Jeffery Combs

There are character actors, working actors, action actors, money actors, art actors, Nicolas Cage, but nothing like Jeffery Combs. This was a guy who would literally do anything you tell him in terms of acting. Want an over the top performance? You got it? Want something more subdued and grounded? He's your man. This guy could play anything. Heroes, Villains, Anti-Heroes, Bystanders, Minions, even a Cameo by him would take one of the most Z rated movies and make it worth watching.

Born in 1954, Combs has been acting since his Highschool days. While he's been in movies before, he didn't achieve his first major break until met by Stuart Gordon and Bryan Yuzna. Who wanted to adapt the H.P. Lovecraft Comedic Horror "Herbert West: Re-Animator"

The story itself written in 1922, but the movie itself made in 1985. It tells the tale of Herbert West, an obsessed mad scientist, who wanted to find the secret to life and death. Using a formula that brings the dead back to life, but with disasterous results. Ever since the success of that role, he's had 2 sequels and even went so far as narrating the original story on an audio book version. Not to mention him typecast in other Lovecraft and horror genre roles. However, unlike most actors who'd be stuck in one role, in his case the hammy, creepy, scientist obsessed with his work. Combs with barely any effort whatsoever has fought and won against it, by playing other types of roles to expand his range.

In terms of the Lovecraft films, he's played the innocent, but traumatized Crawford Tillinghast in From Beyond. With fellow Re-Animator Co-Star Barbara Crampton playing the role one of the mad scientists.

Playing H.P. Lovecraft himself in Necronomicon.

To playing an atoning father mourning the loss of his child in Castle Freak. And that's just the Lovecraft stuff.

The man has played everything you can imagine, from Aliens on Star Trek, to Superheroes like The Question. If here was a bingo card of the roles he'd play, he'd be neck and neck with Morgan Freeman. The only reason Combs comes short, is that unless he plans to play one, he hasn't played a God yet. Brainiac from Injustice doesn't count.

What makes him stand out amongst most actors, is whether he's hammy or serious, he is very good at convincing the audience that what he sees and what he experiences is real.

As a bit of a joke I often wonder how Herbert West would handle the modern world today.

Jeffery, you brought decades of entertainment to us all and if we're lucky you'll continue to do so. I salute you.