American leading actor of a number of horror films, probably best known as Freddy Krueger in _Nightmare On Elm Street, A (1984)_ and all of its sequels. Englund, a boyish, tall and gaunt figure, became a cult favorite after that film but had started working in the 1970s. He was cast as a sex-crazed maniac in Eaten Alive by Tobe Hooper, who also directed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Englund went on to a number of low-budget horror films, including Galaxy of Terror and The Fifth Floor. Then came his big break as Freddy Kruger in "Elm Street", the man of nightmares with the disfigured face and a red striped shirt with his right hand as razor-sharp knives. The film was directed by Wes Craven and was so successful for New Line Cinema that the company had Englund reprise Freddy in all of the subsequent - and wildly successful - sequels. He played the title role in the semi-remake of the horror film classic, Phantom of the Opera: The Motion Picture for 21st Century Film Corporation. Englund has frequently worked with Hooper, in such films as Night Terrors and The Mangler.
Father designed U-2 spy plane. Attended UCLA (for three years) and Oakland University (in Rochester, MI). Parents: Kent and Janis McDonald. Member of Actors' Equity Association (1968-), Screen Actors Guild (1973-), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Directors Guild of America. One-time TV/radio host. Married three times, the first occurred during his college heyday. His second wife, actress Roxanne Rogers, had a small part in the only movie he directed, 976-EVIL. Ranked the #40 top villain for the American Film Institution's Top 100 list of 100 Heroes and Villains for his role as Freddy Krueger. Is of Swedish descent. Auditioned for the part of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Is an avid King of the Hill fan. Cannot, despite popular belief, speak Swedish fluently. His performance as Freddy Krueger in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) is ranked #51 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. He is a keen surfer, and has been shown on Entertainment Tonight talking about surfing. Shares graduation from Granada Hills High School with actor Ossie Beck and John Elway Wrote an unused treatment for "A Nightmare On Elm Street 3". Is an avid fan of filmmaker Kevin Smith. After failing to get the part of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars he suggested to a friend that he try out for the part. That friend was Mark Hamill.