Chris Sarandon

Biography

Chris Sarandon (born 1942) is an American actor with a diverse and enduring career spanning stage, screen, and voice acting. He is perhaps best known for his iconic roles as the unctuous Prince Humperdinck in "The Princess Bride," the charming yet sinister vampire Jerry Dandridge in "Fright Night," and as the speaking voice of the beloved Jack Skellington in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Born Christopher Sarandon Jr. on July 24, 1942, in Beckley, West Virginia, to Greek-American parents who owned a restaurant, Sarandon developed an early interest in performance. As a teenager, he played drums in a rock and roll band, "The Teen Tones." He pursued his passion for acting, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Drama from West Virginia University and later a Master of Fine Arts from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During his time at Catholic University, he met and married fellow aspiring actress Susan Tomalin, who would later gain fame as Susan Sarandon.

Sarandon began his professional acting career in theater, making his Broadway debut in "The Rose Tattoo" in 1970. He quickly established himself as a versatile stage actor, appearing in numerous productions, including "The Rothschilds" and replacing Raúl Juliá in "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

His cinematic breakthrough arrived with a critically acclaimed and challenging role in Sidney Lumet's "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975). Playing Leon Shermer, Al Pacino's transgender lover, Sarandon delivered a nuanced performance that earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. This role immediately showcased his ability to tackle complex characters with sensitivity and depth.

Throughout the 1980s, Sarandon became a fixture in popular culture with a string of memorable roles that cemented his place as a beloved character actor. He terrified audiences as the suave vampire Jerry Dandridge in the cult horror classic "Fright Night" (1985). Two years later, he perfectly embodied the smarmy villain Prince Humperdinck in Rob Reiner's fairy tale hit "The Princess Bride" (1987), a performance that remains a fan favorite. He also played Detective Mike Norris in the original "Child's Play" (1988).

A significant part of Sarandon's legacy comes from his distinctive voice work. He provided the speaking voice for the iconic protagonist Jack Skellington in the stop-motion animated classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993). He has reprised this role in various video games and related media, making his voice synonymous with the Pumpkin King.

Beyond these well-known roles, Sarandon has maintained a consistent career in film and television, with appearances in shows like "ER," "The Good Wife," "Law & Order," "Felicity," and "Orange Is the New Black." He also lent his voice to animated series such as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" as Count Dracula.

Sarandon continues to be active in theater, returning to Broadway in productions like "The Light in the Piazza" and "Cyrano de Bergerac." His enduring career is a testament to his talent, versatility, and ability to breathe life into an extraordinary range of characters, from the vulnerable to the menacing, and the unforgettable.