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Angus Scrimm

Angus Scrimm

Actor · Died January 9, 2016, aged 89 · Kansas City, Kansas, USA

Angus Scrimm (born Lawrence Rory Guy; August 19, 1926 – January 9, 2016) was an American actor, author, and journalist, known for his portrayal of the Tall Man in the 1979 horror film Phantasm and its sequels.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 19, 1926
Died
January 9, 2016 (aged 89)
From
Kansas City, Kansas, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 58 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

What are Angus Scrimm's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Fantasy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Fantasy movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
41%
Morality
23%
Bonds
12%
Power
10%
Self
8%
Ideas
6%
Survival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeMortality4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 4 · Wry 2 · Earnest 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 1 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 6 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 0 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 2

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 5 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 4 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
4 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Shapeshifter
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Dread
9
Absurd
4
Thrilling
3
Joyful
1
Other
7

How their films linger

Unsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous7
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Angus Scrimm's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Angus Scrimm's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

58 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Devil's Disciples (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Winston / Azazel

  • Dances with Werewolves(2017)

    as Neumann

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Phantasm: Ravager(2016)

    as The Tall Man

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story(2015)

    as Percy

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Disciples (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Winston / Azazel

  • The Trick Is the Treat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Narrator

  • Die schlechtesten Filme aller Zeiten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Sin Do / Lee Chuck (archive footage)

  • The Ball Is Back! The Making of Phantasm II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • John Dies at the End(2012)

    as Father Shellnut

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Femme Fatales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Chandler

  • Red 71 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Coroner

  • Satan Hates You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Dr. Michael Gabriel

  • I Sell the Dead(2008)

    as Dr. Vernon Quint

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Satanic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Dr. Barbary

  • Automatons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as The Scientist

  • Incident On and Off a Mountain Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Buddy

  • Masters of Horror(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Buddy

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Monsters Gone Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Hollywood Horror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Raymond Sampson

  • The Off Season (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Ted

  • Coupling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Manny

  • Legend of the Phantom Rider(2002)

    as Preacher

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Alias(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · as Calvin McCullough

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Nightmare Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Fate Master

  • FreakyLinks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Phantasm IV: Oblivion(1998)

    as The Tall Man / Dr. Jebediah Morningside

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Wishmaster(1997)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Bone Chillers: Art Intimidates Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Hobo

  • Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Pete Ringwald (segment "The Gravedigger's Nemesis")

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Vampirella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as High Elder

  • Bone Chillers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Hobo

  • Fatal Frames(1996)

    as Man in Grey

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Munchie Strikes Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Kronas

  • Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead(1994)

    as The Tall Man

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Deadfall(1993)

    as Dr. Lyme

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Mindwarp(1991)

    as Seer / Systems Operator

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Munchie(1992)

    as Undertaker

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Subspecies(1991)

    as King Vladislav

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Transylvania Twist(1989)

    as Stefen

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Nutt House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Grim Reaper

  • Phantasm II(1988)

    as The Tall Man

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Chopping Mall(1986)

    as Dr. Carrington

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • First Strike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Soviet Destroyer Captain

  • The Lost Empire(1984)

    as Dr. Sin Do / Lee Chuck

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Walt Disney: One Man's Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Elias Disney

  • Witches' Brew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Carl Groton

  • Phantasm(1979)

    as The Tall Man

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Secrets of Three Hungry Wives(1978)

    as Man Guest (as Lawrence Guy)

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Piece of the Action(1977)

    as Monk

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Jim, the World's Greatest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Jim's Father

  • The Severed Arm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Mailman (uncredited)

  • Life or Death - EMT First Responders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as (credited as Rory Guy)

  • Scream Bloody Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Dr. Epstein

  • Sweet Kill(1972)

    as Henry (as Rory Guy)

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Abraham Lincoln (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Abraham Lincoln

  • Dear Angus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Death to the Automatons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Tall Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles, 55 of them dated from 1951 to 2024; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

Wishmaster (1997)

$16M worldwide

Highest rated

Phantasm (1979)

Midcredits 68th

Most popular right now

Wishmaster (1997)

Film career

19512024

Peak 1997 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1973Screen debut· Scream Bloody Murder
  • 1997First top-billed film· Wishmaster
  • 1997Career best· Wishmaster
  • 2001Career best· Alias

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting58 of 58: 58 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score27th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1970s8 · acting1980s8 · acting1990s13 · acting2000s13 · acting2010s11 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 10% of 20 roles
73889303

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Angus Scrimm's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 26th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 30th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 25 titles are Mixed.

  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

Dances with Werewolves (2017)

93rd percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Alias (2001)

Midcredits 71st · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 52/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 64, detractors 32. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Angus Scrimm's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles64–89 · median 72 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles29–55 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 55 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles43–83 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Angus Scrimm work with?

People who share at least 2 of Angus Scrimm's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Don Coscarelli shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers