Gunnar Hansen
Biography
Gunnar Milton Hansen (4 March 1947 – 7 November 2015) was an Icelandic‑American actor. Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, he later worked in the United States and died in Northeast Harbor. Hansen is best known for his portrayal of the cannibal Leatherface in the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. His career encompassed a range of low‑budget genre titles, including Brutal Massacre: A Comedy and Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers. Over the course of his life he accumulated 48 credited acting roles. He was occasionally credited under the variant name Gunner Gunnar Milt. Hansen’s work remains associated with classic horror cinema.
Career overview
Gunnar Milton Hansen was born on 4 March 1947 in Reykjavík, Iceland, and died on 7 November 2015 at the age of 68. He was an Icelandic‑American actor who also worked as an author. Hansen is most widely remembered for his portrayal of the cannibal Leatherface in the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a role that established his reputation within the genre. The film’s notoriety cemented his status as a cult‑film figure and remains the principal credit for which he is known.
Beyond his iconic performance, Hansen appeared in a number of low‑budget horror titles that followed the success of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. His filmography includes roles in Brutal Massacre: A Comedy and Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, both of which contributed to his continued presence in genre cinema. According to the Movie Database, Hansen accumulated a total of 48 acting credits over the course of his career, reflecting a steady involvement in film and television productions. He was occasionally listed under the alternate name “Gunner Gunnar Milt,” though his professional work was most commonly credited to Gunnar Hansen. His contributions to horror cinema, particularly through the Leatherface character, have left a lasting imprint on the genre’s history.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Gunnar Hansen.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
50 titles- Nash the Slash Rises Again! (2025) as Self - Leatherface(archive footage)
- Dinner with Leatherface (2024) as Self
- Inner Demons (2024)
- Death Breed (2021) as George
- The History of Metal and Horror (2021) as Self
- Death House (2018) as Albert Kenny
- Death House (2018) Writer
- Bugging Out! The Making of 'Mosquito' (2015) as Himself
- True Fear: The Making of Psycho (2015) as Self
- Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) as Leatherface (archive footage)
- Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre (2009) as Captain Pétur
- Won Ton Baby! (2009) as Dr. Kurt Severson
- It Came from Trafalgar (2009) as Tex Ghoul
- Brutal Massacre: A Comedy (2008) as Krenshaw
- Gimme Skelter (2007) as Porter Sandford
- Shudder (2007) as Samson
- The Deepening (2006) as Dr. Chambers
- Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw (2006) as Self
- Swarm of the Snakehead (2006) as Gunner
- The Perfect Scary Movie (2005) as Self
- Aconite (2005) as The Elder
- Apocalypse and the Beauty Queen (2005) as Reggie
- Murder-Set-Pieces (2004) as Nazi Mechanic
- UnConventional (2004) as Self
- Chainsaw Sally (2004) as Daddy
- Next Victim (2003) as Doctor Howard
- Hatred Of A Minute (2002) as Barry
- Witchunter (2002) as Michael Jones
- Rachel's Attic (2002) as Ronald
- Sinister (2002) as The Piper
- Scream and Scream Again: A History of the Slasher Film (2000) as Self
- The American Nightmare (2000) as Self
- Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Shocking Truth (2000) as Self
- Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
- Hellblock 13 (1999) as The Executioner
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Repligator (1996) as Dr. Kildare (male)
- Theater Dark Video Magazine (1996) as Self
- Freakshow (1995) as The Freakmaster
- Mosquito (1994) as Earl
- Maine: America's Coast (1994) Screenplay
- Zombie Jamboree ‘93 (1993) as Himself
- Zombie Jamboree ‘93 (1993) Vocals
- Campfire Tales (1991) as Ralph
- Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (1988) as The Stranger
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait (1988) as Himself
- The Demon Lover (1977) as Prof. Peckinpah
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) as Leatherface
- Chain Saw Confidential Book
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gunnar Hansen best known for?
Gunnar Hansen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013), Little Women (1978), The Hunted (2000), Zombie Jamboree ‘93 (1993).
When and where was Gunnar Hansen born?
Gunnar Hansen was born on March 4, 1947 in Reykjavik, Iceland. They passed away on November 7, 2015.
How many credits does Gunnar Hansen have?
Gunnar Hansen has accumulated over 50 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1974 to 2025.
What is Gunnar Hansen's background in cinema and television?
Gunnar Milton Hansen (4 March 1947 – 7 November 2015) was an Icelandic‑American actor. Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, he later worked in the United States and died in Northeast Harbor. Hansen is best known for his portrayal of the cannibal Leatherface in the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. His career encomp...
Gunnar Hansen by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Zombie Jamboree ‘93 (1993) as Himself — aged about 46
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) as Leatherface — aged about 27
- Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) as Leatherface (archive footage) — aged about 66
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Gunnar Hansen.