Robert Englund

Robert Barton Englund (born June 6, 1947) is an American actor and director. Englund is best known for playing the villain Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Englund has received multiple accolades and honors, including a Saturn Award, a Fangoria Chainsaw Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Englund began his career as a stage actor in regional theatre and made his film debut in Buster and Billie (1974), followed by supporting roles in films such as Stay Hungry (1976), A Star Is Born (1976), and Big Wednesday (1978). Englund had his breakthrough as the resistance fighter Willie in the miniseries V in 1983. Following his performance in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), he became closely associated with the horror film genre, and his performance as Freddy is often referenced in American pop culture; Englund has reprised his role as Freddy in seven sequels, as well as the horror anthology series Freddy's Nightmares (1988–1990). Englund has acted in over 100 film and television productions throughout his career, and he has also directed the horror films 976-EVIL (1988) and Killer Pad (2008).

Early life Englund was born on June 6, 1947, in Glendale, California, the son of Janis MacDonald and Clyde Kent Englund, an aeronautics engineer who helped develop the Lockheed U-2 airplane. He is of part Swedish and Scottish ancestry. Englund began studying acting at the age of twelve, accompanying a friend to a children's theater program at California State University, Northridge.

Englund had five successful years performing in regional theater including plays by Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw. He married for the first time in 1966 to a nurse Elizabeth Gardner. Shortly afterward, he returned to the West Coast in search of film work, and landed a supporting role in the film Buster and Billie, directed by Daniel Petrie. Englund appeared in the 1976 film Eaten Alive directed by Tobe Hooper. He then played Ranger in Galaxy of Terror, produced by Roger Corman, which was released in 1981. Since then, Englund has made over 100 appearances on film and television. In his early film roles, Englund was usually cast as a nerd or a redneck, and he first gained attention in the role of Visitor technician and resistance fighter Willie in the 1983 miniseries V, as well as the 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle, and V: The Series, in which he was a regular cast member.

Englund went against type when he accepted the role of Freddy Krueger, the psychopathic burn victim and child murderer in Wes Craven's hugely successful A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984. He reprised his role as Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) and Freddy vs. Jason (2003). His association with the genre led him to top-billed roles in The Phantom of the Opera (1989), The Mangler (1995) – another film directed by Tobe Hooper, and 2001 Maniacs (2005).

Englund's portrayal of Freddy Krueger is notable for its longevity, with Englund playing the same character in eight consecutive films. Englund has said that he enjoys the role of Freddy as it gives him a break from always acting out the nice guy; indeed, many people who have worked with Englund attest to his congeniality. Makeup artists responsible for the Krueger makeup have commented that Englund was so friendly and talkative that it made the lengthy makeup application slightly more challenging.

Englund's TV appearances include starring in the short-lived series Nightmare Cafe (1992), in which he played Blackie, the mysterious proprietor of the title cafe, and reprising his role of "Freddy Krueger" in the series Freddy's Nightmares – A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series. His guest roles include the science fiction series Babylon 5, one episode of the show MacGyver as Tim Wexler, Masters of Horror, MadTV, Sliders, and Knight Rider, where he appeared as a phantom haunting a film studio, and Walking Tall: The Series as well as a guest star spot on the hit TV show Walker, Texas Ranger.

His work in voice-over animation includes magician Felix Faust in Justice League, The Riddler on The Batman, The Vulture on The Spectacular Spider-Man, and as Dormammu on The Super Hero Squad Show. On the TV witch drama Charmed (Episode: "Size Matters"), he appeared as a demon who used the services of a lackey to lure people into a decrepit household (where he lived in the walls) and shrank them down to action figure size. He also appeared on an episode of Married... with Children as The Devil. Another appearance was in a 2010 season episode of the television spy send-up Chuck, as a scientist who created a fear-inducing nerve toxin, a similar character to the Scarecrow, one of Batman's enemies in the DC Comics (A character he later portrayed in the video game Injustice 2).

Englund performed as host of the Horror Hall of Fame awards show three times, from 1990 to 1992. His second feature, Killer Pad, was released direct-to-DVD in 2008. During July 2013, he was in pre-production to direct The Vij, about a young priest who is led by an evil genie to commit murder, and who falls in love with an old witch who is not what she seems.

Englund also directed 2 episodes of “Freddy's Nightmares”. The first was “Cabin Fever” and the second “Monkey Dreams”.

His memoir, Hollywood Monster: A Walk Down Elm Street with the Man of Your Dreams, which Alan Goldsher transcribed from his dictations, was published by Pocket Books on October 13, 2009.

He had also starred in the web series "Fear Clinic", where he appeared in five episodes as Dr. Andover.

