It’s not often that the best B-horror movies are complimented for their performances, despite the fact that they are often made or broken by them. An actor who is unable to fully commit to the project they are a part of can leave an otherwise enjoyable movie unremarkable. It does not even necessarily have to be a typical good performance, only one can sell the audience on the atmosphere and tone of a movie.
Horror movies generally struggle to get enough attention for the hard work their performances require. year after year, Horror actors find themselves passed up for higher accolades Because of the genre they excel in. Achieving the right tone and energy in their performances can turn cheap horror into fantastic cheap horror. It could be Desiree Gould establishing the funny tone of Slipaway camp Like Aunt Martha, or there could be a permanent welcome appearance by Tom Savini and his effects. However, their performances and the performances of their peers have long been praised.
10
Bruce Campbell
Known For: The Evil Dead (1981) & 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 to walk the earth. Meeting horror legend Sam Raimi in his teens, Campbell began his career attuned to Raimi’s distinct flair for humor and horror. This helped audiences quickly grow to love him, especially after his appearance in evil dead 2, Which sees him at every comedic bone in his body without diminishing the horror that surrounded him.
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For years, he has maintained his status as a horror legend because of the dedication he never fails to put on the screen. Is it his early work in Maniac Cap Or his later work in doll ho-tep, He always raised the material to his own level. Campbell has definitely received his flowers for a few of his performances, but I doubt it will be enough to give him.
9
Jacob Korn
Known For: The Return Of The Living Dead (1985) & Poltergeist (1982)
James Karen is probably best known for his starring turns in the first two Return of the living dead movies, where he stars alongside the equally underrated Thom Matthews. His performances are defined by his commitmentThat goes especially for the movies where he sets the tone so well. There is no doubt that Karen never received the credit he deserved and still, after his death, remains underrated.
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His villainous turn against Brooke Adams in The unborn Demonstrated his range and ability to inhabit a darker character with great results. The same can be said about his small, but impressive turn in Poltergeist, Where he delivers excellently the background needed to understand the horror. James Karen was and still is a great contributor to B-horror movies everywhere. If you see him in horror, you can be assured he will deliver the exact performance needed.
8
Mary Vronov
Known For: Eat Raoul (1982) & Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)
Mary Voronov initially found success working with Andy Warhol, appearing in multiple of his projects, before pivoting to horror movies. Veronov became a regular in Roger Corman productions, appearing in most of her projects with an effortless, cool and hardened persona. Appearing in classics such as TerrorVision, night of the comet, And Chopping mall, She always manages to stand out.
remains a staple of horror to this day, Voronov worked with legendary directors, both new and old. Her appearances at Rob Zombie’s The devil’s rejection and T. West S The House of the Devil. She has proven once again that she should be an appreciative staple of horror, and her credits prove it. Horror, comedy or drama she can do it and would do it all.
7
Tim Thomerson
Known for: Trancers (1984) & Dollman (1991)
Starting his career as a stand-up comedian, Tim Thomerson found his way to horror in 1980 through a cult classic. fade to black. Since his appearance in the film, He became an immensely common figure in horror classics. of his great performance in Life is dark to his years spent as Jack Death in the Transers series, you can be assured that he will bring a rugged charm to the role.
It is especially the US Transers Movies that exemplify why Thomerson has maintained his status as a cult figure. His experience in comedy with his hardened image equips an actor to take on villains such as the evil playthings in Dollman vs. Demonic toys. He is certainly an important figure in the world of low budget sci-fi and horror, deserving more attention for his ability to elevate characters like that of Jack Death.
6
Barbara Crampton
Known For: Re-Animator (1985) & Chopping Mall (1986)
Having initially gained notoriety for Re-animator And the legendary Freaky from beyond, Barbara Crompton quickly became a staple of the 1980s Horror scene. Her work alongside Jeffrey Combs has had considerable staying power, with Re-animator Proving to be one of the most beloved B-movies. But still, she is often overlooked for an extraordinary catalog.
Crampton remains a familiar face in horror, most recently appearing in Adam Wingard You’re no further And more recently, Joe Lynch’s Suitable meat. She has proven time and time again to be an exceptional actress, and has yet to receive credit for her turn as Dr. Katherine McMichaels in from beyond. She elevates the film with her ability to portray the character’s shifting mental state and the way in which her connection with evil forces drives her to poor choices.
