Where in the Horror are they Now? Kane “Jason Voorhees” Hodder!

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

KANE HODDER

THEN: Where in the Horror are they Now began way back in October, 2012 with one of my favorite genre actors, Thom Matthews. And while FRIDAY THE 13th PART VI: JASON LIVES, the film that helped inspire that choice, is one of my favorites in the series, it was FRIDAY THE 13th PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD that brought us one of the most famous names in F13 history. While the MPAA cut the shite out of this 1988 sequel, it still featured arguably the best Jason Voorhees in the entire twelve films – including FREDDY VS. JASON. The question is, why has it taken so long to take a look at the legendary horror actor Kane Hodder? Well, since we have a Friday the 13th coming up in just a few days, there is no time like the present to discuss just how damn cool this guy is.

Years before Kane took on Jason, the stuntman/actor had the opportunity to literally play a monstrous reptile in ALLIGATOR (1980) and a character credited as “Gorilla” in HOUSE II: THE SECOND STORY (1987).  It wasn’t all scary stuff for Hodder. For every THE HILLS HAVE EYES PART II (1984), there was a sex comedy like HARDBODIES (also in 1984), or VOLUNTEERS (1985) or THE PATRIOT (1986). And then in 1987, he was featured in an underrated little flick called PRISON, about a long-dead prisoner seeking revenge. You know who else was in PRISON? Aragorn himself, Viggo Mortensen. And that led to playing one of the most iconic characters in the genre…

Kane Hodder delivered as Jason Voorhees! Whether it was FRIDAY THE 13th: PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD in 1988, FRIDAY THE 13th PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN in 1989,  JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY in 1993 ot JASON X in 2001, Kane simply WAS Jason. He even went on the Arsenio Hall show as the hockey-mask wearing maniac to promote JASON TAKES MANHATTAN in full costume, and without saying a single word. There are many things I love about this franchise, and even though it had been a bit of a laugh as opposed to a scare by the time he took over, he made it worth watching. The very second he tilted his head he made it clear that his Jason was serious about the killing business. This is why there was a ton of questions as to why he wasn't given the chance to reprise the role for FREDDY VS. JASON in 2003 but hey, we can’t turn back time.

During his time as the infamous psycho he continued to do a ton of cool flicks, whether it was as a stuntman, coordinator or actor. When it came to stunts there was GHOST TOWN, WAXWORK and BORN TO RACE in 1988, THE HORROR SHOW, TIME TRACKERS and DEEPSTAR SIX in 1989. As well, he helped bring a little bit of action to LEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III in 1990. And yes, there is so much more. As an actor, you could find him in small roles in GHOULIES GO TO COLLEGE, ALLIGATOR II: THE MUTATION and THE RAPTURE in 1991, HOUSE IV and NO PLACE TO HIDE in 1992, and PUMPKINHEAD II: BLOOD WINGS in 1993. He even made an appearance on an episode of the fantastic Bruce Campbell series The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. in 1994.

After playing Jason in four films, Kane continued to take on genre projects, as well as critically acclaimed television shows and movies – let’s not talk too much about the 2003 version of DAREDEVIL starring Ben Affleck. When it comes to television, he was featured on an episode of Charmed in 2003 and Alias in 2005. He was also in the critically acclaimed feature MONSTER which won Charlize Theron an Academy Award in 2003 and another genre flick called DARK WOLF in 2003. 2005 was another year of scary goodness when Hodder appeared in both 2001 MANIACS and THE DEVIL’S REJECTS. And the following year, he somehow managed to create yet another iconic horror figure with the help of a young filmmaker by the name of Adam Green.

As Victor Crowley in the HATCHET franchise – HATCHET (2006), HATCHET II (2010 and HATCHET III in 2013 – the actor once again had a chance to create an impressively frightening figure. As a throwback to the Eighties, writer/director Green gave Hodder room to really get gruesome, probably even more than he did in the F13 universe. Yet he didn’t simply stick to playing another big screen monster. The actor truly embraced the genre with his work in ROOM 6 and BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON and FALLEN ANGELS in 2006, DEAD NOON, BORN, ED GEIN: THE BUTCHER OF PLAINFIELD and HACK! in 2007, and a couple of killer flicks based on real-life horrors in 2008 with B.T.K. and BUNDY: AN AMERICAN ICON.

Other notable entries in Kane’s filmography include 5 episodes of the series Fear Clinic in 2009, FROZEN and THE AFFLICTED in 2010 and 3 MUSKETEERS, THE FAMILY, EXIT 33 and CHILLERAMA in 2011. In fact, Hodder seems to enjoy working with Adam Green as he has also appeared on the quirky series Holliston featuring Green, Joe Lynch and Twisted Sister, Dee Snider. After spending years as a stuntman and an actor, it is clear that Hodder really has a deep love for all things horror. He continues to work in a ton of genre projects including EXIT TO HELL in 2013 and CRAZED, CHARLIE’S FARM, LOVE IN THE TIME OF MONSTERS, DIGGING UP THE MARROW, THE HAUNTING OF ALICE D and ABANDONED IN THE DARK, all in 2014. Yet he is showing not a single sign of slowing down.

NOW: Kane Hodder is freaking legendary! He’s been involved in such films as Se7en, MONSTER of course the FRIDAY THE 13th franchise. In 2015 he was was featured in a number of horror features including MUCK, THE DEVIL DOGS OF KILO COMPANY, ALMOST MERCY, and the “killer” ambulance driver flick OLD 37 – co-starring Bill Moseley. He also had a series based on his own book, both titled The Killer and I – he also co-wrote Unmasked: The True Story of the World's Most Prolific, Cinematic Killer with author Michael Aloisi. Sure most of these films don’t make it to a wide release like some of his earlier work, but you can likely find many of them on Netflix, or on Redbox. And hey, seeing Kane Hodder’s name in the credits sure makes this genre fan happy.

With a busy 2015, it looks as though this 61-year-old icon has no intention of slowing down. According to his IMDb page, the actor has 30 upcoming features as an actor and 4 flicks where he is credited as stunt coordinator. This actor, stuntman, writer and yes, even director – he took on that task for The Killer and I – is a true hero for the horror crowd. You’d be hard pressed to find somebody who works even close to as much as Kane does. And any scary movie fan who has attended a convention can tell you that there are very few pleasures as great as getting a headlock from the man who was Jason Voorhees and Victor Crowley.

Recently, Kane did return to playing Jason by doing mocap for the upcoming video game – man does that thing look amazing! And for those of you who'd like to hear more about his amazing story, check out this Indiegogo campaign for an upcoming documentary called TO HELL AND BACK: THE KANE HODDER STORY. And for the hardcare fans, you can probably find him at one of the many horror conventions chilling with fans, and you can check out any number of his recent filmography. You can also click on his official Facebook page as well as his official Twitter page. In all my years here at AITH, I can honestly say that Kane may be one of the best and baddest asses when he is wielding a machete, but he is also one of the coolest guys you are likely to meet. So this Friday the 13th, celebrate it right with the man who helped make Jason Voorhees one of the creepiest cinematic villains of all time.