From Dusk Till Con chats with a true renaissance man of cinema, actor and stunt man Steve Dash, in an interview so heavy it took two of our best and brightest to take it on!

From Dusk Till Con recently had the distinct pleasure to sit down with a true cinematic heavyweight - accomplished actor and stuntman, Steve Dash. Best known to genre fans for his iconic portrayal of the sack wearing Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th Part 2 (a performance many regard as THE quintissential portrayal of the infamous supernatural slasher), Mr. Dash has recently returned to his acting roots with a series of more varied roles that showcase his depth and range as a pure actor, and not just another man behind the mask. Starring in the upcoming Mr. Hush, as well as the recent thriller, Emerging Past, Steve agreed to answer a few questions for us in an interview so big, it took two people to tackle it!

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Interview by: The Primal Root and Malice Psychotik

Primal Root: Among horror fans you are certainly best known for portraying the sack wearing Jason of Friday the 13th part 2. You portrayal of Jason is, honestly, my personal favorite. What was it like stepping into the role of a deranged, vengeful killer? Did first time director Steve Miner give you any specific directions as to how to play the character or was a lot of it improvised?

First of all I had no idea who or what Jason was? I only knew that my friend Cliff Cudney was working on a film called “Jason” and they hired a guy who couldn’t do the stunts and asked if I was interested in doing the job. I needed the job so I took it.

I later found out that this was actually a part 2 of Friday the 13th and that the Jason guy was the kid that came out of the lake and I was him all grown up but deformed.

Who cared? I was working and that was the important thing, but to find out that I had the lead role in a film made it a big thing until I found out that I had a bag over my head and had no lines. Steve Minor was ok - he suggested a few things but all in all he was more interested in Amy Steele than anyone else. I created the character myself.



PR: I’ve heard tales of how badly you were beaten during the production of Friday the 13th part 2. Broken bones, busted fingers, etc. Is this the worst you’ve ever been injured during the course of a film? What other kind of injuries have you racked up over the years and what tops the list?

It is true, I had my ribs broken, I got burned because of the machete being place in my shoulder and I got 13 stitches in my right middle finger due to being hit with the pick axe. I was never injured in any film that I did and I did more than 30. Friday almost killed me.

PR: Friday the 13th series fans are well aware of the feud between yourself and Warrington Gillette, the fellow who portrays Jason without the mask in the final shot and received screen credit, what I want to know is if things have cooled down between you two or is there still some animosity?

Warrington and I are done fighting, he got the message and he understands why I was pissed off. All is good.
 

PR: How is it doing conventions and being on panels with the other guys who have filled your shoes in the other Friday the 13th entries? How do you all get along?

I like the question and will answer it honestly. I liked the conventions till they got old. Seriously, the conventions are about the promoters doing them. It’s about money for them we (the talent) are just a tool for them to make money. Most promoters will not give you a guarantee of money unless you are a Robert England and a few other big ones and I understand that to a degree. But anyway, no I am not doing anymore conventions. The only reason I am doing Mr. Hush is because I am in it.

The panels? I am the only Jason on a panel (and you can view most of them on YouTube) that does any talking and has answers about filming and stunts that make any sense. Kane and Richard talk but they say the same things all the time, like me, but how many times can you answer the same questions?. I will say this, I really don’t think I get the recognition as Jason that I deserve. I believe I did more in my one film to establish the Jason character than anyone and when Derek Mears was asked “did he fashion himself as any  of the other Jasons knowing he was going to portray the role," he said "I tried to be like Ted White, the way Ted moved his head in one of the scenes." What an ass. It was me that tilted my head in a scene with Amy Steele. But all in all I get along with all of them

Malice Psychotic: So, Steve Dash, it looks like you have been busy lately. With Several films coming out and more on the way I'm sure. How do you make time for it all?

Yes I am busy and I am fortunate that I can take as much time as needed to do film work. I worked pretty steady back in the 80s & 90s and had to re establish my self in 2009 when I got back in the business. Like I said I was fortunate that my reputation preceded me and I was able to work again.



MP: So I was looking at the trailer for "Trust Me", I have to say you make a really convincing Mob Boss. Can you tell me anything about this movie?

I was doing a film “13” with Jason Stathom, Ray Liotta and several other named stars. It’s a film about Russian Roulette and gambling on who will live and who will die. It’s not like the Friday the 13, I am one of the many gamblers who is betting on which contestant will win the game. While shooting the film a fellow by the name of Roberto Rizzo, a writer, saw me on set and asked me star in his new film “Trust Me” as mob boss Frank DeLeo. He liked the way I carried myself as a bad guy and that’s why he offered me the role. I took it and we shot a short version of hoping to get money to complete the film which we are doing now.



MP: What kind of research did you do for the role? Any specific inspiration?

I did nothing, I was just me. I was brought up in an Italian neighborhood in the Bronx and have been around wanna be mobsters all my life, it was easy



MP: Another film that looks quite interesting is "Emerging Past." How did you come across this role?