5
Lance Henrikson
Known for: Aliens (1986) & Pumpkinhead (1988)
It’s hard not to recognize Lance Henriksen. His credits are more than two hundred and many of the movies have lived to become well-respected classics. Are there blockbusters like Aliens And The Terminator Or B-movie classics like Life is dark And pumpkin, He will surely deliver a memorable performance. Never one to call it in, Henriksen has time and again proven his ability to turn small roles into memorable ones.
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From heroes to villains, he is always able to show a side of his characters that others cannot. Humanizing characters who could easily fall into flat and uninteresting performances. Horror classic Life is dark Reveals just how terrible a control Henriksen has in portraying villains, never pushing into tropes and consistently upping the ante. There’s a reason he’s one of the few actors to have gone up against The Terminator, The Xenomorph, and The Predator.
4
Gerrit Graham
Known for TerrorVision (1986) & Phantom Of The Paradise (1974)
Beginning his career in Brian De Palma’s earliest movies, Gerrit Graham quickly revealed himself to have a talent for elevating small roles. His first horror performance came in De Palma’s horror musical Phantom of the Paradise in which he played a flamboyant rocker beef. It clearly established him as a comedic talent, and one suited to horror movies that skewed comedy. From there he appeared in films like Demon Seed, TerrorVision, and the previously mentioned Chopping mall.
Graham is also notable for his appearance as the titular character in CHUD II: Bud The CHUD, In which he portrays a cannibalistic villain. It exemplifies what makes Gerrit Graham such an easily identifiable figure, contorting his face and putting his all into a hilarious yet monstrous villain. He’s yet to properly get the credit he’s due, but he’ll always prove a good omen for any B-horror.
3
Pam Greer
Known For: Bones (2001) & Class of 1999 (1990)
Thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown In 1997, Pam Grier received the flowers she deserved for her iconic run of blaxploitation films in the ’70s. However, Grier has never properly received credit for her appearances in horror films. Starting out in horror with Eddie Romero’s Twilight people and Bob Kelson Shout Blacula Shout, Pam Grier has maintained a consistent output of horror films Since the beginning of her career. Her effortless cool and willingness to get messy makes Grier an easy favorite among horror fans.
Hero or villain, Grier has always maintained a screen presence that is hard to compete with. From playing a flamethrower wheeling robot in Class of 1999 to a hardened commander in John Carpenter Game Ghosts of MarsShe is sure to make her presence known. Just like Vonetta McGee and Marlene Clark before her, Pam Grier proves there is room for black scream queens.
2
Jeffrey Combs
Known For: Re-Animator (1985) & From Beyond (1986)
You would be hard pressed to Find a horror fan who doesn’t know who Jeffrey Combs is. His performances since Re-animator Have maintained popularity for his funny and unique delivery. Combs always managed to balance his weirdness with an extraordinarily awkward sense of humor that came to define him. He remains a legend through his collaborations with Stuart Gordon, which are always worth a watch.
Combs has appeared in many projects, with one of his finest performances coming from the immensely underrated The scary one. It’s a perfect movie to capture why Combs is a legend, stretching his comedic skills to the limit and maintaining his signature awkwardness. His career is mostly focused on voice acting at the moment, but when Combs returns to horror, it’s worth looking out for.
1
Vincent Price
Known For: House On Haunted Hill (1959) & The Fly (1958)
Vincent Price has been an icon of B-horror for some 50 years, With his performances in House of Wax, The Fly And The Mask of the Red Death Making him a legend in his time and beyond. Notable for his eerie voice and stoic delivery, Price became an easily recognizable figure. Despite how long he appeared, since his passing in 1993, it has become clear that his importance is disappearing from younger generations.
This is a huge disservice to Price’s legend, as watching any of his films will immediately convince you of his importance in horror. Just watching the opening moments of House on Haunted Hill Will convince anyone of this, his story casts a somber hue over the credits in mere moments. New generations have always paid him, with his story in Michael Jackson Thriller music video and his appearance as the inventor in Edward Scissorhands. Hopefully, his legacy will remain an influencing force on horror for years to come.