I awoke this morning to the painfully sad news that horror icon Sid Haig has passed away.
A moment of silence from the horror (and entire film) community is in order...
Condolences to his family.
It was announced by his wife, via a heartbreaking Instagram post. On Saturday 9/21/19, at eighty years old, Sid had passed.
Sid Haig is most recently known for his role as the horrifyingly demented, yet somehow still lovable clown "Captain Spaulding" from Rob Zombie's "House of 1000 Corpses" "The Devil's Rejects" and "3 From Hell." The latter is set to hit DVD and Blu-ray in October, as well as returning to theatres for one more day on October 14th!
Sid's name may be known to younger folks for his fantastic portrayal of "Captain Spaulding" but his career in film spans back to the '60s! That's right! The man's career is older than I am!
Here at AICN, we want to celebrate that career! From Jack Hill’s blaxploitation films of the '70s to "3 From Hell!” From “Gun Smoke” to “Mission Impossible”, and “Batman!” With one hundred and forty-nine acting credits on IMDb, let's look back at just some of his crazy roles!
“House of 1000 Corpses” 2003, “The Devil’s Rejects” 2005, and “3 From Hell”, 2019: FILM(S)
CAPTAIN SPAULDING "Tutti Fu*king Frutti"
As Captain Spaulding, Sid found a way to make a totally insane, brutal and disgusting killer... Lovable. Good luck pulling that off. That's quite a feat and speaks to Sid's chops as a character actor. Captain Spaulding is one of my favorite horror characters to date, and that's purely because of Sid's take on the role.
"Don't ya like clowns?”
“The Host” 1960: Short Film
THE FUGITIVE
Sid’s first credited role in a film is the 1960 western short, titled “The Host.” It was a 30-minute film written and directed by Jack Hill; who’s name will appear on this list more than once! It’s not well known, and it isn’t Sid’s most famous role, but it was his first! That in itself earns it a spot on the list! Sid played the role of “The Fugitive.”
“Batman” 1963: TV Series
ROYAL APOTHECARY
In 1966 Sid played the heinous “Royal Apothecary” in 2 episodes of the “Batman” TV series, starring Adam West. The names of the episodes were “Tut’s Case is Shut”, and “The Spell of Tut.” This was a bit before my time, but we all know how iconic this show was!
“Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told” 1967: Film
RALPH
“Spider Baby” is a 1967, dark horror-comedy. The tagline for this film was “Do YOU dare see it!”, and yes, it’s as wonderfully strange as it sounds! Sid played “Ralph”, one of three inbred and deformed siblings who suffer from a disease that causes them to regress mentally and physically. Ralph is mostly mute, communicating with only grunts. Written by Jack Hill and starring Lou Chaney, Jr. This film is a cult classic. If you’ve never seen it, change that immediately!
“Gunsmoke” 1966-1969: TV Series
WADE HANSEN, CAWKINS, BUFFALO HUNTER and ELI CRAWFORD
From 1966 to 1969 Sid Haig was cast in 4 episodes of the legendary “Gunsmoke.” He played different characters each time he appeared. The episodes were; “Stage Stop” 1967, “Time of the Jackals” 1969, A Man Called Smith” 1969, and “MacGraw” 1969.
“Mission Impossible”1966-1970: TV Series
Sid as HIDALGO
Sid Haig guest-starred on a whopping nine episodes of the TV series “Mission Impossible” from 1966 to 1970! Quite impressive!
- Decoy (1970) ... Agent #1
- The Choice (1970) ... Goujon
- Commandante (1969) ... Major Carlos Martillo
- Doomsday (1969) ... Marko
- The Diplomat (1968) ... Grigor
- Trial by Fury (1968) ... Sperizzi
- The Slave: Part 2 (1967) ... Musha
- The Slave: Part 1 (1967) ... Musha
- Fakeout (1966) ... Hidalgo
“The Big Doll House” 1971: Film
HARRY
Another film directed by Jack Hill. This 1970’s “sexploitation” film starring Pam Grier involved abused women in a prison in the Philippines. Five of them eventually escape with the help of... of course, two men. Sid played “Harry”, one of those men.
“The Big Bird Cage” 1972: Film
DJANGO
Written and directed by Jack Hill, once again and also starring Pam Grier! This 1972 film saw Sid and Pam as a couple of thieving mercenaries who organize a prison break!
“Coffy” 1973: Film
OMAR
Another film starring Pam Grier, written and directed by Jack Hill! A nurse is out for revenge after the death of her sister! Watch out! In this “blaxploitation” film, Sid plays tough guy “Omar.”
“Foxy Brown” 1974: Film
HAYS
Sid did a ton of films with writer/director Jack Hill and Pam Grier, but “Foxy Brown” might be the most famous! Not just for Sid, but for Pam as well! A woman takes a job as a prostitute only to get revenge on the gangsters who killed her boyfriend! If you’ve never seen it, it’s as awesome as it sounds!
“Jason of Star Command” 1978-1979: TV Series
DRAGOS
Sid was a huge part of late ‘70s TV series, “Jason of Star Command.” He played the main villain, “Dragos!” This show has gained somewhat of a cult following over the years!
“Jackie Brown” – 1997: Film
JUDGE
Written and directed by the one and only Quentin Tarantino, this 1992 reimagining saw Pam Grier come back as the main star! Sid Haig played a judge!
“Kill Bill Vol.2” 2003: Film
JAY
Again written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, in this film Sid plays a bartender named “Jay.” It was the second film in the franchise starring Uma Thurman and the late David Carradine.
“Halloween” 2007: Film
CHESTER CHESTERFIELD
This might be my favorite remake of all time. I know many might disagree, but I loved Rob Zombie’s 2007 “Halloween!” Don’t get me wrong, John Carpenter’s is awesome, but there’s something about the brutality of Michael Myers in Zombie’s telling of the story. Sid was cast as “Chester Chesterfield,” the caretaker of the cemetery.
“The Lords of Salem” 2012: Film
DEAN MAGNUS
Another Rob Zombie film! This one about a radio DJ in Salem, MA. When she receives a record claiming to be a “gift from the lords,” things go downhill, fast! This film is twisted and demonic! Check it out if you’re a fan of witchcraft horror films! Sid plays “Dean Magnus!”
“HIGH on the HOG” 2019: FILM
BIG DADDY
Government agents attempt to shut down a small-town farming operation growing super potent weed! It does not go well for them. Written by Andy Golub, Kevin C. Lockhart, Jeremy Silva, and Tony Walsh. This is one of Sid’s most recent films aside from “3 From Hell.” Sid plays “Big Daddy.”
Everybody loved Sid! From his co-stars to his fans! He was well known on the convention circuit and he seemed to really love connecting with his people. Sid was a true treasure to the film industry and all-around nice guy. He will be sadly missed!
Luckily for us, his legacy will live on in the form of his work! Also, It appears Sid had at least one film finished before he passed, with a few in pre-production as well!
“Hannukah” 2020: Film
Of course, I simply couldn’t mention every role Sid Haig has played! He’s been in so much, spanning back decades! You can check out his full filmography here, on IMDb!
I, for one, will be having a Sid Haig marathon tonight! Starting with “Foxy Brown!” Of course, ending with lots of “Captain Spaulding!” What will you be watching? What was your favorite roll of Sid’s? Let’s reminisce and celebrate his long and storied career! From everybody here at AICN, we love you Sid! You’ll always be our “Captain!”
Comment below and until next time, keep on geekin’ on, my friends!
Joshua “Prometheus” Scafidi
SID HAIG 7-14-1939 to 9-21-2019
