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Biography: "Classically trained thespian of the stage turned busy character player of the screen before gaining international cult stardom as 'Freddy Krueger', the dark king of the dream world, in a successful horror movie franchise inaugurated with Wes Craven's now-classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. Like Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff in the 1930s, Englund's name has become closely linked with one monstrously popular movie character; in recent horror film history, only Anthony Perkins's 'Norman Bates' has struck such a resonant chord with the film-going public. (In contrast 'Jason' of the Friday the 13th series, 'Michael Myers' of the Halloween films, and 'Leatherface' of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series remain anonymous to all but the cognoscenti.) Though slight of build, Englund worked his dark magic with a deep voice and angular hawk-like features under mounds of makeup. The sharpness of his razor 'fingers' is matched only by his ironic quips.
Englund began studying acting at age 12 in a children's theater program at California State University. He appeared in numerous children's plays before attending the American branch of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in Rochester, MI, by day and acting at the Meadowbrook Theater by night. His first big break was a role in the Cleveland company production of Godspell in 1972. Appearances in many other regional productions followed. In the early 70s Englund traveled to LA to audition for Terrence Malick's Badlands, while he did not win the part, he did decided to stay in L.A. He made his feature debut in Buster and Billie.
Englund became a successful character player in films, TV movies and miniseries, and TV series. He had his first taste of cult celebrity playing 'Willie', a sympathetic alien visitor who joins the human resistance, in the three incarnations of V (1983 two-part NBC TV-movie; and subsequent 1984-85 series). This would all pale beside the success of 'Freddy Krueger'. Englund reprised the character for five increasingly campy sequels and a syndicated TV anthology spin-off, Freddy's Nightmares. He also worked with creator Wes Craven on Nightmare Cafe in 1992, a short-lived fantasy anthology series.
Englund recreated his most famous role for Wes Craven's New Nightmare - the unofficial and highly unconventional seventh film in the series - which postulated that Krueger was a genuine malevolent entity released into the 'real' world after the demise of his movie franchise. Englund played both himself and a much meaner, tougher 'Freddy' in this thoughtful and reflexive horror opus." - Thanks to Hollywood.com
Filmography
2001 Maniacs: Beverly Hellbillys (2007)
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007)
Heartstopper (2006)
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Hatchet (2006)
2001 Maniacs (2005)
The Demons 5 (2004)
Land of Canaan (2004)
Dubbed and Dangerous 3 (2004)
Freddy Vs. Jason (2003)
As a Bad Dream (2002)
Wish You Were Dead (2002)
Cold Sweat (2002)
Windfall (2001)
Python (2000)
The Prince and the Surfer (1999)
Strangeland (1998)
Urban Legend (1998)
Meet the Deedles (1998)
Starquest II (1997)
Wishmaster (1997)
Perfect Target (1997)
The Paper Brigade (1997)
The Vampyre Wars (1996)
The Killer Tongue (1996)
The Mangler (1995)
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
Night Terrors (1993)
Dance Macabre (1991)
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)
The Phantom of the Opera (1989)
A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989)
A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)
A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
Never Too Young to Die (1986)
A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder (1982)
Galaxy of Terror (1981)
Dead & Buried (1981)
Big Wednesday (1978)
The Fifth Floor (1978)
Bloodbrothers (1978)
The Great Smokey Roadblock (1976)
Eaten Alive (1977)
A Star Is Born (1976)
St. Ives (1976)
Stay Hungry (1976)
Hustle (1975)
Slashed Dreams (1975)
Buster and Billie (1974)
Director Filmography
Killer Pad (2007)
976-EVIL (1989)
Freddy's Nightmares (1988) TV Series
Television
A Nightmare on Elm Street: Real Nightmares (2005)
Masters of Horror: Dance of the Dead (2005)
The Batman (2004) (voice)
V: The Second Generation (2004)
The Unspoken Truth (1995)
Mortal Fear (1994)
A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994)
Nightmare Cafe (1992)
Freddy's Nightmares (1988)
Infidelity (1987)
Downtown (1986)
North and South II (1986)
V: The Final Battle (1984)
V (1983-84)
Hobson's Choice (1983)
I Want to Live (1983)
Starflight One (1983)
The Fighter (1983)
Mysterious Two (1982)
Thou Shalt Not Kill (1982)
Mind Over Murder (1979)
The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (1979)
The Courage and the Passion (1978)
Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy (1977)
Television Guest Appearances
Justice League (2002-05) (voice)
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (2004) (voice)
I'm with Her (2003)
Justice League (2002)
Charmed (2001)
The Nightmare Room (2001)
The Hughleys (1999)
The Jamie Foxx Show (1999)
Mad TV (1998)
The Simpsons (1998) (voice)
Married... with Children (1997)
Sliders (1996)
Babylon 5 (1996)
Walker, Texas Ranger (1996)
Legend (1995)
Knight Rider (1986)
MacGyver (1986)
Hunter (1985)
Night Court (1985)
Manimal (1983)
Alice (1983)
Simon & Simon (1983)
Cassie & Co. (1982)
Hart to Hart (1981)
CHiPs (1981)
Charlie's Angels (1980)
California Fever (1979)
Soap (1979)
Police Woman (1978)
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
Where Is He Now?: Robert Englund continues to be involved in film and television, and can be seen as 'Mayor Buckman' in the upcoming movie, 2001 Maniacs: Beverly Hellbillys.
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