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David Howard Thornton

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David Howard Thornton
Thornton in 2023
Born (1979-11-30) November 30, 1979 (age 45)
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Montevallo
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present
Known forArt the Clown

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), Ride to Hell: Retribution (2013), Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom (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 and personal life

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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] In a 2023 interview, Thornton spoke about discovering he is autistic as an adult.[5]

Career

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Early work

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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 Ride to Hell: Retribution and as Shizoku, Metal Mutt and Toxitoad in Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom.[6] In 2015, he provided additional voices for Miss Hokusai.[6][7] 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.[6]

Terrifier and career assurgence (2016–present)

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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.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] 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.[15][16][17][18][19][20] Also in 2022, Thornton starred as the Mean One, a horror retelling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, in The Mean One.[21][22][23][24][25]

Thornton reprised the role of Art the Clown in the 2023 Peacock series, Bupkis,[26][27] and Terrifier 3 in October 2024.[28][29][30][31][32] He appeared as Player 2 in the 2024 film, Stream.[33][34][35] He is set to appear as Shark Bait Zombie in the upcoming film, Night of the Living Dead II.[6]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Reference(s)
2015 Miss Hokusai Additional Voices Voice [6][7]
2016 Terrifier Art the Clown [6][36][37]
2019 The Exigency Bumbo Voice [6][37]
2021 The Dark Offerings Tim Cobb [6][37]
2022 Terrifier 2 Art the Clown [6][36][37]
The Mean One The Mean One [36][37]
2024 Stream Player 2 [6][33][34][35][36]
Terrifier 3 Art the Clown [32][38]
2025 Screamboat Steamboat Willie [39][40]
TBA Night of the Living Dead II Shark Bait Zombie [6][41]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Reference(s)
2017 Gotham Orderly Episode: "A Dark Knight: The Blade's Path" [6]
2019 The Bravest Knight Billy Goats / Newt 2 episodes
Voice 		[6]
2020 Mistress Peace Theatre Art the Clown / Himself Episode: "Hallowday Special II"
2021 Alma's Way SFX Box Episode: "No-Go Mofongo/Alma vs. Eddie"
Voice 		[6][7]
2023 Bupkis Art the Clown Episode: "Show Me the Way" [26][27][37]
2024 Art the Clown Eulogy Log Art the Clown [42]

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes Reference(s)
2016–2017 Nightwing: Escalation The Joker 6 episodes [6][37]

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes Reference(s)
2011 Two Worlds II: Pirates of the Flying Fortress Malvic / Volran / Tengo Voice [6]
2013 Ride to Hell: Retribution Anvil / Dr. Blotter / Baggy Miner Voice [7]
Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom Shizoku / Metal Mutt / Toxitoad Voice [6]

Music videos

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Year Band/Song Role Notes Reference(s)
2024 Ice Nine Kills – "A Work of Art" Art the Clown [43]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Reference
2019 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Supporting Actor Terrifier Nominated [8]