I got a call from my friend Tony Moran who was the first Michael Myers. He told me he was asked to do this horror film Emerging Past and only make a cameo appearance. He told them he couldn’t as he was on the west coast but suggested they call me as I was on the east coast where they were shooting, they were thrilled and didn’t know I was in NY
I called David Madison who was the producer and he explained that they wanted to have several horror names for the film to promote it better for release. He had Tom Churchill the director call me to set up a date we could shoot, we got together and I became Detective Vorhees  name taken from the Jason character I played in Friday the 13th.



MP: Is there anything you can tell us about "Det. Voorhees"?

He is a control freak who comes onto a horrific murder scene in a basement when a photographer comes on the scene and is snapping pictures. The way it was shot is very dramatic and I give kudos to director Tom Churchill for taking such a small part and making it larger than life on screen.



PR: You played the role of a policeman in one of my favorite flicks, Ms. 45. What was it like working with Zoë Lund and Abel Ferrera?

Abel Ferrera is a strange guy, but one of the greatest known directors. I don't know or remember Zoe Lund.



MP: I've been keeping close tabs on the upcoming "Mr. Hush," ever since I had the pleasure of sitting down with the Director Dave Madison. All of the characters in this movie I find interesting. What kind of character is "Mac"? How is he involved in the story?

“Mac” is a great character, he is the guy in the film that breaks the tension of what is going on and shows the leading character (Brad Loree) in a very personal way. He’s a very take charge kinda guy, when Mac comes on screen the movie moves in another direction and then all of a sudden you are back in the suspense of what is going on.

MP: Having acted in the movie, what's your take on the movie? What do you think viewers can expect?

Since I have only read the script and was privileged to be on set during some of the other shots, it looks like a good horror film. I can tell you this, it’s different. I expect it to be good, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.

PR: If you dont mind me asking, why have you decided to make Mr. Hush Weekend of Fear your last convention appearance ever? Is there a chance you may change your mind in the future and come back on the circuit to once again meet your fans?

I committed to the convention while we were shooting the film and it was going to be a premiere of the film along with the convention and I will never say never on conventions. I said then and I will say now, I need to stop doing them and concentrate on my acting career which is in  full swing now with so many new things in the future for me.

MP: Is there anything your going to miss (about conventions)?

No nothing, I have done so many conventions over the last 5 years to satisfy my ego that I feel it is time to focus on my new film career. Don’t get me wrong Jason was my ticket, but I have a lot more to give and hope to go in that direction.

MP: I've always been interested in stunts. To act the hit is one thing, but to take it is a completely different ball game. You were a stunt driver in "Night Shift" (1982), is it easier doing acting stunts or vehicle stunts?

Remember I was an actor first and a stuntman second. I was fortunate enough that one of the top stunt coordinators in the country, Cliff Cudney, took a liking to me and helped me be a stuntman. I think being an actor first was a big help. Back in the 80s I was only 1 of maybe 5 guys that could act and do stunts at the same time. Being able to do both saved film companies lots of money because they didn’t have to hire a stunt double.

MP: I also couldn't help but notice you've done stunts in one of my all time favorite movies, The Ghostbusters. You stunted for William Atherton, also known as Walter Peck if I read correctly. What type of stunts did you do? You weren't the one covered in Marshmallow at the end were you?

Yes, I was, I doubled him so he wouldn’t get the junk all over him. I also was involved in the big car crash, when all the cars merge into each other as the ghost comes over the building, I was driving a taxi in the mess.

 

PR: Now, as a professional stunt man, what is your proudest moment? Which film do you recommend to your fans as a showcase for some of your best stunt work?

That’s easy, Friday was the best. I did all my own stunts for 3 weeks.

PR: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in show business as an actor and stunt person? What were your influences?

Who? I would have to say Jerry Lewis, Jackie Gleason and Jack Lemon.

 

PR: Do you have any hobbies, Steve? What do you like to do when you’re not part of a film production?

I like playing golf. I also like to go gambling in casinos.

MP: Of all the roles you have played, which one is you all time favorite?

I have to say Frank DeLeo in Trust Me. First of all it was my first lead in a film  and second a lot of the script was written with my personality in mind.



PR: Do you have any advice to young people who are looking to enter into show business as stunt performers and actors? What are your words of wisdom?

If you want to act then peruse it strongly but make sure you can act. Stunts? That’s a tough one but it can be done. Anything in the entertainment business is tough to break into, you just have to keep trying. And remember this - luck is a big factor and the people you meet can move you along, but, remember this also, less is more. If you get a job on a movie set or a TV show, shut your mouth, don’t ask for autographs or pictures, and just be an actor and not a fan on set.

Upcoming Credits:

Cold Plastic (2011) (announced) .... Shecky

Mr. Hush (2010) (post-production) .... Mac

Hemo (2010) (completed) .... Neighbor

Emerging Past (2010) (V) .... Det. Vorhees

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