Michael Myers is easily one of the most terrifying horror boogeymen to ever terrorize the big-screen. The iconic Halloween psychopath has been petrifying moviegoers for over 40 years, appearing in 10 films from 1978-2018.
But did you know that, outside of two instances, Myers has been played by a different actor each time out? It’s true. And while it’s also true that the terror imposed by Myers often comes from how creepy his mask appears (also different in each film), let’s not underestimate how difficult portraying such a silent, slow-moving murderer must be. Here are the nine best Michael Myers Performances, Actors Ranked!
Chris Durand (Halloween H2O)
Longtime stuntman Chris Durand only appeared in a handful of films before getting the opportunity to don the menacing Myers mask. In fact, two of them!
Two different masks were used in Halloween: H2O, which made for somewhat inconsistent performance. Durand reportedly based his performance on a wild feline ready to instinctively lunge at its prey. The way he subtly cocks his head in various directions and peers at his victims is meant to reflect such, as is the almost inaudible grunting and growling he does in the film.
Brad Loree (Halloween: Resurrection)
Halloween II director Rick Rosenthal returned to the franchise to helm the reality TV-based reboot, Halloween: Resurrection. And just as he did back in 1981, he bestowed the coveted role of Michael Myers to a lifelong stuntman!
Brad Loree, also a longtime horror fanatic, gives an uneven performance as the murderous Michael Myers. One reason for this is the number of different endings written and shot for the film. The editing uses segments from each, thereby creating an incongruous performance. Loree even appears as himself, out of the iconic mask, during one of the alternate endings.
A. Michael Lerner (Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers)
While George A. Wilbur, the actor who portrays Myers in Halloween 4, reprises his role for a short time in Halloween 6, his replacement for the reshoots is even more dominant.
For the gory reshoots, A. Michael Lerner was tasked with playing the infamous movie slasher. While the original producer’s cut features far less gore and much more of occult black magic, Lerner adds a frightening ferocity to the gruesome violence in the reshoots. Still, by intercutting footage of both actors who differ in age, the overall performance isn’t the steadiest.
Don Shanks (Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers)
In Halloween 5, Don Shanks gives a physically arresting turn as Michael Myers. The stuntman and theater student reportedly used his experience miming and playing silent characters to bring the macabre madman to life!
Told to act as if a piece of wood wading through water by the director, Shanks comports his body with a startling stiffness as Myers. His sclerotic physicality is almost robotic in the way he stalks his prey. Shanks gets extra credit for also portraying the mysterious Man in Black character, whose story-line concludes in the follow-up, The Curse of Michael Myers.
Tyler Mane (Halloween 2007)
Towering over his victims with a hulking 6'7’’ frame, Tyler Mane easily gives the most physically imposing performance as Michael Myers to date!
While the movies he appears in aren’t very well-received, the two millennial Halloween remakes helmed by Rob Zombie (Halloween and Halloween II) feature the most barbarous villain of the entire franchise. Moreover, as an origin story, Mane is given much more material to mine than simply playing a one-dimensional boogeyman. Mane also used his experience as a pro-wrestler to properly calibrate how his body should move.
George P. Wilbur (Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers)
George Wilbur gave such a terrifying turn as “The Shape” in Halloween 4 that he was one of the only few to be asked to reprise the role. Two movies later, no less!
While Wilbur’s role was ultimately truncated in Halloween 6, his work in The Return of Michael Myers speaks for itself. Or, breathes heavily rather. With help from one of the creepier masks used in the franchise, Wilbur also beefed-up his appearance by using shoulder-pads under his costume. Standing at 6'2’’, Wilbur is also the third-tallest actor to play Myers (after Mane and Shanks).
Dick Warlock (Halloween II)
Despite longtime stuntman Dick Warlock being the shortest person to portray Michael Myers, his performance is still more unnerving than most. Besides, he wore lifts during the shoot!
Since original Myers actor Nick Castle was in the middle of directing his first film, a replacement was needed for the 1981 sequel. Director Rick Rosenthal ultimately awarded the role to Warlock, who reportedly saw the iconic mask on a producer’s desk. He put the mask on, walked into Rosenthal’s office and stood there silently. When Warlock finally spoke, he asked if he could play Myers. The rest is history!
James Jude Courtney (Halloween 2018)
The newest onscreen iteration of Michael Myers is good enough to earn a silver medal. But wait, how many of you knew two different actors played Myers in the 2018 redo?
It’s true. While the unmasked Myers is portrayed by original 1978 cast member Nick Castle, the masked version is played by James Jude Courtney. That Courtney does such a believable job of making us think they’re one and the same says all you need to know. Courtney is set to reprise the role in the upcoming Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends, making him the only actor to play the role thrice.
Nick Castle/Tony Moran (Halloween)
Two different actors portrayed Michael Myers in the original Halloween. Tony Moran played the unmasked version, while Nick Castle played the masked maniac with a penchant for fresh blood!
Of course, one of the main reasons that make the performance so disturbing is the mortifying mask. Director John Carpenter chose a cheap William Shatner Star Trek mask, spray-painted it white and cut the eye-holes wider before handing it over to college pal Castle. For his part, Castle was offered the role due to his calm movements and balletic grace as he moves toward his victims.
