Ed Wood - actors, characters and roles

All actors and their roles in the film "Ed Wood"
Ed Wood (1994)
Timing: 2:7 (127 min)
Ed Wood - TMDB rating
7.494/10
2232
Ed Wood - Kinopoisk rating
7.576/10
34762
Ed Wood - IMDB rating
7.8/10
191000

Actors and characters

Photo Johnny Depp #17701Photo Johnny Depp #17702Photo Johnny Depp #17703Photo Johnny Depp #17704

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp
Character Ed Wood
Photo Martin Landau #58464Photo Martin Landau #58465Photo Martin Landau #58466Photo Martin Landau #58467

Martin Landau

Martin Landau
Character Bela Lugosi
Photo Patricia Arquette #31044Photo Patricia Arquette #31045Photo Patricia Arquette #31046Photo Patricia Arquette #31047

Patricia Arquette

Patricia Arquette
Character Kathy O'Hara
Photo Jeffrey Jones #40382

Jeffrey Jones

Jeffrey Jones
Character Criswell
Photo Bill Murray #8877Photo Bill Murray #8878Photo Bill Murray #8879Photo Bill Murray #8880

Bill Murray

Bill Murray
Character Bunny Breckinridge
Photo Lisa Marie #42224Photo Lisa Marie #42225

Lisa Marie

Lisa Marie
Character Vampira
Photo Jim Myers #143011Photo Jim Myers #143012Photo Jim Myers #143013Photo Jim Myers #143014

Jim Myers

Jim Myers
Character Tor Johnson
Photo G. D. Spradlin #27899Photo G. D. Spradlin #27900

G. D. Spradlin

G. D. Spradlin
Character Reverend Lemon
Photo Vincent DPhoto Vincent DPhoto Vincent DPhoto Vincent D

Vincent D'Onofrio

Vincent D'Onofrio
Character Orson Welles
Photo Mike Starr #25072Photo Mike Starr #25073Photo Mike Starr #25074

Mike Starr

Mike Starr
Character Georgie Weiss
Photo Max Casella #31298Photo Max Casella #31299Photo Max Casella #31300Photo Max Casella #31301

Max Casella

Max Casella
Character Paul Marco
Photo Brent Hinkley #48248

Brent Hinkley

Brent Hinkley
Character Conrad Brooks
Photo Juliet Landau #104719Photo Juliet Landau #104720Photo Juliet Landau #104721Photo Juliet Landau #104722

Juliet Landau

Juliet Landau
Character Loretta King
Photo Clive Rosengren #112874
Clive Rosengren
Character Ed Reynolds
Photo Norman Alden #35410Photo Norman Alden #35411

Norman Alden

Norman Alden
Character Cameraman Bill (uncredited)
Photo Leonard Termo #14519

Leonard Termo

Leonard Termo
Character Makeup Man Harry (uncredited)
Photo Ned Bellamy #13969Photo Ned Bellamy #13970

Ned Bellamy

Ned Bellamy
Character Dr. Tom Mason (uncredited)
Photo Danny Dayton #143015
Danny Dayton
Character Soundman (uncredited)
Photo Ross Manarchy #143016
Ross Manarchy
Character Camera Assistant (uncredited)
Photo Bill Cusack #76271
Bill Cusack
Character Tony McCoy
Photo Stanley DeSantis #43509

Stanley DeSantis

Stanley DeSantis
Character Mr. Feldman (uncredited)
Photo Biff Yeager #36591Photo Biff Yeager #71086
Biff Yeager
Character Rude Boss (uncredited)
Photo Joseph R. Gannascoli #62222
Joseph R. Gannascoli
Character Security Guard (uncredited)
Photo Carmen Filpi #53269

Carmen Filpi

Carmen Filpi
Character Old Crusty Man (uncredited)
Photo Lisa Malkiewicz #143017
Lisa Malkiewicz
Character Secretary #1 (uncredited)
Photo Melora Walters #18538Photo Melora Walters #18539Photo Melora Walters #18540Photo Melora Walters #18541

Melora Walters

Melora Walters
Character Secretary #2 (uncredited)
Photo Conrad Brooks #143018Photo Conrad Brooks #143019

Conrad Brooks

Conrad Brooks
Character Bartender (uncredited)
Photo Don Amendolia #86394
Don Amendolia
Character Salesman (uncredited)
Photo Reid Cruickshanks #87880

Reid Cruickshanks

Reid Cruickshanks
Character Stage Guard (uncredited)
Photo Lionel Decker #143020
Lionel Decker
Character Executive #1 (uncredited)
Photo Edmund L. Shaff #58959
Edmund L. Shaff
Character Executive #2 (uncredited)
Photo Gene LeBell #43506

