--- name: "Chris Sarandon" canonical: "https://film.one/person/chris-sarandon" fi1m_id: "chris-sarandon" imdb_id: "nm0001697" tmdb_id: 14541 wikidata_id: "Q363684" roles: ["Actor"] born: "24 July 1942" reviewed_on_fi1m: 3 average_fi1m_score: 86 average_as: "actor" average_over: 3 updated: "2026-09-17T15:48:30.939261+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Chris Sarandon ## Identity Chris Sarandon - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/chris-sarandon - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** chris-sarandon - **IMDb ID:** nm0001697 - **TMDB ID:** 14541 - **Wikidata ID:** Q363684 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Sarandon, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q363684, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001697/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14541 Actor. Born 24 July 1942 in Beckley, West Virginia, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 24 July 1942, Beckley, West Virginia, USA - **Active:** 1975–1993 - **Also known as:** Christopher Sarandon Jr. , Christopher Sarandon - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 86, as actor, over 3 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 90 (1), 1980s 86 (1), 1990s 82 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 86 to 78 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Family 2, Fantasy 2, Adventure 1, Animation 1, Crime 1, Drama 1 - **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $163m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Sarandon, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q363684, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001697/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14541 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) (86), [*The Nightmare Before Christmas*](https://film.one/film/the-nightmare-before-christmas.md) (82) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Chris Sarandon > Chris Sarandon gives his villains charm without softening their menace. We also value his careful voice work: as Jack Skellington, he shares a role with a singer without making the character feel divided. When Jack Skellington begins to sing in *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), Chris Sarandon hands the character over to Danny Elfman. We were charmed by Jack because we never heard that change as a break in his personality. Sarandon's speaking performance fits the film's fondness for its grotesque creatures. Sharing the leading role might sound like a disadvantage for an actor; here, it is evidence of how well he serves the film. His film breakthrough, as Leon in *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), depended on sensitivity in a supporting part opposite Al Pacino. A decade later, *Fright Night* (1985) made use of his charm as the vampire Jerry Dandrige. Prince Humperdinck in *The Princess Bride* (1987) belongs to the same broad habit of casting: a villain whose polish is part of the appeal. Yet the detective Mike Norris in *Child's Play* (1988) is a useful reminder that a horror credit does not automatically mean another monster. We value the vulnerability of that earlier work as much as the later menace. Jack gives us another reason to look beyond the villains. Henry Selick's stop-motion film is affectionate towards its grotesque characters, and Sarandon's theatrical confidence suits that warmth. Elfman's elaborate music leaves room for showing off, but the spoken passages cannot simply be dead time before the next number. Sarandon makes them part of the same performance, which matters in a film so dependent on the pleasures of its musical numbers. There are limits to what such careful work can do. Even *The Nightmare Before Christmas* grows thin between songs, and our affection for Jack does not make the storytelling fuller. We recommend it with that reservation, rather than treating Sarandon's presence as a guarantee that a film will hold together. Start with Jack, then try Leon before settling for a shelf of villains. ## Biography Chris Sarandon is an American actor. He was born on 24 July 1942 in Beckley, West Virginia, and studied speech at West Virginia University before earning a master's degree in theatre from the Catholic University of America. Sarandon received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Leon Shermer in *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975). He is also known for playing Jerry Dandrige in *Fright Night* (1985), Prince Humperdinck in *The Princess Bride* (1987), Detective Mike Norris in *Child's Play* (1988), and providing the speaking voice of Jack Skellington in *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993). He has appeared in numerous film, television and stage productions, including recurring roles in series such as *ER* and *Orange Is the New Black*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (3) - *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Jack Skellington (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-nightmare-before-christmas.md) - *The Princess Bride* (1987), Fi1m 86, as Prince Humperdinck — [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) - *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), Fi1m 90, as Leon — [page](https://film.one/film/dog-day-afternoon.md) ## Complete filmography (89) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Death Wish* (2024), as Manny - *A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion* (2020), as Prince Humperdinck - *Disclosure* (2020), as Leon / Self (archive footage) - *Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive* (2017), Actor - *I Smile Back* (2015), as Roger - *Frank the Bastard* (2015), as Tristan Pace - *Big Stone Gap* (2014), as Mario Barbari - *Curse of Chucky* (2013), as Mike Norris (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Orange Is the New Black* (2013), series, as Kip Carnigan — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/orange-is-the-new-black.md) - *Safe* (2012), as Mayor Tremello - *Fright Night* (2011), as Jay Dee - *Multiple Sarcasms* (2010), as Larry - *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Judge Howard Matchick — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) - *The Unusuals* (2009), series, Actor - *Cyrano de Bergerac* (2008), as De Guiche - *My Sassy Girl* (2008), as Dr. Roark - *Cyrano de Bergerac* (2008), as De Guiche - *The Chosen One* (2007), as Zebulon 'Zeb' Kirk (voice) - *Psych* (2006), series, as Ashton Bonaventure - *The Light in the Piazza: Live from Lincoln Center* (2006), as Signor Naccarelli - *Loggerheads* (2005), as