Englund noted he would welcome a guest appearance in the ABC revival of V in an interview with Todd Sokolove from Forces of Geek. But the series was canceled before he could make such a guest appearance.

In January 2010, it was announced that Englund would return as Jackson Roth for the sequel to Dee Snider's Strangeland, titled Strangeland II: Disciple. However, as of December 2010, no specific dates or plans had been made regarding the project.

Englund made a guest appearance in "The Death of the Queen Bee" episode of Bones, appearing as a quirky janitor at protagonist Dr. Temperance Brennan's old high school. His character, a friend of Brennan's, and situation were introduced as "very creepy... it's like Freddy creepy." Englund was a special guest at the 2010 Streamy Awards, and also appeared as a special guest of the CA Weekend of Horrors on October 8, 2010.

Englund appeared on the Creation Entertainment Weekend of Horrors in May 2010. In May 2010, he was signed for the American independent thriller Inkubus.

Englund appeared as himself in the Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies map, "Call of the Dead" as one of the playable characters, and acted out the part of a Halloween-themed serial killer in the 2010s revival of Hawaii Five-0. He also took part in a Halloween Come Dine with Me for Channel 4 in 2012. He also appeared in Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer and Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.

Although the character of Freddy Krueger is regarded as one of the most terrifying in cinema history, Englund is often described by fellow actors and film crews as being extremely friendly and appreciative of his fans, many admitting that his portrayal of Krueger frightened them as children.

He starred in The Last Showing and Fear Clinic, the latter was released on October 22, 2014, at the Screamfest Film Festival. Englund was also a special guest at Shock Comic Con on Valentine's Day 2015. In February 2016, Englund hosted a "Nightmare on Elm Street" marathon on El Rey Network.

Englund was featured in the 2019 documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street, which examines the LGBT themes of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge and the life of actor Mark Patton.

As of 2020, Englund has been hosting the Travel Channel show True Terror with Robert Englund, which showcases scary but true stories about the supernatural or strange.

In 2022, Englund appeared in the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things as Pennhurst Mental Hospital patient Victor Creel.

He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Halloween in 2025.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1974Buster and Billie Whitey 1975Slashed Dreams Michael Sutherland Also known as Sunburst Hustle Hold-up Man 1976Stay Hungry Franklin St. Ives Hood #1 Eaten Alive Buck A Star Is Born Marty Uncredited1977 The Great Smokey Roadblock Beebo Crozier 1978 Big Wednesday Narrator, Fly Bloodbrothers Mott The Fifth Floor Benny 1981 Dead & Buried Harry Galaxy of Terror Ranger 1982 Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder Tripper 1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street Freddy Krueger 1985 A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge Freddy Krueger / Bus Driver 1986 Never Too Young to Die Riley 1987 A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors Freddy Krueger 1988 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master Freddy Krueger / Nurse 976-EVIL Director 1989 C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. Man in Trenchcoat Walking with Trick-or-Treaters Uncredited A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child Freddy Krueger / Maniac The Phantom of the Opera Erik Destler, The Phantom 1990 The Adventures of Ford Fairlane Smiley 1991 Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare Freddy Krueger 1992 Dance Macabre Anthony Wager, Madame 1993 Tobe Hooper's Night Terrors Paul Chevalier, Marquis De Sade 1994 Wes Craven's New Nightmare Himself / Freddy Krueger 1995 The Mangler Bill Gartley 1996 Killer Tongue Prison Director The Paper Brigade Crazy Man Cooper The Vampyre Wars 1997 Perfect Target Colonel Shakwell Wishmaster Raymond Beaumont 1998 Meet the Deedles Nemo Urban Legend Professor William Wexler Strangeland Jackson "Jack" Roth 1999 The Prince and the Surfer Kratski 2001 Wish You Were Dead Bernie Garces 2003Freddy vs. Jason Freddy Krueger As a Bad Dream Professor The Return of Cagliostro Erroll Douglas (Il ritorno di Cagliostro) Nobody Knows Anything! Jack Sampson 2005 2001 Maniacs Mayor George W. Buckman Repetition Himself 2006 Hatchet Sampson Dunston Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon Doc Halloran Heartstopper Sheriff Roger Berger 2007 Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer Professor Gordon Crowley 2008 Red Mr. Doust Zombie Strippers Ian Essko Killer Pad Director 2009 Night of the Sinner The Prince The Vij 2010 Web Cam 3D De mayor quiero ser soldado Psychologist Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy Himself Hollywood Don't Surf! Tamora Gamble Rory Columbus 2011 Good Day for It Wayne Jackson Inkubus Inʞubus 2012 Strippers vs Werewolves Tapper Zombie Mutation Dream Man 2013 Sanitarium Sam (segment "Figuratively Speaking") The Moleman of Belmont Avenue Mr. Hezekiah Confab Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th Himself Documentary 2014 The Last Showing Stuart Witches Blood Himself 2015 Fear Clinic Dr. Peter Andover Kantemir John The Funhouse Massacre Warden Kane 2016 The Midnight Man Dr. Harding 2017 Nightworld Jacob Nightmares in the Makeup Chair Himself Documentary2020 In Search of Darkness: Part II Documentary2022 Choose or Die 2023 Natty Knocks Mr. Meredith Abruptio Mr. Salk Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story Himself Documentary 2026 Pinocchio Unstrung The Cricket

