Interview With Pancho Moler: Extreme Sports to Bloody Mayhem in Horror

Born in Chile’s capital of Santiago, Pancho Moler moved to the United States at a young age where he eventually found success as the world’s first professional little person skateboarder. However, after an unfortunate accident ended his career in the extreme sport, he searched for another passion to fulfill his creative outlet. Where one door closes, another one opens. Pancho found himself pursuing the exhilarating art of acting. After appearing in American Horror Story: Freak Show, Pancho became known to horror fans for the twisted, Spanish-speaking character of Sick-Head in Rob Zombie’s 2016 sadistic carnival slasher, 31 (read our review here). However, we see an entirely different side of him in Zombie’s highly anticipated feature, 3 From Hell. I recently caught up with Pancho to discuss his skateboarding career, his transition into acting, and Zombie’s upcoming follow-up to The Devil’s Rejects, as well an indie passion project titled Candy Corn (2019 – read our review here).

PopHorror: Hi, Pancho! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us.

Pancho Moler: No problem! It’s my pleasure.

PopHorror: I’m aware that, before acting, you did professional skateboarding. Is this something you still do today?

Pancho Moler: No, I don’t. I stopped skating about 9 years ago. I was in a really bad car accident, and, with the wear and tear that my lower back had already taken during my skateboarding days, I had to stop. Being a little person and the way our spines are structured, the accident caused too much damage, and I wasn’t able to continue to skate, let alone jump on a board. So, I had to figure something else out that I loved, something that was just as exciting. I had to find an addiction to something in the way I was addicted to skateboarding. And that lead to acting!

PopHorror: I’m very sorry to hear about the accident putting an end to your skating career, but I’m glad it lead you to the passion you now have for acting. At what point did you decide to transition into acting, and did you see yourself ending up in the horror genre the way that you have?

Pancho Moler: That’s a good question! I was already transitioning into acting because I knew my skateboarding career was slowly dying. You can’t skateboard forever because it just takes a toll on your body. And there are kids who are younger, hungrier and willing to do it for less money. That’s just the way it is with all sports. So, I was already transitioning into acting. At no point did I see myself going into the horror genre. I love horror movies! But that happened when I booked Rob Zombie’s 31. And that’s what catapulted my acting career into the horror genre.

PopHorror: You then became known in the horror community as Sick-Head from 31, which is a character that’s hard to forget. How did you become involved with this feature, and what was your reaction to such an extreme role?

Pancho Moler: (laughs) I auditioned for the part. I was one of the only actors who actually auditioned for 31 being that Rob likes to recycle his actors. Whenever he finds someone who he likes, he keeps using them and gives them different characters to work on. So, when I found out that I booked a Rob Zombie movie, like anyone else, I was very excited!

At first, my character was just a killer clown in this place called Murder World. But as we slowly progressed through post-production, Rob created all the clowns that he wanted, and he offered me the role of Sick-Head, who ended up being this Nazi Hitler clown! At first, I wasn’t that cool with it. Being a Nazi Hitler anything wasn’t my idea of a great character… but then I thought about the opportunity I was being given. If I get to emulate anything, why not the biggest killer of all time? I realized I could do my own thing with this character with Rob Zombie’s twist! Lets rock n’ roll!

So, that’s how Sick-Head came about. Rob saw on my resume that I’m fluent in Spanish, so he wanted to incorporate that into the character and it slowly built from there. He thought the Spanish-speaking brought more passion than if I were to speak English. So, we kept all my dialogue in Spanish. He loved it! He thought there was something creepy about someone who wants to kill you and you don’t understand what they’re saying.

PopHorror: I remember seeing the film awhile back. You did a great job!

Pancho Moler: Thank you! It was great to be able to embrace my culture in the sense of the Spanish-speaking. It’s great whenever you’re given the chance to go with your gut and your impulse, and you’re able to trust your director.

PopHorror: How did you prepare for such an insane role?

