After failing to get the part of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), he suggested to a friend that he try out for the part. That friend was Mark Hamill.
Attended UCLA (for three years) and The Academy of Dramatic Art (in Rochester, MI). Other Academy of Dramatic Art graduates include Curtis Armstrong and Richard Riehle.
Auditioned for the part of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).
Cannot, despite popular belief, speak Swedish fluently.
Ex-brother-in-law of Sam Shepard and Sandy Rogers.
Father designed U-2 spy plane.
He is a keen surfer, and has been shown on "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) talking about surfing.
His performance as Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) is ranked #51 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
In 1973 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Art to teach a stunts and stage fight class while appearing at the nearby regional professional Meadow Brook Theatre.
Is an avid "King of the Hill" (1997) fan.
Is an avid fan of filmmaker Kevin Smith.
Is of Swedish descent.
Lives in Laguna Beach, California.
Married three times, the first occurred during his college heyday. His second wife, actress Roxanne Rogers, had a small part in the only movie he directed, 976-EVIL (1988), and his third wife, Nancy Booth, worked on the same movie as set decorator..
Member of Actors' Equity Association (1968-), Screen Actors Guild (1973-), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Directors Guild of America.
One-time TV/radio host.
Parents: Kent and Janis (nee McDonald) Englund.
Ranked the #40 top villain for the American Film Institution's Top 100 list of 100 Heroes and Villains for his role as Freddy Krueger.
Shares graduation from Granada Hills High School with actor Ossie Beck and John Elway
While a student at the Academy of Dramatic Art he spent a summer teaching at Cranbrook Theatre School in Bloomfield Hills.