David Howard Thornton Explained

Birth Date:30 November 1979
Birth Place:Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of Montevallo
Occupation:Actor
Known For:Art the Clown
Years Active:2010–present

David Howard Thornton (born November 30, 1979)[1] is an American actor. He is known for his role as Art the Clown from the Terrifier franchise, a role in which he appeared in Terrifier (2016), Mistress Peace Theatre (2020), Terrifier 2 (2022), Bupkis (2023), and Terrifier 3 (2024). He has had other various roles in film, television, and video games, including Two Worlds II: Pirates of the Flying Fortress (2011), (2013), (2013), Gotham (2017), The Bravest Knight (2019), The Exigency (2019), Alma's Way (2021), and starring as the Mean One in The Mean One (2022).

Early life

Thornton grew up in Huntsville, Alabama,[2] where as a child he first appeared on stage in a production by the local drama company Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre.[3] He graduated from Huntsville's Grissom High School and received a degree in elementary education from the central Alabama liberal arts college the University of Montevallo.[4]

Career

Early work

Thornton has lent his voice to various characters in film, anime, television and in video games. In 2011, he voiced Malvic, Volran and Tengo in Two Worlds II: Pirates of the Flying Fortress. He later provided voices in 2013 as Anvil, Dr. Blotter and Baggy Miner in and as Shizoku, Metal Mutt and Toxitoad in .[5] In 2015, he provided additional voices for Miss Hokusai.[6] From 2016 to 2017, he appeared as the Joker in the fan-made webseries Nightwing: Escalation and later went on to appear in Gotham, both projects that included characters by DC Comics.

Terrifier and career assurgence (2016–present)

In 2016, Thornton portrayed Art the Clown in Terrifier, a film that became a cult classic and for which he was nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actor and was the first feature-length appearance of the character in the Terrifier franchise.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] In 2022, Thornton reprised the role of Art the Clown in Terrifier 2. Terrifier 2 was well received by critics and a hit at the box office, grossing more than $15 million on a $250,000 budget.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] Also in 2022, Thornton starred as the Mean One, a horror retelling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, in The Mean One.[20] [21] [22] [23] [24]

Thornton reprised the role of Art the Clown in the 2023 Peacock series, Bupkis,[25] [26] and Terrifier 3 in October 2024.[27] [28] [29] [30] [31] He appeared as Player 2 in the 2024 film, Stream.[32] [33] [34] He is set to appear as Shark Bait Zombie in the upcoming film, Night of the Living Dead II.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesReference(s)
2015Miss Hokusai Additional VoicesVoice
2016TerrifierArt the Clown[35] [36]
2019The ExigencyBumboVoice
2021The Dark OfferingsTim Cobb
2022Terrifier 2Art the Clown
The Mean OneThe Mean One
2024StreamPlayer 2
Terrifier 3Art the Clown[37]
2025ScreamboatSteamboat Willie[38] [39]
Night of the Living Dead IIShark Bait Zombie[40]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesReference(s)
2017GothamOrderlyEpisode: "A Dark Knight: The Blade's Path"
2019The Bravest KnightBilly Goats / Newt2 episodes
Voice
2020Mistress Peace TheatreArt the Clown / HimselfEpisode: "Hallowday Special II"
2021Alma's WaySFX BoxEpisode: "No-Go Mofongo/Alma vs. Eddie"
Voice
2023BupkisArt the ClownEpisode: "Show Me the Way"
2024Art the Clown Eulogy LogArt the Clown[41]

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotesReference(s)
2011Two Worlds II: Pirates of the Flying FortressMalvic / Volran / TengoVoice
2013Anvil / Dr. Blotter / Baggy MinerVoice
Shizoku / Metal Mutt / ToxitoadVoice

