Actors Who Played Jason Voorhees Across the Franchise
Who played Jason Voorhees? See the performers behind the character across the Friday the 13th movies, including notable stunt portrayals.
Actors Who Played Jason Voorhees Across the Franchise
Several performers have portrayed Jason Voorhees. The best-known include Richard Brooker in Part III, Ted White in The Final Chapter, C. J. Graham in Jason Lives, Kane Hodder across four late sequels, and Derek Mears in the 2009 reboot. The casting history is more complicated than one name because early films include child appearances, body doubles, and stunt work.
A film-by-film starting point
Ari Lehman appears as young Jason in the original movie's lake sequence. Steve Daskewisz, also credited as Steve Dash, performs Jason in Part II; Warrington Gillette is associated with the unmasked reveal. Brooker plays the masked killer in Part III. White takes the role in Part IV; Tom Morga is prominent in A New Beginning, where the plot requires a distinction between the perceived killer and the actual identity. Graham performs Jason in Part VI.
Kane Hodder's four-film run
Kane Hodder plays Jason in The New Blood (1988), Jason Takes Manhattan (1989), Jason Goes to Hell (1993), and Jason X (2001). Those four credits explain why he is often the actor viewers associate most strongly with the character. They should not be mistaken for the entire role history. Hodder's interpretation comes from physical performance, movement and practical effects rather than dialogue-heavy character acting.
Other versions and credit nuances
Ken Kirzinger portrays Jason in Freddy vs. Jason (2003), and Derek Mears wears the mask for the 2009 reboot. Flashbacks and additional stunt performers complicate some credits. The safest cast reference states which installment is being discussed, distinguishes credited starring performance from isolated stunt or child shots, and avoids claiming every appearance belongs to one actor.
How to check a disputed credit
Use the film's end credits or a studio cast listing where available. An actor's appearance in behind-the-scenes footage does not necessarily mean that person portrayed every on-screen shot. That distinction is especially useful when comparing the original Friday the 13th with its sequels and reboot.
Related guides
Friday the 13th Characters, From Pamela to Jason
Frequently asked questions
Who played Jason in Friday the 13th Part III?
Richard Brooker is the principal Jason performer in Part III.
Which four movies featured Kane Hodder as Jason?
The New Blood, Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason Goes to Hell, and Jason X.
Who played Jason in 2009?
Derek Mears played adult Jason in the 2009 film.
Was Ari Lehman the original Jason?
He portrayed young Jason in the 1980 film's lake sequence.
Did one actor play Jason in every installment?
No. Multiple principal performers and stunt actors portray Jason across different movies.