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C. J. Graham | |
|---|---|
 Graham atGalaxyCon Richmond in 2019 | |
| Born | 1956 or 1957 (age 67–68)[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Known for | PlayingJason Voorhees |
C. J. Graham is an Americanactor who became known for playingJason Voorhees in the sixth installment of theFriday the 13th film series,Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.
A 6'3" formernightclub owner, Graham was spotted as a potential Jason Voorhees forFriday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives when playing Jason in a night club act. Impressing those casting for the film, who were already in search of a new Jason as then actorDan Bradley was considered not posing or threatening enough, C. J. Graham landed the role. He went on to play Jason in all movie scenes and stunts besides the Paintball scene which had already been filmed with Bradley and the opening graveyard scene which was played by Christopher Swift. Graham reprised this role in the video forAlice Cooper's "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)", which was written for and featured in the film blending footage straight from the movie as well as original footage.
As of 2017, Graham only played one other role – he appeared in the horror filmHighway to Hell as the main antagonist, a heavily made-up, silent monster called the Hell Cop. As of 2010, Graham is the VP of casino operations at Thunder Valley Casino inLincoln, California. This is similar toHeather Langenkamp (ofA Nightmare on Elm Street fame) andRichard Brooker (ofFriday the 13th Part III fame), who are both full-time business owners and part-time actors.[original research?] He has been known to speak highly of his time as Jason, even claiming that he would reprise the role in another film if asked.
Graham was formerly the COO of the Agua Caliente Casinos in the greater Palm Springs area, California.
According to an online interview withKane Hodder, the actor who played Jason directly after Graham, reported that Graham had the chance to reprise the role of Jason in the long-awaited 2003 filmFreddy vs. Jason. With the producers of the film looking to replace Hodder despite being cast in the four most recent movies, citing supposed reasons ranging from his height compared toRobert Englund, the actor who portrayedFreddy Krueger, to simply wanting to try something different, Graham's name was brought up in suggestion. Despite Graham's agent wanting him to audition for the role, Graham, being both a good friend of Hodder and feeling like the New Line producers were treating him unfairly with the re-casting decision, wanted no part in it.[2] Ultimately, the role went to Canadian stuntmanKen Kirzinger.
Graham commonly visits horror conventions and often participants in fan events and signing autographs.
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