Television Year Title Role Notes 1977 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries: Mystery of the Fallen Angels Gar 1 episode Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy Willy Television film 1978 Police Woman Jonas Episode: "Sons" The Courage and the Passion Sgt. Bell Television film 1979 The Ordeal of Patty Hearst Informer Television film Police Story Painter Episode: "A Cry for Justice" Soap Simon 2 episodes Mind Over Murder Ted Beasly Television film California Fever Buddy Burns Episode: "Centerfold" Paris J.J. Eastwick Episode: "Dead Men Don't Kill" 1980 Charlie's Angels Harold Belkin Episode: "Harrigan's Angel" Flo Web Episode: "The Hero of Flo's Yellow Rose" 1981 CHiPs Zack Episode: "Forty Tons of Trouble" Walking Tall Bobby Joe Wilson Episode: "The Killing of McNeal County's Children" Hart to Hart Buddy Kilgore Episode: "Rhinestone Harts" 1982 Thou Shalt Not Kill Bobby Collins Television film Mysterious Two Boone Television film Cassie & Co. Cliff Episode: "Fade Out" 1983 The Fighter Charlie Television film Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land Scott Television film Simon & Simon 3-Card Monty Episode: "Red Dog Blues" V Willie 2 episodes I Want to Live Sam Cooper Television film Manimal Thug Episode: "Night of the Beast" Hobson's Choice Freddy Beenstock Television film Journey's End Television film 1984 Alice Sammy Episode: "Vera, the Horse Thief" V: The Final Battle Willie 3 episodes1984–1985 V 13 episodes1985 Hunter Vaughn Episode: "Million Dollar Misunderstanding" 1986 MacGyver Tim Episode: "Flame's End" Knight Rider Edward Kent Episode: "Fright Knight" North and South Book II Deserter 1 episode1986–1987 Downtown Dennis Shothoffer 14 episodes1988 D.C. Follies Freddy Krueger Episode: "Freddy Krueger's Nightmare: Dan Quayle Elected President"1988–1990 Freddy's Nightmares 44 episodesDirector: "Cabin Fever"1992 Nightmare Cafe Blackie 6 episodes1994 Mortal Fear Dr. Ralph Wannamaker Television film 1995 Legend Mordechai, Willy Miles Episode: "The Gospel According to Legend" The Unspoken Truth Ernest "Ernie" Trainor Television film 1996Walker, Texas Ranger Lyle Eckert Episode: "Deadline" Babylon 5 Jeremiah Episode: "Grey 17 Is Missing" Sliders Dr. James Aldohn Episode: "State of the A.R.T."1997 Married... with Children Lucifer Episode: "Damn Bundy"1998 The Simpsons Freddy Krueger Voice, episode: "Treehouse of Horror IX" 1999 The Jamie Foxx Show Clive Episode: "Bro Jack" The Hughleys Evil Bloodthirsty Brian Episode: "Storm o' the Century"2000 Python Dr. Anton Rudolph Television film 2001 The Nightmare Room Mr. Bell Episode: "The Howler" Charmed Gammill Episode: "Size Matters" 2002 Justice League Felix Faust Voice, episode: "Paradise Lost" Windfall Scratch Television film2003 I'm with Her Leonard Heckman Episode: "All About Evil"2004 Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! Ringmaster Voice, episode: "Circus of Ooze" 2011–2017Regular Show Anti-Pops, Stag Man Voice, 8 episodes 2023 King Star King Jeff Bezos Voice, special: "King Star King!/!/!/" 2023–2024 Curses! Corneilus Vanderhouven Voice, 5 episodes 2026 Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Cosmo Voice Regular Show: The Lost Tapes Anti-Pops, Guard 2 Voice, episode: "Fix That Tape"

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role 1987"Dream Warriors"DokkenFreddy Krueger 1988 "Are You Ready for Freddy" The Fat Boys

Web

Year Title Role Notes 2009 Fear Clinic Dr. Andover 5 episodes

Video games Year Title Voice role Notes 2011 Marvel Super Hero Squad Online Dormammu Call of Duty: Black Ops Himself 2016 Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Terran Khan 2017 Injustice 2 Dr. Jonathan Crane / The Scarecrow