Irwin Keyes started his career in the late 1970’s and has been seen in everything from TV shows to commercials to movies. Movie Mikes’ Adam Lawton got a chance to talk with Irwin at this years Chiller Theatre convention and got a chance to ask him about his career.
Adam Lawton: You have been in the business since the 70’s and have done everything from TV series to movies and even video game voice work do you have one that you prefer over another?
Irwin Keyes: I like to do comedy, horror and drama whatever work comes along I do.
AL: Is there any truth to the rumor that you were considered for the role of Freddy Krueger in “A Nightmare on Elm Street”?
IK: That’s what I’m told. I was there yep but things went different ways. I was actually supposed to play Ajax in the movie “The Warriors” but they realized I was too old for the gang who were much younger. I was about 26 at the time and the rest of the cast was probably 17. So Walter Hill told me “Don’t worry I got a better part for you”, you’re going to be the guy who arrests Ajax. That actually ended up being a really good part and I got to beat the crap out of him and get my anger out.
AL: You were Ravelli in Rob Zombie’s “House of 1000 Corpses” was there any particular reason you were not back for The Devils Rejects.
IK: Well Universal put out the first film which had about a 15 million dollar budget and the second film had a budget of less than 3 million. There were a lot of cuts in the cast of the second movie and probably some of the quality in the script.
AL: Do you have any new projects coming up? Possibly “Wrestlemaniac 2”?
IK: HAHAHAHA “Wrestlemaniac” I think that’s a great movie and I’m surprised you have seen it because I don’t believe Anchor Bay really put it out well. I feel it should have been on the Starz channel because when I saw it, I thought it was a really good movie. I don’t know why they didn’t do it right since they are a good company.
AL: There definitely is room for a sequel with the way the first movie ends.
IK: Yeah, he could stop at the gas station and get me. I actually had a discussion with the producer about that and I was gonna play the guy who kinda straightens him out after after he goes nuts but nothing came of it.
AL: Do you have any projects coming up that you want to tell the fans about?
IK: We have “Dahmer vs Gacy” coming out which has been all over the internet. I also have a short film which is going to be made into a full feature film but more to come on that later.
