Eight Nights of Horror: Celebrating Jews Who Have Brought Us Terror
Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday centered around the Maccabean rebellion against Antiochus IV, who pretty much made being a Jew illegal. There ya go. That’s your history lesson of the day because this article isn’t going to be about Hanukkah. Rather, it’s going to be a celebration of eight Jews in Hollywood who have been a major part of horror in some way, shape, or form.
I’m going to highlight people like Daniel Radcliffe, who embraced horror with films like Horns and The Woman in Black, Jon Bernthal and Lauren Cohan from “The Walking Dead,” Lizzy Caplan of “True Blood” and Cloverfield, and Jane Levy from Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe.
And while the names I just mentioned have done some incredibly important work of their own, it’s the following names that have helped shaped horror in some truly astonishing ways over the past few decades.
So without further ado, join me in lighting the first candle, spinning a dreidel, eating some latkes, and let’s get Hebrew up in here!
Jamie Lee Curtis
Often referred to as the first “scream queen”, Curtis has terrified audiences for a while now, starring in such classics as Prom Night, Terror Train, The Fog, Roadgames, Virus, and, of course, the Halloween series, where she played Laurie Strode. Curtis delighted horror fans the world over when she announced that she would be returning to reprise her role as Strode in Blumhouse’s Halloween, which will be coming out in October of 2018.
John Landis
The director of An American Werewolf in London as well as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, which has been hailed as one of the best music videos of all time and was the first of its kind to be inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, Landis also brought us Twilight Zone: The Movie, Innocent Blood, and the ghoulish black comedy Burke and Hare. He’s also done cameo appearances in films like Darkman, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, Vampirella, and Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader. He got his start with the low-budget horror comedy Schlock at the age of 21!
Steven Spielberg
Perhaps one of the most esteemed names on this list, Steve Spielberg’s influence on horror simply cannot be denied. The director of Jaws and Jurassic Park, the producer of Poltergeist, Gremlins, Arachnophobia and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and the story writer of The Goonies, Spielberg’s impact on Hollywood is unmatched.
Neve Campbell
Here’s an interesting one as Campbell is a practicing Catholic. However, she has stated that when someone asks if she is Jewish, she says “yes”. But putting that to the side, Campbell led the Scream franchise and, in doing so, helped revitalize the slasher genre. Her strength and perseverance as Sidney Prescott has inspired countless people and we love her for it. Plus, she was in The Craft. ‘Nuff said.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
She’s Buffy. Do I really need to say anything else?
Okay, let’s go a bit deeper. She helped bring about the J-horror remake craze when she starred in 2004’s The Grudge and starred in two slasher franchises, Scream 2 and I Know What You Did Last Summer. But Gellar’s horror influence isn’t just for late teens and older. She was Daphne in both Scooby-Doo films, which brought a delightful taste of horror to younger audiences, setting a foundation upon which to love the genre for years to come.
Danielle Harris
One of the most vocal supporters of horror on this list, Harris’ work throughout the genre is staggering. On top of being Jamie Lloyd in the Halloween franchise, she starred in Urban Legend, Hatchet II and III, Stake Land, Inoperable, Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn, and Rob Zombie’s Halloween films. She is a director, producer, and voice actor, specializing in kids shows like “The Wild Thornberrys” and “Rugrats Go Wild”.
She has embraced her horror status and proudly appears at conventions and other horror gatherings.
Danny Elfman
One of the most recognized and lauded composers in cinema history, Elfman’s music has been heard in films such as Before I Wake, Goosebumps, Army of Darkness, Red Dragon, Dolores Claiborne, The Frighteners, Darkman, Nightbreed, and much, much more. But where most people know his work is his multitude of collaborations with director Tim Burton, such as Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow, and others.
Elfman was also a member of the 80’s rock group Oingo Boingo!
Photo by Brian Averill
Sam Raimi
When it comes to horror royalty, a few names immediately spring to mind. There’s George A. Romero, whom we thank for essentially creating the modern zombie as we know it. There’s Wes Craven, whose multitude of horror films challenged viewers and pushed the genre every step of the way. There’s Tobe Hooper, whose Texas Chain Saw Massacre influenced countless independent filmmakers. And then there’s Sam Raimi, the man who brought us the Evil Dead franchise. It’s because of this man that we have the grooviest of heroes, Ash Campbell. We also give thanks to Raimi for Darkman, The Gift, and Drag Me to Hell.
Raimi and his frequent collaborator Rob Tapert founded the production company Ghost House Pictures in 2002. Some films under their company include Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead, 30 Days of Night, and The Grudge.
Did we miss any of your favorites? Chime in below!
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