PopHorror Let's Get Scared
It’s no secret the new film, Terrifier (read the PopHorror review of the film here), has been on everyone’s lips in the horror community. Whether you heard about it on Instagram or Facebook, everyone is talking about it. Upon viewing this movie, I was blown away by filmmaker Damien Leone’s creation, the maniacal Art the Clown. Leone casted David Howard Thornton to bring him the clown to life, and I could not be happier about that decision. David’s performance was sick, twisted and outstanding. He’s becoming horror’s favorite killer clown. I had the honor of interviewing Thornton, where we talked about everything from the beginning of his career to his favorite experiences on the set of Terrifier.
David Howard Thornton: No problem! Thanks for reaching out to speak with me. I am flattered!
PopHorror: Let’s start with the beginning of your career. Where did you attend for your acting education?
David Howard Thornton: Oddly enough, I did not get a degree in acting, but rather a degree in Elementary Education. I learned everything from either watching films and TV, taking side classes here in NYC, and most importantly, from working with more experienced actors throughout my life through both community theater early on and professional theater later on. The stage and the big screen were my schools, and I learned from the best!
PopHorror: Was it always your goal to appear in horror movies?
David Howard Thornton:Oddly enough, no. I never imagined that I would act in horror films, let alone play the main villain! My background is in both comedy and voice over work. I had originally wanted to star in Broadways shows, sitcoms, cartoons or video games. This role came to me by pure chance. I guess the Fates had other things in mind for me, and I don’t complain at all!
PopHorror: How did you land the role of Art the Clown in Terrifier?
David Howard Thornton: I saw a posting on a website for actors looking for a tall, skinny guy with physical comedy/clowning experience to play “the role of a lifetime,” so I asked my reps to submit me for it. I went in and had to improvise a scene on the spot where I decapitated a victim as my audition, since I was not given a script due to Art never talking. I came up with a scene where I cartoonishly snuck up my victim, knocked him out, sawed off his head, picked it up and tasted it, found it disgusting, took out a salt shaker to add proper seasoning, tasted it again, found it to my liking, threw it in my bag for a late night snack, and skipped off. I must have done something right since everyone started laughing when I finished, and I was asked to come back for a makeup test. The rest is history!
PopHorror: What scenes were your favorites to shoot and which ones were the hardest?
David Howard Thornton: I enjoyed doing the diner scene a lot since it allowed me to flex my muscles from both a horror and physical comedy stand point. It was such a fun scene to do! The hardest was the infamous hacksaw scene. We usually joked around a lot once we cut on set, but that night, we did not since the scene was such a dangerous scene to film for Catherine. We could only film in 30 second chunks since we did not want to injure her by letting her hang upside down for so long. She endured all kinds of Hell that night since it was about 20 degrees in that room that night. She’s a true professional, as was everyone else on set that night.
PopHorror: How did you prepare yourself to bring to life a sick and twisted character like Art the Clown?
David Howard Thornton: In addition to finding inspiration from Mike Giannelli’s original portrayal as Art in All Hallows Eve, I dug deep into my vast knowledge of great horror films and films that had great physical comedy in them, specially the old silent films. I found much inspiration from Robert Englund, Charlie Chaplin, Harpo Marx, Buster Keaton, Jim Carrey, Doug Jones, Rowan Atkinson, and, most importantly, my dear friend and mentor, Stefan Karl, for the role. I also brought a lot of my love of The Joker into the role as well. I like to say that Art is like Freddy Krueger and Harpo Marx had a baby and let him loose upon the world.
PopHorror: What was your reaction to seeing yourself in the movie?
David Howard Thornton: I usually hate watching myself. I am very critical of everything I do. However, this time I had a complete blast watching the film. It was such a fun and surreal experience, specially seeing it with a live audience! I loved every minute of it!
PopHorror: How about the first time you saw yourself in makeup and costume?
David Howard Thornton: Loved it! I am used to playing characters with crazy makeup, so I find a lot of joy in seeing myself as someone that is completely different. Seeing myself as such an iconic character felt even better. I immediately knew we had something special when I looked in the mirror.
PopHorror: Are you satisfied with your performance in the film?
David Howard Thornton: I am.
PopHorror: How does it feel like to be compared to horror icons such as Pennywise and the clowns from Killer Klowns From Outer Space?
David Howard Thornton: An absolute honor! That is high praise, especially since I love the films that they come from.
PopHorror: It’s very likely that Art will become a horror icon as well. Is there any pressure behind that?
David Howard Thornton: Of course! I think the biggest pressure that I feel is living up to what we did and surpassing what we did in future films. I don’t want to let the fans down, and I want to keep them happy and amused! I’ve always been a people pleaser in that regard.
PopHorror: Were you expecting the success the movie received?
David Howard Thornton: I had hoped that it would receive the success that it has, but I did not expect it. I always try to be a realist. The success definitely surprised me, especially since we are a small indie film. There was very little mainstream coverage around the film, even to this day. We have been successful mostly due to the fans loving the film and spreading the news about it. I’ve been blown away by how well it has been received, and I am so very grateful to the fans for getting the word out!
PopHorror: What is it like working with Damien Leone?
David Howard Thornton: A joy! Damien is just the nicest and coolest guy to work with, and just so amazingly talented. Not many directors can also write their own film AND do all of the practical effects for it. That takes real talent and vision, and Damien has that. We spent MANY hours together in the makeup chair, so we have bonded a lot during this experience. I consider him one of my best friends now.
PopHorror: Would you be back as Art if there’s another movie featuring him?
David Howard Thornton: Abso-freaking-lutely! We’re already in the beginning stages of creating the next one. There is so much more that I want to do and explore with the character, and I can’t wait to don the tiny hat again!
PopHorror: Do you have any upcoming projects?
David Howard Thornton: I’m currently still filming the final season of the web series, Nightwing: Escalation, where I play The Joker. In addition to that, I have an animated series on Hulu that is releasing later this year that I can’t speak about yet that I have provided a few voices on that features a lot of big names on it. Other than that, I am auditioning and preparing for my various convention appearances later on this year!
PopHorror: For the final question… what’s your favorite horror movie?
David Howard Thornton: Showgirls. But in all seriousness, it is probably a toss up between Texas Chain Saw Massacre, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, or The Omen… and, of course, Terrifier!
