John Landis

Biography

John David Landis (born August 3, 1950) is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer. He is known for his comedies, his horror films, and his music videos with singer Michael Jackson.

Career Overview

John Landis has 220 screen credits in a career dating back to 1966. Their work spans 18 cinematic universes — most prominently Muppets Classic with 2 titles. Signature works include Trading Places, Coming to America, Michael Jackson's Thriller. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For: Directing
Gender: male
Known Credits: 220
Birth Date: 1950-08-03 00:00:00
Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 18 universes

Muppets Classic (2 titles)
An American Werewolf Collection (2 titles)
The Blues Brothers (2 titles)
Torrente Collection (1 titles)
Spider Man (1 titles)
Freeway Collection (1 titles)
Body Chemistry Collection (1 titles)
Psycho Series (1 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

George Folsey Jr. (9 collaborations)
Deborah Nadoolman Landis (6 collaborations)
Elmer Bernstein (6 collaborations)
Rick Baker (6 collaborations)
Malcolm Campbell (5 collaborations)
Eddie Murphy (4 collaborations)
David Sosna (4 collaborations)
Michael Jackson (4 collaborations)
Robert Paynter (3 collaborations)
Dan Aykroyd (3 collaborations)

Credits

actors (137 credits)
- The AckerMonster Chronicles!
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Under the Moon
  High School Principal
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- Robot Dracula
  John
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- On a Mission from God: The Story of the Blues Brothers
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- Being Eddie
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- The Vincent Price Legacy
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2025
- Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2024
- The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2024
- Thriller 40
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- The Credible Adventures of Mr. T
  Stranger
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- The Rise of the Comic Strip
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2023
- Blood, Guts and Sunshine: The History of Horror Made in Florida
  Self [archival]
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- I Am Alfred Hitchcock
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- Belushi
  Self (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2020
- An American Filmmaker in London
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2019
- Mark of The Beast: The Legacy of the Universal Werewolf
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2019
- I Hate Kids
  Psychic #4
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2019
- The Movies That Made Us
  
  - Coming to America (2021) ... Self actor actors
  
  2019
- The Body
  Man in Bathroom
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2018
- The World Is Yours
  Couple
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2018
- Bergman: A Year in a Life
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2018
- King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2018
- Deconstructing Dunning
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2016
- Sidemen: Long Road To Glory
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2016
- Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- Tales of Halloween
  Jebediah Rex
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- In Their Own Words: Jim Henson
  Self - Friend & Filmmaker
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead
  Self - Director
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2015
- Out of Print
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- Remembering 'Dead of Night'
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2014
- Trespassing Bergman
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Blast Vegas
  Salesman #1
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2013
- Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader
  Professor
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Features
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2012
- Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- The Future of Fear
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Nightmare Factory
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- American Grindhouse
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Machete Maidens Unleashed!
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- The Man Who Saw Frankenstein Cry
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- David Bowie: Rare and Unseen
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Teen Spirit: Teenagers and Hollywood
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Vittorio D.
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Beware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London'
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- The Scenesters
  Judge Paxton B. Johnson
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Into the Pit: The Shocking Story of Deadpit.com
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Tattoos: A Scarred History
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- The Face is Familiar
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2009
- Psychoville
  
  - Dinner Party (2011) ... actor actors
  
  2009
- Parasomnia
  Department Store Manager
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World”
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Animal House: The Inside Story
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2008
- Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Bloodsucking Cinema
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- The Return of the Living Dead: The Decade of Darkness
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- The Sci-Fi Boys
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- 42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Footlight Parade: Music for the Decades
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- (buz'be bur'kle) n. A Study in Style
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Busby Berkeley's Kaleidoscopic Eyes
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- Gold Diggers: FDR'S New Deal... Broadway Bound
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2006
- The Perfect Scary Movie
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Torrente 3: The Protector
  Embajador árabe
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- The Blues Brothers: Transposing The Music
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- The Ax
  Maxime's Friend's Father
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Hollywood's Creepiest Creatures
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Spider-Man 2
  Doctor
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Mario Bava: Operazione paura
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago River
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- Russ Meyer: King of Sexploitation
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2004
- 101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
  Self (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies
  Self (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Where Are They Now?: A Delta Alumni Update
  Himself
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2003
- Forever Ealing
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- Masters of Horror
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- It's Black Entertainment
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- The American Nightmare
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2000
- Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby
  Judge
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2000
- Diamonds
  Gambler
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'
  Host / Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion
  Self - Director
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1998
- The Stories Behind the Making of 'The Blues Brothers'
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1998
- The Abbey Road Story
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1998
- Mad City
  Doctor
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Who Is Henry Jaglom?
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Quicksilver Highway
  Surgical Assistant
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Laws of Deception
  Judge Trevino
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1997
- Vampirella
  Astronaut #1
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Abbott & Costello Meet Biography
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Caroline in the City
  
  - Caroline and the Movie (1996) ... John Landis actor actors
  
  1995
- The World of Jim Henson
  Leanord Winesop (archive footage)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- The Silence of the Hams
  FBI Agent
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1994
- Body Chemistry II: The Voice of a Stranger
  Dr. Edwards
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Venice/Venice
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Sleepwalkers
  Lab Technician
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
  
