Kevin Yagher

Last updated
Kevin Yagher
Born (1962-06-23) June 23, 1962 (age 61)
OccupationSpecial Effects technician
Years active1984–present
Spouse
(m. 1990)
Children1

Kevin Yagher (born June 23, 1962) is an American special effects technician, known for Freddy Krueger's makeup and The Crypt Keeper creature.

Contents

Career

His company, Kevin Yagher Productions, has created effects for A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge , A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors , A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master , Face/Off , Enemy of the State , Volcano , Starship Troopers , Conspiracy Theory , Radio Flyer , Mission: Impossible 2 , and Honey, I Blew Up the Kid . Yagher's other credits include Tales from the Crypt , [1] and Child's Play , where he met his wife, Catherine Hicks.

He is the designer and executor of the Chucky doll. [2] Yagher frequently collaborated with puppeteer Brock Winkless on his productions. [3] For example, Winkless performed the puppetry for Chucky in Child's Play and several of its sequels. [4] Yagher and Winkless also worked closely on the visual effects of Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992). [4]

Yagher directed Hellraiser: Bloodline , but decided to be credited as Alan Smithee after Dimension Films re-edited the film. [5] He heads Kevin Yagher Productions, Inc.

Yagher has worked with "Weird Al" Yankovic on a number of occasions. In 1988, Yagher created a fat suit and appliance makeup for Yankovic's "Fat" video, which Yankovic later wore in his concerts while performing the song. A year later, Yagher created prosthetics that gave Yankovic a hypermuscular upper body when parodying Rambo in his film UHF . [6]

Personal life

He was married to actress Catherine Hicks on May 19, 1990. The two have a daughter, Caitlin, who was born in 1992. He is a diabetic. [7] He has two brothers: actor Jeff Yagher [2] and special makeup effects artist Chris Yagher.

Filmography

Special makeup effects artist

Related Research Articles

<i>A Nightmare on Elm Street</i> (franchise) Horror media franchise

A Nightmare on Elm Street is an American supernatural slasher-horror media franchise consisting of nine films, a television series, novels, comic books, and various other media. The franchise began with the film A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), written and directed by Wes Craven. The overall plot of the franchise centers around the fictional character Fred "Freddy" Krueger, the apparition of a former-child killer who was burned alive by the vengeful parents of his victims, who returns from the grave to terrorize and kill the teenage residents of Springwood, Ohio in their dreams. Craven returned to the franchise to co-script the second sequel, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), and to write/direct New Nightmare (1994). The films collectively grossed $472 million at the box office worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddy Krueger</span> Main antagonist of the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise

Freddy Krueger is a fictional character and the primary antagonist in the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series. He was created by Wes Craven and made his debut in Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) as the malevolent spirit of a child killer who had been burned to death by his victims' parents after evading prison. Krueger goes on to murder his victims in their dreams, causing their deaths in the real world as well. In the dream world, he is a powerful force and seemingly invulnerable. However, whenever Freddy is pulled back into the real world, he has normal human vulnerabilities and can be destroyed. He is commonly identified by his burned, disfigured face, dirty red-and-green-striped sweater and brown fedora, and trademark metal-clawed, brown leather, right hand glove. This glove was the product of Krueger's own imagination, having welded the blades himself before using it to murder many of his victims, both in the real and dream worlds. Over the course of the film series, Freddy has battled several reoccurring survivors including Nancy Thompson and Alice Johnson. The character was consistently portrayed by Robert Englund in the original film series as well as in the television spin-off Freddy's Nightmares. Englund has stated that he feels the character represents neglect, particularly that suffered by children. The character also more broadly represents subconscious fears.

<i>Childs Play</i> (1988 film) 1988 American slasher film by Tom Holland

Child's Play is a 1988 American slasher film directed by Tom Holland, from a screenplay by Holland, Don Mancini and John Lafia, and based on a story by Mancini. It is the first film in the Child's Play series and the first installment to feature the character Chucky. It stars Catherine Hicks and Chris Sarandon with Brad Dourif as Chucky. Its plot follows a widowed mother who gives a doll to her son, unaware that the doll is possessed by the soul of a serial killer.

