Black History of Horror: Mad Monsters

Last week we kicked off Black History Month honoring our favorite African Americans that added comedic elements to the horror genre. This week we are counting down our favorite actors and actresses who have brought some of our favorite zombies, ghosts, vampires and aliens to life. So without further ado we bring you our favorite Mad Monsters.

10. Eugene Clark – Land of the Dead

Clark played Big Daddy in the fourth film in Romero’s zombie series Land of the Dead. While many fans were on the fence about the film overall, Clark’s character was the driving force behind a mob of zombies who were out for revenge. And If you can’t love a zombie firing a gun we can’t be friends.

9. William Marshall – Blacula

Blacula is about an ancient African Prince who is sealed in a coffin and awoken in 1970s Los Angeles. While this film is an obvious knock off of Dracula, Blacula has held it’s own for years. It even won a Saturn Award for ‘Best Horror Film’. One thing for sure, Blacula is a formidable force, murdering, creating minions and brides to defend him.

8. Geretta Giancarlo – Demon

The 1985 Dario Argento story focused on a group of random people invited to a screening of a mysterious movie. They soon find themselves trapped in the theater with ravenous demons. Geretta Giancarlo plays Rosemary, one of the first to succumb to demonic possession. Rosemary provides us with gore, puss and eye gouging. This wonderfully gory character’s practical makeup and effects, along with Giancarlo’s acting earns her the number 8 spot.

7. Tom Wright – Creepshow 2

Wright plays the unfortunate hitchhiker in the Stephen King horror anthology, Creepshow 2. While the rich careless woman is haunted by the ghost (or perhaps, zombie–esque) reincarnation of a hitchhiker she ran over with her car. Wright’s character is relentless in his need for revenge. Eventually, the hitchhiker’s will is carried out and he can rest in pieces. Thanks for the ride, lady!

6. Grace Jones – Vamp

Grace Jones stars as a terrifying vampire, Katrina in 1985s Vamp. This before-its-time film originally introduced the concept of a vampire-run strip club years before From Dusk Till Dawn. Jones give this horror/comedy an extra layer of creepy with her wordless portrayal of Katrina.

5. Bolaji Badejo – Alien

Badejo was the man behind the mask in the first installment of Riddley Scott’s Alien. According to IMDB he was spotted at a local bar by some members of the production crew. He only starred in the first film but was the first to make us fall in love the Xenomorph.

4. Wesley Snipes – Blade

This half-mortal, half immortal vampire hunter kicks all kinds of ass in the comic book adaption of Blade. Snipes physical strengths and martial art abilities make him the perfect vampire killing machine.

3. Michael Jai White – Spawn

This anti-hero is one that helped shape the comic book boom that we are currently seeing. The horror action thriller has long held a special place for horror fans. I mean its Spawn – Enough said!

2. Kevin Peter Hall- Predator

Hall brought the Predator to life in the first two films in the series. He’s battled it out with Schwarzenegger and eluded Danny Glover. Giving him second place for our favorite monsters. He also played the lovable Bigfoot in Harry and the Hendersons!

1. Tony Todd- Candyman

Tony Todd is the iconic title character of Candyman. He is an undead urban legend who still haunts our nightmares. The hook for a hand and bees only add to Todd’s portrayal of the murderous entity. Todd scared an entire generation of children with his performance, which is what earns him our top spot. Don’t believe us? We dare you to say his name five times!

Honorable Mention

Keith David – The Thing

It was never officially revealed in the film that David’s character, Childs, was actually one of the shape shifting aliens, but it has been implied. At the end of the film the final two characters sit in the snow awaiting death. This purposely ambiguous ending leaves us wondering if one (or both) have become the thing. Therefore, David makes our list as an unofficial/official monster!

Next week we continue our Black History series, we will be counting down our favorite heroes of the horror genre. So stay tuned and follow ScaryNerd for more!

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