When you hear the name Dracula, you think of the book and of course the many of movies. Dracula is probably the most famous villain out there. This list will explore the actors and the movies. So many men have played Dracula and so many more will take a bite out of the role. (Note: In order with dates)
Max Shreck: Now it took me awhile to think should I add Max Shreck well I had too. The reasons why is because Nosferatu was actually based on Count Dracula, but the Studio could not get the rights to the book. Therefore, F.W. Murnau decided to do his own version of Dracula. Nosferatu was released in 1922 in Germany and 1929 in the United States. Max Shreck is a true pioneer in vampire films.
Bela Lugosi: He is synonymous with Count Dracula. Bela played in two films called Dracula (1931) and Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein (1948). Dracula was his finest film and the one he is most famous for doing. Todd Browning directed the film and it was a huge success. The other film Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was a comedy that centered on Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolman. It was selected from Reader’s Digest in 2007 as the funniest film.
John Carradine: He took over the Dracula role from Bela Lugosi in the movie House of Frankenstein (1944) and House of Dracula (1945). When the Universal Studios monsters played in these films together, instead of Bela playing Dracula, John was. He was not as charismatic as Bela but still he gave Dracula a good name.
Atif Kaptan: A Turkish actor who played in Drakula Istanbul’da (1953). The movie is a Turkish vampire film. Atif played Dracula.
Francis Lederer: He played a vampire in the film The Return of Dracula (1958). I personally just saw this movie, I thought of him as more of a gangster looking than Dracula. However, I will not say his performance was terrible, I did believe he was a vampire but not Dracula. He did have a good accent though.
Christopher Lee: He played in seven Dracula films, all produced by Hammer Productions. His films are Dracula (1958), Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968), Scars of Dracula (1970), Dracula AD 1972 (1972), and The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973). The films range to popular to flops. In my opinion, all of these films are grand but will admit that the more sequels the quality had gotten lost. Nevertheless, the main thing was Christopher Lee never lost a beat.
Jack Palace: He played in the film Dracula (1973). This was a TV movie made by the creator of Dark Shadows. I have not seen Jack’s performance but he is a good actor.
Udo Kier: If you saw Blade then you might remember him as a vampire named Gitano Dragonetti. Many years earlier, he played Dracula in Blood for Dracula/Andy’s Warhol’s Dracula (1974). A very interesting film, it is an Andy Warhol original.
George Hamilton: He played a funny vampire who was looking for love. This is the film vampire comedy, Love at First Bite (1979).
Klaus Kinski: He took over the role of Max Shreck’s Nosferatu. The German film Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979) was the remake. His performance was well like by critics but filmgoers were unsure if they loved it. In my opinion, I never seen this film but I read about it and know the actors in it so if you interested I would watch it.
Frank Lagella: Like the original 1931 version, Dracula (1979) was also based on the Play Dracula. This film is necessary to see; he gave an amazing performance. The film is a nice mixture of gothic and terror.
Gary Oldman: He was in Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). A wonderful vampire film and one of the best movies that went by Bram Stoker’s novel. I myself love this film, its gothic tones and Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Dracula made it one of the best vampire films of the 1990s.
Leslie Nielsen: The famous comedic played a hilarious Dracula. Dracula: Mel Brooks directed Dead and Loving It (1995). A funny movie so if you looking for a serious vampire film then do not watch it.
Gerard Butler: A well-known name now, but back before he was famous he portrayed Dracula. Gerard starred in Wes Craven’s Dracula 2000 (2000) . A modern day vampire movie that was a mixture of rock music and the gothic scene. A good overall movie, it has its good and bad scenes.
Stephen Billington: His name probably is not well recognized. However, if you seen Wes Craven’s Dracula II Accession (2003) then you saw him play Dracula. This film is the sequel to Dracula 2000. I must say I think his performance as Dracula deserves a well done for the budget.
Dominic Purcell: His name is remembered for the TV show Prison Break. However, he also did play Dracula in Blade Trinity (2004). Blade Trinity was the third film of the Blade series. Not much too say but his performance was probably the best in the film besides Wesley Snipes.
Richard Roxburgh: His mixture of humor and seriousness makes him one of the best characters in Van Helsing (2004). If you seen Van Helsing you would have to agree Richard did a magnificent job as Dracula.
Rutger Hauer: Everyone from the 1980s knows this name. Blade Runner, The Hitcher just to name a few of his best performances. He played Dracula in Wes Craven’s Dracula III The Legacy (2005). Rutger has talent but this was probably the worst film he did. It is still a good watch if you are really into Dracula and vampire lore, it is your choice.
Marc Warren: Dracula (2006) this was An TV movie for BBC. It is a different version than the book and other movies. The show got a record 5.23 millions who viewed it.
