Bill Moseley

Last updated

Bill Moseley
Bill Moseley by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Moseley in 2023
Born
William Lambert Moseley

(1951-11-11) November 11, 1951 (age 74)
Alma mater Yale University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
Years active1980–present
Spouse
(m. 2017)
Children2

William Lambert Moseley (born November 11, 1951) is an American actor, primarily known for his performances in horror films. His best-known roles include Chop Top in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), Otis B. Driftwood in Rob Zombie's Firefly trilogy, Luigi Largo in Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), and The Magician in Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival (2015). He had a recurring role as camp cook Possum on the HBO TV series Carnivàle (2003–05). He has also released records with guitarist Buckethead in the band Cornbugs, as well as featuring on the guitarist's solo work.

Contents

Early life

Moseley was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and grew up in Barrington Hills, Illinois. [1] He is the son of Virginia Gillette (Kleitz), a journalist, and S. D. Moseley (Spencer Dumaresq Moseley), who was a member of the Yale Corporation, All-American captain and center of the 1942 Yale football team, and chairman and chief executive of the Railway Express Agency. [2] [3] [4] His grandfather, George Moseley, also played football at Yale and was an All-American. He is a graduate of Yale University.

For a period of time, Moseley operated as a journalist, writing for such magazines as Omni , [5] National Lampoon and Psychology Today .

Acting career

At the age of 29, Moseley got his first film role in Alan Rudolph's Endangered Species as a cab driver. In 1985's Osa he played a character named "Quilt Face." His third role has become one of his most well known; he appeared as Chop Top in Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 , after Tobe Hooper saw him in the independent short, The Texas Chainsaw Manicure. [5] In 2000 he reprised his role as Chop Top in All American Massacre , which was directed by Tobe Hooper's son William, but the film was never released to the public. [6]

Two years after TCM 2, he played Frank in 1988's Mamba. Also in 1988 appeared as a soldier in the remake of the Steve McQueen film The Blob . He next played Darrell in the film Pink Cadillac starring Clint Eastwood. [7] He then played the lead role of Ricky Caldwell in Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! . [8]

In 1990, Moseley appeared in four films: Crash and Burn, The First Power , The End of Innocence , and, playing Johnny, in Tom Savini's remake of George A. Romero's 1968 zombie film, Night of the Living Dead . [8] In 1993, he had a small role in the cult hit Army of Darkness as the Deadite Captain. [8] A year later, he was featured in the video game Corpse Killer . In 1995, he did voiceover work for Anders Jacobsson's horror comedy film Evil Ed .

He would not, however, have another role as popular as Chop Top until 2003, when he starred as the maniacal Otis B. Driftwood (named after Groucho Marx's character from A Night at the Opera ) in Rob Zombie's directorial debut House of 1000 Corpses . As Otis, he again became an icon in the horror community. In 2005, he reprised the role of Otis in the sequel The Devil's Rejects and in 2009 he played Otis in a voice cameo in Rob Zombie's animated film The Haunted World of El Superbeasto . [9] Moseley's performance in Rejects inspired an independent campaign for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, which failed. He played in other Rob Zombie films such as Halloween and the Grindhouse fake trailer segment Werewolf Women of the SS .

Moseley at the 2007 Scream Awards for his work on Repo! The Genetic Opera Moseley, Bill (2007).jpg
Moseley at the 2007 Scream Awards for his work on Repo! The Genetic Opera

In 2008, Moseley played the role of Luigi Largo in Repo! The Genetic Opera . [9] In this futuristic, genetic opera, he was able to network with Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy and ohGr, subsequently appearing on ohGr's new album Devils in my Details . He mainly speaks at the beginning or ending of the songs in vivid, poetic rants. He appears on Eyecandy, Feelin' Chicken, Psychoreal, Timebomb, Smogharp, and Witness. Additionally, in 2008, Moseley appeared as a telemarketer in the music video for Combichrist's Sent to Destroy".

Moseley contributed songs to the 2008 soundtrack of Vampira: The Movie, a documentary by Kevin Sean Michaels on Maila Nurmi, in which he also stars. It was released on Collectables Records, a division of Alpha Video.

He appears as Kozlowski in Robert Lieberman's 2009 thriller film The Tortured , [10] and in 2012 played as The Magician in The Devil's Carnival . [11]

Moseley has also provided voice-over recordings for the Florida-based heavy metal band – Generichrist and also British goth-metal band Sinnergod on the track "Overture" which features on their 2013 debut album Seven Deadly Sinphonies.

He later made appearances in Texas Chainsaw 3D and American Exorcist . [9]

In 2019, Moseley appeared in Gothic Harvest with Lin Shaye and Sofia Mattsson, directed by Ashley Hamilton. He also reprised his role as Otis B. Driftwood in 3 from Hell . Horror Fuel magazine reports that Moseley will star in the horror film Jasper alongside Michael Berryman, Kane Hodder and Bill Oberst in 2022.