<i>Childs Play 2</i> 1990 American slasher film by John Lafia

Child's Play 2 is a 1990 American slasher film and the direct sequel to Child's Play, written by Don Mancini and directed by John Lafia, one of the co-writers of the first film. It is the second installment in the Child's Play franchise and set two years after the first film; the plot follows Charles Lee Ray continuing his pursuit for Andy Barclay, who was placed in foster care, and transferring his soul into him after being resurrected. Alex Vincent and Brad Dourif reprised their roles while Christine Elise, Jenny Agutter, Gerrit Graham and Grace Zabriskie joined the cast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Englund</span> American actor

Robert Barton Englund is an American actor and director, best known for playing the supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. Classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Englund began his career as a stage actor in regional theatre, and made his film debut in Buster and Billie in 1974. After supporting roles in films in the 1970s such as Stay Hungry, A Star Is Born, and Big Wednesday, Englund had his breakthrough as the resistance fighter Willie in the miniseries V in 1983. Following his performance in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984, he became closely associated with the horror film genre, and is widely-regarded as one of its iconic actors.

<i>Freddys Nightmares</i> American horror anthology television series (1988–1990)

Freddy's Nightmares is an American horror anthology television series, which aired in syndication from October 1988 until March 1990. A spin-off from the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series, each episode is introduced by Freddy Krueger, and features two different stories, with eight of them throughout the series actually having Freddy Krueger as the main antagonist. The pilot episode was directed by Tobe Hooper, and begins with Krueger's prosecution on child-murdering charges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chucky (character)</span> Fictional character and antagonist in the Childs Play franchise

Charles Lee "Chucky" Ray is the main antagonist of the Child's Play slasher film franchise. Chucky is portrayed as a vicious serial killer who, as he bleeds out from a gunshot wound, transfers his soul into a "Good Guy" doll and continuously tries to transfer it to a human body. He later decides to transfer his soul across numerous doll bodies in an attempt to take over the world. The character has become one of the most recognizable horror icons and has been referenced numerous times in popular culture. In 1999, the Chucky character was nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for the film Bride of Chucky. He was created by writer John Lafia for a rewrite of Don Mancini's original script for Child's Play and is portrayed by Brad Dourif in both live action and voice over. For the 2019 remake of the same name, Mark Hamill voiced an artificial intelligence (AI) version of Chucky as a tragic villain, having previously voiced the Charles Lee Ray version of the character in an episode of Robot Chicken.

The National Entertainment Collectibles Association is an American manufacturer of collectibles typically licensed from films, video-games, sports, music, and television based in New Jersey. The company was founded in 1996 and has over 60 licenses for which it produces products.

<i>A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors</i> 1987 American fantasy slasher film by Chuck Russell

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors is a 1987 American fantasy slasher film directed by Chuck Russell. The story was developed by Wes Craven and Bruce Wagner and is the third installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and stars Heather Langenkamp, Patricia Arquette, Larry Fishburne, Priscilla Pointer, Craig Wasson, and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. Nancy Thompson, now a psychiatrist, and Kristen, a patient who can bring others into her own dreams, team up with other kids to launch a daring rescue into the dreamland and save a child from Freddy Krueger.

<i>A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master</i> 1988 American fantasy slasher film by Renny Harlin

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master is a 1988 American fantasy slasher film and the fourth installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and stars Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, and Danny Hassel. Following the death of Nancy Thompson, Krueger reappears in the dreams of Kristen Parker, Joey Crusel, and Roland Kincaid. After completing his revenge against the families who killed him, Krueger uses Kristen's best friend, Alice Johnson, to gain access to new victims in order to satiate his murderous needs. The film is a sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987). The Dream Master is often popularly referred to as "the MTV Nightmare" of the franchise.

<i>A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child</i> 1989 film directed by Stephen Hopkins

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child is a 1989 American gothic slasher film directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Leslie Bohem. It is the fifth installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, and stars Lisa Wilcox, and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. The film follows Krueger, using a now pregnant Alice Johnson's baby's dreams to claim new victims.

