American actor Robert Englund is most popular for his award-winning portrayal of serial killer Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series.
Born in Glendale, California, on June 6, 1947, he began studying acting at 12 years old, eventually training at the Meadow Brook Theater while he was studying at Oakland University in Michigan. His first film was 1974’s Buster and Billie, and subsequent films cast him as a nerd or redneck.
Robert Englund appeared as the alien Willie in the 1983 science fiction miniseries V, and reprised the role in its sequels, V: The Final Battle and V: The Series. He is, however, best known for playing Freddy Krueger, who killed children in their dreams to seek revenge against their parents, in Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street series. He won two Saturn Awards for his portrayal of the character in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, released in 1987, and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, released in 1988. Overall, he acted as Freddy Krueger eight times, the last film being Freddy vs. Jason, released in 2003.
His success in the horror genre catapulted him to star status, and helped him get roles in other films, such as the lead role in 1989’s The Phantom of the Opera, 1995’s The Mangler and 2005’s 2001 Maniacs.
Englund has also had guest appearances in different television series, such as Babylon 5, Sliders, Knight Rider, and more recently, Charmed. He also provided the voices for different animated series such as Justice League, The Batman and The Spectacular Spider-Man.
Englund has also directed horror films, the first being 976-EVIL, released in 1989. His second feature, Killer Pad, was released straight to DVD in 2008. He is currently directing another horror film, The Vij.