top of page
  • Rev Horror

Jacqueline Lovell (Actor, Head of the Family & Hideous!)

The Horror Revolution: Ok, first off is the obvious: what's your favorite scary movie? What movie scares you the most?

Jacqueline Lovell: Oh God… I can be frightened so easily when I fall into the music of scary movies. My favorite scary movie is Rocky Horror Picture Show, thought that is not very scary, that is just fun and I love my memories of going to RHPS in high school with all my friends to yell at the screen and dress sexy and test boundaries. But what movie really scares me…Nightmare on Elm Street use to always freak me out as a child, The Exorcist, Michael Myers, Clive Barker’s imagination... but as an adult, I could not handle Saw, that was just too much horror…


THR: What's your favorite movie you've been in? What was your favorite movie to work on?


JL: My favorite movie I’ve been in…I have so many amazing memories from all of them. I loved all the friendships/relationships I formed with other people in these make-believe places we played pretend. My favorite would have to be when I’m being flown to a foreign country to film. That has happened to me twice. Once for Full Moon on Hideous and once for Zalman King's Company on Black Sea 213. When I shot Hideous I was flown to Romania. Charlie had an amazing studio set up and the cast was put up in a huge castle. It was like living in a faery tale. I love romantic gestures. When I shot Black Sea 213 I was flown to the Ukraine. A two-month all expenses paid vacation on the Russian Riviera. Starring in a spy-thriller-espionage-Mission Impossible-James Bond-esque vibe film.


THR: What are your favorite moments while filming?


JL: My favorite moment while filming is looking out at the entire crew who have come together to set up this scene, this shot, this moment for me to perform and put on film this memory of creating a world that a writer has written from his mind and interpret that magic and bring to life art. I love being with passionate people who love what they do and are excited to create something new.


THR: What accomplishments in film or in life in general are you most proud of?


JL: Starring in the animated feature film Dwegons and Leprechauns was a big accomplishment for me. Crossing genres can be hard so I felt really blessed for this opportunity.

THR: You started your career as an adult film actress, a career most people associate with poor acting talent. Do you feel that it's a fair stereotype, present company excluded? Is it a hard stereotype to overcome? How did you do it?


JL: Adult film acting is stereotyped. But so are soap stars. Some actors may not be the best with memorizing and delivering dialog, but some are. Acting is acting and a lot of actors practice their craft in different places. I overcame because I took acting seriously and went to acting classes.


THR: What are you up to now?


JL: Currently I work as a full time stand in. For the past 6 years I have been booked on network TV shows to stand in for the lead blonde of the shows. Usually I get one show a year and stay with the show the entire season. Being a stand in means that I watch my actress perform all rehearsals, then I have to perform exactly as she did for the camera and crew to set up all the lights, camera angles, etc. On multi-cam sitcom shows, I also perform with the cast of the show for the producers and network to see if they like day player parts that have been added in. They use stand ins to test characters and lines with the principal actors of the cast before they ever hire actors for the littler roles. I love stand in work because I love being part of the crew and not under the pressure of being the star. I am so busy with my marriage and raising my daughter I do not feel I have the time I would need to give to being the lead of a TV sitcom, so this is the next best thing. Being there and going through the whole process with my actress, playing her doppelganger is fun and I never bring work home. Unlike when I have to prepare for a part, constantly memorizing and performing my piece, which can take up a lot of time I would have spent with my family. I am also excited about my husband Edward Nyahay’s Gotholic Horror ministry and I helped co-write his latest movie The Witch Chronicles 2: Spirit of Ayahuasca as well as help paint artwork for prop use in the movie. He is currently editing the film and I help give a second pair of eyes to the work.

THR: What's a fact that would surprise your fans to learn about you?


JL: After over 20 years in the business, I can’t imagine there are any facts that my fans don’t know about me. I write a blog memoir type story on my website at www.krushtheserpent.com which tells of my adventures on set for over the past decade. With every day I discover new things and am open to the magic of the Universe. I surprise myself at the challenges I face and how I make my path through them. It is all by the grace of God.


THR: Tell us about Trophy Heads! It looks like a really fun movie. What's it like to not be the only scream queen on the set?


JL: Trophy Heads was awesome! I love Charlie Band, he is an amazing person and great director to work for. He always has his actors best intentions at heart. I had never worked with any of the other girls, but knew of them all, so I felt really privileged to be part of this iconic group of historic scream queens.

THR: Who is the best actress/actor you've worked with? Best director?


JL: I could not say who was the best…I’ve worked with so many amazing artists and I love them all.


THR: My brother is an actor, though he hasn't hit it big yet. What tips can you give someone who is trying to make it in the industry?


JL: It is hard, it is expensive, be prepared with back up plans for money. Get into great classes with teachers connected to top casting agents. So much is all who you know, so get out there and meet everyone. First impressions mean everything, be prepared at the top of your game when you start auditioning. Ultimately you have to follow your heart and live your dream wherever that may take you.


THR: A lot of people believe that horror has died, that there's very little new and it's gone stagnant. Other people point to some of the recent work by newer directors, like the Babadook or It Follows, saying that there's a resurgence. How do you feel horror has changed since you were in the game, and do you think it's for the better or worse?


JL: Lately I do feel it has all been done to death. It is challenging to find new material, new ideas. When I entered the acting industry in 1995 the B movie industry was on its last leg. I think the high point was the 80s. Mainstream horror just recycles the same themes.


THR: Thank you again for taking the time to talk to me and give me some awesome answers. For real, you've more than made my whole year. Again, I'm truly honored.


JL: You are very welcome, Rev. It was fun!


Check out Jacqueline's blog at krushtheserpent.com and read what she has to say about her many years in the industry, or better yet, go check out some of her movies! They're fantastic, and definitely worth the watch for any B-Movie fans, or horror fans in general


Check out THR's review of Head of the Family & Hideous! with the lovely Ms. Lovell.

MAA4.png

Featured Reviews

Featured Interviews

bottom of page