<i>Hellraiser: Bloodline</i> 1996 horror film

Hellraiser: Bloodline is a 1996 American science fiction horror film and the fourth installment in the Hellraiser series, which serves as both a prequel and a sequel. Directed by Kevin Yagher and Joe Chappelle, the film stars Doug Bradley as Pinhead, reprising his role and now the only remaining original character and cast member. It also features Bruce Ramsay, Valentina Vargas, Kim Myers and Adam Scott in his first major film role. It was the last Hellraiser film to be released theatrically and the last to have any major official involvement with series creator Clive Barker until the 2022 reboot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Kurtzman</span> American film producer

Robert Kurtzman is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and special effects makeup artist.

<i>Childs Play</i> (franchise) American slasher film series

Child's Play is an American horror comedy media franchise created by Don Mancini. The films mainly focus on Chucky, a notorious serial killer who frequently escapes death by performing a voodoo ritual to transfer his soul into a "Good Guy" doll. The original film, Child's Play, was released on November 9, 1988. The film has spawned six sequels, a television series, a remake, comic books, a video game, and tie-in merchandise. The first, second, and fourth films were box office successes with all of the films earning over $182 million worldwide. Including revenues from sales of videos, DVDs, VOD and merchandise, the franchise has generated over $250 million. It also won a Saturn Award for Best Horror Franchise.

Van Charles Snowden was an American puppeteer active in the film and television industries for decades. Snowden performed as the H.R. Pufnstuf character on nearly every episode of the television series of the same name from 1969 to 1971. His other credits included the horror films Child's Play 2 and Child's Play 3, Tales from the Crypt and D.C. Follies.

<i>Bride of Chucky</i> 1998 American slasher film by Ronny Yu

Bride of Chucky is a 1998 American black comedy slasher film written by Don Mancini and directed by Ronny Yu. The fourth installment in the Child's Play franchise, it stars Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, John Ritter, Katherine Heigl, and Nick Stabile. Unlike the first three films, Bride of Chucky takes a markedly humorous turn towards self-referential parody. It also departs from the Andy Barclay storyline of the first three films, focusing mainly on series villain Chucky, a doll possessed by a serial killer, and his former lover and accomplice Tiffany, whose soul is also transferred into a doll.

<i>A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddys Revenge</i> 1985 film by Jack Sholder

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge is a 1985 American supernatural slasher film directed by Jack Sholder and written by David Chaskin. It stars Mark Patton, Kim Myers, Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, and Robert Rusler. It is the second installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The film follows Jesse Walsh, a teenager who begins having recurring nightmares about Freddy Krueger after moving into the former home of Nancy Thompson from the first film.

N. Brock Winkless IV was an American puppeteer and visual effects technician. He was the puppeteer of Chucky in the 1988 horror film, Child's Play, and its first three sequels., as well as the puppeteer of the Crypt Keeper in several episodes of the HBO television series, Tales from the Crypt.

Gary J. Tunnicliffe is a British special make-up effects designer, writer, and director. He has performed make-up effects in all the Hellraiser films from Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth to Hellraiser: Hellworld, wrote Hellraiser: Revelations, and wrote and directed Hellraiser: Judgment. His other make-up credits include Candyman, Wishmaster, the Dracula 2000 series, the Pulse series, and Feast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Forsche</span> American special effects artist

William Forsche is an American special effects artist whose career has spanned more than thirty years. His work has appeared in many films, most of which are horror and science fiction projects, though he has occasionally created effects for other films, such as Beetlejuice (1988) and The Nutty Professor (1996).

References

  1. Kane, Paul (2012). The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy. McFarland & Company. p. 136. ISBN   9781476600697.
  2. 1 2 Englund, Robert; Goldsher, Alan (2009). Hollywood Monster: A Walk Down Elm Street with the Man of Your Dreams. Simon and Schuster. p. 138. ISBN   9781439163252.
  3. Shea, Shannon (2015-07-27). "Make-up Effects Community Mourns N. Brock Winkless IV". Make-Up Artist Magazine . Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  4. 1 2 Cheng, Cheryl (2015-07-30). "N. Brock Winkless IV, the Puppeteer of Chucky in 'Child's Play,' Dies at 56". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  5. Kane, Paul (2012). The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy. McFarland & Company. p. 142. ISBN   9781476600697.
  6. "Kevin Yagher Productions Inc".
  7. Kane, Paul; O’Regan, Marie (2010). Voices in the Dark: Interviews with Horror Writers, Directors and Actors. McFarland & Company. p. 243. ISBN   9780786456727.