  - John Landis & The Spiridellis Brothers, JoJo (2006) ... actor actors
  
  1992
- Eek! The Cat
  
  - Dazed and Eekstremely Confuzed (1995) ... John Landis (voice) actor actors
  
  1992
- Black or White
  Director (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1991
- Psycho IV: The Beginning
  Mike Calveccio
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Darkman
  Physician
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Spontaneous Combustion
  Radio Technician
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Stephen King's World of Horror
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1989
- RoboCop
  Man in '6000 SUX' Commercial (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1987
- Into the Night
  SAVAK
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- B.B. King: Into the Night
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- The Muppets Take Manhattan
  Leonard Winesop
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1984
- Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1983
- Trading Places
  Man with Briefcase (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1983
- Eating Raoul
  Man at Bank (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1982
- Take One: Fear on Film
  Self
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1982
- An American Werewolf in London
  Man Smashed into Window (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1981
- The Blues Brothers
  Trooper La Fong
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1980
- 1941
  Mizerany
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1979
- The Muppet Movie
  Additional Muppet Performer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1979
- Animal House
  Cafeteria Dishwasher
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1978
- The Kentucky Fried Movie
  TV Technician Thrown by Gorilla (segment "A.M. Today")
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1977
- Death Race 2000
  Mechanic
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1975
- The Six Million Dollar Man
  
  - The Pal-Mir Escort (1974) ... Michael actor actors
  
  1974
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes
  Jake's Friend
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1973
- Schlock
  Schlock
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1973
- Red Sun
  Henchman (uncredited)
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1971
- Kelly's Heroes
  Sister Rosa Stigmata
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1970
production (26 credits)
- An American Werewolf in London
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2026
- Bad Vibes
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2026
- I Hate Kids
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2019
- Some Guy Who Kills People
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2011
- Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  2007
- The Lost World - Gladiator
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  2001
- The Lost World
  
  - The Beast Within (1999) ... executive producer production
  
  - Paradise Found (1999) ... executive producer production
  
  - Out of Time (1999) ... executive producer production
  
  - Blood Lust (1999) ... executive producer production
  
  - Salvation (1999) ... executive producer production
  
  1999
- Susan's Plan
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1998
- The Lost World
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1998
- Blues Brothers 2000
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1998
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  - Honey, Whodunit? (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Honey, I Shrink, Therefore I Am (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Honey, Growing Up Is Hard to Do (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Honey, Like Father, Like Son (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Honey, I'm Spooked (2000) ... producer production
  
  1997
- HIStory on Film, Volume II
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1997
- The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1996
- Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1995
- Sliders
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  - The Seer (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Eye of the Storm (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Dust (2000) ... producer production
  
  - To Catch a Slider (2000) ... producer production
  
  - Heavy Metal (1999) ... producer production
  
  1995
- Here Come the Munsters
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1995
- Weird Science
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  - WS4 (1998) ... producer production
  
  - Genie Junior (1998) ... producer production
  
  - Night of the Swingin' Steves (1998) ... producer production
  
  - Wicked Wish (1998) ... producer production
  
  - School Spirits (1998) ... producer production
  
  1994
- Amazon Women on the Moon
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1987
- Fuzzbucket
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1986
- Clue
  
  executive producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- B.B. King: Into the Night
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1985
- Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1983
- Michael Jackson's Thriller
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1983
- Twilight Zone: The Movie
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1983
- Coming Soon
  
  producer
  
  production
  
  1982
- Kelly's Heroes
  
  production assistant
  
  production
  
  1970
writing (14 credits)
- An American Werewolf in London
  
  original film writer
  
  writing
  
  2026
- Masters of Horror
  
  - Deer Woman (2005) ... writer writing
  
  2005
- Slasher
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  2004
- Susan's Plan
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1998
- Blues Brothers 2000
  
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1998
- An American Werewolf in Paris
  
  characters
  
  writing
  
  1997
- HIStory on Film, Volume II
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1997
- Clue
  
  story
  
  writing
  
  1985
- Michael Jackson's Thriller
  
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1983
- Twilight Zone: The Movie
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1983
- Coming Soon
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1982
- An American Werewolf in London
  
  screenplay
  
  writing
  
  1981
- The Blues Brothers
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1980
- Schlock
  
  writer
  
  writing
  
  1973
crew (7 credits)
- Grabbers
  
  thanks
  
  crew
  
  2012
- Teddy Bears' Picnic
  
  thanks
  
  crew
  
  2001
- My Name Is Nobody
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1973
- Chato's Land
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1972
- Once Upon a Time in the West
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1968
- The Charge of the Light Brigade
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1968
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
  
  stunts
  
  crew
  
  1966
directing (36 credits)
- Burke & Hare
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2010
- Fear Itself: In Sickness and in Health
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2008
- Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2007
- Family
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2006
- The Great Sketch Experiment
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2006
- Psych
  
  - Christmas Joy (2008) ... director directing
  
  - American Duos (2007) ... director directing
  
  - Scary Sherry: Bianca's Toast (2007) ... director directing
  
  2006
- Masters of Horror
  
  - Family (2006) ... director directing
  
  - Deer Woman (2005) ... director directing
  
  2005
- Slasher
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2004
- The Kronenberg Chronicles
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  2002
- Susan's Plan
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1998
- Blues Brothers 2000
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1998
- HIStory on Film, Volume II
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1997
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show
  
  - Honey, Name That Tune (1999) ... director directing
  
  1997
- The Stupids
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1996
- Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1995
- Beverly Hills Cop III
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1994
- Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1993
- Innocent Blood
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1992
- Black or White
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1991
- Oscar
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1991
- Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1990
- Coming to America
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1988
- Amazon Women on the Moon
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1987
- ¡Three Amigos!
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1986
- Spies Like Us
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1985
- Into the Night
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1985
- B.B. King: Into the Night
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1985
- Michael Jackson's Thriller
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1983
- Twilight Zone: The Movie
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1983
- Trading Places
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1983
- Coming Soon
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1982
- An American Werewolf in London
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1981
- The Blues Brothers
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1980
- Animal House
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1978
- The Kentucky Fried Movie
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1977
- Schlock
  
  director
  
  directing
  
  1973