Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
When you think of the masters of horror, disturbing creators like Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King or actors who can nail a terrified scream like Jamie Lee Curtis probably come to mind. The last people you probably think of during this frightful time of the year are your favorite comedians. However, the line between comedy and horror is far more blurred than you may realize.
Over the years, several comedians and comedic actors have made the jump from earning laughs to eliciting screams. The results have been mixed, but there’s something immediately unnerving about seeing a performer who makes you laugh behind some new psychological fright. In honor of this spooky month, here’s a list of some of my favorite comedians-turned-nightmares. From silly satires to depraved portrayals, there’s something in here to make everyone a little uncomfortable.
Steve Martin in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘The Spanish Prisoner’
Though Little Shop of Horrors is indisputably a comedy-horror musical, the iconic comedian’s role definitely leans more toward horror. There are few things creepier than a dentist who is just a bit too eager to work on your teeth, and Martin played the role with a manic energy that still remains unnerving today. Likewise, his role in the suspense thriller The Spanish Prisoner elevated the movie from dramatic to near horror. Martin’s slick con-man is a nightmare dressed as a dream.
Robin Williams in ‘One Hour Photo’
When you think of the late and great Robin Williams, you probably think of a smiling performer able to bring joy to everyone around him whether he’s voicing Aladdin‘s Genie or starring in Jumanji. If you’re more of a film buff, then Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting probably come to mind. However in 2002, Williams had a stretch where he was straight up terrifying. In the thriller One Hour Photo, Williams plays a mentally unstable photo developer who becomes increasingly obsessed with one family. The movie received mixed reviews, but that doesn’t mean Williams wasn’t scary.
Tim Curry in the ‘IT’ miniseries
Now it’s next to impossible to see Curry as anything other than a horror icon, but before he tackled the mentally scarring IT miniseries, the actor mainly dabbled in comedy and theater. It was The Rocky Horror Picture Show and its eventual mainstream film adaptation that launched him to mainstream success. However, the actor had 22 years of comedy and theatrical experience before he traumatized a generation of Stephen King lovers in 1990.
Jim Carrey in ‘The Cable Guy’ and ‘The Number 23’
Out of all the actors on this list, Carrey is one of the most experimental. Though he made a name for himself through lowbrow comedies such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber, the actor has received wide critical praise for his dramatic work, which includes The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. However, there are two movies in Carrey’s extensive filmography that point to how creepy this actor can be — The Cable Guy, a comedy-horror in which Carrey’s obsessed villain blurs the line between funny and terrifying, and The Number 23. The latter won a Golden Raspberry for Worst Actor, but still. Carrey made the transition to horror better than most.
Steve Carell in ‘Foxcatcher’
Technically Foxcatcher isn’t a horror movie, but with Carell’s John du Pont leading the film it may as well be. The former Office star’s take on the notorious wrestling coach dominated conversations about creepy characters in 2014. Carell was even nominated for an Oscar for this role.
Jordan Peele directing ‘Get Out’
Before his directorial debut, Peele had established himself as a very funny man. The comedian and actor made a name for himself first on MADtv, but it wasn’t until his beloved and critically-praised sketch show with Keegan-Michael Key, Key & Peele, that Peele became a household name. That’s why it was so shocking when Peele jumped onto the directorial scene with a movie that practically revitalized modern horror movies. Seriously, if you haven’t seen the near-perfect Get Out yet, that needs to change.
Kristen Wiig in ‘mother!’
If you haven’t seen mother! yet, I don’t want to give too much away. However, there are two things you need to know about Darren Aronofsky’s controversial psychological horror film: 1) The former SNL and Bridesmaids star is in it. 2) You will never be able to look at Wiig the same way after you see it.
Mark Duplass in ‘Creep’
Jay and Mark Duplass aren’t strictly comedic actors. They’re more of comedically focused creators who occasionally act. The duo have worked together on the Jason Segel-led Jeff, Who Lives at Home and HBO’s Togetherness, and Jay Duplass is probably best known for his role on Amazon’s Transparent. However, Mark Duplass is the brother you need to watch. In 2014, Mark wrote, produced, and starred in the indie horror film Creep, and after watching, you will never want to use Craigs List or talk to strangers again.
Rodney Dangerfield in ‘Natural Born Killers’
Dubbed one of the most controversial movies of all time, you wouldn’t expect and Oliver Stone epic to land on this list, but here we are. Dangerfield’s Ed Wilson should be listed in the dictionary under terrible parent. There are a lot of disturbing scenes in this story about spree-killers, but seeing Dangerfield physically and sexually abuse his onscreen wife Juliette Lewis as part of a sitcom episode from hell is up there.
Jon Stewart in ‘The Faculty’
Did you know that Jon Stewart once starred in a horror sci-fi movie about intergalactic parasites? He was, but he wasn’t the only big star. Also starring Elijah Wood and Clea DuVall, this movie garnered mixed reviews. However, the sight of Jon Stewart beating up children as a cyborg teacher is one that’s difficult to forget.
