While their deaths may not seem so unusual, some fans still believe theyre connected to the curse. The poltergeist poltergiest movie curse was there a. The terrifying details surrounding the poltergeist movie. Though not often cited as part of the poltergeist curse, the gruesome death of actor lou perryman, who had a small part as pugsley in the original tobe hoopersteven spielberg film, reignited. Poltergeist was released on vhs, betamax, ced, and laserdisc in 1982. Living in austin, texas, perryman was murdered in 2009 by seth christopher tatum, who admitted killing perryman with an ax and wanting to steal his car. The truth behind the poltergeist curse real dead bodies. Poltergeist curse true story popsugar entertainment uk. May 22, 2015 the original poltergeist was first released in 1982 and quickly became a classic horror movie about a family plagued by spiteful ghosts.
The legend of the socalled poltergeist curse began the same year the first movie was released. Poltergeist actor oliver robins who played son robbie in the 1982 original said the. Therefore his death was not the result of a curse unless the forces of darkness actually prophesied his participation in the movie and then gave him stomach cancer two years. Poltergeist curse continues to haunt people in real life complex. Heather orourkes mysterious death in 1988 led many to believe of a curse surrounding the blockbuster film poltergeist.
This included the untimely deaths of 5 cast members, and many people believe that it is the most cursed franchise to ever come out of hollywood. In 1998, poltergeist was rereleased on dvd with the same cover. The poltergeist curse is a rumor that a supposed curse iswas attached to the poltergeist motion picture series and its stars. The cursed horror movies that resulted in reallife. The rumor and the surrounding deaths were explored in a 2002 episode of e. The first poltergeist poltergiest film appeared on screen on 1982. The idea that the casts of the several movies in the series were in some way cursed is a superstition based on the fact that four of the cast members from the movies died in a relatively short span of the films release, two of them dying at a young age 12 and 22. Jan 15, 2019 heathers mother and gary sherman talking about the beginning of her actress career and the day of her passing. Heather orourkes death is the main reason why the poltergeist trilogy is. Why the set of poltergeist was truly cursed youtube. Jan 31, 2019 the legend of the socalled poltergeist curse began the same year the first movie was released. Perryman played the character pugsley in the original poltergeist film, but also appeared in such films as the blues brothers. The shocking history of the poltergeist curse the th floor.
Beck had been battling cancer all through the filming of poltergeist ii, in which he played the evil preacher kane. While their deaths may not seem so unusual, some fans still believe. Producer and filmmaker adam ripp wants to get to the bottom of the supposed curse that has. The other side, died of stomach cancer on 14 september 1985 at mount sinai hospital in new york seven months before the films may 1986 release. The mysterious deaths of 1980s child actress heather orourke and three. While no horrific accidents occurred on the set of the new film that we know of, anyway, the release reminded us of the rumors of a curse on the. Like will sampson, julian becks death is not usually attributed to the poltergeist curse. May 22, 2015 poltergeist actor oliver robins who played son robbie in the 1982 original said the eerie deaths of his costars were not a curse, but just tragic coincidences. With the reboot of the legendary horror movie poltergeist comes a resurgence of claims about the purported curse that surrounds the original film franchise, which first premiered to terrified audiences back in 1982.
Sampson died on june 3, 1987 of postoperative kidney failure and preoperative malnutrition problems after undergoing a heart and lung transplant. A number of strange deaths are connected to a curse on the poltergeist film. It is true that there are at least four deaths associated with poltergeist i, poltergeist ii the other side and poltergeist iii, but its important to see how did they occured. Hollywoods poltergeist curse after four film stars died mysteriously including 80s child star heather orourke the mysterious deaths of 1980s child actress heather orourke and three of her. I dont think anyone that was involved in the movie ever really took the curse seriously. Poltergeist was one of the most storied productions in hollywood history. The mysterious deaths of 1980s child actress heather orourke and three of her costars from the film poltergeist has sparked fears of a hollywood curse. The more deaths that surrounded the films, the more the media perpetuated the supposed curse that plagued the film franchise. In 1997, mgm released poltergeist on dvd in a snap case, and the only special feature was a trailer. Of all the films in this list, poltergeist makes the freakiest case for cursed movie sets.
