Summary
Horror is one of the most popular film genres in the world and has produced numerous classics in its long history. These films have been scaring audiences since the early days of cinema, forcing audiences to confront their deepest fears through the safety of the silver screen.
The genre has produced some classic performances, with many actors transcending their roles and becoming pop culture icons. From Max Schreck’s legendary role inNosferatu(1922) to Linda Blair’s disturbing portrayal of Regan inThe Exorcist(1973), horror movie actors have given audiences timeless performances that havedefined the genreand the history of cinema itself. These are some of the most memorable performers in the genre.
10Mia Goth
A Horror Star for the New Generation
As she hasn’t been on the scene for long, Mia Goth may be a controversial entry to this list. However, in recent years, she has established herself as one of the top actors in the horror genre. Her horror trilogy with director Ti West has become a cult favorite among horror fans. InX(2022), Goth plays the hero and, in a stunning transformation, the aged villain in a movie that takes influence from the grindhouse films of the 1970s.
Its sequel,Pearl(2022), which Goth co-wrote, takes viewers back to the deranged killer’s origins.MaXXine(2024) finishes the trilogy with 1980s flair and buckets of blood. While Mia Goth is still early in her career, few actors of her generation can claim hercult status. With actors like her, the future of horror is in good hands.
9Jeffrey Combs
Known for his ultra-gory body horror films of the 1980s, Jeffrey Combs has enjoyed a successful and diverse career in film and television. Some of his best-known roles includeStar Trek: Deep Space Nine(1994-1999) andTransformers Prime(2010-2013).
However,for horror fans, he is best known as Dr. Herbert West from theRe-animatormovie series. Loosely based on the H.P. Lovecraft story,Re-animatoris the classic mad scientist tale of a man attempting to cheat death. These cult zombie gore films have become genre classics, with Combs’s obsessive scientist at the center.
8Jamie Lee Curtis
An Iconic Scream Queen
Jamie Lee Curtis has built a prolific career outside of horror, withnumerous classicroles under her belt. However, she owes much of her early success to the horror genre. Her role in the seminal slasher seriesHalloween(1978) catapulted her to stardom, and she is often cited as one of the all-time great “scream-queens” of cinema.
In addition to her role as Laurie Strode, Curtis has appeared in several other notable horror films, includingThe Fog(1980) andProm Night(1980). However,Halloweenhas become a mainstay of her career, as she has appeared in six of the franchise’s sequels.
7Bela Lugosi
The Original Dracula
Starting his career in the silent era withLeoni Leo(1917), Bela Lugosi’s name would becomesynonymous with the horrorgenre. While his acting credits number over 100, he is best known for his iconic portrayal of Count Dracula, a role he had previously played on stage.
Lugosi’s Dracula would turn him into a star, but would ultimately typecast him in the horror genre. He would strive for non-horror roles throughout his career, but the black cape and fangs would always call him back. His horror resume included parts inThe Black Cat(1934),The Raven(1935), andSon of Frankenstein(1939). While his career took a decline in his later years due to health reasons, he will forever be remembered as a beloved icon of horror.
6Doug Bradley
Bringing Hell To Our Screens
Sometimes, it takes only one great performance to create a career. For Doug Bradley,Hellraiser(1987) was his moment. TheHellraiserseries' blend ofbody horror and dark fantasyhas unnerved audiences since the 80s, with Doug Bradley’s terrifying performance as the demonic hell-priest Pinhead at its center.
Bradley has donned the role eight times in his career, with his last beingHellraiser: Hellworld(2005). While many of the later movies failed to find the quality of the first few films, Doug Bradley remained a pivotal and captivating screen presence, cementing his place in the history of horror cinema.
5Bruce Campbell
Bringing Humor To Horror
Bruce Campbell rose to fame as the hero Ash in the classicEvil Deadfilm franchise. What started as an independent horror production between a group of friends became a controversial cult hit around the world, kickstarting the career of director Sam Raimi.
Evil Dead 2(1987) brought more comedy into the gory formula and highlighted Bruce Campbell’s offbeat charisma, cementing Ash and Campbell as horror icons. Campbell would return to the role several times, bringing the same scene-stealing performance in every outing.
4Robert Englund
The Iconic Horror Villain
Robert Englund has enjoyed a prolific career that dates back to the early 70s. However, like many horror icons, he is most well known for a single memorable character. Englund’s career took a massive leap forward when he landed the central villain role in 1984’sA Nightmare on Elm Street.
His turn as the terrifying ghostly predator, Freddy Kruger, catapulted him and his character into horror history. He played the character in eight films during his career. Few horror characters have been embraced by popular culture like Freddy Kruger, mainly due to Englund’s clear joy and charisma playing the role.
3Boris Karloff
Bringing Emotional Depth To The Monster
One of the greats from the golden age of cinema, Boris Karloff will forever be connected to his legendary role as the monster in 1931’sFrankenstein. However, prior to this career-defining performance, Karloff had been a mainstay of the silver screen since the early 1920s.
Horror defined Karloff’s career going forward, with him returning to the genre in films such asThe Walking Dead(1935) andSon of Frankenstein(1939). Before he died in 1969, he featured in several notable horror movies in his later life. To this day, Frankenstein’s Monster will forever be connected with the actor, whose striking appearance and emotional depth elevated the character beyond a soulless creature.
2Vincent Price
The Voice of Horror
Blessed with one of the most recognizable voices in cinema history, Vincent Price’s unforgettable delivery and screen presence made him one of the most famous actors of his time. Known for his Edgar Allan Poe screen adaptations, Price enjoyed a prolific career, with 210 acting credits to his name.
He further cemented his iconic horror status when he lent his voice to Michael Jackson’s classic song,Thriller, bringing his usual pitch perfect delivery, and natural charisma. Vincent Price was one of the most beloved actors of his time and a testament to the power of horror cinema.
1Christopher Lee
A Cinematic Giant
Christopher Lee is not only one of the most famous actors in cinema history, but also one of the most prolific, with nearly 300 acting credits that stretch back to the 1940s. Lee lived a life that many could only dream of, from his impressive military service during WWII, to hunting Nazi war criminals in its aftermath, to even releasing several heavy metal albums in his later life.
His acting career was made in horror with his turn as the famous vampire Dracula. He returned to this role seven times in total, bringing his deep baritone voice and natural gravitas to the role. With roles too numerous to list, Lee becamesynonymous with horrorand cemented his place as a genre icon.