He starred as, Captain Harris, in all 5 Ice Nine Kills music videos for their 2021 horror film-themed album The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood .

Music career

Moseley (as Chop Top) was the lead singer of Cornbugs, a three-man band he had between 1999 and 2007 with avant-garde rock/metal guitarist Buckethead and Deli Creeps' drummer, Pinchface. He also contributed vocal parts to the songs I Come in Peace (as a news reporter) and Onions Unleashed (as Onions) from Buckethead's album Giant Robot (1994) and Jowls from Buckethead's album Monsters and Robots (1999), also as Chop Top.

Moseley, along with Rani Sharone, released albums No Way Down and The Devil Rides West, calling themselves Spider Mountain. [12]

In 2017, Moseley released the album Bill & Phil: Songs of Darkness and Despair with Pantera frontman Philip Anselmo. [13]

Personal life

Moseley is married to actress Lucinda Jenney, with whom he has a daughter. [14] [15] He previously dated model Lisa Lindsay-Hogg. Moseley and Lindsay-Hogg's daughter, Jane Moseley, is a model, painter and sculptor based in Los Angeles. [16] [17]

A sample of Moseley shouting "dog will hunt!" in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is used in the hit Primus song "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver".

Moseley performed the spoken word intro in the song “Rave” by Pen Name.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982 Endangered Species Cab Driver
1986 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Chop Top
OsaQuilt Face
1987Nightmare AngelDr. William de FreisShort Film
1988 The Blob Soldier in Sewer
Fair Game Frank
1989 Pink Cadillac Darrell
Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! RickyDirect-to-video
1990 The First Power Bartender
Crash and Burn QuinnDirect-to-video
The End of Innocence Man on the Hill
Night of the Living Dead Johnny
1991 White Fang Luke
1992Inside Out 2DaveSegment: "I've Got a Crush on You"
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid Federal Marshal
Army of Darkness Deadite Captain
1993 Mr. Jones Worker
1995 Prehysteria 3! DirectorDirect-to-video
Evil Ed "Loose Limbs" KillerVoice
2000 The Convent Officer Ray
All American Massacre Bloody BobbyUnreleased
2002Essence of EchoesDr. Hilcott
2003 House of 1000 Corpses Otis B. Driftwood
ViciousWalaceDirect-to-video
2005 The Devil's Rejects Otis B. Driftwood
2006 Evil Bong Bong World Patron
Fallen AngelsWestin
Thr3e Slater
A Dead CallingChief MurkenDirect-to-video
2007 Grindhouse Dr. Heinrich Von StrasserSegment: "Werewolf Women of the SS"
Home Sick Mr. Suitcase
Halloween Zach 'Z-Man' Garrett
2008A Perfect PlaceEddieShort film
Babysitter Wanted Chief Dinneli
Repo! The Genetic Opera Luigi Largo
Alone in the Dark II DexterDirect-to-video
The Alphabet Killer Carl Tanner
House Stewart
2009 The Devil's Tomb Professor DuncanDirect-to-Video
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto Otis DriftwoodVoice
Blood Night: The Legend of Mary HatchetGraveyard Gus
Dead Air Logan
The Graves Caleb 'Cookie' Atwood
2010 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams Mayor George W. Buckman
Anderson's CrossMr. Daniels
Godkiller: Walk Among Us Dr. WestVoice
The Tortured John Kozlowski
2011Spider Mountain: No Way DownRanger BillShort, direct-to-video
Exit Humanity General Williams
Night of the Little DeadKickstandShort film
2012Rogue RiverJon
Highway to HellLemmasDirect-to-video
The Devil's Carnival The Magician
The InflictedMr. O'Hara
Dead Souls Sheriff Depford
2013House of the WitchdoctorPeter Van Hooten
Texas Chainsaw 3D Drayton Sawyer
2014 Disciples Dread
Charlie's Farm John Wilson
2015Almost MercyPastor Johnson
Old 37 Darryl
The Art of VillainyM?ster NobodyShort film
Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D JohnnyVoice
2016 Smothered Soggy Christian
The Devil's Carnival: Alleluia! The Magician
Alcoholist Grey Speckled Man
The HordeJacob SutterDirect-to-video
The Possession ExperimentFather Mark Campbell
Slayer: Pride in PrejudiceNazi FatherShort, direct-to-video
2017 Death House Giger
Boar Bruce
2018Minutes to MidnightGimple
CynthiaButtercup
The Church Pastor James
CrepitusCrepitus
American Exorcist Mr. Snowfeather
2019 Shed of the Dead Doc
Exorcism at 60,000 Feet Garvan
To Your Last Death Pavel
3 from Hell Otis B. Driftwood
In Search of Darkness HimselfDocumentary
Gothic Harvest Detective Hollis
Big Top Evil Mr. Kharver
Slayer: The Repentless KillogyNazi Dad
2020 I Am Fear Steve Mcreedy
In Search of Darkness: Part II HimselfDocumentary
2021 Prisoners of the Ghostland The Governor
2022 Sin Eater Father Dunn
Dead by Midnight (Y2Kill)Jasper
Nite FlirtThe CallerShort Film
2023Hayride to HellFarmer Sam
The FetusMaddox/Father of Alessa
Natty KnocksAbner Honeywell
2024 They Turned Us Into Killers TBA [18]
Stream Jimmy [19]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989 Freddy's Nightmares BuzzEpisode: "Black Tickets"
Tour of Duty Sgt. JonesEpisode: "Terms of Enlistment"
1991 Father Dowling Mysteries Kane / Larry WebsterEpisode: "The Priest Killer Mystery"
1993 Up All Night HimselfEpisode: "Vice Academy"; uncredited
1994Blood RunHankTelevision film
1995 Fallen Angels Customer #1Episode: "A Dime a Dance"
1996 Unsolved Mysteries David Young Episode: #9.9
2002 Point of Origin Task Force OfficerTelevision film
Live from Baghdad RexTelevision film
2003The PracticeJake SpoonerEpisode: "Victims' Rights"
2004 ER CharlieEpisode: "Forgive and Forget"
2003–2005 Carnivàle Possum8 episodes
2007 Days of Our Lives Joel3 episodes
2010–2019Without Your HeadHimself4 episodes
2012–2013 Holliston Crazy Max5 episodes
2014 Z Nation General McCandlesEpisode: "Full Metal Zombie"
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles BernieEpisode: "In Dreams"
2015–2017Adam Green's Scary SleepoverHimself3 episodes
2017 Uncle Grandpa Additional VoicesEpisode: "Uncle Grandpa's Odd-yssey"
2019 Slasher Homeless Guy2 episodes