Pancho Moler: Well, we have this Nazi Hitler clown running around speaking Spanish. I had to make sense of it to myself. As an actor, you have to create your own inner monologue. I did my research, and many Nazis who didn’t die in the war migrated to countries like Spain, Argentina, and Chile. Chile is where I’m from. So, I created this whole fictional backstory where Doctor Josef Mengele, also known as the Angel of Death, migrated to Chile, and, being fascinated with little people, he finds one and transforms him into this evil, vile hateful son of a bitch! So, that’s the story of how I applied my own twist to the character.

PopHorror: That’s crazy! What is your favorite memory from shooting 31?

Pancho Moler: My favorite memory wasn’t actually shooting the film. It was when we did the screen test. I was so green to this whole filming of the horror genre world. I was trying to translate Rob’s writing into Spanish in a room full of producers and other actors. Sometimes the words just don’t translate right. So, I just took a deep breath, looked around and realized that no one in the room was going to understand what I was saying. No one knew Spanish! So, I said screw it and started saying the worst things possible that I could think of! Things that were racist. Things that were sexual. Just horrible, awful and hateful things! And it worked! And that’s why Rob kept the Spanish. So, making that breakthrough and just trusting myself was one of the best memories from 31 for me.

PopHorror: I can only imagine how exhilarating a moment like that must have been! You have two exciting, upcoming films coming out, including Zombie’s much talked about 3 From Hell, which serves as a sequel to The Devil’s Rejects. What was your reaction when you heard he was making a sequel?

Pancho Moler: I received the news from Rob through email. He simply said, “It’s movie time again.” He wrote a sequel to The Devil’s Rejects, and he wrote a really rad role for me, which is the complete opposite of Sick-Head. He asked if I would be interested. My favorite Rob Zombie movie is The Devil’s Rejects… so I didn’t have to even think about it! I was very excited, and it felt incredible to not have to audition for something. It was an amazing feeling to get a straight offer let alone from a director who I look up to so much, and I just love his work! So, my reaction was a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. It was just so surreal. I couldn’t believe it!

PopHorror: That’s great to hear! And, not to spoil anything, but your character in 3 From Hell is, as you mentioned, much different than Sick-Head in 31. He ends up having some sympathy for the remaining three Firefly family members. Why do you suppose your character took such a liking to the three killers?

Pancho Moler: Rob wanted to make my character the complete opposite of Sick-Head. He wanted to ground him more and give him more humanity. We’re always trying to stay away from the gimmicky characters, especially with me being a little person. So, he wanted a three-dimensional character who can care and be compassionate, a character you could feel for and you can be affected by. You can get a sense of what he’s gone through just by the way he looks.

My character takes a liking to the Firefly family because Sheri’s character is the only person who has given him the time of day. And that, to my character, is very personal. They develop a friendship because she looks at my character as a normal human being rather than this grotesque dude. This was a great opportunity that Rob gave me so that I could showcase the range. I think, as an actor, you always want that kind of opportunity rather than being typecast into one kind of role. You always want to branch out and try different character personalities. Of course, a lot of it has to do with Rob’s directing as well. But that’s kind of how my character of Sebastian came about, and that’s why he likes the rejects.

PopHorror: I can see that you really commit to the characters you portray. You did an excellent job with Sebastian. There aren’t many characters you can have sympathy for in the film, but yours was definitely one of them.

Pancho Moler: Thank you so much! I haven’t seen the film yet, and it excites me to know that I was able to convey that.

PopHorror: What is your favorite part about filming 3 From Hell?

Pancho Moler: That’s a great question. Nothing is ever shot in order during the production of a movie. At least, it’s rare. So, the first scene I shot for 3 From Hell was with Bill Moseley [read our interview with him here] who, of course, plays Otis. We’d never met before shooting that scene. So, I just walked into this scene, which was the one where I’m telling him that the killers are here. Because of the scene, Bill is in his tighty whities, and he doesn’t know that I’m a little person, let alone one with a beard and scar. He’s holding his gun, and I’m speaking to him in Spanish, and he can’t understand what the hell I’m saying. We had to cut the scene as Bill yells, “What the fuck is going on here!” (both laughs) It was so funny! And Rob started laughing, too, before he finally introduced us. Then we had to ground ourselves and just get to work. But it was just one of the funniest things that happened.

