Honoring a Horror Icon: Robert Englund’s Hollywood Star
Robert Englund, the actor most famously known for his role as Freddy Krueger in the iconic horror film series A Nightmare on Elm Street, was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place on Halloween, a fitting date for a performer whose work has become deeply intertwined with the spirit of the holiday.
Englund, now 78, received the 2,826th star on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. During the event, he made a dramatic appearance wearing the infamous bladed glove that became synonymous with his character. This glove, used by the supernatural serial killer who stalks his victims in their dreams and kills them in real life, is one of the most recognizable symbols in horror history.
Englund’s career spans over four decades, with his portrayal of Freddy Krueger in nine of the 10 A Nightmare on Elm Street films. In addition to these roles, he has appeared in 78 films and made guest appearances on numerous television shows. Most recently, he played a villain in the fourth season of Stranger Things on Netflix.
At the ceremony, Englund shared a lighthearted message with the crowd. “I love the smell of peanut butter cups in the morning, Happy Halloween,” he said, highlighting his playful personality even in a serious moment.
The original A Nightmare on Elm Street movie, released in 1984, sparked a successful franchise that included seven sequels, a crossover battle against the Friday the 13th character Jason Voorhees, and a reboot. Over the past 40 years, the film has developed a cult-like following, and Englund acknowledged the importance of his fans in his speech.
“I wouldn’t be here without the fans,” he said. “And as far as I can see, you guys showed up, and I know you are going to start knocking on doors looking for peanut butter cups and candy corn real soon, but thanks for coming.”
Actress Heather Langenkamp, who portrayed Nancy Thompson in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street and its third sequel, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, also spoke at the event. She reflected on the effort put into creating the iconic look of Freddy Krueger, including the special effects makeup and costume design.
“She did a lot of months of preparing the special effects makeup that he would wear,” Langenkamp said. “They had many weeks of preparing a costume that would bring forth that incredible silhouette of Freddy Krueger that we all know so well.”
Langenkamp also mentioned the inspiration behind the glove, which was created by filmmaker Wes Craven, who passed away in 2015. “That glove dreamed up by Wes Craven,” she said. “He was an unapologetic visionary, telling us how evil evil can be, and on that glove were four knives for fingernails that primal fear we all have of beasts in the wild that can just rip us to pieces when we’re not even aware of it.”
Director Eli Roth also shared his thoughts on Englund’s impact on the horror genre. He noted that Freddy Krueger was the first slasher villain to speak in a horror film. “Up until then, slashers were silent assassins or a breathers, an avatar for the unstoppable force of death, but Robert made death fun, just so [expletive] fun with such classic one-liners. ... Suddenly, we weren’t afraid of the monster. We were rooting for him, and that was a turning point, not just in horror, but in cinema itself.”
Roth also shared personal anecdotes about Englund, noting that he enjoyed hearing stories about the theater rather than the horror-movie set. “It is these experiences that encapsulate a man who truly understands how to find the humanity, even in a monster,” he said.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Fame, expressed pride in welcoming Englund to the prestigious list. Ana Martinez, the Walk of Fame producer, said the timing of the ceremony was especially meaningful. “I think the timing of having Robert's star on Halloween is most fitting as Robert's legacy is deeply entwined with the very spirit of Halloween.”
Englund, born in Glendale, California, began studying acting at age 12. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England, Oakland University in Michigan, and UCLA in California. After performing in classic plays on the East Coast for five years, he returned to California and landed his first role in Buster and Billie in 1974.
In addition to his film and television work, Englund has voiced characters in animated projects, including the Riddler in Batman and himself in The Simpsons. He also played Jiminy Crickett in Pinocchio: Unstrung, a film released on Sunday.
Throughout his career, Englund has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, and his Hollywood Walk of Fame star is a testament to his enduring legacy.
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