Robert Englund | |
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_(cropped).jpg) Englund inBrussels, May 2023 | |
| Born | Robert Barton Englund (1947-06-06)June 6, 1947 (age 78) Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | PortrayingFreddy Krueger inA Nightmare on Elm Street |
| Spouses | |
| Website | www |
| Signature | |
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Robert Barton Englund (born June 6, 1947) is an American actor and director. Englund is best known for playing the villainFreddy Krueger in theA Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Englund has received multiple accolades and honors, including aSaturn Award, aFangoria Chainsaw Award, anda star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.
Classically trained at theRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art, Englund began his career as a stage actor in regional theatre and made his film debut inBuster and Billie (1974), followed by supporting roles in films such asStay Hungry (1976),A Star Is Born (1976), andBig Wednesday (1978). Englund had his breakthrough as the resistance fighter Willie in the miniseriesV in 1983. Following his performance in the originalA Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), he became closely associated with thehorror film genre, and his performance as Freddy is often referenced inAmericanpop culture; Englund has reprised his role as Freddy in seven sequels, as well as thehorroranthology seriesFreddy's Nightmares (1988–1990). Englund has acted inover 100 film and television productions throughout his career, and he has also directed the horror films976-EVIL (1988) andKiller Pad (2008).
Englund was born on June 6, 1947, inGlendale, California, the son of Janis (née MacDonald) and Clyde Kent Englund, an aeronautics engineer who helped develop theLockheed U-2 airplane.[1] He is of partSwedish andScottish ancestry. Englund began studying acting at the age of twelve, accompanying a friend to a children's theater program atCalifornia State University, Northridge.[2][3]
While in high school, he attendedCranbrook Theatre School (organized by theCranbrook Educational Community) inBloomfield Hills,Michigan. He then attendedUCLA for three years, before dropping out and transferring to Michigan'sOakland University, where he trained at the Meadow Brook Theater,[1] at the time a branch of theRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art.[4]
Englund had five successful years performing in regional theater[5] including plays by Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw. He married for the first time in 1966 to a nurse Elizabeth Gardner.[6] Shortly afterward, he returned to the West Coast in search of film work, and landed a supporting role in the filmBuster and Billie, directed by Daniel Petrie.[5]
In 1976, Englund auditioned for the roles ofHan Solo andLuke Skywalker inStar Wars. While he didn't get either part, he suggestedMark Hamill for the role of Luke.[7][8] Englund appeared in the 1977 filmEaten Alive directed byTobe Hooper. He then played Ranger inGalaxy of Terror, produced byRoger 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 cast as a nerd or a redneck, and he first gained attention in the role of Visitor technician and resistance fighterWillie in the 1983 miniseriesV, as well as the 1984 sequelV: The Final Battle, andV: The Series, in which he was a regular cast member.
Englund went against type when he accepted the role ofFreddy Krueger, the psychopathic burn victim and child murderer inWes Craven's hugely successfulA Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984. He reprised his role as Freddy Krueger inA 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) andFreddy vs. Jason (2003).[9] His association with the genre led him to top-billed roles inThe Phantom of the Opera (1989),The Mangler (1995) – another film directed by Tobe Hooper, and2001 Maniacs (2005).
Englund's portrayal of Freddy Krueger is notable for its longevity, with Englund playing the same character in eight consecutive films. Englund has said that he enjoys the role of Freddy as it gives him a break from always acting out the nice guy;[citation needed] indeed, many people[who?] 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.[10]
Englund's TV appearances include starring in the short-lived seriesNightmare Cafe (1992), in which he played Blackie, the mysterious proprietor of the title cafe, and reprising his role of "Freddy Krueger" in the seriesFreddy's Nightmares – A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series. His guest roles include the science fiction seriesBabylon 5, one episode of the showMacGyver as Tim Wexler,Masters of Horror,MadTV,Sliders, andKnight Rider, where he appeared as a phantom haunting a film studio, andWalking Tall: The Series as well as a guest star spot on the hit TV showWalker, Texas Ranger.
