Monday, March 5, 2012

Craig Wasson

From 1978 to 1984, Craig Wasson had major roles in many high profile films and then like so many promising actors before him, drifted off the radar.

He caught the eye of many in 1978 when he appeared in two popular Vietnam movies, The Boys in Company C and Go Tell the Spartans, but it was his role as Danilo, the Yugoslavian immigrant in the wonderful coming of age film, Four Friends that film audiences started to take notice. This was followed by Ghost Story where Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, John Hauseman and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. where his co-stars.


Craig Wasson is probably most remembered for his work in Brian DePalma's homage to Alfred Hitchcock in the equally loved and hated Body Double, which in the late 1980's was on television every time one turned on the TV.

He's still a working actor, doing some amazing voice-over work in a variety of current audio books. His most recent is the new Stephen King thriller, 11/22/63. With his early success in movies, one can only wonder as to why he never became a well known star. Check out some of his work and see for yourself. Then you will understand why Craig Wasson is today's pick for Not Very Famous...but should be.


28 comments:

  1. Certainly agree with you regarding Craig. I saw him performing in community theatre in Eugene, Oregon in the 70's and attending school with him. I have enjoyed seeing him pop-up periodically over the years, but there should have been more for him. Maybe when they make the movie about Bill Maher, he'll have an opportunity to shine on the big screen again. Just finished listening to 11/22/63, which I would have listened to anyway but wa delighted to hear Craig narrating. Do you have contact information for hbim? I have sought him out on Facebook and he doesn't seem to be there.

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    1. Hi there,
      I saw Craig in the Movie with Burt Lancaster where got my attention.
      I am also looking for aContact Adresse.
      An Agency Adresse wouls also do because I would like to write him for an Autograph request.
      If anybody knows something I2d be delighted to hear from You.
      Many Thanks

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    2. you did good work in go tell spartains id rather see you in films more than a lot of hollywood traSh

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  2. I do not have contact information for him, but maybe if Mister Wasson happens to read this, he'll respond.

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  3. Mike, I just came across your blog, and am HOOKED. I love it! Great job.

    I have always been a huge Craig Wasson fan; I think he is such a uniquely talented actor. I hate not seeing him in more films, but I was thrilled to hear him doing audiobooks. As a librarian with an hour commute each day, I burn through them, and he is honestly one of the best readers I've heard yet.

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  4. Just wanted you to know that I totally agree with these assessments of Craig Wasson's incredible talent. Someday, I hope he returns to acting in movies... Until then, he will be missed.

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  5. I met Craig Wasson in Camp Verde, Arizona while he was filming a movie there. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met.

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  6. He's my Facebook friend and a fellow Eugenian! Here's his FB address: https://www.facebook.com/craig.wasson.58

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    1. My dad is NOT on facebook. The guy who keeps making a Craig Wasson page IS an IMPOSTER. I will send him this page. He will be happy to know you all appreciate his work. <3

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  7. Craig Wasson gave such a memorable performance in Brian DePalma's "Body Double", he easily dominated a film that was definitely "over-the-top".

    And I have never forgotten him in "Four Friends" or "Ghost Story", either.

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  8. Listened to 11/22/63 didn't know he was reading it. He did a great job. I listen to books on CD alot as I have a long drive to work. I will look for more titles with read by Craig Wasson on the cover. Was he on Mary Tyler Moore show as Mary's neice's boyfriend?

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  9. I saw Craig in a play, '1776' at the Very Little. Theater in Eugene. ...I went to school with him and his sister....can't understand why he's not more well known

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    1. I never really thought of Craig as a singer, but every production that I saw him in the early to mid 70's was a Musical. "1776" was Ed Ragozzino's summer production (at South, not VLT) and Craig sang "Momma Look Sharp". Although I didn't attend Sheldon (I went to North), I did the lighting for "Camelot" in '72 and Craig had the part of Lancelot, and the next year when we were at LCC he was in "Where's Charley". I've always considered him a fine actor, but his vocal talent isn't too bad either.

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    2. He Sang, "Uncle Sam, I'm in Viet-Nam..." In The Boys In Company C...

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    3. He doesn't have a sister....

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  10. Craig Wasson in Body Double won me over as a fan. He was great in Ghosts, as well. He should have been a star - never understood why we don't see more of him. He had that special star quality.

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  11. Googling him after listening to 11/22/63, I came across this page. I hadn't realized he was the dame actor I had enjoyed in several different movies. Thanks for making the connection for me - I couldn't agree more. Excellent actor, even better voice-actor. I listen to dozens of books while at work and have enjoyed very few more than his.

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    1. I am listening to the book at the moment. I too googled him and came across this. He seems perfect for the book.

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  12. Stephen King loves him and hand picked him to narrate his 11/22/63 and Full Dark No Stars. I wish he would star in the miniseries 11/22/63 and when they make a movie based on 1922 (short story full dark no stars)--Wasson became those characters!

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  13. Right you are. Craig Wasson never got the roles or the fame he deserves. He draws you into the character and the story. "Body Double" is still a favorite, and I've seen it so many times. Let's not forget the third entry in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, "Dream Warriors" - much better than the rest of the Nightmares (except of course the first one). More power to you, Craig. Your fans await you.

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  14. anonymous from north, camelot was spring of '71, my senior year. just looked at my yearbook again after seeing craig on a "hart to hart" episode. he was a fine lancelot, and a really nice guy. i will look for some of his audio books. he should have had more big roles. he sings, too!

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  15. His reading of 11/22/63 was outstanding. I didn't really place the voice with the actor until I found this. I've been listening to audio books for 25 years and this would be in my top 5 and mostly due to Craig. I just listned to it again and I'm looking up his other 'reads'. I could listen to him tell a story over and over. May not be what his dream 'job' is or was but he is appreciated.

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  16. I am listening to 11/22/63 and my God this man is amazing!
    What a talent.

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  17. and the Bill Maher lookalike contest goes to...

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  18. Just saw The Outsider and it was so great to see Craig Wasson and (briefly)the legend Sterling Hayden. Expect this to be making the rounds because of that dangerous Brexit garbage riling up 'the troubles'.

    When you see a favorite actor that has not had a high profile in a while it brings back some personal nostalgia and inevitably some heartache. Sorry for the maudlin tone but seeing Craig again was AWESOME!

    PS: Saw Gabriel Byrne in a bit speaking part.

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  19. I think Craig Wasson is without a doubt one of the most under appreciated actors out there. He was great in Ghost Story, Four Friends and the Boys in Company C. I wish he would make more movies. After reading this I am going out to buy 11-22-63. Please Craig come back and make more movies.

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  20. Gotta give credit to Wasson for his integrity as an actor for his full-frontal scene in Ghost Story. Small in size physically but huge in talent.

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  21. I loved him in ghost story

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