John Landis

John Landis is an American director and producer born in Chicago, Illinois on August 3rd, 1950. He is best known for directing the 1981 horror-comedy An American Werewolf in London as well as Michael Jackson's 1983 movie/music video Thriller.

In 1982, Landis began directing the opening teaser and first segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie. On July 23rd of that year, actor Vic Morrow and child extras Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen were killed in an accident involving an out of control helicopter. Landis and several crew members were subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. The prosecutors attempted to show that Landis was reckless and had violated laws relating to child actors by not telling parents and others of the children's proximity to explosives and helicopters and of limitations on their working hours. Numerous members of the film crew testified that the director was warned, but ignored these dangers. After an extended jury trial, Landis, represented by a Nashville attorney, James F. Neal, and the other crew members were acquitted of the charges.

In 1992, Landis directed what was intended as the vampire equiviliant to An American Werewolf in London titled Innocent Blood. The alternate title for the film was A French Vampire in America.

Landis also directed two episodes of the Masters of Horror television series. The first episode he directed, "Deer Woman" was co-written by his son Max Landis.

Notes & Trivia

 * Had a cameo appearance in Battle for the Planet of the Apes as Jake's friend.


 * Provided the voice for Grover in The Muppet Movie.