The team at Scream is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of horror icon John Saxon. Saxon died of pneumonia on Saturday. He was 83.
To horror fans, the actor was best known for his roles in Bob Clark’s Black Christmas (1974) and Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), in which he played Nancy Thompson’s father. Saxon also played a pivotal role in the sequel A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), before returning to the franchise for a final time, playing himself, in Craven’s meta-horror New Nightmare (1994).
“In 3 Nightmare films John Saxon played the tough guy, the distant father and the hard nosed cop but I came to know him as the kindest, most encouraging and dignified gentleman,” Heather Langenkamp, who played Nancy, wrote of her Nightmare on Elm Street co-star. “That shooting star you see tonight is him.”
Saxon’s vast and varied career also included roles in Mario Bava’s Evil Eye (1963), Dario Argento’s Tenebrae (1982), and Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). He will be deeply missed.
Words: Samantha McLaren (@themeatispeople)