His work in voice-over animation includes magicianFelix Faust inJustice League,The Riddler onThe Batman,The Vulture onThe Spectacular Spider-Man, and asDormammu onThe Super Hero Squad Show. On the TV witch dramaCharmed (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 ofMarried... with Children as The Devil. Another appearance was in a 2010 season episode of the television spy send-upChuck, 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 later portrayed in the video gameInjustice 2).
Englund performed as host of theHorror Hall of Fame awards show three times, from 1990 to 1992.[3]
Englund made his directorial debut with the 1988 horror film976-EVIL, co-written by future Oscar winnerBrian Helgeland and starringStephen Geoffreys. During production, Englund met set decorator Nancy Booth, whom he married.[3] His second feature,Killer Pad, was releaseddirect-to-DVD in 2008. During July 2013, he was inpre-production to directThe 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”. The first was “Cabin Fever” and the second “Monkey Dreams”.
His memoir,Hollywood Monster: A Walk Down Elm Street with the Man of Your Dreams, whichAlan Goldsher transcribed from his dictations, was published by Pocket Books on October 13, 2009.
He had also starred in theweb series "Fear Clinic",[11][failed verification] where he appeared in five episodes as Dr. Andover.[12][failed verification]
Englund noted he would welcome a guest appearance in the ABC revival ofV in an interview with Todd Sokolove fromForces of Geek.[13] 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 toDee Snider'sStrangeland, titledStrangeland II: Disciple.[14] 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 ofBones,[15] appearing as a quirky janitor at protagonist Dr. Temperance Brennan's old high school.[16][failed verification] 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 2010Streamy Awards,[17][failed verification] and also appeared as a special guest of the CA Weekend of Horrors on October 8, 2010.[18]
Englund appeared on the Creation Entertainment Weekend of Horrors in May 2010.[19][failed verification] In May 2010, he was signed for the American independent thrillerInkubus.[20][failed verification]
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Englund appeared as himself in theCall 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 ofHawaii Five-0. He also took part in a HalloweenCome Dine with Me forChannel 4 in 2012.[21] He also appeared inJack Brooks: Monster Slayer andBehind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.
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 starred inThe Last Showing andFear Clinic, the latter was released on October 22, 2014, at the Screamfest Film Festival. Englund was also a special guest at Shock Comic Con onValentine's Day 2015.[22] In February 2016, Englund hosted a "Nightmare on Elm Street" marathon onEl Rey Network.[23]
Englund was featured in the 2019 documentaryScream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street, which examines theLGBT themes ofA Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge and the life of actorMark Patton.[24]
As of 2020, Englund has been hosting theTravel Channel showTrue Terror with Robert Englund, which showcases scary but true stories about the supernatural or strange.[25][26]
In 2022, Englund appeared in thefourth season of the Netflix seriesStranger Things as Pennhurst Mental Hospital patient Victor Creel.[27]
He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Halloween in 2025.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Buster and Billie | Whitey | |
| 1975 | Slashed Dreams | Michael Sutherland | Also known asSunburst |
| Hustle | Hold-up Man | ||
| 1976 | Stay Hungry | Franklin | |
