If Chins Could Kill

Vera Brozzoni catches up with big-chinned actor Bruce Campbell, and finds a funny,down-to-earth star behind the cult hero.

The guy with the protruding chin and the air of a Hollywood veteran looks very familiar. And his autobiography 'If Chins Could Kill, Confessions of a B-Movie Actor' is flying off the shelves at Waterstones.

The reason his name may not trip off the tongue is perhaps because we’re more used to peering, terrified, at his distinctive features through our fingers. For Bruce Campbell, 48, is the star of the Evil Dead trilogy - a milestone in horror cinema - and can currently be seen in Spider-Man 3, playing the hilarious maitre d'.

The recent reprint of his book - with an addendum about his latest movies including Spider-Man - is an enjoyable and refreshing read that defies any sense of good taste.

It’s crammed with anecdotes from Campbell’s career and private life: a Draper Hall dorm later renamed 'Raper Hall' and his meeting with Jennifer Jason Leigh on the set of The Hudsucker Proxy ('An acting machine' I hadn’t been nervous like that in a long time and I liked it').

As your book shows so well, your career is marked by a deep love for independent horror cinema and an intelligent, ironic take to it. How did your passion for this genre start and how do you keep this flame alive?

I have never been a fan of any one type of genre. I just enjoy stories that are more off-kilter and "abnormal." As an actor, I'm drawn to more extreme material, but I try to find a humorous angle - no sense taking this stuff too seriously. Now, as a filmmaker, I try and do genres within genres, like comedies disguised as horror films, etc.

What memories do you have of the filming of the Evil Dead saga? Is there going to be any sequel to it?

This question in too vast to answer here - this is why I had to write a book to contain it all! In essence, they are the films responsible for getting me established as an actor and for that I'll always be grateful. They were all difficult, but creatively stimulating projects. I have no idea about any kind of sequel, Sam Raimi is pretty busy these days.

This piece of news will disappoint a lot of fans, but nevermind! Please tell us more about Sam Raimi and your collaboration: you have worked together since The Evil Dead and he cast you for hilarious cameos in all three Spider-Man instalments.

He and I have known each other since 1976. He's always found pleasure in finding out how much physical punishment an actor can take, so it's always challenging working with him. He's also the most "on the ball" director I've ever worked with. He's both an actor's dream and their worst nightmare.

You have recently started directing your own films. What do you expect from your directing career?

I expect employment! Recently, with the upcoming My Name is Bruce, I got to experience making a film not only in America, but in my home state of Oregon. I'd like to spend less time in front of the camera and more time behind it, but doesn't every middle-aged actor say that?

You have given a master performance in Bubba Ho-tep, which earned you the only award in your career. Do you think your acting skills are underestimated because of the genre you have chosen? In general, do you think there should be more attention on non-mainstream or non-drama actors?

I haven't really chosen a particular genre. If horror is all people watch, that's all they'll know me for. Outside of that, I've done westerns, Sci-Fi, sitcoms, thrillers, TV movie dramas, a French film, cartoons and plenty of stuff for Disney. And with regard to B movies, most folks think they are not as "difficult" to make as "mainstream" movies, but in fact, the opposite is true.

Shooting fewer days with less of a budget, with material that is more action/effects oriented, makes for a far more challenging work environment. Acting-wise, I never expect any awards. I became an actor to act.

Selected filmography

• 1981 - The Evil Dead
• 1987 - The Evil Dead II
• 1990 - Darkman
• 1992 - Army Of Darkness
• 2002 - Spiderman
• 2002 - Bubba Ho-tep
• 2004 - Spiderman II
• 2005 - Man With A Screaming Brain
• 2007 - My Name Is Bruce
• 2007 - Spiderman III

• add to del.icio.us
• digg this article!