a Drama Web SeriesFear ClinicNominated
2020CinEuphoria AwardsCareer - Honorary Award-Won

References

  1. "Robert Englund Biography". Yahoo TV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
  2. Robb, Peter (May 9, 2014). "Robert Englund started with Shakespeare, but found fame as Freddy Krueger". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  3. "Robert Englund Biography (1949?-)". www.filmreference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  4. "Clyde Kent Englund; Retired Engineer". June 18, 1995.
  5. "Actor Calls Freddy of 'Nightmare' Fame a Challenging Role". The Telegraph. September 14, 1988. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  6. McLellan, Dennis (March 9, 1990). "FREDDY : Dream Stalker of the Horror Flicks Turns Into a Laid-Back Lagunan Who Likes to Surf". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  7. "Robert Englund". Wizard World. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  8. Yarbrough, Jeff (March 23, 1987). "Hold the Cutting Words, Please, for Robert Englund, the Friendly Cuss Who Plays Elm Street's Nightmare Stalker". People. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009.
  9. McMillan, Graeme (November 5, 2014). "Revealed: Luke Skywalker Is The Man He Is Today Because of Freddy Krueger". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  10. "Mark Hamill Sets Record Straight On Freddy Krueger 'Star Wars' Story". Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  11. Dodd, Adam (February 28, 2010). "Where'd You Go? 10 Horror Stars We Want Back!!!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  12. "Exclusive: Robert Englund - Checking into Fear Clinic Part I". Dread Central. May 31, 2012.
  13. "Exclusive: Robert Englund - Checking into Fear Clinic Part II". Dread Central. June 5, 2012.
  14. "FOG! VIDEO EXCLUSIVE Interview with ROBERT ENGLUND!". Forces of Geek. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011.
  15. Miska, Brad (January 13, 2010). "First Casting, Synopsis for 'Strangeland II: Disciple'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  16. Miska, Brad (January 28, 2010). "TV: Robert Englund Stars in Slasher Episode of 'Bones'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  17. "Freddy Krueger to Haunt the Cast of Bones". DreadCentral. July 19, 2012.
  18. "Exclusive: Dread Central Invades the 2010 Streamy Awards: Ghostfacers Update! Fear Clinic Coverage!". Dread Central. August 29, 2012.
  19. Miska, Brad (May 11, 2010). "CA Weekend of Horrors Kick-Off Party FREE!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  20. "Creation Weekend of Horrors Image Gallery Now Live". DreadCentral. September 20, 2012.
  21. "Robert Englund Wraps Inkubus". Dread Central. September 24, 2012.
  22. "Come Dine with Me - Episode Guide". Channel 4. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  23. Hicks, Jess (January 7, 2015). "Shock Pop Comic Con: The Perfect Valentine's Gift". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  24. Eddy, Cheryl (January 20, 2016). "Freddy Krueger Will Host Valentine's Day Horror Marathon on the El Rey Network". io9. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  25. "Scream, Queen! My Nightmare On Elm Street". Kickstarter. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  26. "Pop Culture Legend Robert Englund Scares Up Historical Tales of Terror in New Travel Channel Series "Shadows of History" (wt)". The Futon Critic. April 10, 2019.
  27. "Join Master of Macabre Robert Englund on a Nightmarish Journey Through History's Horrors in Travel Channel's "True Terror with Robert Englund"". The Futon Critic. January 16, 2020.
  28. "The Tales of Hercules". Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 2. Episode 16. March 15, 2015. Disney XD.
  29. John Squires. "Robert Englund Joins "Stranger Things 4" as a Disturbed Man Imprisoned for a Gruesome Murder". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  30. "The Fat Boys – Are You Ready for Freddy?". YouTube. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  31. Kozanitis, James (March 31, 2017). "Legendary Freddy Krueger Actor Robert Englund Is Voicing Scarecrow In Injustice 2". Game Revolution. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
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