From the average police officer to zombie detective, Tom Atkins has played all sorts of roles. The actor’s portfolio is filled to the brim with movies, particularly from the horror and thriller genres, which isn’t surprising, considering the actor has been an avid horror film fan ever since he was young. Prior to his work in the film industry, Atkins also delved into theater, even receiving the 1973 Desk Drama Award for Most Promising Performer for his part in David Storey’s The Changing Room. While Atkins boasts quite a few remarkable roles in his career, here are some of his best works:
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
10 Escape from New York (1981)
Embassy Pictures
Co-written, co-scored, and directed by John Carpenter, Escape from New York is a 1981 American action sci-fi film. The story is set in a futuristic world in the year 1997, where the crime-ridden United States has converted Manhattan Island into a maximum security prison. When Air Force One is hijacked by anti-government insurgents, Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) ex-soldier and federal prisoner, is assigned the task of rescuing the President of the United States. Even though it’s a smaller role, and Atkins doesn’t get much screen time, the actor still gives a solid performance as Captain Rehme, the section commander, in his limited time. The film was a commercial success, grossing more than $25.2 million at the box office.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 My Bloody Valentine (2009)
Lionsgate
Adapted from a screenplay by Stephen Miller, My Bloody Valentine is an American slasher film. The movie revolves around the residents of a small town, who are tormented by a serial killer in mining gear who appears on Valentine’s Day. In My Bloody Valentine, Atkins plays the role of Sheriff Jim Burke, one of the many police officer roles the actor has played throughout his career. The film grossed $119.9 million worldwide and received mixed reviews, with some praising the performance and production quality, while others criticizing it for the predictable plot.
Halloween III Legacy Sequel with Tom Atkins? Producer Says ‘Anything Is Possible’
8 Drive Angry (2011)
Summit EntertainmentLionsgateWarner Bros
Directed by Patrick Lussier, Drive Angry is an American action horror film in the grindhouse cinema tradition. For those unaware, grindhouse cinema refers to low-budget horror, splatter, and exploitation films. Drive Angry follows John Milton (Nicolas Cage), who escapes from Hell to avenge the murder of his daughter. Milton also steals Satan’s gun, the Godkiller, to kill Satanistic cult leader Jonah King and prevent him from ritually sacrificing Milton’s infant granddaughter. Here again, Atkins is seen in his signature role, portraying a Captain on the police force.
7 Bruiser (2000)
Canal+
Written and directed by George A. Romero, Bruiser is a French horror-thriller film that stars Jason Flemyng, Peter Stormare, and Leslie Hope. Bruiser follows the life of Henry Creedlow (Jason Flemyng), a creative director for a successful magazine, who is unhappy with his life. Through the course of the movie, Henry is often plagued with fantasies of killing people. It isn’t until he wakes up one day with a faceless mask, that his fantasies become a reality. Tom Atkins plays the role of Detective McCleary, the one following the trail of murders Henry has left behind. Atkins keeps the audience on their toes as Detective McCleary comes close to catching Henry, but is misled by Rosie, who is under the impression that she’s the killer.
6 Two Evil Eyes (1990)
Netflix
Based on stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Two Evil Eyes is an anthology film consisting of two segments written and directed by George A. Romero and Dario Argento. Romero directed the segment based on The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, while Argento directed the segment based on The Black Cat. Tom Atkins plays the role of Detective Grogan in the segment directed by Romero. The segment centers around Jessica Valdemar, who is trying to cheat her elderly, dying husband out of his estate by hypnotizing him with the help of her lover Robert Hoffman. The anthology film was originally supposed to have four segments, each featuring a different director. However, John Carpenter and Stephen King, who were being considered to direct the other two segments, were unable to join the project.
Night of the Creeps Limited Edition Blu-ray Comes with Tom Atkins Action Figure
5 Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Universal Pictures
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is an American science fiction horror film that was written and directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, John Carpenter, and Debra Hill. The movie stars Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, and Dan O’ Herlihy. Atkins makes quite a touching and flawed hero as Dr. Daniel Challis who, along with Ellie Grimbridge (Stacy Nelkin) uncovers small-town mask maker Conal Cochran’s (Dan O’ Herlihy) plan to mass murder children with the help of a Celtic ritual. Halloween III was the first in the series to depart from the slasher genre, and instead, incorporated a witchcraft theme with sci-fi.
4 Maniac Cop (1988)
Paramount PicturesStudio Canal20th Century Studios
Directed by William Lustig, Maniac Cop is a 1988 American slasher film that centers around a murderous ex-police officer who has returned from the dead to take revenge on everyone who has wronged him. Tom Atkins stars as Lieutenant McCrae, who is attempting to stop the Maniac Cop, while ensuring civilian protection. The film also has two sequels, Maniac Cop 2 (1990) and Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence (1993).
3 The Fog (1980)
Another work directed by John Carpenter, The Fog is a supernatural horror film that stars Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins, Janet Leigh, and Hal Holbrook. The film is set in a small coastal town in California that is swept up by a strange glowing fog, which brings with it, the vengeful ghosts of mariners who were killed in a shipwreck. Atkins portrays Nicholas “Nick” Castle, a town resident, who ends up being caught in the fog and attacked by its vengeful spirits. Initially, the film was not well received by critics; however, it was an instant hit at the box office, making over $21 million domestically.
2 Night of the Creeps (1986)
TriStar Pictures
An earnest attempt at a B-movie, Night of the Creeps is an American sci-fi horror-comedy film. From zombies to slashers to alien invasions, the film has a bit of everything. In true Atkins fashion, Tom Atkins plays the part of Detective Ray Cameron, a cop haunted by the death of his high school sweetheart. Atkins portrays just the right amount of crazy and creepy needed for the film. Interestingly, the film has two different endings; one was used for the film’s theatrical release, while the other was originally intended by director Fred Dreeker. The latter of which sees Atkins transform into a zombie cop!
1 Lethal Weapon (1987)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Lethal Weapon, an American buddy cop action film, follows a mismatched pair of LAPD detectives as they work together to uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. The film stars Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, and Tom Atkins. Given Atkins’ portfolio, the film genre does diverge a little from his norm, but nevertheless, Atkins does a spectacular job at portraying the guilt-ridden heroin smuggler, Michael Hunsaker, who is stuck too deep in the drug trafficking ring to get out.
