Noble Craig

Noble Craig
Born
Noble Henry Craig Jr.

(1948-08-06)6 August 1948
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died26 April 2018(2018-04-26) (aged 69)
Torrance, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Stuntman
  • Mechanic
Years active1973–1990
Children6
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1967–1970
RankSergeant[1]
Unit82nd Airborne Division
Battles / warsVietnam War

Noble Henry Craig Jr. (August 6, 1948 – April 26, 2018)[2] was an American character actor and stunt performer, who became known for his creature roles in horror films after having lost both of his legs and one of his arms in the Vietnam War.[3]

Early life and military service

Craig was born in Los Angeles, California on August 6, 1948.[4] After graduating from North High School in Torrance, he was drafted into the United States Army on May 3, 1967, during the Vietnam War, and was sent to Vietnam in April 1969.[1][2] On his twelfth day of duty while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, he stepped on a buried artillery shell or land mine, causing him to lose both of his legs, his right arm, and most of the sight in his right eye.[1][2][5]

Acting career

After his medical discharge, Craig attended the University of California, Los Angeles on the G.I. Bill. He made his acting debut in the 1973 film Sssssss, in which he played Tim McGraw, "the Snake Man".[2]

He later played a legless monster in the Poltergeist II: The Other Side[6][7] and a sewer monster in Big Trouble in Little China,[5] as well as a partially dissolved character in The Blob.[2] He briefly portrayed Freddy Krueger in the climax of A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child,[2][8] and played one of Herbert West's failed experiments in Bride of Re-Animator.[2][6]

Personal life

Craig was married twice,[1] and had six children.[1][2] Aside from acting, he was an avid sportsman, ran a skeet and trap range, and worked as a mechanic.[4]

Death

Craig died of natural causes in Torrance, California on April 26, 2018, at the age of 69.[4]

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref(s)
1973 Sssssss Tim McGraw, the Snake Man [2]
1986 Poltergeist II: The Other Side Vomit Creature [6][7]
Big Trouble in Little China Sewer Monster [5]
1988 The Blob Puddle Soldier [2]
1989 A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child Freddy Krueger [2][8]
1990 Bride of Re-Animator Crypt Creature [2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Conlan, Steve (April 14, 1973). "Fate Brought Legless Veteran His Answer". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Green Bay, Wisconsin. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Squires, John (May 7, 2018). "[R.I.P.] Creature Performer Noble Craig Was an Unsung Horror Icon". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  3. ^ Squires, John (2015-07-27). "Noble Craig: A Horror Icon You're Probably Not Aware Of | Halloween Love". Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  4. ^ a b c "Noble Craig Obituary (2018) - Torrance, CA - Daily Breeze". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  5. ^ a b c Bennett, Tara; Terry, Paul (2017). The Official Making of Big Trouble in Little China. Boom! Studios. p. 138. ISBN 978-1608868711.
  6. ^ a b c d Rainone, Tom (July 1991). "The Wedding Preparations: Bride of Re-Animator". Fangoria. No. 104. Starlog Group, Inc. p. 46. ISSN 0164-2111.
  7. ^ a b Barkan, Jonathan (May 24, 2019). "Dread X: RKSS Pick Their Top 10 Practical FX That Messed Up Their Childhood!". Dread Central. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Squires, John (June 12, 2017). "Video Pays Tribute to the Other Actors Who Played Freddy in the 'Elm Street' Films". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 21, 2020.