Wes Craven
Directing Born Aug 2, 1939 Died Aug 30, 2015 Cleveland, Ohio, USA 186 credits
Biography
Wesley Earl Wes Craven was an American film director, writer, producer, and actor born on August 2, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was known for his pioneering work in the horror genre, particularly in the teen slasher subgenre. Among his best-known works are the landmark films The Last House on the Left from 1972, The Hills Have Eyes from 1977, A Nightmare on Elm Street from 1984, and the Scream film series which spanned from 1996 to 2011. Throughout his career, he accumulated 132 known credits for directing. He passed away on August 30, 2015, at the age of 76.
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Career overview
Wesley Earl Wes Craven was an American film director, writer, producer, and occasional actor who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 2, 1939, and died on August 30, 2015, at the age of 76. He was recognized as a prolific and influential figure known for his pioneering work in the horror genre and particularly within the teen slasher and slasher film subgenres.
Throughout his career, Craven accumulated 132 known credits in directing and established himself as a creator of low-budget horror films. Among his best-known and landmark works are The Last House on the Left released in 1972, The Hills Have Eyes released in 1977, A Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984, and the Scream series which spanned from 1996 to 2011.
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Career timeline
Dylan’s New Nightmare · WriterThe Fourth Wall
Scream · In Memory Of
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #1The AGFA Mystery Mixtape VaultAGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: SequelitisAGFA Mystery Mixtape #2: Later in L.A.
Terrifier · In Memory Of
Mortal Nightmare · Thanks
Scream: The TV Series · Executive ProducerThe Girl in the Photographs · Executive ProducerThe Confession of Fred Krueger · Characters
Trespassing BergmanCrystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13thHouse of Wax: Unlike Anything You've Seen Before!
Fear Himself: The Life and Crimes of Freddy Krueger
Scream 4 · DirectorScream 4 · ProducerScream: The Inside StoryThe Making of 'Scream 4'The Future of Fear
A Nightmare on Elm Street · CharactersA Nightmare on Elm Street · Original Film WriterMy Soul to Take · WriterMy Soul to Take · DirectorMy Soul to Take · Producer
CastleThe Last House on the Left · ProducerThe Last House on the Left · CharactersThe Last House on the Left · Original Film Writer
Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX
The Hills Have Eyes 2 · ProducerThe Hills Have Eyes 2 · WriterThe Hills Have Eyes 2 · CharactersDiary of the DeadDiary of the Dead · Thanks
The Hills Have Eyes · ProducerThe Hills Have Eyes · CharactersThe Hills Have Eyes · Original Film WriterPulse · ScreenplayParis Je T'aime
Red EyeRed Eye · DirectorCursed · DirectorFeast · Executive ProducerRay Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection
Boston Legal100 Scariest Movie MomentsThe Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie EditingTales from the CrapperThe Thick Brown Line
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Freddy vs. Jason · CharactersDracula II: Ascension · PresenterLooking Back at 'The Hills Have Eyes'Celluloid Crime of the Century
They · PresenterMasters of HorrorThey Shoot Divas, Don't They? · Executive ProducerIt's Only a Movie: The Making of 'Last House on the Left'Tales That'll Tear Your Heart Out
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Scream 3Scream 3 · DirectorDracula 2000 · Executive ProducerDracula 2000 · PresenterWelcome to Hollywood
Stark Raving MadMusic of the Heart · DirectorWelcome to Primetime
Unmasking the HorrorCarnival of Souls · Executive ProducerDon't Look Down · Executive ProducerHollyweird · Executive ProducerHollyweird · Presenter
Scream 2Scream 2 · DirectorWishmaster · Executive Producer
ScreamScream · DirectorE! True Hollywood StoryShadow Zone: The Undead Express
Vampire in Brooklyn · DirectorMind Ripper · Executive ProducerThe Fear
Wes Craven's New NightmareWes Craven's New Nightmare · DirectorWes Craven's New Nightmare · WriterWes Craven's New Nightmare · Executive ProducerWes Craven's New Nightmare · Characters
Body BagsThe Nightmare Begins Again · CharactersThe Nightmare Begins Again · Creator
Nightmare Cafe · ProducerNightmare Cafe · DirectorNightmare Cafe · CreatorHeartstoppers: Horror at the Movies
