The Usual Suspects

This is a section of The John Carpenter Website that focuses on the 'unofficial Carpenter Repertory Group' as it is sometimes known. A group of actors and crew that JC often works with.

Kurt Russell

Probably the most famous of Carpenter's associates. Russell started acting from a young age, in his second film (It Happened At The World's Fair) he appeared as a little boy who kicked Elvis in the shins. He went on to a successful career as a child star in numerous Disney movies (The Barefoot Executive, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,...) but suffered the usual fate of finding it difficult to migrate to a sucessful adult career. His big break came when he landed the lead role in a huge ABC TV movie, Elvis, directed by the young John Carpenter. Russell's performance was fantastic and helped establish him as a talented 'adult' actor. Since then Russell has been a mainstay in a number of JC's movies, most notably as the monosyllabic Snake Plissken in both Escape From New York and Escape From LA. Carpenter has said he thinks of Russell as his on-screen alter-ego, the two are great friends and share a passionate love of basketball. Possibly their greatest collaboration is on The Thing, Russell plays MacReady, a surly and reluctant hero. His other JC role was the excellent John Wayne inspired Jack Burton in the cult hit Big Trouble In Little China. Although his roles in JC's films helped Russell's career, his biggest successes have been in films such as Stargate and Executive Decision, which have helped establish him as an action hero. IMDB Page

Debra Hill

This is a name that does not create instant recognition, but Debra Hill has been an associate of John Carpenter's from almost the very beginning. After a stint as editor and script supervisor on Assault On Precinct 13 she co-wrote and produced Halloween and Halloween II, The Fog, and produced Halloween III. This string of collaborations with JC was interrupted until she reunited with him and Kurt Russel for the EFNY sequel, Escape From LA, which she again produced and co-wrote. She also provides the voiceover for the prologue computer scenes in EFNYand EFLA. IMDB Page

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee (the daughter of Tony Curtis and the original slasher victim Janet Leigh) had made a few minor TV appearances before landing her big break in what seemed like a minor Horror film. JC cast her in Halloween and effectively launched her career. Her performance as Laurie Strode was repeated for Halloween II and JC cast her in his ghost story The Fog. Her career has been a bit up and down, with smashes such as True Lies, A Fish Called Wanda and Trading Places alongside turkeys like Prom Night and Mothers Boys. She often credits JC for kick starting her career with Halloween. IMDB Page

Jim Danforth

As you might know, Jim Danforth was responsible for the stop motion dinosaurs and the matte paintings in WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He was also nominated for an Oscar for THE 7 FACES OF DR. LAO. Jim painted the matte painting of the Earth in THE THING. He also created matte paintings for THEY LIVE (all those views of the billboards with subliminal messages) and created the little flying sentry that Roddy Piper shoots with his rifle. Jim also used stop motion to create the little worm creatures in the Body Bag's episode with Debbie Harry and David Warner. Jim also created Matte Paintins for Memoirs of an Invisible Man. P.S. Check out my site and see some Jim Danforth images: http://members.aol.com/vitalix/STOPMOTIONHOME.HTML

Charles Cyphers

Another long time collaborator, starting his JC relationship as law enforcement officer Starker in Assualt On Precinct 13. His largest appearance in a JC movie was as Sherrif Bracket in Halloween. He has also appeared in both of JCs TV movies (Someone's watching me and Elvis). Minor roles in The Fog (the lovestruck weatherman) and Escape From New York (secretary of state) followed. His movie career has been a bit scarce since then. IMDB Page

Gary B. Kibbe

In his cinematogrpaher role he is responsible for the appearance of most of John Carpenter's films since 1987's Prince Of Darkness. Since then he has done They Live, Blood River (coincidental or not, this was a made for TV movie, written by JC years ago), In The Mouth Of Madness, Village Of The Damned and Escape From LA. He is currently applying his talents to Vampires. IMDB Page

Dean Cundey

It is pretty fair to say that before Kibbe there was Cundey. This cinematographer is responsible for the fantastic widescreen, panoramic look of most of JCs early films. His fantastic work on Halloween (those smooth tracking shots and brilliantly composed wide angles made the film), The Thing, Escape From New York (the night-time photography is brilliant), The Fog, Big Trouble.... and two of the Halloween sequels has to be seen. He has made a big name for himself creating the wonderful scenes in Back To The Future and Jurassic Park, amongst others. IMDB Page

George 'Buck' Flower

He first appeared in The Fog, a small bit part as a drunken fisherman, and since then has turned up in pretty small roles (most of them involving drunks) in a number of JC movies (check out his hilarious routine in BodyBags). His largest role was as the tramp turned traitor in They Live, where he actually gets to wear some decent clothes and has quite a few lines. IMDB Page

