Art the Clown’s Reign of Terror Extends to Universal Studios, Thanks to David Howard Thornton’s Directing
ORLANDO, FL – David Howard Thornton, the actor behind the terrifying Art the Clown, has been actively coaching Universal Studios scareactors to embody the character’s uniquely unsettling presence, turning the horror villain into a sought-after attraction at the theme park’s Halloween Horror Nights.The collaboration elevates Art beyond the Terrifier films and cements his status as a modern horror icon.
Thornton revealed his guidance centered on capturing Art’s “sadistic joy” in tormenting others. “First of all, I just told them to have fun because that’s how Art is. He finds so much joy in the horrible things he does. And I said, ‘Just find that sadistic joy in just messing with people.’ Just go wild with it and have fun with it. And it’s just, be a little jerk,” Thornton explained. Reports and firsthand accounts confirm the scareactors have successfully translated this direction into hilariously horrifying, largely silent interactions with park guests.
The character of art the Clown originated in Leone’s 2008 short film, The 9th Circle, and gained wider recognition with thornton’s portrayal in the 2016 feature Terrifier. To help the scareactors fully inhabit the role, Thornton drew inspiration from the animal kingdom. “I based him on a vulture,” he said, noting Art’s beak-like nose. “I’ve added more of a hunch to him. Especially when he’s in predator mode… Birds of prey lead with their eyes first; as they look at something, the head moves. And then the body follows. And that’s what I based Art’s movements off of when he’s in hunt mode.”
Thornton expressed pride in Art’s growing popularity and comparison to other beloved Universal characters. “It makes me so happy as I think it’s a great thing just to build up the love of our character. As I love every year watching the videos that they have of Universal with the Grinch… [and] I love seeing now Art’s doing that same thing. And it’s catching that kind of popularity.”
Even those unfamiliar with the Terrifier films, like one recent park visitor, have become instant fans through the immersive experiences offered at Universal. Art the clown now stands alongside characters like the Grinch and Beetlejuice as a popular “meet-and-greet” attraction, demonstrating a unique appeal within the theme park landscape.
