Famous Actors and Actresses that Started In the Halloween Franchise

The Michael Myers Halloween films date back to 1978 and have featured some pretty radical kill scenes…however, there were some truly talented actors and actresses who got their big break from starring in one of these horror slashers.  The franchise was such a success, right from the start, that it spawned success that would be experienced across a number of careers! Check out some of the biggest winners from the horror favorite that is the Halloween franchise.

Actors Made Famous From Starring in the Halloween Movies

Jamie Lee Curtis

As a horror movie icon from her time spent as Laurie Strode in 7 of the 13 Halloween movies (including the in-production 2018 film), she cannot be ignored as a clear number one winner emerging from the franchise. Jamie’s first role of any real notoriety absolutely boils down to the first Halloween movie in 1978.  She put on a fantastic performance fleeing her brother back then, and has since graced the horror franchise with her presence in subsequent chases throughout the years. Jamie Lee Curtis’ character might be one of the only people able to truly understand, control, trap or otherwise kill her famed Halloween-killing brother, Michael Myers.

Josh Hartnett

Josh got pretty good traction in the horror genre, and specifically was very positively received in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. Playing John, the son of Laurie Strode, he is one of the prime targets when Michael Myers returns to wreak havoc! Josh and Jamie have a seemingly instinctual dynamic between them that makes their mother-son relationship in the movie feel extremely natural and real.  Honestly, Josh does so well that it is pretty unbelievable that Halloween was his first feature film.

Jodi Lyn O’Keefe

Like Josh Hartnett, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe’s first hollywood movie credit rests well with Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998).  Jodi Lyn plays Sarah, who suffers one of the most terrifying deaths of all of the Halloween movies, including the use of a dumbwaiter!  Sarah’s character may not have survived the entire flick, but her death was not in vain…for Jodi Lyn’s performance would launch the successful career she enjoys today.

Tony Moran

The first actor to play Michael Myers in the Halloween original (1978), was Tony Moran.  Although he would receive a small amount of work throughout the following few decades, it seems the last few years have been much better to Tony.  Perhaps he is finally getting the recognition he deserves for his stellar performance as one of the first most horrific slashers, who changed the horror genre forever!

Nancy Stephens

Crazy Dr Loomis’ nurse, Marion can be found in 3 of the Halloween films. Before the 1978 Halloween hit, Nancy would only achieve success in TV…making Halloween her break out movie role!  She reprises her role in Halloween II (1981) and again in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998). Unfortunately, Marion is killed off rather early in the beginning of the 1998 film, along with the explained death of Dr Loomis.  Still, Nancy died with dignity and put on a heck of a show!

LL Cool J

It is true that LL Cool J had a small handful of roles before Halloween H20…however, many attribute his break out “on-screen” role to Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998). LL Cool J played a likable protagonist (Ronny), an inspiring erotic novelist working as a very convincing security guard.  He almost gets murdered by Michael and narrowly escapes an almost fatal accident to end up surviving! After the experience, Ronny decides to write a romantic thriller.

Larisa Miller

Larisa also received her first feature film role in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), like many others. She played Claudia, who barely survives an encounter with Michael Myers while taking her daughter to the bathroom in the beginning of the movie. She would go on to have a small bit of success in TV, however, must have chosen to retire after 2007…despite a career seemingly on the uprise from her part in the movie.

Other Hollywood Icons and Legends Who Got Their Start in Halloween

John Carpenter

John Carpenter is an extremely talented individual, contributing a number of credits to so many titles throughout his career. He even contributed to the Halloween soundtrack, writing the main theme song to Halloween that still makes the audience tremble today.  It is more than arguable that Halloween could have been Carpenter’s true break out role as a director…as it is much more widely known than his only real prior hit, Assault on Precinct 13.  And Carpenter, without a doubt, was the spine of the original Halloween movie.

Rick Rosenthal

Another famous director responsible for a lot of hits that are enjoyed today, Rick Rosenthal, got his big feature film break directing a Halloween film.  Rosenthal was responsible for Halloween II, which is amazing considering the success of the first film and Rosenthal only having a single episode of TV as experience in directing. Regardless, he would produce an incredible scare that has been admired for years to come that is the first sequel in the hit horror franchise.

Final Notes About the Halloween Franchise

It would not be right to address famous actors and actresses getting a big break from the Halloween movies without mentioning the actor who famously played Dr Loomis.  Donald Pleasence is a huge part of the story line and suspenseful drama throughout the movies.  While Donald was widely known and quite famous before assuming the role of the demented killer’s mental doctor…there is no questioning his notoriety and glory living on larger and more vibrant than ever through the Halloween films.