Gene LeBell

Gene LeBell
Character Ring Announcer (uncredited)
Photo Bobby Slayton #114466

Bobby Slayton

Bobby Slayton
Character TV Show Host (uncredited)
Gretchen Becker
Character TV Host's Assistant (uncredited)
Photo John Rice #124787
John Rice
Character Conservative Man (uncredited)
Photo Catherine Butterfield #143021
Catherine Butterfield
Character Conservative Wife (uncredited)
Photo Mary Portser #83096Photo Mary Portser #83097Photo Mary Portser #83098
Mary Portser
Character Backer's Wife (uncredited)
Photo King Cotton #143022
King Cotton
Character Hick Backer (uncredited)
Photo Don Hood #109201
Don Hood
Character Southern Backer (uncredited)
Photo Matthew Barry #70799Photo Matthew Barry #70800
Matthew Barry
Character Valet (uncredited)
Photo Ralph Monaco #57241
Ralph Monaco
Character Waiter (uncredited)
Photo Anthony Russell #54582
Anthony Russell
Character Busboy (uncredited)
Photo Gregory Walcott #78286

Gregory Walcott

Gregory Walcott
Character Potential Backer (uncredited)
Photo Charles C. Stevenson Jr. #38034
Charles C. Stevenson Jr.
Character Another Backer (uncredited)
Photo Rance Howard #8027

Rance Howard

Rance Howard
Character Old Man McCoy (uncredited)
Photo Vasek Simek #143023
Vasek Simek
Character Professor Strowski (uncredited)
Vinny Argiro
Character TV Horror Show Director (uncredited)
Photo Korla Pandit #143024Photo Korla Pandit #143025
Korla Pandit
Character Indian Musician (uncredited)
Photo Patti Tippo #41531
Patti Tippo
Character Nurse (uncredited)
Photo Ray Baker #46514
Ray Baker
Character Doctor (uncredited)
Photo Louis Lombardi #44192

Louis Lombardi

Louis Lombardi
Character Rental House Manager (uncredited)
Photo Jesse Hernandez #121167
Jesse Hernandez
Character Wrestling Opponent (uncredited)
Photo Jim Boyce #76961
Jim Boyce
Character Theatre Manager (uncredited)
Photo Ben Ryan Ganger #115499
Ben Ryan Ganger
Character Angry Kid (uncredited)
Photo Charlie Holliday #59400
Charlie Holliday
Character Tourist (uncredited)
Photo Tommy Bertelsen #143026Photo Tommy Bertelsen #143027

Tommy Bertelsen

Tommy Bertelsen
Character Tough Boy (uncredited)
Photo Adam Drescher #52481
Adam Drescher
Character Photographer #1 (uncredited)
Ric Mancini
Character Photographer #2 (uncredited)
Photo Daniel Riordan #47000
Daniel Riordan
Character Pilot / Strapping Young Man (uncredited)
Photo Mickey Cottrell #78360
Mickey Cottrell
Character Hammy Alien (uncredited)
Lena Banks
Character Sexy Pedestrian (uncredited)
Photo Maurice LaMarche #7212

Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche
Character Orson Welles (voice) (uncredited)
Photo Ada Tai #43521
Ada Tai
Character Vampira's Friend (uncredited)
Photo Arlene Tai #43522
Arlene Tai
Character Vampira's Friend (uncredited)
Photo Rayder Woods #108280
Rayder Woods
Character Car Vandal (uncredited)
Photo Ralph Moratz #92168
Ralph Moratz
Character Extra (uncredited)
Photo Bill Blair #16647
Bill Blair
Character Carny (uncredited)
Photo Ryan Holihan #47162Photo Ryan Holihan #47163

