Tom Savini

Biography

Thomas Vincent "Tom" Savini (born November 3, 1946) is an American actor, stuntman, director, award-winning special effects and makeup artist. He is known for his work on the Living Dead films directed by George A. Romero, as well as Creepshow, The Burning, Friday the 13th, The Prowler, and Maniac. He directed the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead. Though officially retired from special effects, he has continued to direct, produce and star in several movies. Savini has been known to refer movie make-up effects projects to graduates of his school. He has appeared in films such as Dawn of the Dead (and its remake), From Dusk till Dawn, Grindhouse, and Machete.

Career Overview

Tom Savini has 215 screen credits in a career dating back to 1974. Their work spans 21 cinematic universes — most prominently Living Dead (Romero) with 4 titles. Signature works include Friday the 13th, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Maria's Lovers. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For: Costume & Make-Up
Gender: male
Known Credits: 215
Birth Date: 1946-11-03 00:00:00
Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 21 universes

Living Dead (Romero) (4 titles)
Living Dead Collection (3 titles)
Friday the 13th (2 titles)
Creepshow Collection (2 titles)
In Search of Darkness Collection (2 titles)
Machete Series (2 titles)
Red Scorpion Collection (1 titles)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

Adrienne King (2 collaborations)
Betsy Palmer (2 collaborations)
Peter Brouwer (2 collaborations)
Rex Everhart (2 collaborations)
Ronn Carroll (2 collaborations)
Walt Gorney (2 collaborations)
Ari Lehman (2 collaborations)
Clayton Hill (2 collaborations)
Joe Shelby (2 collaborations)
Joseph Pilato (2 collaborations)

Credits

costume & make-up (37 credits)
- The Evilry
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  2026
- Nightmare City
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  2026
- Redd Inc.
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  2012
- Death from Above
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  2012
- Ted Bundy
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  2002
- Web of Darkness
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  2001
- Cold Hearts
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1999
- Cutting Moments
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1997
- The Assassination File
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1996
- Mr. Stitch
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1995
- Ghostwriter: Attack of the Slime Monster
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1995
- Necronomicon
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1993
- Killing Zoe
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1993
- Trauma
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1993
- Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1991
- Two Evil Eyes
  
  special effects key makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1990
- Heartstopper
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1989
- Red Scorpion
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1988
- Monkey Shines
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1988
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1986
- Invasion U.S.A.
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1985
- Day of the Dead
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1985
- Maria's Lovers
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1984
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1984
- Midnight
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1982
- Alone in the Dark
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1982
- Creepshow
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1982
- Till Death Do We Scare
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1982
- The Prowler
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1981
- The Burning
  
  makeup effects designer
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1981
- Maniac
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1980
- Friday the 13th
  
  special effects makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1980
- Effects
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1979
- Dawn of the Dead
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1978
- Martin
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1978
- Dead of Night
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1974
- Deranged
  
  makeup artist
  
  costume & make-up
  
  1974
actors (143 credits)
- Nightmare City
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- The 4th Reich
  SS-Standartenführer Dirlewanger
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Black Zombie
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Legacy of Screams: The Evolution of Horror Movies
  Self - (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- Legacy of Screams: The Evolution of Horror Movies
  Self - (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- Queens of the Dead
  Mayor
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- Terrifier 3
  Bystander
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2024
- Spooktacular!
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- That's a Wrap
  Manager
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- Taste the Blood of Martin
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- Il museo degli orrori di Dario Argento
  self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2022
- In Search of Darkness: Part III
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2022
- Charles Band’s Full Moon Freakshow
  
  - Episode 4: Tom Savini (2022) ... actor actors
  
  2022
- Pandemonic
  Poem 1
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- The History of Metal and Horror
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- Quentin Tarantino: From a Movie Buff to a Hollywood Legend
  Self (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- Zombies and Bikers
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Memories of Monroeville: Revisiting the 'Dawn of the Dead' Mall
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- The FX of Dawn
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Tales of the Uncanny
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- In Search of Darkness: Part II
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Time Warp Vol. 2: Horror and Sci-Fi
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- Locke & Key
  
