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- Final Destination
- New Line Cinema
Several A-list Hollywood actors have made a name for themselves in horror films, but not all of them are remembered for their foray into the genre; however, to horror buffs worldwide, these actors will forever be known as scream kings.
Some of the actors starred in well-known horror flicks, while others lent their talents to hidden gems. From obvious choices like Tony Todd to surprising names like Nicholas Hoult, these underrated scream kings are all deserving of the title.
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- Scream
- Dimension Films
Known For: Scream
Underrated Role: Thirteen Ghosts
Matthew Lillard may be known for comedies and lighter fare like SLC Punk!, Without a Paddle, She's All That, and Scooby-Doo, but he's done his fair share of work in the horror genre, too. In 1996, Lillard played Stu Macher, one of the two original killers in Wes Craven's very first Scream.
In fact, Lillard started his career in horror, making his film debut in Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College and following that up with a role in John Waters's Serial Mom. After Scream, Lillard continued working in the genre, appearing in films like 1998's The Curve and 2003's Thirteen Ghosts.
In 2017, Lillard played a memorable role in Twin Peaks: The Return, which saw him meet a brutal and strangely supernatural end.
- Age: 54
- Birthplace: Lansing, Michigan, USA
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- Candyman
- TriStar Pictures
Known For: Candyman
Underrated Role: Final Destination
When it comes to actors who work primarily in the horror genre, Tony Todd is as iconic as they come. Whether he plays a villain or a protagonist, Todd always has horror buffs cheering in their seats.
Todd's best-known role is that of the titular character in the Candyman series, in which he plays a villain with some antihero tendencies. While Candyman is Todd's claim to fame, it's not the only horror role that gained him traction.
Two years prior to starring in Candyman, Todd played the lead role in the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead. In the following years, Todd has appeared in the genre flicks Final Destination, Wishmaster, Hatchet 2, and Hell Fest.
- Age: Dec. at 69 (1954-2024)
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA
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- The Black Phone
- Universal Pictures
Known For: Sinister
Underrated Role: Daybreakers
Ethan Hawke may be an acclaimed dramatic actor with four Oscar nominations under his belt, but he's done his fair share of horror throughout his career. Unlike most scream kings, however, Hawke gained the title later in life.
One of Hawke's very first forays into the genre was with the 2010 vampire flick Daybreakers, and since then, Hawke has caught the horror bug, leading several notable horror films including Sinister and The Purge. Hawke also played a horror villain for the first time when he portrayed a vicious serial killer who dons terrifying masks in 2021's The Black Phone.
- Age: 54
- Birthplace: Austin, Texas, USA
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- Insidious
- FilmDistrict
Known For: The Conjuring
Underrated Role: Hard Candy
Patrick Wilson may be known for appearing across several film genres, but he's lent his talents to two different iconic horror franchises, both from legendary filmmaker James Wan.
Wilson plays real-life demonologist Ed Warren in the Conjuring Universe and a father haunted by evil spirits in the Insidious series.
Wilson also appeared in the Netflix mind-bender In the Tall Grass, as well as the cannibal western film Bone Tomahawk. Wilson's most disturbing role is probably in the 2006 thriller Hard Candy, in which he plays an online predator who gets the tables turned on him.
- Age: 55
- Birthplace: USA, Buffalo, New York
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- Tusk
- A24
Known For: Barbarian
Underrated Role: Tusk
Justin Long may have appeared in several comedies over the years, but no one should forget the stellar performances he's brought to horror for decades. In 2001, Long appeared as one of the two main characters in the beloved creature-feature slasher mash-up, Jeepers Creepers, which was only the actor's third role.
As time went on, Long appeared in a slew of horror films, including Drag Me to Hell, After.Life, Tusk, and House of Darkness. Long also starred in the 2022 horror hit Barbarian. In the film, Long played against type and received positive reviews for his performance.
- Age: 46
- Birthplace: Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
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Known For: It
Underrated Role: Villains
Bill Skarsgård - who comes from a very famous family, including dad Stellan and brother Alexander - became a household name after playing the iconic Stephen King villain Pennywise the Clown in the 2017 It reboot.
Skarsgård also appeared in the sequel, It: Chapter 2; however, It isn't the only horror role Skarsgard has taken on throughout his career.
One of Skarsgård's first major roles was in the Netflix werewolf show, Hemlock Grove. After achieving It fame, Skarsgård appeared in several more genre titles, including Villains, Castle Rock, and Barbarian.
- Age: 34
- Birthplace: Vällingby, Sweden
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