Robert Englund Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Horror legend Robert Englund, the man behind Freddy Krueger, finally has his name cemented on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making Halloween extra special this year!

TL;DR: The Quick Scare

Robert Englund, iconic for playing Freddy Krueger, received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Halloween (Oct 31, 2025).
The ceremony featured speeches from co-star Heather Langenkamp and filmmaker Eli Roth, celebrating Englund's indelible mark on horror and pop culture.
Englund reflected on Freddy's enduring appeal, his long career, and the legacy of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise, now available in a stunning 4K collection.

Halloween 2025: A Nightmare on Hollywood Boulevard Comes True

Halloween 2025 just got a whole lot more legendary! If you're a horror fan, you already know Robert Englund as the unforgettably terrifying, yet strangely charismatic, Freddy Krueger. Well, this past Halloween, the man himself finally received his much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. It's a moment fans have been dreaming about – or perhaps having nightmares about, in the best way possible – for years. The timing? Absolutely perfect. What better day for the master of dream-stalking to be permanently cemented into Hollywood history than on the spookiest day of the year?

Englund's Early Journey to Hollywood Stardom

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Before he was haunting our dreams with razor-sharp claws, Robert Englund was just a kid in Glendale, California, stumbling into an acting class at age 12. That chance encounter sparked a lifelong passion for the craft. He wasn't just some guy who got lucky with a monster suit; Englund is a theatrically trained actor, having studied at Oakland University's Meadow Brook Theater, a branch of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He honed his skills for five years on the East Coast, performing in classic plays, before making his way back to California.

His early career saw him in a variety of roles, far from the horror icon he'd become. He landed his first part in 1974's Buster and Billie and graced the screen in films like the comedy-drama Stay Hungry (1976), the musical A Star is Born (1976) alongside Barbra Streisand, and the surfing classic Big Wednesday (1978). He even had a breakout moment in the 1983 NBC sci-fi miniseries V, playing the lovable alien resistance fighter, Willie. But after V became a hit, Englund worried about being typecast as a "sweet and lovable alien." He wanted to show a different side of his talent. Little did he know, a dream-demon was waiting in the wings.

The Birth of a Nightmare: Robert Englund Becomes Freddy Krueger

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It’s wild to think about now, but Wes Craven initially pictured a hulking stuntman for the role of Freddy Krueger in 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street. Thankfully, he took a chance on Englund, who brought his classical theatrical training and unique personality to the character. And just like that, one of horror's most iconic villains was born.

Englund himself humbly admits he didn't have much dialogue in that first movie. Yet, his performance immediately struck a chord. He believes Freddy resonated so deeply because the character symbolized a loss of innocence. As he puts it, "There’s these kids, dreaming of the future, and Freddy is polluting those dreams. He has no future, and so he kills the future. There’s a dark, subconscious poetic feel to it." And let's not forget the core appeal: "an unrepentant, politically incorrect villain with a dose of personality." It was that wicked charm mixed with pure evil that made Freddy a superstar.

Freddy Mania: A Global Phenomenon that Terrified the World

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The "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise wasn't just a hit; it was a cultural phenomenon. Englund reprised his role as Freddy in seven mainline films, the metatextual Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994), and the much-anticipated crossover Freddy vs. Jason (2003). He even hosted the anthology series Freddy's Nightmares for two seasons and made guest appearances as Freddy in shows like The Goldbergs (2018) and supplied his voice in The Simpsons (1998).

Englund recalled realizing Freddy's global reach during a trip to Italy for an awards show for V. Fans outside La Scala in Milan were chanting, "Freddy! Freddy!" That's when he knew. The character became so ingrained in pop culture that Johnny Carson was cracking Freddy Krueger jokes, and Mad Magazine even featured him on a cover. While the makeup offered some initial anonymity, magazine features like "the man behind the mask" eventually made his face as recognizable as the scarred villain.

New Line Cinema: The House That Freddy Krueger Built

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The success of A Nightmare on Elm Street was a game-changer not just for Englund, but for New Line Cinema itself. Many affectionately call it "the studio that Freddy built." It's a testament to the franchise's impact that it provided the capital for New Line to grow. Englund shared an incredible tidbit: the studio almost ran out of money finishing the first film and had to sell off video rights to a company in England just to get it done! They later bought those rights back, of course, but it shows the shoestring budget origins of this horror behemoth.

