Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"He came out of his mother's womb and strangled her with his own imbilical cord. He's just evil incarnate. He is just, that's why he'll last yonder this guy. He's like, this is our avatar on Earth." — David Howard Thornton
"I want to return more to like that, that Alan Moore era of, you know, or like, you know, that kind of dark Joker, you know, killing Joker." — David Howard Thornton
"I was more of a comedy guy though. I was late to horror. I didn't start watching horror, so my senior year at high school because my mom was afraid of horror movies and stuff like that, so we just watched them in my family." — David Howard Thornton
The episode features an engaging interview with David Howard Thornton, the actor who embodies Art the Clown in the popular "Terrifier" film series. Thornton discusses his journey into the role, emphasizing his background in stage and voiceover work, and how his early experience with prosthetics and makeup prepared him for the demands of playing Art. He elaborates on his audition process, the supportive nature of director Damian Leone, and the creative freedom he experiences in developing the character. Thornton highlights the distinction between his personal approach and Art's, noting that preparation for the character's violence is minimal, with the focus being on embodying the role itself.
A significant portion of the conversation delves into the evolution of Art the Clown, from his origins in anthology films to the expanding lore in "Terrifier 2" and "Terrifier 3." Thornton expresses his dedication to maintaining the character's terrifying essence without venturing into excessive campiness, drawing parallels to iconic horror figures like Freddy Krueger but stressing the importance of retaining the horror's believability. The discussion also touches upon the technical aspects of filmmaking, including the evolution of the Art the Clown costume and makeup, and the shift from independent production to more structured film sets.
Thornton also shares his personal aspirations, including a strong desire to portray the Joker in a future project, citing Mark Hamill's influential performance as a benchmark. The conversation touches on his personal background, overcoming bullying, and finding joy in performance. The episode concludes with a look at Thornton's upcoming projects, including "Screamboat," a horror-comedy take on Steamboat Willie, and the anticipation for "Terrifier 4," reinforcing his status as a prominent figure in the modern horror landscape.