It is not often thatthe best B-horror moviesare complimented for their performances, despite the fact that they are often made or broken by them. An actor unable to commit fully to the project they are a part of can leave an otherwise enjoyable movie unremarkable. It does not even necessarily have to be a typically good performance, just one able to sell the viewer on the atmosphere and tone of a movie.
Horror moviesin general struggle to garner enough attention for the hard work their performances require. Year after year,horror actors find themselves passed up for higher acknowledgmentsbecause of the genre they excel in. Achieving the right tone and energy in their performances can make a cheap horror into a fantastic cheap horror. It could be Desiree Gould establishing the strange tone ofSleepaway Campas Aunt Martha, or it could be an always welcome appearance byTom Savini and his effects. Either way, their performances and the performances of their peers are long overdue for praise.
10Bruce Campbell
Having achieved legend status in the 1980s,Bruce Campbell has proved time and again that he is one of the greatest scream kingsto 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 inEvil Dead 2,which sees him flexing every comedic bone in his body without diminishing the horror that surrounded him.
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For years, he has maintained his hold as a horror legend because of the dedication he never fails to put on the screen. Whether it is his early work inManiac Coporhis later work inBubba Ho-Tep,he always elevated the material to his own level. Campbell has definitely received his flowers for a good few of his performances, but I doubt there will ever be enough to give him.
9James Karen
James Karen is most likely best known for his starring turns in the first twoReturn Of The Living Deadmovies, where he stars alongside the equally underrated Thom Matthews.His performances are defined by his commitment, which goes especially for those 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 across from Brooke Adams inThe Unborndemonstrated his range and ability to inhabit a darker character with great results. The same can be said of his small, but impactful turn inPoltergeist,where he excellently delivers the background needed to understand the horror. James Karen was and still remains a great contributor to B-horror movies everywhere. If you see him in a horror, you can be assured he will deliver the exact performance needed.
8Mary Woronov
Know For: Eating Raoul (1982) & Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)
Mary Woronov initially found success working with Andy Warhol, appearing in multiple of his projects, before pivoting toward horror movies. Becoming a regular in Roger Corman productions, Woronov stood out in most of her projects with an effortless, cool, and hardened persona. Appearing in classics such asTerrorVision,Night of the Comet,andChopping Mall,she always manages to stand out.
Remaining a staple of horror to this day,Woronov has worked with legendary directors, both new and old. Her appearances in Rob Zombie’sThe Devil’s Rejectsand Ti West’sThe House of The Devil.She has proved time and time again that she should be an appreciated staple of horror, and her credits prove this. Horror, comedy or drama she could do it and would do it all.
7Tim Thomerson
Known For: Trancers (1984) & Dollman (1991)
Starting his career as a stand-up comedian, Tim Thomerson found his way to horror in 1980 by way of cult classicFade to Black. Since his appearance in that film,he has become an immensely common figure in horror classics. From his great performance inNear Darkto his years spent as Jack Deth in theTrancersseries, you can be assured he will bring a gruff charm to the role.
It is especially theTrancersmovies that exemplify why Thomerson has maintained his status as a cult figure. His experience in comedy matched with his hardened image provides for an actor equipped to take on villains such as the evil play-things inDollman Vs. Demonic Toys.He is certainly an important figure in the world of low budget sci-fi and horror, deserving of more attention for his ability to elevate characters like that of Jack Deth.
6Barbara Crampton
Known For: Re-Animator (1985) & Chopping Mall (1986)
Having initially gained notoriety forRe-Animatorand the legendarily freakyFrom Beyond,Barbara Crampton quickly became a staple of the 1980shorror scene. Her work alongside Jeffrey Combs has had considerable staying power, withRe-Animatorproving to still be one of the most beloved B-movies. Yet still, she is often overlooked for having had such an exceptional catalog.
Barbara Crampton has worked alongside Stuart Gordan (director) and Jeffrey Combs inRe-Animator,From Beyond, andCastle Freak.
