20 Things You Didn't Know About Halloween (1978)
19. The Many Faces Behind Michael Myers
Nick Castle is widely regarded as being the original Michael Myers; indeed, he has returned to portray Michael in Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and will presumably also do so in Halloween Ends.
Castle was an aspiring director at the time and a close friend of John Carpenter who lived close to the set and wished to observe the filmmaking process. Carpenter obliged and, since Castle would be on the set virtually every day during filming, he suggested that Castle take the majority of the Michael Myers role, since it made good sense and would provide him with a hands-on filmmaking experience.
However, he is not the only actor to portray Michael Myers in the original Halloween. Of course, it is also known that Will Sandin portrayed the six-year-old Michael Myers, whilst Tony Moran portrayed the unmasked Michael Myers towards the end of the film. The film's production designer, Tommy Lee Wallace also reported that he portrayed Michael when certain props were to be destroyed, as he knew what sort of pressure would need to be applied to break them.
Stuntman, James Winburn also portrayed the role and the film's co-screenwriter and producer, Debra Hill stepped into the role of The Shape in a wide external shot in which Tommy Doyle (Brian Andrews) sees Michael standing outside the Wallaces' house. Her hands were also used as those of the young Michael in the opening sequences of the film.