Robert Englund
Actor Robert Englund is best known for playing the fictional serial killer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street horror films.
Synopsis
Actor Robert Englund showed an interest in acting at a young age, taking drama courses when was only 12. Director Wes Craven noticed him in his role as a sympathetic alien invader in the television miniseries V and cast him for Freddy Krueger, the fictional serial killer in the Nightmare on Elm Street horror films. The role turned Englund into a icon in the horror movie industry.
Early Life
Actor Robert Barton Englund, who is best known for playing the fictional serial killer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street horror films, was born on June 6, 1947, in Glendale, California. He is the son of Janis and C. Kent Englund, who was an aeronautics engineer and helped develop the Lockheed U-2 airplane. Although he would grow up to play one of the most famous, recognizable horror movie characters in history, Englund recalls seeing a scary movie at a birthday party when he was 9 years old and was terrified for months afterward.
When he was 12, Englund began taking drama courses at the University of Oakland, and pursued his craft at several institutions—the University of California at Los Angeles; California State-Northridge; the Michigan Academy of Dramatic Arts; and the Rochester, New York, branch of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. His first professional gig was an appearance in a production of Godspell in Cleveland, Ohio.
Professional Career
Englund landed the part of Willie, a sympathetic alien invader in the television miniseries V. The early '80s found him reprising the role in V: The Final Battle and V: The Series. Director Wes Craven noticed him and quickly cast him as nightmarish Freddy Krueger in his Nightmare on Elm Street. Englund quickly became an icon in the horror movie industry and went on the star in a succession of Freddy Krueger movies. Although Englund began his acting career playing rednecks or good-natured characters, he enjoys playing the darkly disturbed Krueger. Englund has also directed, done voice work and appeared on the small screen.
Personal Life
Robert Englund was married to Elizabeth Gardner from 1968-1986, followed by Roxanne Rogers from 1986-1988. He has been married to Nancy Booth from 1988. He has no children.
Videos
Robert Englund — Horror Film Characters(TV-14; 1:39)
Robert Englund — Hollywood Monster(TV-14; 2:33)