Robert - *The Dead Will Tell* (2004), as Paul Hamlin - *Voices in Wartime* (2004), as Homer (voice) - *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Adam Clarke (2004) - *The Court* (2002), series, Actor - *Perfume* (2001), as Gary Packer - *Race Against Time* (2000), as Dr. Anton Stofeles - *Reaper* (2000), as Luke Sinclair - *Stark Raving Mad* (1999), series, as Cesar Radford - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Wesley Masoner - *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Judge Barry Krumble - *Let the Devil Wear Black* (1999), as Jack's Father - *Charmed* (1998), series, as Necromancer / Armand - *Felicity* (1998), series, as Dr. Peter McGrath - *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Myka (voice) - *Little Men* (1998), as Fritz Bhaer - *Road Ends* (1997), as Esteban Maceda - *American Perfekt* (1997), as Sammy - *Perversions of Science* (1997), series, as Carson Walls - *The Practice* (1997), series, as Dr. Jeffrey Winslow - *Pulp Comics* (1996), series, as St. Paul - *Bordello of Blood* (1996), as Reverend Current - *Edie & Pen* (1996), as Max - *Terminal Justice* (1996), as Reginald Matthews - *The Vampyre Wars* (1996), Actor - *Temptress* (1995), as Matt Christianson - *When the Dark Man Calls* (1995), as Lloyd Carson - *No Greater Love* (1995), as Sam Horowitz - *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Dr. Pallas - *Just Cause* (1995), as Lyle Morgan - *ER* (1994), series, as Dr. Burke — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Gordon Mays - *David's Mother* (1994), as Philip - *Dark Tide* (1994), as Tim - *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), as Jack Skellington (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-nightmare-before-christmas.md) - *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Martus Mazur — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) - *Lincoln and the War Within* (1992), as Abraham Lincoln - *Love & War* (1992), series, Actor - *Picket Fences* (1992), series, as Cole - *A Murderous Affair: The Carolyn Warmus Story* (1992), as Paul Solomon - *The Resurrected* (1991), as Charles Dexter Ward / Joseph Curwen - *Whispers* (1990), as Sgt. Tony Clemenza - *The Stranger Within* (1990), as Dan - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Defense Attorney Howard Pincham — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Shangri-La Plaza* (1990), as Victorio - *Forced March* (1989), as Ben Kline / Miklos Radnoti - *Tailspin: Behind the Korean Airliner Tragedy* (1989), as John Lenczowski - *Collision Course* (1989), as Philip Madras - *Slaves of New York* (1989), as Victor Okrent - *Goodbye, Miss 4th of July* (1988), as George Janus - *Child's Play* (1988), as Mike Norris - *Mayflower Madam* (1987), as Matt Whittington - *The Princess Bride* (1987), as Prince Humperdinck — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) - *Frankenstein* (1986), as The Creature - *Liberty* (1986), as Jacque Marchant - *This Child Is Mine* (1985), as Craig Wilkerson - *Fright Night* (1985), as Jerry Dandrige - *Protocol* (1984), as Michael Ransome - *The Osterman Weekend* (1983), as Joseph Cardone - *Broken Promise* (1981), as Bud Griggs - *A Tale of Two Cities* (1980), as Sydney Carton / Charles Darnay - *The Day Christ Died* (1980), as Jesus Christ - *Cuba* (1979), as Juan Pulido - *You Can't Go Home Again* (1979), as George Webber - *The Sentinel* (1977), as Michael Lerman - *Lipstick* (1976), as Gordon Stuart - *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), as Leon — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/dog-day-afternoon.md) - *Thursday's Game* (1974), as Counselor - *The Satan Murders* (1974), as George ## Gallery - ![Chris Sarandon](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-a52344f4c03e.jpg) Chris Sarandon — Florida Supercon, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Chris_Sarandon_July_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Chris Sarandon, voice of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2014 held in Orlando, F](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-995bbb099b08.jpg) Chris Sarandon, voice of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2014 held in Orlando, F — Sam Howzit, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Chris_Sarandon_%2815853498460%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Sarandon_%2815853498460%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Chris Sarandon, voice of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2014 held in Orlando, F](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-066a28b7b8c5.jpg) Chris Sarandon, voice of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2014 held in Orlando, F — Sam Howzit, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Chris_Sarandon_%2815853500030%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Sarandon_%2815853500030%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Chris Sarandon, voice of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2014 held in Orlando, F](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-d834fd6871b0.jpg) Chris Sarandon, voice of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2014 held in Orlando, F — Sam Howzit, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Chris_Sarandon_%2815854726979%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Sarandon_%2815854726979%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Chris Sarandon](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-5aacf2c9b6ed.jpg) Chris Sarandon — Image via TMDB - ![Chris Sarandon](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-6f834185f3a3.jpg) Chris Sarandon — Image via TMDB - ![Chris Sarandon](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-eb0ab901843b.jpg) Chris Sarandon — Image via TMDB - ![Chris Sarandon at the Florida Supercon in 2017](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-47568bfbc7e2.jpg) Chris Sarandon at the Florida Supercon in 2017 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Chris_Sarandon_%2835395029144%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Chris Sarandon at the Florida Supercon in 2017](https://film.one/media/person/83266/gallery-5f8bab403f47.jpg) Chris Sarandon at the Florida Supercon in 2017 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Chris_Sarandon_%2837454443276%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Sarandon_%2837454443276%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1976: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Dog Day Afternoon* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/chris-sarandon