It’s not often that the best B horror films are praised for their performances, despite them often being made or broken by them. An actor unable to fully commit to the project they are part of can leave an otherwise enjoyable film unremarkable. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be a normally good performance, just one capable of selling the viewer on the atmosphere and tone of a film.
horror movies in general, they struggle to attract enough attention for the hard work their performances require. Year after year, horror actors are passed over for greater recognition because of the genre in which they excel. Achieving the right tone and energy in your performances can turn cheap horror into fantastic, cheap horror. Could it be Desiree Gould setting the strange tone of Sleeping camp like Aunt Martha, or it could be an always-welcome appearance from Tom Savini and his effects. In any case, your performance and the performance of your colleagues should already be praised.
10
Bruce Campbell
Known for: The Evil Dead (1981) and Maniac Cop (1988)
Having achieved legendary status in the 1980s Bruce Campbell has proven time and time again that he is one of the greatest scream kings walk the Earth. Meeting horror legend Sam Raimi as a teenager, Campbell began his career attuned to Raimi’s distinct talent for humor and horror. This helped audiences quickly love him, especially after his appearance in Evil Dead 2, which sees him flexing every comedic bone in his body without diminishing the horror surrounding him.
For years, he has maintained his position as a horror legend because of the dedication he never fails to put on screen. Whether it’s your initial work in Manic Policeman or his later work on Bubba Ho-Tep, he always elevated the material to his own level. Campbell definitely received flowers for some of her performances, but I doubt there will ever be enough flowers to give her.
9
James Karen
Known for: Return of the Living Dead (1985) and Poltergeist (1982)
James Karen is probably best known for his performances in the first two Return of the living dead films, where he stars alongside the equally underrated Thom Matthews. Your actions are defined by your commitmentwhich is especially true for those films where he sets the tone so well. There is no doubt that Karen never got the credit she deserved and yet, after her death, she remains underappreciated.
His villainous turn towards Brooke Adams in The unborn demonstrated his range and ability to inhabit a darker character with great results. The same can be said of his small but impactful performance. Poltergeist, where he excellently provides the necessary background to understand the horror. James Karen was and still remains a major contributor to B horror films everywhere. If you see him in horror, you can be sure that he will perform exactly as required.
8
Maria Woronova
Known for: Eating Raoul (1982) and Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)
Mary Woronov initially found success working with Andy Warhol, appearing in several of his projects, before turning to horror films. Becoming a regular in Roger Corman productions, Woronov stood out in most of his projects with a laid-back, cool and hardened personality. Appearing in classics like HorrorVision, Night of the Comet, and Cutting mall, She always manages to stand out.
Remaining a horror staple to this day, Woronov has worked with legendary directors, new and old. His appearances on Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects and Ti West The Devil’s House. She’s proven time and time again that she should be a beloved element of horror, and her credits prove it. Horror, comedy or drama she could and would do it all.
7
Tim Thomerson
Known for: Trancers (1984) and Dollman (1991)
Starting his career as a stand-up comedian, Tim Thomeson found his way into horror in 1980 through the cult classic Fade to black. Since his appearance in that film, he has become an immensely common figure in horror classics. From his great performance in Almost dark to the years he spent as Jack Deth in Lockers series, you can be sure he’ll bring a gruff charm to the role.
It is especially the Lockers films that exemplify why Thomeson has maintained his status as a cult figure. His experience in comedy, combined with his hardened image, provides an actor equipped to take on villains, such as the evil toys of Doll vs. Demonic toys. He’s certainly an important figure in the world of low-budget science fiction and horror, deserving more attention for his ability to elevate characters like Jack Deth.
6
Barbara Crampton
Known for: Re-Animator (1985) and Chopping Mall (1986)
Having initially gained notoriety for Reanimator and the legendarily strange From beyond, Barbara Crampton quickly became a reference in the 1980s horror scene. His work alongside Jeffrey Combs had considerable staying power, with Reanimator still proving to be one of the most beloved B films. Still, she is often overlooked for having such an exceptional catalog.
Crampton has remained a familiar face in horror, most recently appearing in Adam Wingard’s You are next and more recently, Joe Lynch Suitable meat. She has repeatedly demonstrated that she is an exceptional actress and has yet to receive due credit for her performance as Dr. Katherine McMichaels in From Beyond. She elevates the film with her ability to portray the changes in the character’s mental state and the way her connection to the forces of evil leads her to make poor choices.