References

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  1. ^ "Famous actors from Alabama". NEWS19. March 4, 2022. David Howard Thornton– Born: Huntsville, Alabama (11/30/1979)
  2. ^ Matt Wake (December 16, 2022). "'Terrifier 2′ star David Howard Thornton talks hit horror film, Alabama roots". AL.com.
  3. ^ Matt Wake (December 16, 2022). "'Terrifier 2′ star David Howard Thornton talks hit horror film, Alabama roots". AL.com.
  4. ^ Matt Wake (October 15, 2024). "Alabama native stars in number-one hit movie: 'My mind is blown'". AL.com.
  5. ^ Vargas, Manny (May 11, 2023). Teacher Turned Actor | David Howard Thornton | Life Story (YouTube video). Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Armitage, Helen (December 26, 2021). "David Howard Thornton Movie & TV Roles: Where You Know The Terrifier Star". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "David Howard Thornton". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  8. ^ a b Barkan, Jonathan (January 22, 2019). "Fangoria Resurrects the Chainsaw Awards and Dread Central Presents' TERRIFIER Snagged Three Nominations!". Dread Central. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Miska, Brad (September 1, 2022). "'Terrifier' – Original Cult Classic Slasher Is Now Streaming on SCREAMBOX!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (June 30, 2022). "Genre Streamer Screambox & Bloody Disgusting Acquire "Ultra Gory" Slasher Movie 'Terrifier 2'". Deadline. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Donato, Matt (September 23, 2022). "Terrifier 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  12. ^ Jackson, Matthew (October 4, 2022). "Terrifier 2 Basks in the Glory of Its Own Overkill". Paste. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Collis, Clark (October 14, 2022). "Terrifier 2 director reacts to reports that horror sequel is making people throw up and faint". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  14. ^ Tinnin, Drew (October 28, 2022). "Director Damien Leone Regrets How Terrifier Treated One Of Its Central Characters". /Film. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "Terrifier 2 (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "Terrifier 2". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  17. ^ Miska, Brad (October 6, 2022). "Photos from the 'Terrifier 2' Red Carpet Premiere in New York City!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  18. ^ Sharf, Zack (October 18, 2022). "'Terrifier 2' Is Making Moviegoers Vomit and Pass Out, but Its Director Says: 'I Don't Want People Getting Hurt. It's Surreal'". Variety. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  19. ^ Pallotta, Frank (October 31, 2022). "Why horror films kill at the box office all year round". CNN. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  20. ^ Bilodeau, Matthew (November 7, 2022). "Terrifier 2 Was Just As Brutal To Film As It Was To Watch". /Film. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  21. ^ Waltz, Amanda (March 2, 2023). "Terrifier star David Howard Thornton talks killer clowns and horror conventions". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  22. ^ Squires, John (October 7, 2022). "'The Mean One' – XYZ Films Releasing 'Grinch' Slasher Movie Spoof This December". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  23. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 7, 2022). "XYZ Plans Free Release For Horror Pic 'The Mean One' With 'Terrifier 2' Star David Howard Thornton". Deadline. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  24. ^ Collis, Clark (November 28, 2022). "Don't be a Grinch! Watch the trailer for parody-horror film The Mean One". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  25. ^ Collis, Clark (December 7, 2022). "The Mean One director teases 'nuts' sequel idea and collaboration with Terrifier producers". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Squires, John (April 13, 2023). "Art the Clown from 'Terrifier' Appears in New Pete Davidson Series "Bupkis"?! [Trailer]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Staff, Staten Island Advance (April 14, 2023). "Pete Davidson debuts new 'Bupkis' trailer; one guest star is a real 'Terrifier'". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  28. ^ Fleetwood, Cullen (April 9, 2019). "[Interview] David Howard Thornton Teases 'Terrifier 2' and Says Script for 'Terrifier 3' is Already Underway". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  29. ^ Jacobs, Eammon (February 2, 2023). "'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. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Bilodeau, Matthew (February 3, 2023). "Damien Leone Is Writing Terrifier 3, And Then Hopes To Work With Sam Raimi". /Film. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  31. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 31, 2023). "'Terrifier 3': Details Revealed For Bigger Budget Threequel After Second Film's Box Office Breakout". Deadline. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Miska, Brad (May 31, 2023). "'Terrifier 3' Is Officially Happening and Will Continue to Push Boundaries!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Miska, Brad (December 5, 2022). "'Stream' – Guitarist Paul Wiley to Score New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier'! [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Squires, John (July 27, 2022). "'Stream' – Fresh Look at New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier' [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  35. ^ a b Miska, Brad (June 2, 2023). "'Stream' Poster Puts Skin In the Game!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  36. ^ a b c d TV Guide. "David Howard Thornton List of Movies and TV Shows - TV Guide". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g Cusson, Kate (May 30, 2023). "Best David Howard Thornton Performances, Ranked". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  38. ^ Squires, John (November 2, 2023). "'Terrifier 3' Will Slay Christmas in Theaters on October 25, 2024!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  39. ^ Squires, John (June 10, 2024). "'Terrifier' Star David Howard Thornton Playing Killer Steamboat Willie in 'Screamboat'". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  40. ^ Earl, William (June 10, 2024). "Steamboat Willie Horror Film 'Screamboat' Casts 'Terrifier' Star David Howard Thornton as Murderous Mouse (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  41. ^ Squires, John (October 26, 2021). "First Image of Original 'Day of the Dead' Cast Reunited in Upcoming 'Night of the Living Dead 2' [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  42. ^ Miska, Brad (December 2, 2024). "SCREAMBOX December Streaming Line-Up Includes New 'Street Trash', 'Deus Irae', & Art the Clown Eulogy Log!". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  43. ^ Squires, John (September 16, 2024). "Official 'Terrifier 3' Music Video from Ice Nine Kills Slashing into Fantastic Fest & AMC Theatres!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
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