  - Trapper / Keeper (2020) ... Locksmith actor actors
  
  2020
- The Movies That Made Us
  
  - Friday the 13th (2021) ... Self actor actors
  
  2019
- The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs
  
  - Maniac (2020) ... Self actor actors
  
  2019
- NOS4A2
  
  - The Night Road (2020) ... Snake actor actors
  
  2019
- Cult of Terror
  Self - Make-up Designer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2017
- Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- The Sadist
  The Sadist
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- An Experiment in Fear: The Making of Monkey Shines
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- Doc of the Dead
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- Dead Meat Walking: A Zombie Walk Documentary
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- The World's End: The Legacy of 'Day of the Dead'
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Machete Kills
  Osiris Amanpour
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- The Phantom of the Opera: Unmasking the Masterpiece
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Cool As Hell
  The Demon Slayer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Django Unchained
  Tracker
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Robin Hood: Ghosts of Sherwood
  Sheriff of Nottingham
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Redd Inc.
  Peter Bava
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Horrorween
  Killer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- I Heart Monster Movies
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
  Mr. Callahan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Death from Above
  Sheriff Raynick
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Nightmare Factory
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- The Theatre Bizarre
  Dr. Maurey
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Underground Entertainment: The Movie
  Interrupting Tom
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- The Death Dealer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Saturday Nightmares: The Ultimate Horror Expo of All Time!
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Machete
  Osiris Amanpour
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- The Dead Matter
  Sebed
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Joe of the Dead: Acting in a George Romero Classic
  Self - Motorcycle Raider (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Tattoos: A Scarred History
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- New Beginnings: The Making of Friday the 13th Part V - A New Beginning
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Jason's Unlucky Day: 25 Years After Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- The Shark Is Still Working
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Friday's Legacy: Horror Conventions
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Sea of Dust
  Prester John
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Zack and Miri Make a Porno
  Jenkins
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Lost Boys: The Tribe
  David Van Etten
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Zombiemania
  Himself - Makeup Artist
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To
  Uncle Tom
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Blood 'n Fire Memories with Tom Savini
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Diary of the Dead
  Man Shouting on Radio 'Shoot in the Head' (voice) (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Loaded Dice
  The Bishop
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Planet Terror
  Deputy Tolo
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Grindhouse
  Deputy Tolo (segment "Planet Terror")
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- American Scary
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- It Runs in the Family
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- The Absence of Light
  The Higher Power
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Beyond the Wall of Sleep
  Sheriff
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Witch's Dungeon: 40 Years of Chills
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- After Effects: Memories of Pittsburgh Filmmaking
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Land of the Dead
  Machete Zombie
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Forest of the Damned
  Stephen
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Special Report: Zombie Invasion
  Sheriff Cahill
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Friday the 13th: From Crystal Lake to Manhattan (Crystal Lake Victims Tell All - Documentary)
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- The Friday the 13th Chronicles
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Crystal Lake Victims Tell All
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- UnConventional
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- The Dead Will Walk: The Making of Dawn of the Dead
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Chill Factor: House Call
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Unearthed
  Det. Victor Tonelli
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Death 4 Told
  Man (segment "The Psychic")
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Creature Feature: 50 Years of the Gill-Man
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Dawn of the Dead
  The Sheriff
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Vicious
  Kane
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- The Many Days of Day of the Dead
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Zombiegeddon
  Jesus Christ
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Two Masters' Eyes
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Blood Bath
  Stranger
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- Ted Bundy
  Salt Lake City Detective
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- Children of the Living Dead
  Deputy Hughs
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- Web of Darkness
  Rouge
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- The Monster Man
  Joe
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- Behind the Scenes with Day of the Dead
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- Scream and Scream Again: A History of the Slasher Film
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2000
- The American Nightmare
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2000
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force
  