Ryan Holihan

Ryan Holihan
Character Frantic Usher

What's left behind the scenes

  • In 1980, two years after his death, Ed Wood was recognized as the "worst director" in the history of Hollywood.
  • Wood's 1959 film "Plan 9 from Outer Space" is considered the worst film in the history of cinema.
  • The film is based on Rudolph Grey's book "Nightmare of Ecstasy." (Rudolph Grey, Nightmare of Ecstasy).
  • The film contains quotes from Wood's films "Glen or Glenda" ("Glen or Glenda," 1953), "Bride of the Monster" ("Bride of the Monster," 1955), and "Plan 9 from Outer Space" ("Plan 9 from Outer Space," 1958). There is also a fragment from an early film featuring Bela Lugosi — "White Zombie" (1932).
  • According to the film, Ed Wood met Lugosi, but in reality, the idea of using Lugosi in Wood's films belonged to writer Alex Gordon, who introduced the director to the actor.
  • In real life, "Plan 9 from Outer Space" was only shown three years after filming ended, in a small, obscure cinema.
  • In fact, Bela Lugosi did not die before filming "Plan 9," but after 10 minutes of the film had been shot.
  • According to Depp, less than 10 minutes passed after Tim Burton offered him the role in the film before he agreed. At the time, the actor was somewhat disillusioned with cinema, and this role gave Depp the opportunity to "stretch out and have fun." And working with Martin Landau "restored" his "love of acting." Depp was already familiar with some of Edward Wood's work through John Waters, who showed him "Glen or Glenda" and "Plan 9 from Outer Space." To better embody Wood, the actor studied Jack Haley's acting in "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), where Haley played the Tin Man. Depp watched several performances by Ronald Reagan, as he considered them a kind of blind optimism, and believed that this was perfectly suited to Wood. The actor also tried to imitate Casey Kasem's low voice and "that very confident and lively traveling salesman quality in his voice." On Burton's advice, Depp studied Mickey Rooney's performances in the later Andy Hardy adventure films.
  • To achieve a resemblance to Bela Lugosi, makeup artist Rick Baker applied special prosthetic makeup to Martin Landau. Baker applied it in such a way that Landau would not experience discomfort in portraying emotions and grimaces. For his role, the actor watched 25 films with Lugosi and seven of his interviews conducted between 1931 and 1956.
  • Actor Gregory Walcott, who starred in "Plan 9 from Outer Space," appeared in the film in a cameo role. He played the man who introduces Wood to Maila Nurmi, "The Vampira."
  • Patricia Arquette met Kathy O'Hara during filming. The actress found her "sweet and very pleasant."
  • The idea for the film came to screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski while they were students at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Alexander even planned to make a documentary about Wood – "The Man in the Angora Sweater" – during his sophomore year. However, Karaszewski was skeptical of the idea at the time. Later, Alexander and Karaszewski co-wrote the screenplays for "Problem Child" and "Problem Child 2," but they both grew tired of working exclusively on family films. They then wrote a 10-page screenplay outline about Wood and presented the idea to director Michael Lehmann, whom they had met at the School of Cinematic Arts. Lehmann presented the project to producer Denise Di Novi, with whom he had worked on "Fatal Attraction." Di Novi herself had previously collaborated with Tim Burton on "Edward Scissorhands," "Batman Returns," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Ultimately, Lehmann was contractually obligated to direct the biopic about Wood, and Burton and Di Novi were to be the producers.
  • Burton began reading "Nightmare of Ecstasy" and some of Wood's letters. He was struck by the fact that in his letters, the director "wrote about his films as if he were shooting "Citizen Kane," despite the fact that people considered his films to be the worst in history." Burton confessed that he had always been a fan of Ed Wood, so the film was an admiration, not a mockery, of Wood's work. The relationship between him and Lugosi in the film echoes Burton's close relationship with his own idol, Vincent Price. Burton said in an interview: "Meeting Vincent had an incredible impact on me; Ed must have experienced the same impact when he met his idol."
  • At the time, Burton was preparing to direct "Mary Reilly" for Columbia Pictures with Winona Ryder in the lead role. However, due to the company's decision to give the role to Julia Roberts instead of Ryder, Burton left the project. This prompted him to take the direction of "Ed Wood" into his own hands and shoot the film quickly. As a result, he took the director's chair himself, and Lehmann was given the position of executive producer. Alexander and Karaszewski wrote a 147-page screenplay in six weeks. Burton read it and approved it immediately, without any changes or edits. Burton liked the fact that Wood was little known to the general public, meaning that work on the film could not be constrained by anecdotes about the "worst director." But he considered the most important thing to be the fact that Wood and his team did their job with passion.
  • The director decided to film in black and white as an homage to Wood's films. The lighting for the shooting was also set up and selected in accordance with the monochrome image, which gave a realistic effect of filming from that period.
  • Initially, the film contract was concluded with Columbia Pictures. But in April 1993, the company’s chairman, Mark Canton, rejected the project a month before filming began due to disagreements with Burton, who insisted on filming in black and white and demanded complete creative freedom. At that time, companies such as Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox became seriously interested in the adaptation rights, but Burton accepted an offer from The Walt Disney Company, with whom he had already worked on 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. Like that film, 'Ed Wood' was also released through Touchstone Pictures. Disney took the project into its hands hoping that Burton would continue to work with them, but he returned to Warner Bros. for his next film. The company allocated a budget of $18 million and provided Burton with complete creative independence, as it did not see the film as a major risk. The director also waived his fee for the project.
