13 Times ‘Tales From the Crypt’ Scared Up Some Seriously Big Stars
Hello, boils and ghouls! From 1989 to ’96, this campy masterpiece was a comics-based anthology show that unveiled horrific sagas, introduced by the decrepit and cheesy Crypt Keeper puppet. Voiced by John Kassir, the Crypt Keeper welcomed fans of short-attention-span scares into HBO’s cheeky, creepy anthology series, which borrowed heavily from the classic EC Comics of the 1950s.
Most plots were perfect for late-night jumps and featured demented doctors, haunted houses, and evil animals galore. Like most anthologies, the episodes vary in quality, but also showcase outstanding talent on both sides of the camera. Furthermore, the Crypt Keeper proved so popular it spawned a series of movies and even a cartoon.
And the casting was killer. Among the stars adding to the screams were Catherine O’Hara, a young Daniel Craig, Don Rickles, Brad Pitt, Malcolm McDowell, and Bill Paxton, just to name a few, while Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner, and William Friedkin directed installments. Most entries offer plenty of dark humor, graphic violence, and diabolical fun.
We rounded up some of the biggest guest stars who appeared throughout the series run, and be sure to watch Tales From The Crypt on Sling TV and Tubi for free, or Philo and Prime Video with a subscription, to see what stars you can catch!
“The Switch” – Season 2, Episode 2 (aired April 21, 1990)
Arnold Schwarzenegger directs this tale about an aging millionaire (William Hickey) who uses his wealth to stay looking young to impress the ladies and chasing fantasies based purely on illusion, until he runs out of money. Also stars Kelly Preston, Rick Rossovich and Ian Abercrombie.
“Yellow” – Season 3, Episode 14 (aired August 28, 1991)
Kirk Douglas, along with his son Eric, stars in this World War I-themed episode directed by Robert Zemeckis. Also stars Dan Aykroyd and Lance Henriksen.
“The Trap” – Season 3, Episode 3 (aired June 15, 1991)
This episode stars Bruce McGill as a broke delivery driver who convinces his wife (Teri Garr) and coroner brother (Bruno Kirby) to fake his death to score the insurance money. Michael J. Fox directed this episode and also stars in it along with James Tolkan and Carroll Baker.
“What's Cookin'” – Season 4, Episode 6 (aired July 22, 1992)
Christopher Reeve plays Fred, who, along with his wife Erma (Bess Armstrong), runs a squid-only restaurant that is going broke, until one day they change up the food to a grotesque menu item that has mouths in the whole town watering. Also stars Meat Loaf, Judd Nelson and Art LaFleur.
“Death of Some Salesmen” – Season 5, Episode 1 (aired October 2, 1993)
Ed Begley Jr. plays a deceiving door-to-door salesman selling cemetery plots who knocks on the wrong door. The grieving family inside, played by Tim Curry in multiple roles, have nasty tricks up their sleeves, as they hate these sorts of peddlers. Also stars Yvonne De Carlo, who was mostly retired.
“Mute Witness to Murder” – Season 2, Episode 15 (aired July 10, 1990)
A woman witnesses a murder from her balcony and loses her ability to speak, kept silenced by her doctor, the very person who she saw commit the crime. Patricia Clarkson and The Waltons‘ John-Boy, Richard Thomas, star.
“The New Arrival” – Season 4, Episode 7 (aired July 25, 1992)
A fading psychiatrist played by David Warner tries to prove he is still relevant when he takes on a home case to help an uncontrollable child, along with her aging mother, until he is trapped in a publicity stunt that has gone terribly wrong. Also stars Joan Severance, Robert Patrick, Twiggy and Zelda Rubinstein from Poltergeist fame.
“None but the Lonely Heart” – Season 4, Episode 1 (aired June 27, 1992)
Tom Hanks directed and starred in this episode about a con artist who targets elderly women. The episode also stars Treat Williams, Frances Sternhagen, Henry Gibson and Sugar Ray Leonard.
“Dead Right” – Season 2, Episode 1 (aired April 21, 1990)
Demi Moore stars as an ambitious secretary who puts too much faith in psychic readers. After a reading, she marries a repulsive man (Jeffrey Tambor) who is about to die so she can gain his wealth. When the prediction doesn’t come true, she is forced to stick it out. Also stars Natalija Nogulich as Madame Vorna and Troy Evans.
“Split Personality” – Season 4, Episode 11 (aired August 26, 1992)
Twin heiresses are about to be swindled by con man Vic, played by Joe Pesci, who invents a twin brother to woo the women, but the plan falls apart when he learns of their violent history. Also stars real twins Kristen Amber and Jacqueline Alexandra Citron along with Burt Young.
“The Thing From the Grave” – Season 2, Episode 6 (aired May 8, 1990)
A talent manager is stalked and tormented by the photographer he killed, who was trying to protect the innocent young model engaged to the evil manager. Stars Miguel Ferrer, Kyle Secor and a pre-Desperate Housewives Teri Hatcher.
“Carrion Death” – Season 3, Episode 2 (aired June 15, 1991)
Kyle MacLachlan stars as an escaped convict being transported through the Arizona desert until their transportation crashes, leaving him shackled to the dead officer and forced to make his way through the hot desert sun.
“You, Murderer” – Season 6, Episode 15 (aired January 25, 1995)
Humphrey Bogart posthumously starred in this episode, directed by Robert Zemeckis, nearly 40 years after his death. It was created with archival footage that was digitally inserted onto the face of a criminal character who got cosmetic surgery to look like the Hollywood icon. Once his wife finds out about his past years later, he tries to get his plastic surgeon to off her. Stars John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Sherilyn Fenn and the voice of Robert Sacchi.