Tony Moran (actor)
Anthony Moran (born August 14, 1957) is an American actor and producer. He is known for playing the unmasked Michael Myers in the 1978 horror classic Halloween. Since then he has gone on to make guest appearances in television series The Waltons and CHiPs. He is the older brother of actress Erin Moran of Happy Days fame, and actor John Moran.
Tony Moran | |
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Moran at the San Diego Comic-Con International in July 2009 | |
Born | Anthony Moran August 14, 1957 Burbank, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor Producer |
Years active | 1978–1981, 2008–present |
Relatives | Erin Moran (sister) |
Career
Halloween
Tony Moran was a struggling actor before he got the role of Michael Myers in Halloween.[1] At the time he had a job on Hollywood and Vine dressed up as Frankenstein.[2] Moran had the same agent as his sister, Erin, who played Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days. When Moran went to audition for the role of Michael Myers in 1978, he met for an interview with director John Carpenter and producer Irwin Yablans. He has since stated that he originally did not want to do the movie, only changing his mind when he got confirmation that Donald Pleasence would be in it. He later got a call back and was told he had got the part.[3]
Moran was paid $250 for his appearance in Halloween and decided not to return for any of the sequels, although he was paid for his appearance at the beginning of Halloween II, which was a recap of the first film.
Halloween conventions
Moran quit acting at age thirty and then worked as a mortgage broker.
Moran appeared at two Halloween conventions in Salem at Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery on Derby Street.[4]
Other work
Halloween was Moran's only film for 30 years. Through the late seventies and early eighties, he has made guest appearances in several television series including CHiPs, The Waltons, James at 15, and California Fever.
In 2008, Moran returned to acting with the short film The Lucky Break. In 2010, he produced and starred in the horror film Beg, which also stars his Halloween co-star P.J. Soles. In 2014 he starred in Dead Bounty.[5] In 2014 he appeared in his biopic, the documentary film Horror Icon: Inside Michael’s Mask with Tony Moran, which premiered in October 2015.[6]
In 2017, Moran reprised the role of Michael Myers in a Halloween fan film, Halloween: The Night Evil Died, becoming only the fourth actor to play Michael Myers more than once.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Halloween | Michael Myers (age 21) | |
1981 | Halloween II | Michael Myers (age 21) | Archive footage |
2008 | The Lucky Break | Mark Ashby | Short film |
2011 | Emerging Past | Blind Man | |
2011 | Beg | Jack Fox | Also producer |
2015 | The Ungovernable Force | Don Ruggero Corbucci | |
2016 | American Poltergeist | Doug | |
(Cancelled) | Halloween: The Night Evil Died | Michael Myers | Short film (Cancelled) |
2018 | Death House | Miguel | |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | James at 15 | Tom | 2 episodes |
1979 | The Waltons | Tinker | Episode: The Burden |
1979 | California Fever | Brian | Episode: The Girl from Somewhere |
1981 | CHiPs | Anderson | Episode: Dead Man's Riddle |
References
- "First Look at Horror Icon: Inside Michael's Mask with Tony Moran". DreadCentral.com. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- R.S Rhine"Michael Myers vs. Pumpkinhead". girlsandcorpsed.com. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- Will Broaddus"'Halloween' villain Michael Myers at Salem gallery". salemnews.com. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- William Routhier"'Halloween's original Michael Myers visits fans; actor's next project is set in Salem". wickedlocal.com. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- Exclusive: Dead Bounty Lobby Cards Debut
- Horror Icon: Inside Michael's Mask with Tony Moran