Steven spielberg wrote, and tobe hooper directed the original poltergeist 1982. On november 4th 1982, 6 months after the filming of poltergeist, dominique dunn was strangled to death by her estranged boyfriend, john sweeney, at her hollywood apartment. While these deaths and the other rumors add a certain amount of intrigue, it is hard to argue that the deaths in particular were anything more than tragic coincidence. Nov 14, 2016 the poltergeist movie franchise started way back in 1982 and the first movie is still considered a classic. The most shocking was heather orourkes during the filming of poltergeist iii. Nov 23, 2019 the poltergeist curse, as its become known, came about after four of the cast members died of mysterious circumstances the most shocking being that of heather orourke the.
The original poltergeist was first released in 1982 and quickly became a classic horror movie about a family plagued by spiteful ghosts. Was there a curse on the poltergeist films of the 80s. Hollywoods poltergeist curse after four film stars died mysteriously. Poltergeist is an american horror film series distributed by metrogoldwynmayer during the. Poltergeist dealt with the desecration of the spirits resting place, so once the whispers about real skeletons were used for filming began circulating, a poltergeist curse was born. Heather orourkes death is the main reason why the poltergeist trilogy is considered cursed. Heather orourke aka carol anne, who said the famous. Oct 24, 2014 the poltergeist horror movie trilogy has many legends associated with its production, including a curse related to the deaths of four of its actors. We take a look at the poltergeist curse and reveal all of the suspect deaths surrounding the. There are many strange deaths connected to the poltergeist film series. Once you take a close look at the events surrounding the movie, it also becomes a textbook example of why the idea of curses is silly. Her reallife death before the completion of the third movie shocked the world. However, because there were so many other deaths and darkness surrounding those involved with the trilogy, fans have dubbed the phenomena the poltergeist curse.
Producer and filmmaker adam ripp wants to get to the bottom of the supposed curse that has plagued the cast of the steven spielbergproduced poltergeist film series. There are definitely a lot of deaths associated with the film. Jun, 2018 maybe youre still a little suspicious that there was a curse at work, so lets just sum up the whole poltergeist discussion with a word from oliver robins, who played treefood robbie in the franchise. The american movies poltergeist trilogy have been among the scariest movies in hollywood, also the strange deaths of the movie stars became a matter of serious discussions and are often attributed as curse. The film follows the freeling family, who are assaulted by a collection. Cursed movies poltergeist of all the films in this list, poltergeist makes the freakiest case for cursed movie sets. Orourke had appeared in all three poltergeist movies.
The majority of the fuel for the alleged curse stems from the deaths of multiple cast members. Apr 09, 2020 poltergeist was a film on heavy rotation in my household, says jay cheel, the director and executive producer of cursed films, the new documentary series on horror streaming service shudder. Though coincidence is a much more likely explanation than a curse, there have been four deaths among the cast of this set of films. Reallife horror behind poltergeist movie and the curse. Dec 14, 2019 while its not the first movie in history to be followed by such rumors, the poltergeist curse carries more weight because of its unique origins. There are tales of nine deaths among the crew during the shoot, as well as a fire which destroyed the set.
It took the tragic deaths of four of its prominent cast members for the poltergeist curse to really take off. Heres why the poltergeist series was terrifying for the cast. The poltergeist curse is a rumored curse attached to the poltergeist trilogy and its crew, derived from the deaths of two young cast members in the six years between the releases of the first and third films. The poltergeist trilogy is cursed conspiracy theories of. Superstitious legend holds that a number of strange deaths. Reallife horror behind poltergeist movie and the curse that haunts the film to this day the reality behind the fiction is equally as terrifying with deaths and unexplained spooky goingson share. Nov 23, 2019 the mysterious deaths of 1980s child actress heather orourke and three of her costars from the film poltergeist has sparked fears of a hollywood curse. The poltergeist curse is a rumored curse attached to the poltergeist trilogy and its crew, derived from the deaths of two. Strange unexplainable deaths of cast members, to creepy. We take a look at the poltergeist curse and reveal all of the suspect deaths surrounding the film series. As a child of the 80s, the socalled poltergeist curse looms largest in. Of course, its time to talk about the most famous part of this real life horror story. Theres been a whole documentary on the apparent curse. The other side, the actor will sampson, like his character taylor, worked as a reallife shaman.
