It’s Never Over: Remembering Angus Scrimm

On January 9, 2016 the world lost actor and journalist Lawrence Rory Guy, better known to film fans as Angus Scrimm. I’ve always regretted not having written anything upon his initial passing, and with it being the three year anniversary of his passing, now seems as good a time as any.

He’s been in my thoughts recently due to several different factors. First being the fact Joe Bob Briggs hosted his third marathon on Shudder, which featured four of the five Phantasm films (Phantasm II was omitted due to the destruction of a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda during filming, so he says). Don Coscarelli recently released his book True Indie: Life and Death in Filmmaking which features many stories about his relationship with Scrimm. And finally, I’ve been looking for a tattoo artist who can fix an abomination on my arm, which was meant to be a tribute to The Tall Man character.

So, please take some time to read this and remember Angus Scrimm.

Related Article: Phantasm: Ravager (2016) Review

Lawrence Rory Guy was born August 19, 1926 to parents Alfred David and Pearl Guy in Kansas City, Kansas. As a young man, he attended the University of Southern California where he majored in drama, studying under the brother of Cecil B DeMille, William. In his earliest acting roles, he would be credited under his birth name as Rory or Lawrence Guy, including his first collaboration with Don Coscarelli, Jim the World’s Greatest aka Story of a Teenager. It wouldn’t be until 1979 when he decided to adopt the stage name Angus Scrimm for his appearance in the film that would later define his career, Phantasm.

He would go on to reprise his role of The Tall Man four more times of the course of nearly forty years in what would go on to become the longest-running horror film series in history featuring the original players. Phantasm II (1988), Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994), Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998), and eighteen years later in Phantasm: Ravager (2016), Scrimm would become the embodiment of evil, terrifying audiences with each subsequent film. While The Tall Man may have been his most identifiable role, he appeared in numerous films and television series such as Subspecies (1991), I Sell the Dead (2008), Trapper John M.D. (1984), and in a recurring role on Alias (2001-2005). Show creator J.J. Abrams is a huge fan of Phantasm and he and his company Bad Robot would later go on to oversee the 4K restoration of the original film.

While Scrimm will always be remembered as The Tall Man, many people tend to overlook the fact he was an accomplished journalist writing for publications such as Cinema Magazine and T.V. Guide. In addition, he spent time working for Capitol Records writing liner notes for CD’s and LP’s including works by The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. In 1975, he won his first and only Grammy for his liner notes in The Classic Erich Wolfgang Korngold, conducted by Willy Mattes with a solo by Ulf Hoelscher.

As an eleven-year-old boy, I had a babysitter who was always talking about various horror films and it was he who introduced me to that first Phantasm film, and it terrified me. There was something about the way The Tall Man walked down the street, in broad daylight, that really horrified me and, till this day, it’s the moment I play over in my head when I think of it. There was something I loved about being frightened and, thirty-three years later, nothing has ever matched that moment. I could go on and on about each film in the series, but the point of this article is to remember those moments, treasure those moments when a film or character helps to define you and the person you become as an adult.

Related Article: An Interview with Phantasm’s Reggie Bannister

I know many fans had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting him at conventions over the years, but I was never able to make that happen for myself, and something I will always regret. I have, however, met Reggie Bannister and A. Michael Baldwin, who were both very enthusiastic when talking about their friend. When he passed away, everyone from Don Coscarelli to Bruce Campbell came out to pay their tributes and one sentiment from celebrities to fans rang out: he was the complete opposite of his character, and quite possibly one of the most gracious and caring people they had ever met.

As a fan, all I can do is my best to keep his cinematic legacy alive, to introduce others to his work so they can witness for themselves what a brilliant performer he truly was. There was a time when discussions were being had about remaking Phantasm and, I’m sorry, but there’s no one else on this planet who could do what he did, the way he did it. There will never be anyone like him again, he was an original.

Angus Scrimm should never be forgotten, he should be an inspiration for all of us to be the best we can be as professionals, and better yet, as humans.

Related Article: Definitive ‘Fright Night’ Blu-ray will include ‘You’re So Cool, Brewster!’ Documentary