One of the things I love about doing these Cool Actor posts is challenging some of the misconceptions I might have. Case in point: Michael Berryman, the bizarre looking mutant savage in Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes. Berryman’s distinctive face and surprising acting ability have led to a 35 year career playing aliens, mutants, weirdos and freaks. Given his appearance, the type of roles he’s played and the fact that he rarely has any lines, I always assumed Berryman was not only physically deformed but also mentally disabled. While researching this post I came across some interview clips that shattered that erroneous assumption.
Michael Berryman was born in 1948 with a rare condition called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, a genetic disorder leading to abnormal development of bones and skin, as well as the lack of hair, sweat glands and fingernails. Despite his appearance, the disorder did not affect Berryman’s intelligence. Michael was living a relatively normal life until he happened to move next door to legendary producer George Pal, who knew a good face for movies when he saw it. Pal cast Berryman in Doc Savage, which led to a role in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and then his breakthrough role in The Hills Have Eyes and he’s worked steadily ever since.
As popular as that movie was, Berryman is probably just as recognizable from his role as the principal in the 1985 video for Motley Crue’s Smokin’ In The Boys Room:
By all acounts Michael is one of the nicest guys in Hollywood and is a regular fixture on the convention circuit. Personally, I think he’s something of an inspiration. Here’s a guy who was probably told he’s hideous all his life and rather than hide away and feel sorry for himself he went in front of the camera and made a career out of it.
All of that brings me to the convention clips, where we finally hear Michael speak and see his personality shine through:
On top of all that, he’s even a crooner and a ladies’ man:
Michael Berryman is still busy working and appearing at conventions and I can tell you he’s one of the few actors I’m actively going to seek out at my next convention.
He was in the 2006 straight to dvd “Absence of the Light” that was most notable for having him, Caroline Munro, Tony Todd and Tom Savini doing cameos. In the extras he gave an interview and is very articulate and seems like a fun guy to be around
I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Berryman at the Toronto Fan Expo a couple of years back. He was, as you say, very nice even when I shocked him by telling him that there had been a rumour floating around that he had passed away.
Speaking of the FanExpo it was this past weekend and I had the great pleasure of once again talking with Danielle Harris, best known for her roles in the various Halloween movies. Can I nominate her for a Cool Actor of the Week spot?
Danielle Harris would be great, and besides her horror roles she was terrific as Bruce Willis’ bratty daughter in The Last Boy Scout!
I’ve directed Michael in two films and not only is he a great guy to work with but he’s knows his job and is an extraordinary actor. Don’t be surprised if you see Michael in an entirely different light in the very near future.
Let’s not forget his appearance in the 3rd season X-Files episode, “Revelations.” (Should I be ashamed that I knew this right off the top of my head? I can’t remember things from two hours ago, but I remember the name of this episode from 1995.)
This episode plays directly on Berryman’s unusual appearance, which at the time made me wonder if the actor was just really cool like that, or if the writers were asshats.
Also, when this episode aired, it led to a long argument between me and my flatmate about whether the big bald guy was actually the lead singer from Midnight Oil. (I was wrong.)