Art the Clown

Art the Clown
Terrifier character
a monster clown with a black-and-white color scheme.
David Howard Thornton as Art in Terrifier 2
First appearanceThe 9th Circle (2008)
Created byDamien Leone
Portrayed byMike Giannelli
(2008–2013)
David Howard Thornton
(2016–present)
In-universe information
SpeciesDemon[1][2]
ClassificationMass murderer
Miles County, New York
Abilities
  • Enhanced Strength
  • Enhanced Durability
  • Murder methodology
  • Torture methodology
  • Immortality
  • Teleportation
Signature weaponsCat o' nine tails, scalpel, hacksaw, cleaver, gun, chainsaw, axe, rats, hammer

Art the Clown is a fictional character and the primary antagonist in the Terrifier franchise and related media. Created by Damien Leone, the character first appeared in the short films The 9th Circle (2008) and Terrifier (2011). Both shorts were included in the anthology film All Hallows' Eve (2013), which marked the character's feature film debut. In these early appearances, he was portrayed by Mike Giannelli before his retirement from acting. He was replaced by David Howard Thornton, who portrayed Art in Terrifier (2016), Terrifier 2 (2022), and Terrifier 3 (2024).

Art debuted as a background character in Leone's directorial debut short film to test out different horror concepts. Audiences responded most to Art, leading Leone to develop the character into a recurring slasher villain over the next decade. Art became a pop culture figure and iconic evil clown after the critical and commercial success of Terrifier 2.[3] The character's background remains ambiguous, although all of his appearances show him possessing supernatural abilities. His archenemy is the final girl Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera), with Leone writing Sienna and Art to reflect biblical undertones of good and evil.

  1. ^ Frew, Cameron (October 25, 2024). "Is Art the Clown a demon? Terrifier 3 '9th Circle' theory explained". Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  2. ^ Dubiel, Bill (October 18, 2024). "Is Art the Clown A Demon?". Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  3. ^ Hollman, Raquel (October 11, 2023). "Terrifier's Art the Clown Is the Horror Icon of the 2020s". Collider. Retrieved May 14, 2023.