Horror Month – June 2015

We spoke with horror legend Bill Moseley known for his role as Choptop Sawyer in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. He has had many other notable roles in horror including House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, Halloween (2007) with Rob Zombie and Sam Raimi’s Army of Darkness. 

” I loved and was terrified! by the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre”

 

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What inspired you to become an actor?

My parents, Spencer & Virginia Moseley, belonged to a play-reading group in our hometown of Barrington, Illinois, that met once every few months and staged plays in members’ homes. Living rooms were turned into sets; the actors dressed in costumes but read from the plays. I was often drafted to play one of the kids (if called for) in such plays as The Lottery and Sunrise at Campobello. My star turn came as Nick in A Thousand Clowns, for which I received a miniature Oscar. Those experiences kindled my love for acting and the theater, but a short film I wrote & acted in called The Texas Chainsaw Manicure got me my first big gig!

You portrayed ‘Chop Top’ Sawyer in the cult classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 – how was this experience?

Getting the job of Choptop sprang from director Tobe Hooper loving my cameo as The Hitchhiker in The Texas Chainsaw Manicure.

The job itself in Chainsaw 2 was physically taxing but a real blast; it was the first time I realized that I could actually make a living at this kind of “work.”  I love Choptop, think of him as the fountainhead (however plated) of my subsequent career in horror movies. I was just at a convention in Seattle and did a Q&A with “Stretch” herself, Ms. Caroline Williams. It was great fun not only to reminisce with Caroline but also to see how many fans there are of Saw 2 and how well it’s stood the test of time.

Were you a fan of the original Texas chainsaw and are you a fan of any of the other instalments?

Certainly loved- and was terrified!- by the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I’ve seen Part 3, did not see Part 4, saw the first of the two Platinum Dune remakes, and of course I saw the most recent 3-D installment (I played Drayton!). Can’t say I have the same feelings for the other Chainsaws that I have for TCM 1&2, not sure if anyone will ever equal the efforts of Tobe Hooper, but hell, keep tryin’!

What was it like working with Rob Zombie on House of 1000 corpses and its sequel the devils rejects ? Great fun working with Rob Zombie on House of 1000 Corpses & The Devil’s Rejects. Glad Rob hired me to play Otis Driftwood in House, and I’m especially glad he brought me back to play Otis in the sequel!Rob has a great sense of story, a great sense of humor, his dialogue is fun to speak and his wife, Sheri, is a darling. Oh, and being a veteran of many a rock ‘n roll tour, Rob insists on good catering.

When it’s 4 in the morning, and you’ve got very little left in the tank, good catering can make the difference between a so-so scene and a great one!

Who’s deadlier the Sawyers or the Firefly family?

The Sawyers come from a long line of killers- pigs, cows, people. Plus they like to eat their victims- so I’d go with them.

You have portrayed many roles over the years, which has been your personal favourite?  My personal favorite role still has to be Choptop- not only was it crazy fun to play the Plated One, it was a ball to join the Family that had scared me so badly in my young adulthood!

Are you a fan of horror movies yourself?

I love horror movies, always have. First one I ever saw in the theater was the original Blob with Steve McQueen. Second was a double bill, the Fly & the Return of the Fly. Scared the crap out of me. Been a fan ever since.

Do you have any upcoming projects?

Next up for me? UK’s own Shed of the Dead! And thanks for axin’, er, askin’!

 

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Bill will be appearing at HorrorCon UK 2015!  Win a PAIR of Weekend tickets by entering our survey. Also see our round-up of 2015 UK horror events.

Check out Bill’s website: http://www.choptopsbbq.com/.

See Also
Interview with R.A. Mihailoff (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III)
Interview with Robert Mukes (House of 1000 Corpses)
Blu-Ray Review: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

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