10 Actors Who Played The Same Character A Ridiculous Number Of Times
10. Robert Englund As Freddy Krueger 8 Times
The Films: A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984), ANOES 2: Freddys Revenge (1985), ANOES 3: Dream Warriors (1987), ANOES 4: The Dream Master (1988), ANOES 5: The Dream Child (1989), Freddys Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991), Wes Cravens New Nightmare (1994), Freddy Vs. Jason (2003). Most horror film villains, particularly those of the eighties, tend to be rather one note; deranged hulks who strike terror from their size, weaponry and impossible lightness of foot. All this sets Freddy Krueger aside from the pack; not only is he a much more psychological foe, using magic rather than muscle, but he actually has a personality. Plenty of actors have donned the masks of Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers, but for most of Freddys dream job its been Robert Englund under the make-up. Theres plenty of reasons for this. Simple things like facial structure and willingness are always important (particularly with the likes of Freddys Dead which, contrary to the tag-line, wasnt the best nor the last), but what really kept Englund on board was the fact he could act. The scorched murderer was the central draw of the franchise, his wit bringing in the audiences (and also leading the series in a regrettable spiral towards comedy) and Englunds performance only made it more irresistible. Krueger was eventually recast in 2010s remake, with Jackie Earle Haley putting on the sweater. I somehow doubt hell make it to quite as many films.