Crampton has remained a familiar face in horror, recently appearing in Adam Wingard’sYou’re Nextand more recently, Joe Lynch’sSuitable Flesh.She has shown time and time again to be an exceptional actress, and has yet to properly receive credit for her turn as Dr. Katherine McMichaels inFrom Beyond.She elevates the film with her ability to portray the shifting mental state of the character and the way in which her connection with evil forces drives her to poor choices.
5Lance Henriksen
It is hard not to recognize Lance Henriksen. His credits amount to more than two hundred and a great many of those movies have lived on to become well respected classics. Whether it be blockbusters likeAliensandThe Terminatoror B-movie classics likeNear DarkandPumpkinhead,he will be sure to deliver a memorable performance. Never one to phone it in, Henriksen has time and again proved 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 others could not. Humanizing characters that could easily fall into flat and uninteresting performances.Horror classicNear Darkreveals just how frightening a control Henriksen has in portraying villains, never pushing into tropes and consistently upping the ante. There is a reason he is one of few actors to have faced off against the terminator, the xenomorph and the predator.
4Gerrit 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 at elevating small roles. His first horror performance came inDe Palma’s horror musicalPhantom Of The Paradise,in which he played flamboyant rocker Beef. It clearly established him as a comedic talent, and one well suited to horror movies that skewed comedic. From there, he appeared in films such asDemon Seed,TerrorVision,and the previously mentionedChopping Mall.
Graham is also notable for his appearance as the titular character inC.H.U.D II: Bud The C.H.U.D.,in which he excellently 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 is yet to properly receive the credit he is due, but he will always prove a good omen for any B-horror.
3Pam Grier
Known For: Bones (2001) & Class Of 1999 (1990)
Thanks to Quentin Tarantino’sJackie Brownin 1997, Pam Grier received the flowers that she deserved for her iconic run of blaxsploitation films in the ’70s. However, Grier has never properly received credit for her appearances in horror films. Starting out in horror with Eddie Romero’sTwilight Peopleand Bob Kelljan’sScream Blacula Scream,Pam Grier has maintained a consistent output of horror filmssince the beginning of her career. Her effortless cool and willingness to get messy makes Grier an easy favorite among horror fans.
Pam Grier was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance inJackie Brown.
Hero or villain, Grier has always maintained a screen presence that is hard to compete with. From playing a flamethrower wielding robot inClass Of 1999to a hardened commanding officer in John Carpenter’sGhosts Of Mars, she is sure to make her presence known. Just like Vonetta McGee and Marlene Clark before her, Pam Grier proves that there is space for black scream queens.
2Jeffrey Combs
Known For: Re-Animator (1985) & From Beyond (1986)
You would be hard-pressed tofind a horror fan who does not know who Jeffrey Combs is. His performances sinceRe-Animatorhave maintained popularity for his strange and unique delivery. Combs has always managed to balance his strangeness with a distinctly awkward sense of humor that has come to define him. He has remained a legend throughhis collaborations with Stuart Gordon, which are always worth a watch.
Combs has appeared in a great many projects, with one of his finest performances coming from the immensely underratedThe Frighteners.It is a perfect movie to capture why Combs is a legend, stretching his comedic skills to the limit while maintaining his signature awkwardness. His career is mostly focused on voice acting currently, but anytime Combs returns to horror, it is worth looking out for it.
1Vincent Price
Known For: House On Haunted Hill (1959) & The Fly (1958)
Vincent Price was an icon of B-horrorfor some 50 years,with his performances inHouse of Wax, The FlyandThe Masque of the Red Deathmaking 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 proved himself, since his passing in 1993, it has become clear his importance has faded from younger generations.
This is an immense 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 ofHouse on Haunted Hillwill convince anyone of this, his narration casting an eerie hue over the credits in mere moments. Newer generations have always paid tribute to him, with his narration in Michael Jackson’sThrillermusic video and his appearance as the inventor inEdward Scissorhands. Hopefully, his legacy will remain an influencing force on horror for years to come.