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare · CharactersThe People Under the Stairs · DirectorThe People Under the Stairs · WriterThe People Under the Stairs · Executive ProducerFear in the Dark
Night Visions · DirectorNight Visions · Executive ProducerNight Visions · WriterBloodfist II · Other
Full filmography
- Dylan’s New Nightmare (2023) Writer
- The Fourth Wall (2023) as Self
- Scream (2022) In Memory Of
- AGFA Mystery Mixtape #1 (2020) as Self
- The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault (2020) as (archive footage)
- AGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: Sequelitis (2020) as Self
- AGFA Mystery Mixtape #2: Later in L.A. (2020) as (archive footage)
- Terrifier (2018) In Memory Of
- Mortal Nightmare (2016) Thanks
- Scream: The TV Series (2015) Executive Producer
- The Girl in the Photographs (2015) Executive Producer
- The Confession of Fred Krueger (2015) Characters
- Trespassing Bergman (2013) as Self
- Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th (2013) as Self
- House of Wax: Unlike Anything You've Seen Before! (2013) as Self
- Fear Himself: The Life and Crimes of Freddy Krueger (2012) as Self
- Scream 4 (2011) Director
- Scream 4 (2011) Producer
- Scream: The Inside Story (2011) as Self
- The Making of 'Scream 4' (2011) as Self
- The Future of Fear (2011) as Self
- Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective (2011) as Self
- I Am Nancy (2011) as Self
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) Characters
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) Original Film Writer
- My Soul to Take (2010) Writer
- My Soul to Take (2010) Director
- My Soul to Take (2010) Producer
- Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010) as Self
- Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010)
- Castle (2009) as Self
- The Last House on the Left (2009) Producer
- The Last House on the Left (2009) Characters
- The Last House on the Left (2009) Original Film Writer
- Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX (2008) as Self
- The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007) Producer
- The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007) Writer
- The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007) Characters
- Diary of the Dead (2007) as Newsreader (voice) (uncredited)
- Diary of the Dead (2007) Thanks
- On the Lot (2007)
- The Hills Have Eyes (2006) Producer
- The Hills Have Eyes (2006) Characters
- The Hills Have Eyes (2006) Original Film Writer
- Pulse (2006) Screenplay
- Paris Je T'aime (2006) as La victime de la vampire (Quartier de la Madeleine)
- Paris Je T'aime (2006) Director
- Paris Je T'aime (2006) Writer
- The Breed (2006) Executive Producer
- The Tripper (2006) as Hippie (uncredited)
- Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006) as Self
- The House That Freddy Built (2006) as Self
- Never Sleep Again: The Making of ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (2006) as Self
- Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven's Nightmares (2006) as Self
- Red Eye (2005) as Airline Passenger (uncredited)
- Red Eye (2005) Director
- Cursed (2005) Director
- Feast (2005) Executive Producer
- Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (2005) as Self
- Dracula III: Legacy (2005) Presenter
- Ban the Sadist Videos! (2005) as Self
- Becoming a Werewolf (2005) as Wes Craven
- Boston Legal (2004) as Self
- 100 Scariest Movie Moments (2004) as Self
- The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004) as Self
- Tales from the Crapper (2004) as Party Goer (uncredited)
- The Thick Brown Line (2004) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003) Characters
- Dracula II: Ascension (2003) Presenter
- Looking Back at 'The Hills Have Eyes' (2003) as Self
- Celluloid Crime of the Century (2003) as Self
- They (2002) Presenter
- Masters of Horror (2002) as Self
- They Shoot Divas, Don't They? (2002) Executive Producer
- It's Only a Movie: The Making of 'Last House on the Left' (2002) as Self
- Tales That'll Tear Your Heart Out (2002) as Undead Cowboy (uncredited)
- Tales That'll Tear Your Heart Out (2002) Director
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) as Wes Craven
- Scream 3 (2000) as Man with Video Camera on Studio Tour (uncredited)
- Scream 3 (2000) Director
- Dracula 2000 (2000) Executive Producer
- Dracula 2000 (2000) Presenter
- Welcome to Hollywood (2000) as Wes Craven
- The American Nightmare (2000) as Self
- Scream and Scream Again: A History of the Slasher Film (2000) as Self
- Behind the Scream (2000) as Self
- Stark Raving Mad (1999) as Terrance Sterling
- Music of the Heart (1999) Director