Music videos

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Famous actors from Alabama. March 4, 2022. NEWS19. David Howard Thornton– Born: Huntsville, Alabama (11/30/1979).
  2. Web site: ‘Terrifier 2′ star David Howard Thornton talks hit horror film, Alabama roots. December 16, 2022. AL.com. Matt Wake.
  3. Web site: ‘Terrifier 2′ star David Howard Thornton talks hit horror film, Alabama roots. December 16, 2022. AL.com. Matt Wake.
  4. Web site: Alabama native stars in number-one hit movie: ‘My mind is blown’. October 15, 2024. AL.com. Matt Wake.
  5. Web site: David Howard Thornton Movie & TV Roles: Where You Know The Terrifier Star. Screen Rant. Helen. Armitage. December 26, 2021. April 14, 2023.
  6. Web site: David Howard Thornton. Behind the Voice Actors. April 14, 2023. . A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information..
  7. Web site: Fangoria Resurrects the Chainsaw Awards and Dread Central Presents' TERRIFIER Snagged Three Nominations!. Dread Central. Jonathan. Barkan. January 22, 2019. April 14, 2023.
  8. Web site: 'Terrifier' – Original Cult Classic Slasher Is Now Streaming on SCREAMBOX!. Bloody Disgusting. Brad. Miska. September 1, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  9. Web site: Genre Streamer Screambox & Bloody Disgusting Acquire "Ultra Gory" Slasher Movie 'Terrifier 2'. Deadline. Andreas. Wiseman. June 30, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  10. Web site: Terrifier 2 Review. IGN. Matt. Donato. September 23, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  11. Web site: Terrifier 2 Basks in the Glory of Its Own Overkill. Paste. Matthew. Jackson. October 4, 2022. April 14, 2023. April 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414224748/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/terrifier-2-review. dead.
  12. Terrifier 2 director reacts to reports that horror sequel is making people throw up and faint. Entertainment Weekly. Clark. Collis. October 14, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  13. Web site: Director Damien Leone Regrets How Terrifier Treated One Of Its Central Characters. /Film. Drew. Tinnin. October 28, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  14. Web site: Terrifier 2 (2022). Rotten Tomatoes. April 14, 2023.
  15. Web site: Terrifier 2. Box Office Mojo. April 14, 2023.
  16. Web site: Photos from the 'Terrifier 2' Red Carpet Premiere in New York City!. Bloody Disgusting. Brad. Miska. October 6, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  17. Web site: 'Terrifier 2' Is Making Moviegoers Vomit and Pass Out, but Its Director Says: 'I Don't Want People Getting Hurt. It's Surreal'. Variety. Zack. Sharf. October 18, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  18. Web site: Why horror films kill at the box office all year round. CNN. Frank. Pallotta. October 31, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  19. Web site: Terrifier 2 Was Just As Brutal To Film As It Was To Watch. /Film. Matthew. Bilodeau. November 7, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  20. Web site: Terrifier star David Howard Thornton talks killer clowns and horror conventions. Pittsburgh City Paper. Amanda. Waltz. March 2, 2023. April 14, 2023.
  21. Web site: 'The Mean One' – XYZ Films Releasing 'Grinch' Slasher Movie Spoof This December. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. October 7, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  22. Web site: XYZ Plans Free Release For Horror Pic 'The Mean One' With 'Terrifier 2' Star David Howard Thornton. Deadline. Andreas. Wiseman. October 7, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  23. Don't be a Grinch! Watch the trailer for parody-horror film The Mean One. Entertainment Weekly. Clark. Collis. November 28, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  24. The Mean One director teases 'nuts' sequel idea and collaboration with Terrifier producers. Entertainment Weekly. Clark. Collis. December 7, 2022. April 15, 2023.
  25. Web site: Art the Clown from 'Terrifier' Appears in New Pete Davidson Series "Bupkis"?! [Trailer]]. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. April 13, 2023. April 14, 2023.
  26. Web site: Pete Davidson debuts new 'Bupkis' trailer; one guest star is a real 'Terrifier'. Staten Island Advance. Staten Island Advance. Staff. April 14, 2023. April 15, 2023.