5
Lance Henriksen
Known for: Aliens (1986) and Pumpkinhead (1988)
It’s hard not to recognize Lance Henriksen. His credits number over two hundred and many of these films have survived to become respected classics. Whether box office hits like Aliens and The Terminator or B-movie classics like Almost dark and pumpkin head, he is sure to give a memorable performance. Never one to phone it in, Henriksen has repeatedly proven his ability to turn small roles into memorable roles.
From heroes to villains, he always manages to show a side of his characters that others couldn’t. Humanizing characters that could easily fall into monotonous and uninteresting performances. horror classic Almost dark reveals just how frightening the control Henriksen has when portraying villains, never going into tropes and consistently upping the ante. There’s a reason he’s one of the few actors to have faced off against the Terminator, the Xenomorph, and the Predator.
4
Gerrit Graham
Known for TerrorVision (1986) and Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
Starting his career in Brian De Palma’s first films Gerrit Graham quickly revealed that he had a talent for elevating small roles. His first horror performance came in De Palma’s horror musical Ghost of Paradise, in which he played flamboyant rocker Beef. This clearly established him as a comedic talent, well suited to comedy-twisting horror films. From there, he appeared in films such as Demon Seed, TerrorVision, and the previously mentioned Shopping Mall.
Graham is also notable for his appearance as the titular character in CHUD II: Bud O CHUD, in which he excellently portrays a cannibalistic villain. This exemplifies what makes Gerrit Graham such an easily identifiable figure, contorting his face and putting everything into a hilarious yet monstrous villain. It still hasn’t gotten the credit it’s due, but it will always bode well for any B-horror.
3
Pam Grier
Known for: Bones (2001) and Class of 1999 (1990)
Thanks to Quentin Tarantino Jackie Brown In 1997, Pam Grier received the flowers she deserved for her iconic series of blaxsploitation films in the ’70s. However, Grier never received proper credit for her appearances in horror films. Getting started in horror with Eddie Romero Twilight People and Bob Kelljan Scream Blacula Scream, Pam Grier has maintained a consistent output of horror films since the beginning of his career. Her effortless cool and willingness to mess up make Grier a favorite among horror fans.
Hero or villain, Grier has always maintained a screen presence that’s hard to match. From playing a flamethrower-wielding robot to Class of 1999 to a hardened commanding officer at John Carpenter’s Ghosts from Marsshe will definitely make her presence known. Just like Vonetta McGee and Marlene Clark before her, Pam Grier proves there’s room for black scream queens.
2
Jeffrey Combs
Known for: Re-Animator (1985) and From Beyond (1986)
You would have difficulty find a horror fan who doesn’t know who Jeffrey Combs is. His actions since Reanimator They have maintained popularity for their strange and unique delivery. Combs has always managed to balance his weirdness with a distinctly odd sense of humor that has come to define him. He has remained a legend through his collaborations with Stuart Gordon, which are always worth watching.
Combs has appeared in many projects, with one of his best performances coming in the hugely underrated The Scary Ones. It’s a perfect film to capture why Combs is a legend, pushing his comedic skills to the limit while maintaining his signature weirdness. Currently, his career is mainly focused on voice acting, but whenever Combs returns to horror, it’s worth keeping an eye out.
1
Vicente Price
Known for: House On Haunted Hill (1959) and The Fly (1958)
Vincent Price was a B-horror icon for nearly 50 years, with his performances in House of Wax, The Fly and The Masque of the Red Death making him a legend in his time and beyond. Notable for his mysterious voice and stoic delivery, Price has become an easily recognizable figure. Despite how long he proved his worth, since his death in 1993, it has become clear that his importance has waned in younger generations.
This is an immense disservice to the legend of Price, as watching any of his films will immediately convince you of his importance in horror. Just observing the initial moments of House on Haunted Hill will convince anyone of this, his narration casting an eerie tone over the credits within moments. New generations have always paid tribute to him, with his narration in the Michael Jackson film action movie music video and his appearance as the inventor in Eduardo Scissorhands. Hopefully his legacy will continue to be an influential force in horror for years to come.