PopHorror: That’s hilarious! What was the biggest challenge in filming 3 From Hell?

Pancho Moler: The biggest challenge for me was having to wear the eye patch and messed up teeth. Being able to only see out of one eye and deliver my lines was challenging in itself. So, I was forced to slow things down a little and get beyond these limitations.

PopHorror: I could see how that would be difficult! You also have a role in the upcoming horror film, Candy Corn, which also stars P.J. Soles and Tony Todd. What can you tell me about this film and your character?

Pancho Moler: I met Josh Hasty, the director of Candy Corn, due to his involvement with 31 and In Hell Everybody Loves Popcorn: The Making of 31, and he offered me the role of Dr. Death. This character is the leader of a traveling freak show carnival. He was born into this life and is the conductor of this show. All the people who work for him become his family. He will do anything for his family. And he also hates being bullied. One of the great things about it was my ability to connect with the character in a way. Being a little person and traveling so much in and out of so many schools growing up because of my father’s job, I was bullied often. I was bullied my whole life! It has gotten better, but kids are mean. It wasn’t easy for me, but it felt right for me to bring that to this character. And that’s what it’s all about. Defending all the people who are different, who are outcasted by bullies who get away with whatever they want. And that was the beauty of this movie. I can’t wait for people to see it!

PopHorror: What was your favorite memory from the set of Candy Corn?

Pancho Moler: There are so many good memories from the set. I guess my favorite would be getting into the character and being able to use this beautiful carnival set that has a whole Hollywood history to it. All these props and equipment that we were using has a history behind it, shooting things like American Horror Story: Freak Show. I really enjoyed being on that set and morphing into this awesome character that I was given a chance to bring to life!

PopHorror: What was the biggest challenge in filming this production?

Pancho Moler: The biggest challenge was raising the money. It originally started as a passion project about three years ago. We shot a scene and did a fundraiser. We raised some more money, and we were able to shoot a couple more scenes. We were building something when we didn’t have the money to build it. That was the frustrating part, but it was also good in the sense that it gave me time to really find the character of Dr. Death. I was able to make him into exactly what I wanted him to be. I was able to portray him as calm, in control and loyal.

The most difficult part was the game of patience. When you have the money, you shoot something and then wait for a year or two for it to release. This was more like waiting to shoot something that extended production over three years. Josh, being the writer, director, and producer, also edited the whole thing in only a few months, which was so amazing! He’s a jack of all trades!

PopHorror: I’ve noticed that’s often the case with indie productions. They’re built from nothing and driven by passion, which is why I have a great deal of respect for the indie scene. You have now worked on the same set as numerous notable names in horror. What has it been like for you to work with everyone from Rob, Sheri, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, P.J. Soles, and Tony Todd?

Pancho Moler: Oh, man! I can’t even explain it. It just feels like I’m so lucky to have gotten a chance to do this. I’ve worked so hard, as we all have. But I’ve really done my homework and trained. I’ve really taken this seriously, and I leave it all on the stage with any project I’m apart of and have the opportunity to work on. For me, it has been an honor, and I’ve learned so much from all of them. You absorb and learn from everything you see. I’m just so grateful and lucky that I’ve been given the opportunity to work with these people who I’ve looked up to my whole life!

PopHorror: Especially being a horror fan, it has to be an incredible experience. Are there any other upcoming projects you would like to mention?

Pancho Moler: As of now, these are the only projects that are far enough along to talk about. I do have some upcoming comedy projects that aren’t at the stage to be discussed quite yet. But I am also a big fan of comedy. I think that laughter is the best emotion. For now, I think I’m going to let these projects that I’ve done breathe for a little bit, and then I’ll see what else comes along.

PopHorror: Excellent! Thank you again, Pancho. It was a pleasure speaking with you!

Pancho Moler: It was a pleasure speaking with you as well! Thank you for the opportunity.

As he lands roles with more depth and continues to prove his versatility, Pancho is sure to expand his acting career. With two big releases this year, this passionate actor is sure to leave an impression with horror fans everywhere. I’m sure we have not seen the last of him anytime soon. And we, at PopHorror, can’t wait to see where his craft takes him next!