In 1984, Wes Craven unleashed a horror phenomenon upon the world with ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’ The film introduced the terrifying Freddy Krueger, a villain born from vengeance, who haunted the dreams of teenagers. This chilling tale spawned numerous sequels and a 2010 remake, but the impact of the original cast remains unforgettable. While many fans fondly remember ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’ and its returning stars, let’s revisit the actors who started it all and discover what they’ve been up to since their terrifying Elm Street debut.
Robert Englund – Freddy Krueger
Then: Wes Craven’s vision for Freddy Krueger, the nightmare-inducing villain, was brought to life by Robert Englund. Craven was immediately convinced that Englund was the perfect choice to portray the burned child murderer with the iconic razor-fingered glove, a character partially inspired by a childhood bully.
Now: Robert Englund indelibly became Freddy Krueger, reprising the role in a total of eight ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ films, including ‘Freddy vs. Jason’. Beyond Elm Street, Englund has enjoyed a prolific career with guest roles in popular television series such as ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ and ‘Workaholics,’ showcasing his versatility beyond horror.
Heather Langenkamp – Nancy Thompson
Then: Heather Langenkamp, a relatively unknown actress at the time, secured the pivotal role of Nancy Thompson, the resourceful protagonist of ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, triumphing over 200 actresses including Jennifer Grey, Courteney Cox, and Demi Moore who also auditioned.
Now: Langenkamp became synonymous with Nancy Thompson, returning to battle Freddy Krueger in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’ and ‘Wes Craven’s New Nightmare’ (1994). Her career extended beyond horror with a recurring role on ‘Growing Pains’ and portraying Nancy Kerrigan in a TV movie. Interestingly, Langenkamp also operates AFX Studio, a special FX make-up studio in Los Angeles with her husband, contributing to the visual effects of films like ‘Dawn of the Dead,’ ‘The Cabin in the Woods,’ and ‘Angels and Demons.’ She even had a cameo in J.J. Abrams’ ‘Star Trek Into Darkness.’
John Saxon – Lt. Don Thompson
Then: A seasoned actor with notable roles in ‘Enter the Dragon’ and ‘Tenebrae,’ John Saxon brought gravitas to the role of Lt. Don Thompson, Nancy’s police lieutenant father in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’
Now: Like Langenkamp, Saxon also reprised his role in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’ and ‘Wes Craven’s New Nightmare’, solidifying his connection to the franchise. His extensive filmography includes appearances in mainstream movies such as ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’ and the cult classic ‘From Dusk till Dawn’, demonstrating his enduring presence in cinema.
Ronee Blakley – Marge Thompson
Then: Ronee Blakley, acclaimed for her roles in Robert Altman’s ‘Nashville’ as both actress and singer, took on the role of Marge Thompson, Nancy’s troubled and ultimately alcoholic mother in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’
Now: Blakley has continued her multifaceted career in music, releasing several studio albums and contributing her talents as a composer to films, including ‘Nashville’ and ‘Docu Drama’. Her artistic pursuits span both acting and music, showcasing her diverse talents.
Johnny Depp – Glen Lantz
Then: The role of Glen Lantz, Nancy’s boyfriend, almost went to Charlie Sheen, but salary negotiations fell through. Ultimately, a young, relatively unknown Johnny Depp landed the part in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ reportedly because the producer’s daughter found him appealing. This marked Depp’s film debut.
Now: Johnny Depp ascended to global superstardom. Known for his collaborations with Tim Burton in films like ‘Dark Shadows,’ he is most famously recognized as Captain Jack Sparrow in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise, with a fifth movie in the series. Depp has also taken on iconic roles such as Tonto in ‘The Lone Ranger’, cementing his status as a leading Hollywood actor. His early role in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ served as a launchpad for his extraordinary career.
Amanda Wyss – Tina Gray
Then: Amanda Wyss, previously known for ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ joined ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ as Tina Gray, Nancy’s friend, despite having never watched a horror film prior to being cast. Tina has the unfortunate distinction of being Freddy’s first on-screen victim in the movie.
Now: Wyss has maintained a steady acting career with guest appearances in numerous television shows including ‘Charmed,’ ‘The Drew Carey Show,’ and ‘Dexter.’ She also had a recurring role in ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,’ notably playing a character also named Tina, showcasing her continued presence on screen.
Nick Corri – Rod Lane
Then: Nick Corri portrayed Rod Lane, another of Nancy’s friends, in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’ Corri had previous television experience in the series adaptation of ‘Fame.’ Rod is wrongly accused of Tina’s murder, highlighting the film’s themes of teenage vulnerability and adult misunderstanding.
Now: Nick Corri now acts under the name Jsu Garcia. He has continued to work in television and film, appearing in series such as ‘CSI: NY’ and ‘Without a Trace,’ and in films like ‘We Were Soldiers’ and ‘Atlas Shrugged: Part I’, demonstrating his continued acting career after his early role in the horror classic.
