Top Actors in Horror Movies: Iconic Performances and Roles

Actor

3: Bela Lugosi

Date of Birth: October 20, 1882, Lugos, Romania

Date of Death: August 16, 1956, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• Dracula
• Son of Frankenstein
• The Black Cat
• The Raven

Accolades:

• Walk of Fame

Bela Lugosi began his acting career on the Hungarian stage in 1902, appearing in 172 productions before transitioning to film. His major breakthrough came in 1931 when he portrayed Count Dracula in Dracula, a role that earned him global fame and became his signature.

Lugosi was known for his deep, dramatic voice, thick Hungarian accent, and intense presence. He was often typecast as a villain and mad scientist. Before moving to the U.S., he acted in silent films in Hungary and Germany and later starred in Broadway and Hollywood productions.

4: Claude Rains

Date of Birth: November 10, 1889, Clapham, England

Date of Death: May 30, 1967, Laconia, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• The Invisible Man
• The Wolf Man

Accolades:

• Photoplay Awards (1943)
• Walk of Fame (1960)
• Online Film & Television Association (2023)

• Academy Award (Nominee, 1947)
• Tony Award

Claude Rains made his film debut in The Invisible Man, where his voice became iconic as the unseen, bandaged scientist. He gained recognition for portraying cultured villains and supporting roles, excelling in various characters, including criminals, aristocrats, politicians, and professionals. His commanding voice and subtle mannerisms distinguished him from his peers.

Although not traditionally handsome, Rains’ expressive face and strong stage presence made him unforgettable. He is remembered as one of the great character actors of his time, known for delivering compelling performances in classic films.

5: Lon Chaney Jr.

Date of Birth: February 10, 1906, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory, U.S.

Date of Death: July 12, 1973, San Clemente, California, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• Man Made Monsters
• The Wolf Man
• The Ghost of Frankenstein
• Son of Dracula
• Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
• House of Dracula

Lon Chaney Jr., the son of legendary silent film actor Lon Chaney and Frances Cleveland Creighton, began his acting career in small roles, originally billed as Creighton Chaney. Known for his intense, emotional performances, especially in horror, Chaney Jr. often brought a sense of tragedy and sympathy to his portrayals of monsters.

Chaney Jr. is one of the few actors to have played all of Universal’s classic monsters: the Wolf Man, Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and the Mummy.

Chaney Jr.’s name remains synonymous with classic horror films, carving out a unique niche despite working in the shadow of his father.

6: Basil Rathbone

Date of Birth: June 13, 1892, Johannesburg, South African

Date of Death: July 21, 1967, New York City, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• Son of Frankenstein
• Tower of London
• The Mad Doctor
• The Black Cat
• Sherlock Holmes Faces Death

Accolades:

• Walk of Fame (1960)
• Academy Awards, U.S. (1939, Nominee)

Basil Rathbone began his acting career on stage in 1911, performing Shakespearean roles in the UK and the US. He made a significant impact on Broadway, with The Swan (1923) establishing him as a prominent theater star.

Rathbone’s film career started in silent movies in the 1920s. His breakthrough in Hollywood came with The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929), his first talking film. He became widely known for portraying suave villains in costume dramas and swashbucklers.

Rathbone, one of the finest actors in horror movies, is best remembered for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (in 14 films between 1939 and 1946). He also starred in over 200 radio broadcasts as Holmes, paired with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. Despite his affection for the character, Rathbone felt typecast and struggled to break free from the Holmes image.

7: John Carradine

Date of Birth: February 5, 1906, New York City, U.S.

Date of Death: November 27, 1988, Milan, Italy

Best Horror Movies:

• The Invisible Man
• The Black Cat

• House of Frankenstein
• House of Dracula
• Bluebeard
• Return of the Ape Man

Accolades:

• Daytime Emmy Awards (1989)
• Walk of Fame (1960)
• Golden Boot Award (1984)

John Carradine, a renowned name in the list of famous actors in horror movies, made his stage debut in 1925 in New Orleans and later joined a Shakespeare company. Before his acting career took off, he worked as a set designer for Cecil B. DeMille, who later hired him for voice work due to his deep baritone voice. Carradine became known for playing villainous roles and often portrayed eccentric, insane, or diabolical characters, though he occasionally took on sympathetic or heroic roles.

Throughout his prolific career, Carradine appeared in over 200 films, more than 100 television shows, and numerous stage productions. Nicknamed “The Voice” for his deep, resonant tone and “The Bard of the Boulevard” for reciting Shakespeare on Hollywood streets, he was a distinctive presence in the industry.

8: Peter Lorre

Date of Birth: June 26, 1904, Rózsahegy, Slovakia

Date of Death: March 23, 1964, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• Mad Love
• You’ll Find Out
• The Face Behind the Mask
• Tales of Terror
• Arsenic and Old Lace

Accolades:

• German Film Award (1952)
• Walk of Fame (1960)

Peter Lorre gained international recognition for his chilling portrayal of a psychotic child murderer in M (1931), directed by Fritz Lang—a performance considered one of the greatest criminal characterizations in cinema history.

Known for his soft, lisping voice, round face, and often sinister roles, Lorre frequently portrayed villains or devious characters. His acting style, marked by emotive expressions, bulging eyes, and a distinctive voice, made his characters unforgettable. After success in Europe, Lorre transitioned to English-language films with his first Hollywood role in Mad Love (1935). His unique persona and voice have impacted popular culture, inspiring numerous impersonations and tributes in film, TV, and music.

9: J. Carrol Naish

Date of Birth: January 21, 1896, New York City, U.S.

Date of Death: January 24, 1973, La Jolla, California, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• Calling Dr. Death
• The Monster Maker
• Jungle Women
• Dracula Vs. Frankenstein

Accolades:

• Golden Globes Award, U.S. (1946)
• Walk of Fame (1960)
• Academy Awards, U.S. (Nominee, 1946)

J. Carrol Naish began his career in vaudeville, performing across Europe and Asia, before making his film debut with an uncredited role in What Price Glory (1926). Throughout his career, he appeared in more than 200 films.

Naish became known for portraying various ethnicities, including Italians, Latinos, Native Americans, and East Asians, earning him the nickname “Hollywood’s one-man U.N.” for his versatility.

Often cast as villains, Naish excelled in sinister roles, such as mad scientists and gangsters. He gained widespread popularity as Luigi Basco in the radio show Life with Luigi (1948–1953), a role he later reprised in the TV adaptation.

10: Rondo Hatton

Date of Birth: April 22, 1894, Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.

Date of Death: February 2, 1946, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.

Best Horror Movies:

• The Pearl of Death
• House of Horrors
• The Brute Man

Accolades:

• Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards (2002)

Rondo Hatton was an American journalist and actor known for his distinctive facial features caused by acromegaly. He initially worked as a journalist for The Tampa Tribune before transitioning to acting after being noticed by director Henry King on a film set.

Hatton gained recognition for portraying sinister characters in horror films, most notably “The Creeper.” His unique appearance made him a standout figure in the horror genre, and despite a relatively short career, he became a cult icon and cemented his position among best actors in horror movies. Hatton’s likeness continues to influence pop culture and remains revered by horror enthusiasts for his memorable roles.