There is absolutely no doubt that the horror franchise, especially the slasher sub-genre, would ever be the same without the influence from the Halloween franchise horror films.   Each person played their part (pun intended), creating the legend the still haunts the screen on the occasional Halloween. And while Michael Myers may be immortal through his on-screen terror, he could not have done it alone.  Without the collaborated effort of all the crew and cast involved in the making of the Halloween movies, these movies simply would not be the polished horror we know them as today!

Tritone

Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.

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Horror Slasher Personality Type: Michael Myers

The famously silent Halloween horror slasher, Michael Myers, has been mentally probed and analyzed for decades (both within his movies and also by real life psychologists).  And up until recently, there has only been generalized speculation, rather than factual analysis; Thus, Horror Enthusiast has broken down the specifics of Michael’s personality to come up with the most accurate Myers-Briggs personality type possible for the killer.  After all of his killings, he deserves a proper personality assessment!

What Myers-Briggs Personality Type Would Michael Myers Have?

Michael Myers is an INT-J Myers-Briggs personality type.

There are a lot of factors to consider when determining Michael Myers’ Myers-Briggs personality type.  These broken down personality traits have contributed to his suspected personality type.

A Quiet Killer

Michael Myers is notoriously mute. Unlike other horror movie slashers, who often enjoy taunting their victims, Michael prefers not to speak to anyone, killing or not. His withdraw from the world and quiet-like characteristics greatly contribute to his personality type, and especially the fact he is an introvert (hence the “I,” in his personality type).

Inward Delusions

The masked killer is highly interested in one thing and one thing only: seeking out his family for intense therapeutic killings. He is hardly concerned with the rest of the world and usually slays anyone in his way without hesitation.  Most importantly though: he only seeks out the one thing he wants and is concerned with: killing his family. Michael’s inner delusions also contribute to the “I” (Introversion) in his personality type.

Michael Lacks Strategy

Michael may stalk his victim, he may chase his victim, and he may kill his victim…but his strategies are left lacking.  He is often outsmarted by his victims several times before he gets his hands on them long enough to kill. He probably spends far too much time thinking about the overall goal of slaying his sister or other family members…leaving him more impulsive in the present.  Although it’s a close call between “S” sensing or “N” intuition, Horror Enthusiast speculates Michael relies on his intuition more than his factual judgment of situations, contributing to his score as an “N” Intuitive.

A Little Unrealistic

Ultimately there are many survivors in the Halloween movies, meaning Michael sets his goals a little too high! In fact, his plans for killing are often so simple it’s a wonder how any of them work out. Expecting to take out anyone standing in the way of a heroine in any horror movie, is typically unrealistic…as they always bring out the big guns towards the end of all the films.  Yet he keeps coming back based on inner desire to kill, further locking into place the score of “N” Intuition.

Singular Thoughts

Many speculate that Michael has no compassion, including Dr Loomis himself. Many (both on screen and off screen) have also speculated that Michael is not even human, or capable of human emotions.  He does not seem to care about any of his family, less for a few scenes here and there (most notably reaching out for his sister before she decapitates him in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later [1998]).  Ultimately, these very few instances of empathy do nothing for his overwhelming identification as a “T” Thinker.

Problem Solver

Although he may be a little mentally slower than other horror movie slashers, Michael is still a problem solver. When he is met with a defiant victim, someone who is willing to defend themselves, he is systematic in his ensuring their definite death.  Michael has a way to break through any barrier, get through any door, and is even willing to hijack and drive cars to get what he wants…contributing to his ranking as a “T” Thinker.

Down to Business

Michael Myers does not waste time when pursuing a victim. He will stalk his victim until the time is right for killing.  He kills as quickly as possible and hates to play games. His energy is consistent in pursuing his victims and his kills, methodically fatal…in fact, he rarely leaves any time for suffering.  This ‘down to business’ mentality contributes to Michael’s final letter ranking as “J” Judging.

Robotic Nature

Michael enjoys things being decided and is a very structured, task-oriented killer.  Regardless of his emotional impulses to kill, he still procures everything necessary to do so, even vehicles when necessary. He also seems to understand the importance of killing in the order that eliminates the greatest threat first.  His robotic-like movement throughout the film (meant to describe his choice of actions, rather than his actual on-screen movement) are a huge part of Michael’s “J” Judging rank.

Final Mental Health Notes on Michael Myers

Michael Myers may exhibit many personality traits, but his more dominant characteristics as a quiet, obsessed, down-to-business systematic killer are what award him the INT-J personality type. This type of personality has made him much harder to catch, as he is very determined to see through his goals, always at any cost. Still, regardless of his personality type, Michael has become a horror icon and his on screen killings will be applauded for years to come!

Tritone

Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.

puzzleboxhorror.com