Music videos

YearTitleRoleArtist
2021"Hip to Be Scared"Captain Harris Ice Nine Kills
"Assault & Batteries"
"Rainy Day"
"Funeral Derangements"
2022"The Shower Scene"
2023"Welcome to Horrorwood"
"Meat & Greet"
2025"The Great Unknown"Ludwig von Leberkäse

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre BonesVoice [20] [21]

References

  1. "Horror Month: Interview with Bill Moseley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2)". June 20, 2015.
  2. "Bill Moseley on Instagram: "A salute to my father, Spencer D Moseley, who loved skiing and first brought the family to @vailmtn in 1962. This run's for you, pop!"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
  3. Cook, Joan (May 24, 1991). "S. D. Moseley, 72, Football Star at Yale And Executive, Dies (Published 1991)". The New York Times.
  4. "VIRGINIA MOSELEY – Obituary". www.legacy.com.
  5. 1 2 Jaworzyn, Stefan (2012). The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Companion. Titan Books. pp. 131–132. ISBN   978-1-78116-497-6.
  6. Squires, John (August 29, 2017). "Bill Moseley Played Chop Top in a 'Chainsaw 2' Sequel We May Never See". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  7. McIntyre, Gina (January 4, 2013). "'Texas Chainsaw 3D': Bill Moseley reflects on a monster career". Hero Complex. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 Squires, John (November 4, 2016). "Bill Moseley Clears Up Confusion About 'Army of Darkness' Role". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 "Bill Moseley Is an American Exorcist". FEARnet. January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  10. "AFM '09: Promo Trailer for Twisted Pictures' 'The Tortured'!". BloodyDisgusting. November 8, 2009.
  11. "Two Tickets To 'The Devil's Carnival' Please | News Article". FEARnet. March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  12. "Chop Top's BBQ Home Page". Choptopsbbq.com. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  13. "Full Stream: Bill & Phil - 'Songs Of Darkness And Despair'". Decibel Magazine. January 18, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  14. Ortiz Garcia, Eric (September 27, 2021). "PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND Interview: Bill Moseley on Crafting Another Memorable Antagonist". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  15. Tinnin, Drew (February 1, 2021). "Sundance 2021: Interview – Bill Moseley Talks Working With Nicolas Cage in Sion Sono's PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND". Dread Central. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  16. Blasberg, Derek (November 11, 2016). "Meet Jane Moseley, an "It Girl" Straddling the Art and Fashion Worlds". Vanity Fair . Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  17. Ongley, Hannah (August 29, 2018). "Jane Moseley and her identical twins star in Nike's new sport campaign". i-D . Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  18. "They Turned Us Into Killers - Swank.com". www.swank.com. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  19. Earl, William (July 16, 2024). "Horror Legend Bill Moseley Joins Cast of 'Terrifier' Team's Upcoming Slasher 'Stream' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  20. Squires, John (December 6, 2024). "Bill Moseley and Skeet Ulrich Joining 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre' Game! [Trailer]". Bloody Disgusting . Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  21. Cooper, Dalton (December 7, 2024). "December 12 Will Be a Big Day for Texas Chain Saw Massacre Fans". GameRant . Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.