| St. Ives | Hood #1 | ||
| Eaten Alive | Buck | ||
| A Star Is Born | Marty | Uncredited | |
| 1977 | The Great Smokey Roadblock | Beebo Crozier | |
| 1978 | Big Wednesday | Narrator, Fly | |
| Bloodbrothers | Mott | ||
| The Fifth Floor | Benny | ||
| 1981 | Dead & Buried | Harry | |
| Galaxy of Terror | Ranger | ||
| 1982 | Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder | Tripper | |
| 1984 | A Nightmare on Elm Street | Freddy Krueger | |
| 1985 | A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge | Freddy Krueger / Bus Driver | |
| 1986 | Never Too Young to Die | Riley | |
| 1987 | A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors | Freddy Krueger | |
| 1988 | A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master | Freddy Krueger / Nurse | |
| 976-EVIL | Director | ||
| 1989 | C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. | Man in Trenchcoat Walking with Trick-or-Treaters | Uncredited |
| A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child | Freddy Krueger / Maniac | ||
| The Phantom of the Opera | Erik Destler, The Phantom | ||
| 1990 | The Adventures of Ford Fairlane | Smiley | |
| 1991 | Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare | Freddy Krueger | |
| 1992 | Dance Macabre | Anthony Wager, Madame | |
| 1993 | Tobe Hooper's Night Terrors | Paul Chevalier, Marquis De Sade | |
| 1994 | Wes Craven's New Nightmare | Himself / Freddy Krueger | |
| 1995 | The Mangler | Bill Gartley | |
| 1996 | Killer Tongue | Prison Director | |
| The Paper Brigade | Crazy Man Cooper | ||
| The Vampyre Wars | |||
| 1997 | Perfect Target | Colonel Shakwell | |
| Wishmaster | Raymond Beaumont | ||
| 1998 | Meet the Deedles | Nemo | |
| Urban Legend | Professor William Wexler | ||
| Strangeland | Jackson "Jack" Roth | ||
| 1999 | The Prince and the Surfer | Kratski | |
| 2001 | Wish You Were Dead | Bernie Garces | |
| 2003 | Freddy vs. Jason | Freddy Krueger | |
| As a Bad Dream | Professor | ||
| The Return of Cagliostro | Erroll Douglas | (Il ritorno di Cagliostro) | |
| Nobody Knows Anything! | Jack Sampson | ||
| 2005 | 2001 Maniacs | Mayor George W. Buckman | |
| Repetition | Himself | ||
| 2006 | Hatchet | Sampson Dunston | |
| Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon | Doc Halloran | ||
| Heartstopper | Sheriff Roger Berger | ||
| 2007 | Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer | Professor Gordon Crowley | |
| 2008 | Red | Mr. Doust | |
| Zombie Strippers | Ian Essko | ||
| Killer Pad | Director | ||
| 2009 | Night of the Sinner | The Prince | |
| The Vij | |||
| 2010 | Web Cam 3D | ||
| De mayor quiero ser soldado | Psychologist | ||
| Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy | Himself | ||
| Hollywood Don't Surf! | Himself | ||
| Tamora Gamble | Rory Columbus | ||
| 2011 | Good Day for It | Wayne Jackson | |
| Inkubus | Inʞubus | ||
| 2012 | Strippers vs Werewolves | Tapper | |
| Zombie Mutation | Dream Man | ||
| 2013 | Sanitarium | Sam | (segment "Figuratively Speaking") |
| The Moleman of Belmont Avenue | Mr. Hezekiah Confab | ||
| Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th | Himself | Documentary[28] | |
| 2014 | The Last Showing | Stuart | |
| Witches Blood | Himself | ||
| 2015 | Fear Clinic | Dr. Peter Andover | |
| Kantemir | John | ||
| The Funhouse Massacre | Warden Kane | ||
| 2016 | The Midnight Man | Dr. Harding | |
| 2017 | Nightworld | Jacob | |
| Nightmares in the Makeup Chair | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2020 | In Search of Darkness: Part II | Himself | Documentary |
| 2022 | Choose or Die | Himself | |
| 2023 | Natty Knocks | Mr. Meredith | |
| Abruptio | Mr. Salk | ||