  - One Hundred (2010) ... Cop (voice) actor actors
  
  2000
- Sheena
  
  - The Lost Boy (2000) ... Peter Reynolds actor actors
  
  2000
- The Dead Walk: Remaking a Classic
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- The Devil Ant
  Tom Savini
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- Wishmaster
  Pharmacy Customer (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- The World of Dario Argento 3: Museum of Horrors
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Halloween... The Happy Haunting of America!
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Eyes Are Upon You
  Eddie Rao
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- From Dusk Till Dawn
  Sex Machine
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Mr. Stitch
  Chemical / Weapons Engineer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1995
- The Demolitionist
  Roland
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1995
- Spooky World
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- Zombie Jamboree ‘93
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- Innocent Blood
  News Photographer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Dario Argento: Master of Horror
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1991
- Night of the Living Dead
  (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Two Evil Eyes
  The Monomaniac
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Heartstopper
  Lt. Ron Vargo
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- Horror Effects: Hosted by Tom Savini
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- Z-TV
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- The Simpsons
  
  - Worst Episode Ever (2001) ... Tom Savini (voice) actor actors
  
  1989
- Creepshow 2
  The Creep
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1987
- Drive-In Madness!
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1987
- Scream Greats, Vol.1: Tom Savini, Master of Horror Effects
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1986
- Stephen King's World of Horror
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1986
- The Ripper
  Jack the Ripper
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- Day of the Dead
  Zombie with Scarf (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- The Boy Who Loved Trolls
  Motorcyclist
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1984
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
  Jason (Hitchhiker Murder Scene) (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1984
- Creepshow
  Garbage Man #2 (segment "Epilogue")
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1982
- Knightriders
  Morgan
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1981
- Document of the Dead
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1981
- Maniac
  Disco Boy
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1980
- Friday the 13th
  Knife Killer (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1980
- Effects
  Nicky
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1979
- Dawn of the Dead
  Motorcycle Raider
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1978
- Martin
  Arthur
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1978
directing (9 credits)
- Nightmare City
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2026
- Creepshow
  
  - Skincrawlers / By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain (2019) ... director directing
  
  2019
- The Theatre Bizarre
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2011
- Deadtime Stories
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2009
- Chill Factor: House Call
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2004
- George Romero's Golden Tales 3
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1995
- Tales from the Darkside
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1990
- Night of the Living Dead
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1990
- Tales from the Darkside
  
  - Family Reunion (1988) ... director directing
  
  - Halloween Candy (1985) ... director directing
  
  - Inside the Closet (1984) ... director directing
  
  1984
writing (1 credits)
- Nightmare City
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  2026
production (3 credits)
- Spooktacular!
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2023
- The Sadist
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  2015
- Spooky World
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1994
crew (20 credits)
- The Black Phone
  
  special effects
  
  crew
  
  2022
- Dogman's Rabies: Underdog
  
  thanks
  
  crew
  
  2018
- Troll Empire
  
  thanks
  
  crew
  
  2015
- Diary of the Dead
  
  thanks
  
  crew
  
  2007
- Children of the Living Dead
  
  stunt coordinator
  
  crew
  
  2001
- Web of Darkness
  
  special effects coordinator
  
  crew
  
  2001
- Ghostwriter: Attack of the Slime Monster
  
  special effects
  
  crew
  
  1995
- Backstreet Justice
  
  special effects
  
  crew
  
  1994
- Trauma
  
  makeup effects
  
  crew
  
  1993
- Two Evil Eyes
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1990
- Creepshow 2
  
  makeup effects
  
  crew
  
  1987
- Day of the Dead
  
  stunt coordinator
  
  crew
  
  1985
- Midnight
  
  special effects
  
  crew
  
  1982
- Creepshow
  
  makeup effects
  
  crew
  
  1982
- The Prowler
  
  special effects
  
  crew
  
  1981
- Maniac
  
  stunt coordinator
  
  crew
  
  1980
- Friday the 13th
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1980
- Dawn of the Dead
  
  stunt double
  
  crew
  
  1978
- Martin
  
  makeup effects
  
  crew
  
  1978
- Dead of Night
  
  special effects
  
  crew
  
  1974
visual effects (2 credits)
- Cutting Moments
  
  special effects supervisor
  
  visual effects
  
  1997
- Nightmare
  
  special effects supervisor
  
  visual effects
  
  1981

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q152309), public domain (CC0).