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:

Other 19 August Anniversaries

Filmmakers

• Olga Baclanova (1893-1974): Actor known for her role of the evil Cleopatra in Freaks.
• Harvey B Dunn (1894-1968): Ed Wood regular (eg, Bride of the Monster) but in other low-budget films like Teenagers from Outer Space.
• Claude Dauphin (1903-1978): Character actor who starred in Phantom of the Rue Morgue with small roles in diverse films like Barbarella and The Tenant.
• Gene Roddenberry (1921-1991): Producer who created Star Trek.
• William Marshall (1924-2003): The one, the only Blacula!
• Debra Paget (1933-): Actor with a broad career who starred in two Corman Poe films Tales of Terror and The Haunted Palace.

Films

• Black Magic (1949): A hypnotist uses his skills to get revenge against the crown.
• Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950): Escaped criminal abuses a woman until she’s had enough.
• Atom Age Vampire (1960): A mad scientist restores a woman’s beauty but it doesn’t last so he does what you expect.
• The Horror of It All (1963): The Old Dark House rip-off starring Pat Boone!
• Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983): Heroes must top the title character from getting a powerful crystal.
• Yor: The Hunter From the Future (1983): Strange mashup of sci-fi and prehistoric genres.
• A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988): After all the original kids are dead, a new one gets dream help from them and finally defeats Freddy, never to return except in 1989, 1991, 1994, 2003, 2010, and anytime soon. Shockingly directed by Renny Harlin.
• Dead Doll (2004): A sculptor kills his girlfriend and turns her body into a sculpture. Her spirit inhabits the sculpture and kills its owner.
• Red Eye (2005): A woman on a flight is forced to help a terrorist commit an assassination.
• Blood Sucking Babes From Burbank (2008): Students uncover a jewel box that turns the women into cannibals.
• Fright Night (2011): Remake of the original about a vampire moving in next door.

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