| 2026 | Pinocchio: Unstrung | The Cricket[29] | Post-production[30] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries: Mystery of the Fallen Angels | Gar | 1 episode |
| Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy | Willy | Television film | |
| 1978 | Police Woman | Jonas | Episode: "Sons" |
| The Courage and the Passion | Sgt. Bell | Television film | |
| 1979 | The Ordeal of Patty Hearst | Informer | Television film |
| Police Story | Painter | Episode: "A Cry for Justice" | |
| Soap | Simon | 2 episodes | |
| Mind Over Murder | Ted Beasly | Television film | |
| California Fever | Buddy Burns | Episode: "Centerfold" | |
| Paris | J.J. Eastwick | Episode: "Dead Men Don't Kill" | |
| 1980 | Charlie's Angels | Harold Belkin | Episode: "Harrigan's Angel" |
| Flo | Web | Episode: "The Hero of Flo's Yellow Rose" | |
| 1981 | CHiPs | Zack | Episode: "Forty Tons of Trouble" |
| Walking Tall | Bobby Joe Wilson | Episode: "The Killing of McNeal County's Children" | |
| Hart to Hart | Buddy Kilgore | Episode: "Rhinestone Harts" | |
| 1982 | Thou Shalt Not Kill | Bobby Collins | Television film |
| Mysterious Two | Boone | Television film | |
| Cassie & Co. | Cliff | Episode: "Fade Out" | |
| 1983 | The Fighter | Charlie | Television film |
| Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land | Scott | Television film | |
| Simon & Simon | 3-Card Monty | Episode: "Red Dog Blues" | |
| V | Willie | 2 episodes | |
| I Want to Live | Sam Cooper | Television film | |
| Manimal | Thug | Episode: "Night of the Beast" | |
| Hobson's Choice | Freddy Beenstock | Television film | |
| Journey's End | Television film | ||
| 1984 | Alice | Sammy | Episode: "Vera, the Horse Thief" |
| V: The Final Battle | Willie | 3 episodes | |
| 1984–1985 | V | Willie | 13 episodes |
| 1985 | Hunter | Vaughn | Episode: "Million Dollar Misunderstanding" |
| 1986 | MacGyver | Tim | Episode: "Flame's End" |
| Knight Rider | Edward Kent | Episode: "Fright Knight" | |
| North and South Book II | Deserter | 1 episode | |
| 1986–1987 | Downtown | Dennis Shothoffer | 14 episodes |
| 1988 | D.C. Follies | Freddy Krueger | Episode: "Freddy Krueger's Nightmare: Dan Quayle Elected President" |
| 1988–1990 | Freddy's Nightmares | Freddy Krueger | 44 episodes Director: "Cabin Fever" |
| 1992 | Nightmare Cafe | Blackie | 6 episodes |
| 1994 | Mortal Fear | Dr. Ralph Wannamaker | Television film |
| 1995 | Legend | Mordechai, Willy Miles | Episode: "The Gospel According to Legend" |
| The Unspoken Truth | Ernest "Ernie" Trainor | Television film | |
| 1996 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Lyle Eckert | Episode: "Deadline" |
| Babylon 5 | Jeremiah | Episode: "Grey 17 Is Missing" | |
| Sliders | Dr. James Aldohn | Episode: "State of the A.R.T." | |
| 1997 | Married... with Children | Lucifer | Episode: "Damn Bundy" |
| 1998 | The Simpsons | Freddy Krueger | Voice, episode: "Treehouse of Horror IX" |
| 1999 | The Jamie Foxx Show | Clive | Episode: "Bro Jack" |
| The Hughleys | Evil Bloodthirsty Brian | Episode: "Storm o' the Century" | |
| 2000 | Python | Dr. Anton Rudolph | Television film |
| 2001 | The Nightmare Room | Mr. Bell | Episode: "The Howler" |
| Charmed | Gammill | Episode: "Size Matters" | |
| 2002 | Justice League | Felix Faust | Voice, episode: "Paradise Lost"[31] |
| Windfall | Scratch | Television film | |
| 2003 | I'm with Her | Leonard Heckman | Episode: "All About Evil" |
| 2004 | Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! | Ringmaster | Voice, episode: "Circus of Ooze"[31] |
| 2004–2008 | The Batman | Riddler | Voice, 4 episodes[31] |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Felix Faust | Voice, episode: "The Balance"[31] |
| Masters of Horror | The MC | Episode: "Dance of the Dead" | |
| 2007 | Black Swarm | Eli Giles | Television film |
