This is the final article of 2020’s Horrorfest. It’s been quite a ride. Over the last few weeks, I’ve tried to give both movie recommendations for Halloween and a little bit of history concerning some of the biggest icons in horror. Within those pursuits, I’ve also tried to highlight some up-and-coming talents in the genre as well as bring a bit more diversity to the list than what most websites and entertainers will offer up. There were a few different ways I could end this year’s Horrorfest; a top 10 horror movie list, a getting into horror guide, top 17 reasons why Halloweentown is the best holiday movie ever. But instead, I thought I’d stick with the theme, and give you all a rundown of someone who is, in my humble but well-informed opinion, the true icon of modern horror. Friends, let me tell you about Jamie Lee Curtis.
We’ve talked this month about great actors who got their start or established their popularity in horror films–Sarah Michelle Gellar, Vincent Price, Sigourney Weaver, just to name a few. Jamie Lee Curtis is no different; her very first film credit is in 1978’s Halloween as survivor girl Laurie Strode, a performance that led to several more horror performances including Halloween sequels, The Fog, Prom Night, and Terror Train, some of the most prolific horror movies of the 80s. Her contributions to the horror genre don’t stop there, however, as she has gone on to reprise her role in nearly every Halloween sequel and reboot (her absence in Rob Zombie’s remakes should tell you everything you need to know about them) as well as hit horror-inspired show Scream Queens, a show that she also has directed a full season of. Curtis’s performance in horror has only improved with time, as her portrayal of Laurie Strode in 2018’s Halloween brought a new ruggedness and traumatic depth to the character never seen before. Curtis is known for frequently speaking fondly and positively about the Halloween franchise and about the horror industry in general; she quickly became the blueprint for a final girl archetype in the slasher genre and remains arguably the best to ever do it. Curtis was an executive producer on 2018’s Halloween and will be in the same capacity for its upcoming sequels, Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. You can truly say that she’s touched the success of the franchise in just about every way imaginable, from its creation to its perpetuity in horror history.
Curtis’s ability to remain in the mainstream is impressive. She’s adapted to the times and has devoted time to new media entertainment, such as guest-starring on YouTube gaming shows and doing surprise appearances on horror gaming livestreams on Twitch. She is an artist who had quickly and constantly endeared herself to the hearts of fans both on and off screen. A survivor of addiction herself, Curtis has done tons of charity work for women in need as well as gay rights and children’s health; she has also used her wealth and influence to rebuild historical monuments in her ancestral Hungary. Despite her legendary status and massive success, Curtis remains remarkably accessible to fans. In addition to her frequent appearances on YouTube and Twitch, she’s a frequent guest at horror and comicbook conventions where she spends time with her innumerable fans.
Jamie Lee Curtis represents everything I love about horror. From her empowering roles as a survivor to her devotion to the history of the genre no matter its up’s and down’s, she has contributed a ton to horror. Further, she’s used the success these movies have brought her to make the real world a less horrifying and more peaceful place. She remains involved in the industry and makes constant efforts to reach out to fans as well as help uplift new aspiring actresses in the genre. She’s a shining example, both in movies and in real life, of perseverance and goodwill for her community, and her heart for both horror and humankind is why I will always elevate Jamie Lee Curtis as the true Icon of Horror.