Tommy Lee Wallace

This old friend has done editing and production design on The Fog and Halloween. He started off as art director on Assault On Precinct 13, and he also collaborated with JC on their script for El Diablo, written in the 70s, which turned up as a made for TV move (pretty good it is too) in the 90s. He eventually made the change to directing with the under rated Halloween III. IMDB Page

Adrienne Barbeau

As well as appearing in a number of JCs films (she starred in The Fog and was Brain's girlfriend Maggie in EFNY) she is also JC's ex-wife. She also appeared in Blood River (coincidental or not, this was a made for TV movie, written by JC years ago). Adrienne Barbeau also starred as support to the lead in "Someone's Watching Me". IMDB Page

Donald Pleasence

This great character actor introduced us to the character of Dr Loomis in Halloween, a role he made his own. He only just accepted the role, his daughter had enjoyed JCs earlier films (all two of them) and persuaded him to take the role. Since then he has appeared as the president of the USA in EFNY, and gave a compelling performance as the priest in Prince Of Darkness. His passing was a great loss. IMDB Page

Peter Jason

This character actor has appeared in a number of JCs more recent movies, starting off as Dr. Leahy, an investigative scientist in Prince Of Darkness. He has also cropped up in EFLA, Village Of The Damned and They Live amongst others. Asides from his recent regular appearences in JC's films Peter Jason appeared in many of Walter Hill's mid-80's films (The Driver, 48HRS, Red Heat, Brewster's Millions, Streets of Fire etc) in similar bit parts to those he now does in JC's. He was also responsible for casting Village Of The Damned. IMDB Page

Keith David

This excellent actor made his first appearance in the JC univerise as Childs, one of only two survivors of The Thing (or was he?). This was also one of his first film appearances. He next appeared in front if JCs lens in They Live as Frank, Roddy Pipers disbelieving buddy and punch bag. In between he slotted in only two cinema roles, one of those was in Platoon. His career has been pretty busy since then, with turns as the voice of Apollo in Disney's Hercules and an appearance in the disaster movie Volcano. IMDB Page

Alan Howarth

JCs music is a large part of his movies, helping to give them that unique feel and in some cases improving what we see on the screen. Alan Howarth has collaborated with JC on a few soundtracks (They Live, Prince Of Darkness, Christine and he mixed Halloween 1) and also scored a number of the Halloween sequels. Alan Howarth also assisted music on Big Trouble and EFNY. IMDB Page

Sam Neill

This famous Australian actor has the dubious honour of being one of the stars of JCs worst movie, Memoirs Of An Invisible Man. This was his first appearance in a JC movie, his second was the far superior and downright brilliant In The Mouth Of Madness as the mad/not mad John Trent. He has been in some huge movies such as Jurassic Park and The Hunt For Red October. IMDB Page

Nick Castle

Most famous to JC fans as the original Micheal Myers, the Will Shatner mask wearer. This old friend of JCs collaborated on the script for Escape From New York in the '70s, when they were both struggling to break into the movie business. He is also a member of the Coupe De Villes, Carpenter's band. He is now a director, with The Last Starfighter, Tap and Dennis The Menace under his belt. Interestingly enough, he also directed The Boy Who Could Fly in which the Coup De Villes make an appearance. His oldest JC appearance was as cinematographer on The Resurrection Of Bronco Billy. IMDB Page

Mark Hamill

Even Luke Skywalker himself has a John Carpenter connection. He appeared as the dodgy Reverend George in Village Of The Damned but before that he appeared in JCs TV movie Bodybags. He was the lead of Eye, the segment directed by Tobe Hooper. Do I really need to say what his biggest film role was? IMDB Page

Harry Dean Stanton

The simpering Brain in Escape From New York and the detective in Christine, who just won't get off Arnie Cunninghams case. He is a fantastic character actor and a cult favourite, having appeared in films as diverse as Repo Man and Alien (written by Dan O'Bannon, a college friend of JCs and actor/co-writer of Dark Star). IMDB Page

Victor Wong

Appeared in two consecutive JC movies, Big Trouble in Little China and in Prince Of Darkness he is the quantum physicist that Donald Pleasence turns to for help. He also appeared in the great b-movie spoof Tremors, as the exploitative owner of the local diner. IMDB Page

Shirley Walker

Although JC usually writes the scores for his own movies he has made exceptions for some of his bigger budget movies (eg. Morricone did the score to The Thing). Escape From LA and Memoirs Of An Invisible Man are two of Walker's most high profile projects. She collaborated with JC on Ethe FLA to incorporate some of his original EFNY music into the soundtrack. IMDB Page

Nancy Stephens

A little known JC actress, she was the nurse driving Dr Loomis to the hospital in Halloween and the terrorist/stewardess who hijacks the president's plane in Escape From New York. She also crops up in a small cameo in Halloween 2.She has had a pretty erratic career since then. IMDB Page

Nancy Loomis - (AKA Nancy Kyes)

