Most know Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, the face of the A nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Appearing in eight films and making over 50 credited appearances as Krueger, he is one of the most iconic horror villains in film history.
But Englund's career goes beyond the glove and the striped jersey. He is also an accomplished actor with over 100 film, television and stage credits to his name. Whether on the silver screen or the small screen, Robert Englund has consistently delivered top performances for nearly five decades.
From his first on-screen role in the 1974 film Buster and Billy to his most recent work on the hit Netflix show Stranger things, Englund has really evolved as an actor over the years. Let's take a look at some of Englund's most notable roles and performances outside of Freddy Krueger.
10 The Manager -William Marley
The 1995 movie The Manager is based on a Stephen King story of the same name from his first book of short stories of the title Night shift. Englund stars as William "Bill" Gartley, the owner of Gartley's Blue Ribbon Laundry Service, where the titular machine is responsible for a series of gruesome deaths. This leads the police to investigate the laundromat, uncovering sinister secrets from the past and dark plans for more human sacrifice in the future.
Englund delivers a powerful performance as the enigmatic Gartley, using his presence to create an unnerving atmosphere in each of his scenes. Even with some over-the-top gore and a whimsical storyline, he can bring a comic relief to the film that only he could deliver. The Manager was one of Englund's first horror roles since his time as Freddy Krueger, and it certainly set the tone for many of his future performances.
9 wish master - Raymond Beaumont
Released in 1997, the supernatural horror movie wish master stars Englund in the smaller role of Raymond Beaumont. It tells the ancient story of a Djinn, a ghost-like creature that terrorizes a village before being sent into a fire opal. Hundreds of years later, the creature is unknowingly freed from the opal and wreaks havoc on a group of humans. The film itself is a fun nod to iconic horror villains, also starring Tony Todd and Kane Hodder.
The film's B-movie style sees him star as the eccentric Beaumont. He brings to life a character whose motivations are hidden behind a collector's facade. It's an underrated watch that perfectly blends the 90s horror movie with Englund's signature humor.
8 Urban legend - Professor William Wexler
1998 Urban legend is another underrated piece of 90s horror starring Englund as Professor William Wexler. The film follows a group of college students as they slowly uncover the truth behind a series of legend-inspired murders. England's character, Professor Wexler, is not only a folklore instructor to the students, but also a mysterious figure who is even suspected of the murders at one point.
His dynamic performance is one of the most memorable parts of Urban Legend, and it's surprising how often this film is overlooked. Englund gives the role a sense of unease with his subtle mannerisms and theatrical presentation. He's the perfect mix of scary and entertaining, and it's a real shame that his character only survived part of the movie.
7 The batter - The Councilor
The batter animated series of the early to mid-2000s was one of Englund's most impressive roles outside of Freddy Krueger. He voiced the iconic Batman villain, The Riddler, and his unique spin on the character added a new level of depth to match the character's new look. His performance was both sinister and humorous, making him one of the best villains to appear on this show.
Although The Riddler only appeared in three episodes, he brought the character to life for a new generation of Batman fans. Englund's unique approach to the role gave viewers a fresh take on an old villain, and it's a testament to his range of talent.
6 Eaten alive - Buck
Another project Englund worked on with Tobe Hooper was his first feature film in 1976 entitled Eaten alive. Englund plays Buck in this horror exploitation movie, a local man on the loose in a rural Texas town. It's a smaller role than the main characters, but it's still memorable for its bizarre performance.
Eaten Alive is a great watch, if only to appreciate Englund's odd story and early work. The character of Buck is a wild-eyed menace that adds an extra layer of suspense to the film. It marks one of his first appearances in the horror genre, unknowingly paving the way for his future as an icon in the industry.
5 Stranger things - Victor Creel
Englund last appeared in the popular Netflix series Stranger things in a small role as Victor Creel. In Season 4 Episode 4 titled Chapter 4: Dear Billy, Englund's character lives in a mental hospital after being accused of murdering his family. His immense guilt over the mistakes he has made throughout his life caused him to blind himself with razor blades.
It was such a small role that viewers wanted to know more about this mysterious character, and Englund does a great job of showing Creel's mixture of sadness and guilt. Will Season 5 answer questions about Victor Creel and force him to face his son? Stranger things Season 5 begins filming in May.
4 Wes Craven's new nightmare - Himself
Wes Craven and Robert Englund reunite for the 1994 movie Wes Craven's new nightmarewhich marked the seventh chapter in the A nightmare on Elm Street series. Englund portrayed himself and Freddy Krueger in this meta-horror film where actors from the original film realize that Freddy is escaping from the films into the real world.
Balancing both roles is no easy feat, but Englund seems to switch between the two characters flawlessly. Even if his self-referential performance only appears in half the film, it's great to see him work with Heather Langenkamp in one of Wes Craven's best films.
3 v - Willy
As one of the most successful series of the early 1980s, v is a science fiction show that revolves around reptilian aliens trying to take over the world. Englund appeared in 19 episodes as Willie, an undercover alien who sympathizes with the human race and decides to stay after others retreat to their planet.
Englund's performance on this show showcased another side of his acting abilities, as Willie was surprisingly warm and endearing and showed his talent goes far beyond horror. A stark contrast to his other roles, Willie is a likeable character that viewers look for on his journey. It's a little dated today, but v remains a classic 80s show worth watching.
2 Maniacs from 2001 Mayor Buckman
Robert Englund took a break from dark horror for the 2005 comedy horror film Maniacs from 2001. It is a remake of Herschell Gordon Lewis's 1964 film titled Two thousand maniacs! Englund plays Mayor Buckman, who introduces a group of unsuspecting college students to his home in Pleasant Valley, Georgia. What they don't know is that this weekend is the city's annual celebration - and they are the invited guests.
It's clear that Englund is having a great time playing Buckman, as he puts on an over-the-top performance and charismatically leads the festivities. Maniacs from 2001 is not only an underrated classic for the actor, but in the horror genre in general. It seems that many people quickly overlook this film, but it is a must-see for fans of Englund and horror comedies in general.
1 Anxiety clinic - Dr. Andover
In the 2014 horror movie Anxiety clinic, Englund teams up with Fiona Dourif and Thomas Dekker to bring this story of a doctor's terrifying treatments to life. Englund plays Dr. Andover, a psychiatrist who developed a way to cure phobias through an invention called the "fear chamber." This machine puts the patient in a dream-like state, allowing them to face their worst fears in a "safe and controlled environment." Years later, as patients return to the clinic with worsening symptoms, things get sinister.
Englund's performance as the benevolent doctor develops into a character with genuine sympathy for his patients. Anxiety clinic is not the most successful film of his career, but the presence he can bring to the role helps take the film to the next level, making it a solid addition to his filmography. It's a captivating experience and any Englund fan should add it to their watch list.
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