Criswell
Actor
About Criswell
Jeron Criswell King, known professionally as Criswell, was an American psychic, television personality, and actor who became an unlikely cult film icon through his collaborations with director Ed Wood. Born in 1907, he first gained fame as a television psychic in the 1950s with his show 'Criswell Predicts,' where he made bold predictions about future events. His distinctive appearance - complete with bleached blonde hair, dark glasses, and dramatic delivery - caught the attention of Ed Wood, who cast him in several of his now-infamous films. Criswell famously served as the narrator for 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' (1959), delivering the immortal opening line 'Greetings, my friends! We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.' He also appeared in 'Night of the Ghouls' (1959) and 'Orgy of the Dead' (1965), often playing himself or a similar psychic persona. Despite his limited acting range, Criswell's unique presence and deadpan delivery made him a memorable figure in the world of cult cinema. He continued making television appearances and predictions until his death in 1982, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most recognizable faces in bad movie history.
The Craft
On Screen
Criswell's acting style was characterized by his distinctive deadpan delivery, dramatic pauses, and self-serious demeanor. He typically played himself or variations of his psychic persona, delivering lines with an almost robotic intensity that became his trademark. His performance style was less about traditional acting and more about maintaining his mysterious psychic image, often appearing in dark suits with his signature bleached blonde hair and sunglasses.
Milestones
- Host of 'Criswell Predicts' television show
- Narrator of 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' (1959)
- Regular collaborator with director Ed Wood
- Author of several books of predictions
- Frequent guest on talk shows discussing psychic phenomena
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Golden Turkey Award for Worst Actor (1980, posthumously)
- Cult film icon status
- Featured in 'The Worst Movies of All Time' lists
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Criswell became an unlikely cultural icon through his association with Ed Wood's films, which are now celebrated as masterpieces of bad cinema. His distinctive appearance and delivery style have been parodied and referenced in numerous films, television shows, and books. The character 'The Amazing Criswell' has become synonymous with campy, over-the-top psychic performances, and his opening narration in 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' remains one of the most quoted lines in cult cinema history. His influence extends beyond film into popular culture, where the name 'Criswell' has become shorthand for dubious psychic predictions.
Lasting Legacy
Criswell's legacy is that of a cult film icon who achieved immortality through his association with what many consider the worst movie ever made. His performances in Ed Wood's films have been studied by film scholars interested in camp aesthetics and the appeal of 'so bad it's good' cinema. He represents a unique moment in American entertainment history when television psychics were mainstream celebrities, and his work continues to be discovered by new generations of bad movie enthusiasts. The annual 'Criswell Awards' were established in his honor to celebrate the best in cult cinema.
Who They Inspired
Criswell influenced the portrayal of psychics and fortune tellers in popular culture, establishing a template for the dramatic, mysterious psychic persona. His deadpan delivery style has been imitated by countless comedians and actors in parodies of psychic performances. His work with Ed Wood helped establish the aesthetic of camp cinema that would later influence filmmakers like John Waters and Tim Burton. The character type he embodied - the self-serious psychic with dramatic flair - became a staple in comedy and satire.
Off Screen
Criswell was married twice and maintained a public persona as a psychic while living a relatively private personal life. He claimed to have had psychic abilities since childhood and often spoke of his predictions coming true. Despite his flamboyant public image, friends described him as a serious and studious man who genuinely believed in his psychic powers. He lived in Los Angeles for most of his career and continued making predictions until shortly before his death.
Education
Limited formal education; claimed to have developed psychic abilities through self-study and meditation
Family
- Helen L. Criswell (1930s-1950s)
- Lavonne Criswell (1950s-1982)
Did You Know?
- He claimed to have predicted the assassination of John F. Kennedy, though this prediction was published after the event occurred
- His television show 'Criswell Predicts' was sponsored by a funeral home, leading to jokes about his predictions of death
- He always wore sunglasses, claiming they helped him focus his psychic energy
- His bleached blonde hair was his natural hair color, which he maintained throughout his life
- He wrote several books including 'Criswell Predicts Your Future' and 'Criswell Predicts from Now to the Year 2000'
- He appeared as himself on numerous talk shows including 'The Tonight Show' and 'The Merv Griffin Show'
- Despite his fame as a psychic, many of his predictions were wildly inaccurate or never came to pass
- Tim Burton included a character based on Criswell in his film 'Ed Wood' (1994), played by actor Jeffrey Jones
- He was a regular client of the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, where he would often make predictions for other diners
- His catchphrase 'I am Criswell' was delivered with such gravitas that it became his signature introduction
In Their Own Words
Greetings, my friends! We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
I am Criswell.
My friends, can your hearts stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
Future events such as these will affect you in the future.
We are bringing you all the evidences that we can gather concerning this strange visitation.
The authorities, the government, they're all in on it, I tell you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Criswell?
Criswell, born Jeron Criswell King, was an American psychic, television personality, and actor who became famous for his dramatic predictions and his collaborations with director Ed Wood in the 1950s and 1960s.
What films is Criswell best known for?
Criswell is best known for narrating 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' (1959), often called the worst movie ever made, as well as appearing in 'Night of the Ghouls' (1959) and 'Orgy of the Dead' (1965).
When was Criswell born and when did he die?
Criswell was born on August 7, 1907, in Princeton, Indiana, and died on October 6, 1982, in Burbank, California, at the age of 75.
What awards did Criswell win?
While Criswell didn't win traditional acting awards, he posthumously received a Golden Turkey Award for Worst Actor in 1980 and has been celebrated as a cult film icon in various bad movie halls of fame.
What was Criswell's acting style?
Criswell's acting style was characterized by his deadpan delivery, dramatic pauses, and self-serious demeanor. He typically played himself or variations of his psychic persona, maintaining a mysterious and authoritative presence throughout his performances.
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Films
1 film
