Englund on Englund

VCU had a fright last Tuesday from the man that walked down Elm Street instilling fear into those he met. Freddy Krueger? No. It was none other than the man that played him – Robert Englund. Uncommon Cinema had a Freddy Krueger marathon Oct. 16, and to help celebrate, the man who played Freddy himself came to speak.

Englund spoke at the Stuart C. Siegel Center about his acting career, which began when he joined the drama department in middle school. When he was in the sixth grade, his friend Stephanie Marsh, an eighth-grader, helped him get one of the lead roles in children’s theater.

Englund said he realized he wanted to be an actor while he sat in Algebra class. Outside, he saw the girls in gym class practicing archery. The smell of wet hay and the sight of girls in gym shorts reminded him of the smell of paint drying on sets and the girls backstage who taught him how to blow smoke rings. It was then that he realized that he wanted to be involved in theater for the rest of his life.

After being involved in high school drama and attending the University of California, Los Angeles, for theater, Englund studied abroad at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He returned to UCLA, though, because he had some problems with his school credits. Eventually he went to the University of Michigan and completed his education from the Royal Academy after his professors came to the United States to teach.

In the 1980s, he auditioned for Wes Craven’s new movie, “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” During his audition, he said he just stood and stared at Craven with a menacing glare. Englund blew cigarette smoke under his eyes to appear older and slicked back his hair with oil. That combined effect, he said, made him look scary. Craven told him he would consider Englund for the role. But by the time he arrived home, there was a message on his answering machine telling him he got the job.

After college, he worked in some shows involved with the Royal Academy and watched English and Canadian actors. It was a learning experience for him, Englund said. While watching movies, he later saw many of his friends’ names in the closing credits.

“I love Hollywood,” Englund said. “It is the only place where you can be poor and out of work on Friday and then have a big hit and be filthy rich at the end of the weekend.”

“VCU has been great,” Englund said. “I loved visiting and the people were nice. It’s too bad I couldn’t see more of Richmond while I was here.”

For those seeking to achieve their dreams, he advised, “Keep the faith.”