| 2008–2009 | The Spectacular Spider-Man | Vulture | Voice, 4 episodes[31] |
| 2009 | The Super Hero Squad Show | Dormammu | Voice, episode: "Enter Dormammu!" |
| Fear Clinic | Dr. Andover | 5 episodes | |
| 2010 | Bones | Ray Buxley | Episode: "The Death of the Queen Bee" |
| Chuck | Dr. Stanley Wheelwright | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Aisle of Terror" | |
| Supernatural | Dr. Robert | Episode: "Appointment in Samarra" | |
| 2011 | Hawaii Five-0 | Samuel Lee | Episode: "Ka Iwi Kapu (Sacred Bones)" |
| 2011–2017 | Regular Show | Anti-Pops, Stag Man | Voice, 8 episodes[31] |
| 2012 | Green Lantern: The Animated Series | Myglom | Voice, episode: "Razer's Edge"[31] |
| Criminal Minds | Detective Gassner | Episode: "Heathridge Manor" | |
| Lake Placid: The Final Chapter | Jim Bickerman | Television film | |
| 2013 | Workaholics | Dr. TelAmeriCorp, Josh | Episode: "A TelAmerican Horror Story" |
| 2014 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Dire Beaver, Dread Beaver | Voice, episode: "In Dreams"[31] |
| 2015 | Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. | Pluto | Voice, episode: "The Tale of Hercules"[31] |
| Hell's Kitchen | Himself | 1 episode | |
| Lake Placid vs. Anaconda | Jim Bickerman | Television film | |
| 2017 | Uncle Grandpa | Boogie Man | Voice, episode: "Broken Boogie" |
| Pig Goat Banana Cricket | Lost Larry, Hockey Mask | Voice, episode: "Jiminy Ron Cricket"[31] | |
| 2018 | The Goldbergs | Freddy Krueger | Episode: "Mister Knifey-Hands" |
| Spy Kids: Mission Critical | The Squatter | Voice, episode: "Home Sick" | |
| 2020 | True Terror with Robert Englund | Himself | |
| JJ Villard's Fairy Tales | Hive Head, Toilet, Porridge Dad | Voice, episode: "The Goldilox Massacre" | |
| 2021–2022 | Dota: Dragon's Blood | Aetherak | Voice, 2 episodes[31] |
| 2022 | Stranger Things | Victor Creel | Episode: "Chapter Four: Dear Billy"[32] |
| 2023 | King Star King | Jeff Bezos | Voice, special: "King Star King!/!/!/" |
| 2023–2024 | Curses! | Corneilus Vanderhouven | Voice, 5 episodes |
| Year | Title | Artist | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Dream Warriors" | Dokken | Freddy Krueger | |
| 1988 | "Are You Ready for Freddy" | The Fat Boys | Freddy Krueger | [33] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Fear Clinic | Dr. Andover | 5 episodes |
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Marvel Super Hero Squad Online | Dormammu | |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops | Himself | ||
| Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars | Terran Khan | ||
| 2017 | Injustice 2 | Dr. Jonathan Crane / The Scarecrow | [34][31] |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actor | A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors | Nominated |
| 1990 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actor | A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master | Nominated |
| 1995 | Fantafestival | Best Actor | The Mangler | Won |
| 2001 | Saturn Award | The Life Career Award | - | Won |
| 2004 | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Actor | Freddy vs. Jason | Nominated |
| 2007 | Sitges Film Festival | Time-Machine Honorary Award | - | Won |
| 2009 | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer | Nominated |
| 2010 | New York City Horror Film Festival | Lifetime Achievement Award | - | Won |
| Streamy Awards | Best Male Actor in a Drama Web Series | Fear Clinic | Nominated | |
| 2020 | CinEuphoria Awards | Career – Honorary Award | - | Won |
| 2022 | Saturn Award | Guest Performance in a Streaming Series | Stranger Things | Nominated[35] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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