We lost a legend of the screen over the weekend with the death of John Saxon, with fans all over the world mourning the loss of the incredible actor. Beloved for his roles in films like Enter the Dragon and Black Christmas, Saxon’s role as Lt. Donald Thompson in Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street. The franchise star went on to reprise the part for the third film in the series, Dream Warriors, before later appearing as himself in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare.
As he played the father of Nancy Thompson in the first and third movies, Saxon often shared the screen with Heather Langenkamp for his scenes in the Elm Street franchise. Taking to Twitter, Langenkamp spoke about the passing of her on-screen father, noting: “In 3 Nightmare films John Saxon played the tough guy, the distant father and the hard nosed cop but I came to know him as the kindest, most encouraging and dignified gentleman, father and husband to Gloria. That shooting star you see tonight is him.”
Robert Englund, who famously played Freddy Krueger and co-starred with Saxon in all three of the latter’s Nightmare films, also spoke about the actor’s tragic passing with a message on Twitter. “RIP John Saxon,” Englund writes in the post. “My charming costar in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, DREAM WARRIORS and WES CRAVEN’S NEW NIGHTMARE. John was my link to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Sharing stories of working with Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood Audrey Hepburn, Robert Redford & Bruce Lee.”
Meanwhile, Amanda Wyss — another of Saxon’s co-stars from the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, who played Tina in the 1984 film — posted a short but sweet message for the late actor as well. “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest,” Wyss writes, including a heartbreak emoji and a photo of Saxon.
In 3 Nightmare films John Saxon played the tough guy, the distant father and the hard nosed cop but I came to know him as the kindest, most encouraging and dignified gentleman, father and husband to Gloria. That shooting star you see tonight is him. pic.twitter.com/Tw31HNh88x
— Heather Langenkamp (@LangenkampH) July 26, 2020
RIP John Saxon. My charming costar in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, DREAM WARRIORS and WES CRAVEN’S NEW NIGHTMARE. John was my link to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Sharing stories of working with Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood Audrey Hepburn, Robert Redford & Bruce Lee. pic.twitter.com/ALYCRB2idF
— Robert B. Englund (@RobertBEnglund) July 26, 2020
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest…💔 pic.twitter.com/etdmgOXOhs
— Amanda Wyss (@_AmandaWyss) July 26, 2020
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