The rumor is often fueled by the fact that real skeletons were used as props in various scenes of poltergeist and poltergeist ii. Poltergeist curse poltergeist 1982 discussion moviechat. In ghostlys seventeenth episode, pat and rebecca explore the curse of poltergeist, the 1982 movie by steven spielberg and tobe hooper and its sequels. The spielbergproduced horror flick spawned two sequels, a reboot, and countless bad dreams, but according to some, the use of dozens of real human skeletons as props in the movie bred a deadly curse that continues to this day.
After appearing in all three of the original poltergeist movies, orourke died tragically and somewhat mysteriously at only 12 years old. A number of strange deaths are connected to a curse on the poltergeist film series. Spielberg promptly cast her in the horror film poltergeist. Shortly after the release of the first film in 1982, the actress who played older. Lots of movies, particularly horror flicks, are said. Actress dominique young, who made her debut in poltergeist as the elder sister of carol anne, was strangled to death by her former boyfriend, john thomas sweeney. Ahead of the reboot of the 1982 horror classic, poltergeist, former child actor oliver robins spoke out about the alleged curse that supposedly resulted in the deaths of five of his costars. Will sampson who played the good spirit in poltergeist ii, died after receiving a heartlung transplant. One of the most famous theories is that the poltergeist movies are cursed because of the string of cast members deaths that occurred while they were being made. Many believe the curse began the same year the first movie was. Heather michele orourke december 27, 1975 february 1, 1988 was an american child actress.
The two deaths that seem to give the curse the most traction are those of stars dominique dunne and heather orourke. Two more cast members deaths round out the rumored curse. Julian beck, the 60yearold actor who played the evil spirit kane in 1986s poltergeist ii. One can say that when filming a horror movie you could be inviting unwelcome entities. Many believe the poltergeist curse began the same year the first movie was released. Others talk about mass deaths on set due to the use of real human bones in maling the films. Horror movies are often connected with frightening circumstances, but the poltergeist movie curse actually ties into its story. Most notable is the murder of 22yearold actress dominique dunne in november 1982five months following the films june releaseand the. Its called the poltergeist curse and it wreaked havoc on the cast on and offscreen during the entire time of filming. No, even though this movie is a remake of poltergeist, i dont think it has a connection to the curse, he tells complex.
Poltergeist curse just an unnerving hollywood fluke. Poltergeist s young star died at 12 the untimely passing of poltergeist. Actress dominique dunne, who made her film debut in poltergeist as the elder sister of carol anne, died a violent death shortly after its release in 1983. The untimely passing of poltergeist s iconic young star is perhaps the most convincing case for a curse. Some of the rumours have you believe that each of the child actors died after the films release. Actress dominique young, who made her debut in poltergeist as the elder sister of carol anne, was strangled to death by her former boyfriend, john thomas sweeney, in the wake of an argument between the two.
Poltergeist is a popular 1982 horror movie directed by tobe hooper and produced by steven spielberg. As a child of the 80s, the socalled poltergeist curse looms largest in my. As we all remain in quarantine, turning to beloved horror films and shows like cursed films to keep us busy, the aforementioned docuseries asks a bold question. With celebrity deaths, strange accidents, and even exorcisms taking. Will was also known as the tall mute indian in one flew over the cuckoos nest 1988. These events all together make a very distinct argument that the poltergeist films curse exists. Its not unusual for a movie 33 years old to have cast member deaths, but the abnormal manner of perrymans death was worthy of note among. Poltergeist actor oliver robins says costars eerie deaths were just tragic coincidences, no curse. The poltergeist films curse started after a string of untimely deaths that plagued the stars of poltergeist and the weird incidents. Many people think that is what happened during the filming of poltergeist movies. She was strangled to death by her boyfriend, john thomas sweeney. Indeed, the curse has lent the series an air of intrigue and a longevity that it otherwise may never have attained under its own merits.