Her first JC appearance was in Assault On Precinct 13 ("Why would anybody want to shoot at a police station") before playing Annie in Halloween, Laurie's friend who gets strangled in the car. She also turns up in The Fog, this time in a larger role, as secretary to Janet Leigh. She has a blink and miss it appearance in Halloween 2 as her bodybag is zipped up. Her career as pretty much stalled after this (intentionally I believe), except for some minor roles (she also pops up in Halloween 3) she was not seen again in the movies until 1992, in Jackie Collins' Lady Boss. IMDB Page

Tom Atkins

The male lead in The Fog (his character name is Nick Castle!), he also pops up in Escape From New York. He was also the lead in Halloween 3. IMDB Page

Rob Bottin

A fantastic SFX artist who is responsible for some of the fantastic work in The Thing. Prior to this he had worked with JC on The Fog, even appearing in a cameo role as Captain Blake. He has done some fantastic work on a long list of big movies, too many to mention here, but I will just say that Seven was fantastic. IMDB Page

Dennis Dunn

Wang Chi, the lovelorn fiance who has lost his girl in Big Trouble In Little China. He also plays the wisecracking scientist in Prince Of Darkness. These two roles were pretty much the peak of his fame. IMDB Page

Frank Doubleday

Appeared in early JC films Assault On Precinct 13 and Escape From New York. In the former he was the psycho leader of the gang, in the latter he played Romero (love the name homage), one of the Duke of New York's goons. IMDB Page

John Carpenter

This guy has also appeared in quite a few of JCs films. As well as doing the score for loads of them, dipping into editing and producing on some (not to mention writing), he also makes a few cameo appearances-

• The Fog - Bennet - His largest cameo, he even speaks a few lines in the beginning when he asks the priest for his money after cleaning up the church.
• Starman - Man In Helicopter - JC is a qualified helicopter pilot and loves flying them. If there is a helicopter scene in his movies you can be sure he will try and get some flying time in.
• Memoirs Of An Invisible Man - Again, a helicopter pilot. Does anyone know the signficance of the pseudonym?
• Body Bags - This is not a cameo, this is JCs largest acting stint. He plays the wisecracking morgue attendant who links together the 3 stories of this compendium.
• The Silence Of The Hams - I havn't seen this but he apparently appears as "Trenchcoat Man". 
• Village Of The Damned - Rip Haight - Watch carefully to see JC on the phone at a gas station, you only see a brief glimpse of him.
• Escape From New York - Here is one I had not noticed, it was pointed out to me by Kim August:

  He did a cameo in Escape from New York, he's the chopper pilot who is pointing down at the prisoners as they are waving the police down to pick up the President's brief case with the ransom note. Also John's voice is the first male voice we hear in EFNY, he's the voice over for the pilot that kills the 2 escapees in the beginning.

• Assault on Precinct 13 - one of the "cholo" gang members. According to a 1980 interview in Fangoria. You can't miss him, he is in the beginning "bloodbrother" scene and also during the ice cream man scene. Thanks to 'ediggler' for the info.

Darwin Joston

Darwin Joston, who played Napoleon Wilson in ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, came back to take a small role in THE FOG as the forensic examiner, wonderfully named Dr. Phibes! Sadly, Darwin passed away recently.

Sandy King Carpenter

This biog was added by SKC herself:

I've worked on Starman, Big Trouble in Little China, Prince of Darkness, They Live, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, Body Bags, In the Mouth of Madness, Village of the Damned and Vampires. I associate produced PoD and co-wrote and AP'd They Live, put together the special effects for Memoirs, and produced Body Bags, Mouth, Village and Vampires.

Added to that is the fact that she is JC's wife.

Tommy Causey

He has been working with JC since "Halloween". The only times he hasn't worked with John since then have been when he was unavailable.

John Brennan

He has been working with JC since "Halloween". The only times he hasn't worked with John since then have been when he was unavailable.

Jeff Imada

JCs Stunt Co-Ordinator of choice. Responsible for some fantastic stuff, especially in Vampires.

Roy Arbogast

Roy Arbogast did Close Encounters before regularly doing FX on numerous films including EFNY, The Thing, Christine, They Live, Village of the Damned and Starman (along with Rob Bottin). He is still working having assisted with Dante's Peak and Chain Reaction.

Robin Bush

Robert Bush

Edward Warschilka

Great Editor.

John Dun

Larry Franco

Larry Franco started as first assistant director of The Fog before going on to produce 6 of JC's films: EFNY then Christine to They Live and appeared in The Thing in which he played the Norwegian pilot. Has since started with Tim Burton producing Batman Returns and Mars Attacks!

Robert Phalen

He is a familiar film/television character actor that worked with JC three times: SOMEONE'S WATCHING ME! (1978) as Wayne, HALLOWEEN (1978) as Dr. Wynn, STARMAN (1984) as Major Bell. IMDB Page

Donald Li

Played Eddie in Big Trouble... and the taxi driver in Memoirs... and was also in POD.