  27. Web site: [Interview] David Howard Thornton Teases 'Terrifier 2' and Says Script for 'Terrifier 3' is Already Underway]. Bloody Disgusting. Cullen. Fleetwood. April 9, 2019. April 15, 2023.
  28. Web site: 'Terrifier' director Damien Leone teases 'Terrifier 3' and a potential 4th film, and says he's met with 'Evil Dead' director Sam Raimi about a new project. Insider. Eammon. Jacobs. February 2, 2023. April 14, 2023.
  29. Web site: Damien Leone Is Writing Terrifier 3, And Then Hopes To Work With Sam Raimi. /Film. Matthew. Bilodeau. February 3, 2023. April 16, 2023.
  30. Web site: 'Terrifier 3': Details Revealed For Bigger Budget Threequel After Second Film's Box Office Breakout. Deadline. Andreas. Wiseman. May 31, 2023. May 31, 2023.
  31. Web site: 'Terrifier 3' Is Officially Happening and Will Continue to Push Boundaries!. Bloody Disgusting. Brad. Miska. May 31, 2023. May 31, 2023.
  32. Web site: 'Stream' – Guitarist Paul Wiley to Score New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier'! [Exclusive]]. Bloody Disgusting. Brad. Miska. December 5, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  33. Web site: 'Stream' – Fresh Look at New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier' [Exclusive]]. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. July 27, 2022. April 14, 2023.
  34. Web site: 'Stream' Poster Puts Skin In the Game!. Bloody Disgusting. Brad. Miska. June 2, 2023. June 2, 2023.
  35. Web site: David Howard Thornton List of Movies and TV Shows - TV Guide. TV Guide. TV Guide. August 24, 2024. August 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240824164726/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/david-howard-thornton/credits/3000612465/. live.
  36. Web site: Best David Howard Thornton Performances, Ranked. MovieWeb. Kate. Cusson. May 30, 2023. August 25, 2024. August 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240825220734/https://movieweb.com/best-david-howard-thornton-performances/. live.
  37. Web site: 'Terrifier 3' Will Slay Christmas in Theaters on October 25, 2024!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. November 2, 2023. November 2, 2023.
  38. Web site: ‘Terrifier’ Star David Howard Thornton Playing Killer Steamboat Willie in ‘Screamboat’. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. June 10, 2024. June 10, 2024. June 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240610145413/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3815661/terrifier-star-david-howard-thornton-playing-killer-steamboat-willie-in-screamboat/. live.
  39. Web site: Steamboat Willie Horror Film ‘Screamboat’ Casts ‘Terrifier’ Star David Howard Thornton as Murderous Mouse (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. William. Earl. June 10, 2024. June 10, 2024. June 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240610145243/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/steamboat-willie-casts-terrifier-star-mickey-mouse-1236030630/. live.
  40. Web site: First Image of Original ‘Day of the Dead’ Cast Reunited in Upcoming ‘Night of the Living Dead 2’ [Exclusive]]. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. October 26, 2021. September 19, 2024. September 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240919185335/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3689149/first-image-original-day-dead-cast-reunited-upcoming-night-living-dead-2-exclusive/. live.
  41. Web site: SCREAMBOX December Streaming Line-Up Includes New ‘Street Trash’, ‘Deus Irae’, & Art the Clown Eulogy Log!. ComicBook.com. Brad. Miska. December 2, 2024. December 2, 2024. December 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241202174539/https://bloody-disgusting.com/screambox/3847168/screambox-december-streaming-line-up-includes-new-street-trash-deus-irae-art-the-clown-eulogy-log/. live.
  42. Web site: Official ‘Terrifier 3’ Music Video from Ice Nine Kills Slashing into Fantastic Fest & AMC Theatres!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. September 16, 2024. September 17, 2024. September 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240917141800/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3831294/official-terrifier-3-music-video-from-ice-nine-kills-slashing-into-fantastic-fest-amc-theatres/. live.

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