The set of poltergeist is inarguably one of the most notoriously bizarre hollywood film productions of all time, widely considered to have been cursed primarily because of what happened to so many of its stars after the movie hit theaters. In actuality, only 4 of the actors died, two died unexpectedly, while the other two. A reboot of the classic 1982 horror film poltergeist came out last year, but lets be honest. The three original poltergeist movies were released in 1982, 1986 and 1988, respectively. Dec 22, 2015 the poltergeist curse began with skeletons. And honestly, there are plenty of reallife scares to justify the film s status as a little more than fictional horror. A huge box office success, the movie spawned two sequels that were a case of. The poltergeist poltergiest movie curse was there a curse. Poltergeists young star died at 12 the untimely passing of poltergeist s iconic young star is perhaps the most convincing case for a curse. Cursed movies poltergeist creepy tales from cursed. After all, it didnt take long for poltergeist to become known as the most cursed production of all time, as the deaths of num. Superstitious legend holds that a number of strange deaths are connected to a curse on the poltergeist film series.
But is the poltergeist movie curse really a curse, or just a series of unfortunate coincidences. With poltergeists success came a creepy mystique that the classic film is shrouded in reallife tragedies that some interpret as a curse. Why have so many actors featured in the poltergeist franchise suffered from mysterious deaths. Dominique dunne dana freeling, heather orourke carol ann. Oct 07, 2015 the curse of poltergeist will attempt to unravel the mystery that surrounds the spooky franchise. Immediately after her death, orourkes manager mistakenly reported the child. Poltergeist curse continues to haunt people in real life. With a new poltergeist movie currently in the works recently revealed to be a sequel rather than a remake, it seems that the franchise and the curse will continue to be discussed for many years to come. The deaths of two of the young actresses who played sisters in poltergeist is the event people point to when claiming evidence of a curse. The poltergeist curse is a rumored curse attached to the poltergeist trilogy and its crew. The poltergeist curse derived from the deaths of four cast members in the six years between the releases of the first and third films.
She was the main target of the poltergeist in the movies. The urban legend revolves around the tragic deaths of four cast members who died during the six years between the first and third films 19821988. When the 1982 film called the poltergeist was released with following sequels poltergeist ii 1986 and poltergeist iii 1988, it has been rumored that a curse. In fact, its often called the most cursed film set of all time because of what happened to so many of its stars after the. All three films in the franchise are marked by premature death.
Possibly one of the more creepy movie urban legends comes from the poltergeist trilogy of films. The poltergeist trilogy curse, also commonly known as the poltergeist curse, is a curse that is supposedly linked to the sparanormal horror film series poltergeist. Hollywoods poltergeist curse after four film stars died. May 22, 2015 with the reboot of the legendary horror movie poltergeist comes a resurgence of claims about the purported curse that surrounds the original film franchise, which first premiered to terrified audiences back in 1982. The untimely passing of poltergeists iconic young star is perhaps the most convincing case for a curse. Strange deaths connected to the poltergeist film series. Beck was diagnosed with stomach cancer years before poltergeist ii premiered, so it was no great surprise to anyone that he died so soon after completing the film. In the middle of shooting poltergeist iii, she was rushed to cedars sinai, where she died in the middle of surgery. Lets take a closer look and you can decide for yourself what you believe.
Legend says that the movie was cursed because of its dark subject matter and use of real skeletons in the original movie. Analyzing the unfortunate deaths that surrounded the poltergeist franchise, cursed films attempts to understand just what happened. This rumor was often fueled by the fact that real skeletons were used as props during certain scenes in the first two poltergeist films. It seems that the three films are linked to numerous deaths but is there a curse or is it all a crock. Poltergeist 1982 why it is the most cursed movie of all. Jun 05, 20 indeed, the curse has lent the series an air of intrigue and a longevity that it otherwise may never have attained under its own merits. Regardless, four people lost their lives in tragic ways. Will sampson had played a kindly ghost named taylor who protected carol anne in the second film of the series. May 21, 2015 so is the latest poltergeist in danger.
If you believe the internet rumours, you would think so. Poltergeist movie curse true story popsugar entertainment. Not just natural deaths either, these can be pretty brutal or painful ways to go for the poltergeist cast members who have succumbed to it. She made her debut after being discovered by director steven spielberg while visiting mgm studios. In most versions of the urban legend, all the cast members died while in others only four deaths are supposedly connected to the curse. Read on to learn about a series of tragic events that led many to believe the exorcist is in fact cursed.
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