Thomas Robert Mason (April 29, 1920 – December 1, 1980) was an American
chiropractor
Chiropractic () is a form of alternative medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of physical disorder, mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially of the vertebral column, spine. It is based on sever ...
, who was best known for appearing in films directed by
Ed Wood
Edward Davis Wood Jr. (October 10, 1924 – December 10, 1978) was an American filmmaker, actor, and pulp novelist.
In the 1950s, Wood directed several B movie, low-budget science fiction, crime and horror films that later became cult c ...
. Ed Wood was married to one of Mason's former patients.
Biography
Best known as the
body double
In filmmaking, a double is a person who substitutes for another actor such that the person's face is not shown. There are various terms associated with a double based on the specific body part or ability they serve as a double for, such as stunt ...
for the deceased
Bela Lugosi
Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), better known by the stage name Bela Lugosi ( ; ), was a Hungarian–American actor. He was best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the horror film classic Dracula (19 ...
in Wood's 1957 movie ''
Plan 9 from Outer Space
''Plan 9 from Outer Space'' is a 1957 American Independent film, independent science fiction film, science fiction-horror film produced, written, directed, and edited by Ed Wood. The film was shot in black-and-white in November 1956 and had ...
'', Mason, who was taller than and bore little physical resemblance to Lugosi, hunched over and held a cape over his face in all of his scenes. Mason appeared in (and helped produce) two of Ed Wood's other movies, including ''
Night of the Ghouls
''Night of the Ghouls'' is an American horror film written and directed by Ed Wood, and shot between April and May 1958. The film features some reoccurring cast members and characters from the 1955 Wood-directed film '' Bride of the Monster'', i ...
'' and ''
Final Curtain'', after which his career in showbiz ended. Mason's wife, Margaret Mason, played the role of "Martha Edwards" in ''Night of the Ghouls'' as well.
Tom Mason died in Orange, California, in 1980, at age 60. His wife Margaret was one of the people interviewed in the 1992 Ed Wood documentary ''Flying Saucers Over Hollywood''. (She died soon after the interview in 1992, at age 81.)
Legacy
In 1994, Mason was portrayed in director
Tim Burton
Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and producer. Known for popularizing Goth subculture, Goth culture in the American film industry, Burton is famous for his Gothic film, gothic horror and dark fantasy films. ...
's film ''
Ed Wood
Edward Davis Wood Jr. (October 10, 1924 – December 10, 1978) was an American filmmaker, actor, and pulp novelist.
In the 1950s, Wood directed several B movie, low-budget science fiction, crime and horror films that later became cult c ...
'' by actor
Ned Bellamy
Ned Bellamy (born May 7, 1957) is an American actor.
Early life and education
Bellamy was educated at UCLA. His brother, Mark Bellamy, was the United States Ambassador to Kenya from 2003 until 2006.
Career
After graduating from UCLA, Bellamy ...
.
Filmography
* ''
Plan 9 from Outer Space
''Plan 9 from Outer Space'' is a 1957 American Independent film, independent science fiction film, science fiction-horror film produced, written, directed, and edited by Ed Wood. The film was shot in black-and-white in November 1956 and had ...
'' (1957) (as the stand-in for
Bela Lugosi
Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), better known by the stage name Bela Lugosi ( ; ), was a Hungarian–American actor. He was best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the horror film classic Dracula (19 ...
)
* ''Final Curtain'' (1957) 1/2-hour projected pilot for a TV series
* ''
Night of the Ghouls
''Night of the Ghouls'' is an American horror film written and directed by Ed Wood, and shot between April and May 1958. The film features some reoccurring cast members and characters from the 1955 Wood-directed film '' Bride of the Monster'', i ...
'' (1959) as Zombie sitting in Coffin
* ''Flying Saucers Over Hollywood'' (1992 documentary) archive footage
See also
*
Fake Shemp
A fake Shemp is a type of body double who appears in a film to replace another actor or person, usually when the original actor has died or is otherwise unable or unwilling to reprise their role. Their appearance is disguised using methods such ...
References
External links
*
1920 births
1980 deaths
American chiropractors
American male film actors
Male actors from Los Angeles
20th-century American male actors
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