Angus Scrimm was not The Tall Man when he was born on 19 August 1926. In fact, he wasn’t even Angus Scrimm. He was born Lawrence Rory Guy. Why he changed his name is open to debate with different people saying different things.

Scrimm worked as a writer and editor in Los Angeles. He focused on entertainment. In fact, he worked for Capitol Records and ABC Records. He was nominated for 5 Grammy Awards for Best Album Notes. He won one.

In the 1970s, he took small (mostly glorified extra) roles in a few films. This is also when he met Don Coscarelli. He cast him in his first film (which was co-written and co-directed by Craig Mitchell), Jim, the World’s Greatest. This led to Coscarelli casting Scrimm as The Tall Man in Phantasm and its four sequels.

The Tall Man is not exactly a complex role. Scrimm does it well because of his look. But his performance also features a constant intensity that is essential. I find it hard to imagine anyone doing it as well.

After becoming a Hollywood icon, Scrimm got quite a lot of acting work. But I most remember his excellent part in Coscarelli’s last film, John Dies at the End. He plays a kindly priest who turns evil as the drugs begin to affect Chase Williamson.

Scrimm’s death in 2016 pretty much shuts off any possibility of a sixth Phantasm film. Of course, Ravager pretty much finished the story. Even A Michael Baldwin was 53 at that time. Reggie Bannister was 71. And Scrimm was 88 — just one year before his death.

Let’s celebrate the life of Angus Scrimm by revisiting the original Phantasm. This excellent print starts with an introduction from the man himself:

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Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man via TMZ under Fair Use.