  • Principal photography began in August 1993 and lasted 72 days.
  • Howard Shore used some musical themes from Wood's original films to create the soundtrack for Burton's film.
  • In 1980, two years after his death, Ed Wood was recognized as the "worst director" in the history of Hollywood.
  • Wood's 1959 film, "Plan 9 from Outer Space," is considered the worst movie in the history of cinema.
  • The film features quotes from Wood's films "Glen or Glenda" (1953), "Bride of the Monster" (1955), and "Plan 9 from Outer Space" (1958). There is also a clip from an early film starring Bela Lugosi – "White Zombie" (1932).
  • In reality, "Plan 9 from Outer Space" was shown only 3 years after filming ended, in a small, obscure cinema.
  • In fact, Bela Lugosi did not die before filming "Plan 9," but after 10 minutes of footage had been shot.
  • According to Depp, less than 10 minutes passed after Tim Burton offered him a role in the film before he agreed. At the time, the actor was somewhat disillusioned with cinema, and this role gave Depp the opportunity to “stretch out and have fun.” And working with Martin Landau “restored” his “love of acting.” Depp was already familiar with some of Edward Wood's work through John Waters, who showed him “Glen or Glenda” and “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” To better embody the image of Wood, the actor studied Jack Haley’s acting in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), where Haley played the Tin Man. Depp watched several performances by Ronald Reagan, as he considered them a form of blind optimism, and believed this was perfect for Wood. The actor also tried to imitate Casey Kasem’s low voice and “that very confident and lively traveling salesman quality in his voice.” At Burton’s suggestion, Depp studied Mickey Rooney’s acting in later Andy Hardy adventure films.
  • Actor Gregory Walcott, who starred in “Plan 9 from Outer Space,” appeared in the film as a cameo. He played the man who introduces Wood to Maila ‘Vampira’ Nurmi.
  • Patricia Arquette met Kathy O’Hara during filming. The actress found her “sweet and very pleasant.”
  • The idea for the film came to screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski while they were studying at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. Alexander even planned to make a documentary about Wood – “The Man in the Angora Sweater” – during his sophomore year. However, Karaszewski was skeptical of the idea at the time. Later, Alexander and Karaszewski co-wrote the screenplays for “Problem Child” and “Problem Child 2,” but they both grew tired of working solely on family films. They then wrote a 10-page screenplay outline about Wood and presented the idea to director Michael Lehmann, whom they had met while at the School of Cinematic Arts. Lehmann introduced the project to producer Denise Di Novi, with whom he had worked on “Fatal Attraction.” Di Novi had previously collaborated with Tim Burton on “Edward Scissorhands,” “Batman Returns,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Ultimately, Lehmann was contractually obligated to direct the Wood biopic, while Burton and Di Novi would be the producers.
  • Burton began reading “Nightmare of Ecstasy” and some of Wood’s letters. He was struck by the fact that in the letters, the director “wrote about his films as if he were filming ‘Citizen Kane,’ despite the fact that people considered his films to be the worst ever made.’” Burton admitted that he had always been a fan of Ed Wood, so the film was an homage, not a mockery, of Wood’s work. The relationship between him and Lugosi in the film echoes Burton’s close relationship with his own idol, Vincent Price. Burton said in an interview: “Meeting Vincent had an incredible impact on me; Ed must have felt the same impact when he met his idol.”
  • At that time, Burton was preparing to direct "Mary Reilly" for Columbia Pictures with Winona Ryder in the lead role. However, due to the company's decision to give the role to Julia Roberts instead of Ryder, Burton left the project. This prompted him to take on the direction of "Ed Wood" himself and shoot the film quickly. As a result, he took the director's chair and gave Lehman the position of executive producer. Alexander and Karatzewski wrote a 147-page screenplay in six weeks. Burton read it and immediately approved it as is, without any changes or edits. Burton liked the fact that Wood was little known to the general public, which meant that working on the film could not be constrained by anecdotes about the "worst director." But he considered the most important thing to be the fact that Wood and his team did their job with passion.
  • Initially, a contract for the creation of the film was concluded with Columbia Pictures studio. But in April 1993, company chairman Mark Canton rejected the project a month before filming began due to disagreements with Burton, who insisted on shooting the picture in black and white and demanded complete creative freedom. Then, companies such as Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox became seriously interested in the adaptation rights, but Burton accepted the offer from The Walt Disney Company, with whom he had already worked on "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Like that film, "Ed Wood" was also released under the distribution of Touchstone Pictures. Disney took on the project with the expectation that Burton would continue to work with them, but he returned to Warner Bros. with his next film. The company allocated a budget of $18 million and gave Burton complete creative independence, as it did not see the picture as a big risk. The director also waived his fee for working on the project.
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