Englund praises New Line for their "hands-off" approach once they'd chosen their talented crews, allowing them the creative freedom to "sink or swim with their ideas." And mostly, they swam, turning out film after unforgettable film. Beyond Freddy, New Line embraced diverse content, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to John Waters movies and a significant number of hip-hop films, showcasing their understanding of changing cultural tides.

Revisiting Nightmares in Stunning 4K Clarity and Remastered Glory

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For fans looking to re-experience Freddy's reign of terror, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released an A Nightmare on Elm Street 4K box set. This collection lovingly remasters all the entries up to Wes Craven's New Nightmare, making them look and sound better than ever before. Englund is genuinely excited for fans to see these films in their definitive versions, especially after so many grew up watching "dog-eared copies" on VHS. He even compares the upgrade to seeing Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window in 4K – a truly mind-blowing experience. He highlighted the incredible cinematography, like that of Roy Wagner in Nightmare 4, which truly shines in this new format.

A Day of Celebration and Scares on Hollywood Boulevard

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The ceremony itself was a joyous and, fittingly, horrific affair. Held at 6644 Hollywood Blvd., right in front of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop – a favorite of Englund’s – the event drew hundreds of adoring fans, many dressed as Freddy. Englund even sported Freddy's signature clawed glove during the ceremony!

He was joined by fellow horror royalty, including his A Nightmare on Elm Street co-star, Heather Langenkamp (Nancy Thompson), and acclaimed filmmaker Eli Roth. Langenkamp’s speech was particularly moving, recalling the very first time she saw Englund transform into Freddy. "I feel I am uniquely qualified to speak about [Robert Englund] because I was there the day Freddy Krueger was born," she stated. She lauded his indelible mark on Hollywood, the horror genre, and popular culture, declaring, "One hundred years from now, no one will walk across this star and say, ‘Who was Robert Englund?’ His mark... will live in infamy forever.”

Eli Roth also sang Englund's praises, affirming Freddy's top spot in the horror hierarchy: "If you ask any fan around the world today ‘Who are the horror icons?’ They’ll say Freddie, Jason, Michael, Ghostface, Chucky and now Art the Clown, probably in that order. Freddie is always first! Always!"

Englund, ever the showman, delivered a memorable speech. He joked about the Walk of Fame being "that great old broad of a street" and, with a nod to Halloween, exclaimed, "I love the smell of peanut butter cups in the morning, Happy Halloween!" He expressed profound gratitude, saying, "Today, my dream is coming true. I’m really grateful for being permanently cemented into American popular culture." And in a classic Freddy-esque quip, he promised, "I’ll go by a couple times a year with a little bottle of Windex and clean it up. I’ll take my claws to scrape the gum off." At 78, Englund doesn't foresee another Freddy film, but as a fan, Adrian Preziado noted, "For the best horror icon of all time, you couldn’t write that script any better."

"One hundred years from now, no one will walk across this star and say, ‘Who was Robert Englund?’ His mark on our business, and this genre, and our popular culture — and I say, even the world — has been indelible. And will live in infamy forever."

— Heather Langenkamp, co-star in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" Beyond the Stripes and Claws: Englund's Diverse Career

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While Freddy Krueger undeniably cemented his legend, Robert Englund's career is far more expansive. He's appeared in over 80 films and numerous TV series, showcasing his versatility. He's also found a steady niche in voice acting, currently lending his talents to the character of Cricket in the upcoming horror film Pinocchio: Unstrung. Englund has been a keen observer of the horror genre's growing respect over the years, noting, "Something I love is that it’s really opened the door for the imagination... Anything you can conceive of, anything you can imagine, you can do." His star on the Walk of Fame is not just for Freddy, but for a remarkable career spanning decades, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Englund's Star

When did Robert Englund receive his Hollywood Walk of Fame star? Robert Englund received his star on Halloween, October 31, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. PT.
Where is Robert Englund's star located? You can find his star at 6644 Hollywood Blvd., right in front of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop.
Which "Nightmare on Elm Street" films are included in the 4K box set? The A Nightmare on Elm Street 4K box set collects all entries up to Wes Craven's New Nightmare, lovingly remastered by the filmmakers.
Who spoke at Robert Englund's Walk of Fame ceremony? His A Nightmare on Elm Street co-star Heather Langenkamp and acclaimed horror filmmaker Eli Roth delivered speeches honoring Englund.