- Welcome to Primetime (1999) as Self
- Unmasking the Horror (1998)
- Carnival of Souls (1998) Executive Producer
- Don't Look Down (1998) Executive Producer
- Hollyweird (1998) Executive Producer
- Hollyweird (1998) Presenter
- Scream 2 (1997) as Doctor (uncredited)
- Scream 2 (1997) Director
- Wishmaster (1997) Executive Producer
- Scream (1996) as Fred the Janitor (uncredited)
- Scream (1996) Director
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Shadow Zone: The Undead Express (1996) as Counsellor
- Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) Director
- Mind Ripper (1995) Executive Producer
- The Fear (1995) as Dr. Arnold
- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) as Wes Craven
- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) Director
- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) Writer
- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) Executive Producer
- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) Characters
- Body Bags (1993) as Pasty Faced Man
- The Nightmare Begins Again (1993) Characters
- The Nightmare Begins Again (1993) Creator
- Nightmare Cafe (1992) Producer
- Nightmare Cafe (1992) Director
- Nightmare Cafe (1992) Creator
- Heartstoppers: Horror at the Movies (1992) as Self
- Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) Characters
- The People Under the Stairs (1991) Director
- The People Under the Stairs (1991) Writer
- The People Under the Stairs (1991) Executive Producer
- Fear in the Dark (1991) as Self
- Night Visions (1990) Director
- Night Visions (1990) Executive Producer
- Night Visions (1990) Writer
- Bloodfist II (1990) Other
- A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989) Characters
- Shocker (1989) as Man Neighbor
- Shocker (1989) Executive Producer
- Shocker (1989) Director
- Shocker (1989) Writer
- Gorgon Video Magazine (1989) as Self
- The People Next Door (1989) Creator
- Stephen King's World of Horror (1989) as Self
- The Making of 'Nightmare on Elm Street IV' (1989) as Self
- Freddy's Nightmares (1988) Characters
- Freddy's Nightmares (1988) Creator
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) Characters
- The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) Director
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) Executive Producer
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) Screenplay
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) Characters
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) Story
- Casebusters (1986) Director
- Deadly Friend (1986) Director
- Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors (1986) as Self
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as (segment "Children's Zoo")
- The Twilight Zone (1985) Director
- A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985) Characters
- The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 (1985) Writer
- The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 (1985) Director
- The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 (1985) Characters
- Chiller (1985) Director
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Director
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Writer
- Invitation to Hell (1984) Director
- Swamp Thing (1982) Director
- Swamp Thing (1982) Writer
- Deadly Blessing (1981) Director
- Deadly Blessing (1981) Screenplay
- Kent State (1981) Producer
- Stranger in Our House (1979) Director
- Here Come the Tigers (1978) Gaffer
- The Evolution of Snuff (1978) Director of Photography
- The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Director
- The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Editor
- The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Writer
- Sweet Cakes (1976) as Photographer (uncredited)
- Kitty Can't Help It (1975) Editor
- The Fireworks Woman (1975) as Nicholas Burns / The Fireworks Man (uncredited)
- The Fireworks Woman (1975) Director
- The Fireworks Woman (1975) Editor
- The Fireworks Woman (1975) Writer
- It Happened in Hollywood (1973) as Kings Litter Bearer
- It Happened in Hollywood (1973) Editor
- It Happened in Hollywood (1973) Assistant Director
- The Last House on the Left (1972) Director
- The Last House on the Left (1972) Editor
- The Last House on the Left (1972) Writer
- Deep Throat (1972) Other
- Together (1971) Associate Producer
- Together (1971) Director of Photography
- You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat (1971) Editor
- Untitled A Nightmare on Elm Street Film Original Film Writer
- Untitled A Nightmare on Elm Street Film Characters
- The People Under the Stairs Original Film Writer