Abraham Van Helsingwas a prominent literary figure from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novelDracula, and several actors have played the character in movies over the years. SeveralDraculaadaptations were great, whereas others flopped, but the book was a difficult title to get right because it was so legendary.Dracula — A Love Talewas recently announced, and many were quick to voice their hopes that the project was an improvement on past attempts to bring Stoker’s story to life.
Van Helsing was notably the arch nemesis of Count Dracula, one ofthe most powerful vampires from movies and TVand the defining figure in literature. His role as a vampire slayer was often translated in many different ways, with each interpretation altering his appearance, personality, and even profession. Abraham Van Helsing was a variety of men in the cinematic world, and a huge selection of actors have slipped into his shoes.
18Edward Van Sloan
Dracula (1931)
Edward Van Sloan portrayed Van Helsing in the first official adaptation ofDraculain 1931,not including the 1922 titleNosferatu, a Symphony of Horror, which was only loosely based on the novel. Van Sloan starred opposite Béla Lugosi as Count Dracula, which was an interesting pairing, as the two previously played the same characters together on stage.
Van Sloan returned as Van Helsing in theDraculasequel,Dracula’s Daughter, in 1936, but he was the only member of the cast to return. Sadly,Van Sloan’s compelling epilogue scene was cut, even though it was one of his best moments.
17Peter Cushing
Dracula (1958)
Peter Cushing’s character of Doctor Van Helsing in 1958’sDraculawas noticeably different from the original novel.He was much younger than Bram Stoker’s Abraham Van Helsing.
Van Helsing Reboot: Confirmation, Director & Everything We Know
Released in 2004, the Hugh Jackman-starring Van Helsing received negative reviews but was a box office success, and Universal is giving it a reboot.
Although this did not stop Cushing from providing a tense and serious performance as the literary figure.Cushing also returned to play Van Helsing in the 1960 sequelThe Brides of Draculaand the 1974 titleThe Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires.
As well as the ancestors Lorrimer and Lawrence Van Helsing inDracula A.D. 1972. Out of every actor who played Van Helsing, Peter Cushing portrayed the role the most.
16Herbert Lom
Count Dracula (1970)
In the 1970 movieCount Dracula,Herbert Lom took on the role of Professor Van Helsing.Count Draculawasn’t received particularly well after its release,but one thing that was relatively praised was Lom’s portrayal of the titular vampire’s arch-nemesis.
As Lom was best known as a comedic actor and had starred in the originalPink Pantherfilm series as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus, Inspector Jacques Clouseau’s exhausted superior.
Unfortunately,Count Draculawas far from one ofthe best Dracula moviesever to be released, althoughLom’s performance was notable enough to keep audiences engaged.
However, this was rather impressive, as Lom was best known as a comedic actor and had starred in the originalPink Pantherfilm series as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus, Inspector Jacques Clouseau’s exhausted superior.
15Walter Ladengast
Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979)
1979’sNosferatu the Vampyrewas a remake of the 1922 title, but unlike the original, Van Helsing was a more prominent character.Austrian actor Walter Ladengast played Van Helsing, the last project he starred in before his death one year afterNosferatu the Vampyre’s release.
The biggest difference between this film and the original, however, was that Van Helsing and Dracula faced one another,and the doctor successfully stabbed the vampire with a stake to ensure that Lucy Harker’s sacrifice wasn’t for nothing. Unfortunately, Van Helsing was weirdly still arrested for brutally killing Dracula, even though he saved the day.
14Laurence Olivier
Dracula (1979)
Laurence Olivier slipped into the role of Van Helsing in John Badham’s 1979 version ofDracula.Unlike other interpretations of the character, Olivier portrayed an elderly Van Helsing.
Dracula
Cast
Dracula, directed by John Badham, is a 1979 horror film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Frank Langella stars as Count Dracula, who relocates from Transylvania to England and embarks on a sinister campaign to seduce and transform the inhabitants. Laurence Olivier plays the determined vampire hunter, Professor Van Helsing, in this atmospheric rendition of the iconic tale.
Olivier was particularly astounding during the scene in which Van Helsing was forced to destroy the undead form of Mina,which highlighted the power of the father-daughter relationship. He was also especially great in Van Helsing’s death scene, which occurred at the dramatic and harrowing end of the film.
13Anthony Hopkins
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
One ofAnthony Hopkins’ best movies, yet an underrated one, wasBram Stoker’s Draculafrom 1992.Hopkins’ take on Van Helsing was quite erratic, very unpredictable, and often considered to be a bit sociopathic,especially because he was happy to discuss his killing methods so openly.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, set in 19th century England, follows Count Dracula as he journeys to London. There, he encounters Mina Harker, who bears a striking resemblance to his long-lost love.
The actor’s interpretation of Van Helsing was unhinged and vicious, but it added to the overall charm of the character.Francis Ford Coppola’sDraculawas uniquebecause Hopkins also starred alongside movie industry titans Gary Oldman as the titular Count and Vlad the Impaler, as well as a young Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker.
12Mel Brooks
Professor Van Helsing, in the parody movieDracula: Dead and Loving It,was easily one ofMel Brooks’ funniest movie characters. The director worked both behind and in front of the camera in this film, butthe reason why Brook’s portrayal of the character was hilarious was because of how badDracula: Dead and Loving Itwas in general.
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Dracula: Dead and Loving It is a comedic take on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, directed by Mel Brooks. The film stars Leslie Nielsen as Count Dracula, who arrives in England and begins his vampiric escapades. The cast includes Steven Weber, Amy Yasbeck, and Peter MacNicol. This 1995 parody blends horror and humor, showcasing Brooks' signature style in a lighthearted retelling of the Dracula tale.
Dracula: Dead and Loving Itwas generally considered to be aridiculous horror moviebecause it lacked any real fear factor, despite being a spoof.One truly laughable moment, however, was when Van Helsing shouted in Moldovian into Count Dracula’s coffin.
11David Moroni
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary (2002)
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diarywas a very distinctive adaptation of Stoker’s novel.The black-and-white reimagining of the title was by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet company and featured prominent Canadian dancer David Moroni as Van Helsing.
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diarywas Moroni’s first and only film appearanceduring his long-spanning dance career. However, Moroni’s movement in this scene was absolutely stellar and gripped audiences.
The unusual take on the battle between Dracula and Van Helsing was beautifully haunting, with a layer of strange eroticism.For example, Van Helsing’s examination of Lucy had an underlying tension that can’t quite be explained. However, Moroni’s movement in this scene was absolutely stellar and gripped audiences.
10Rutger Hauer
Dracula 3D (2012)
The 2012 movieDracula 3Dswitched Van Helsing’s character up.Rutger Hauer’s version of the slayer had a different backstory,in which he first encountered vampires while he served as the director of the Carfax Asylum. Dario Argento’sDracula 3Dwas considered anunderrated vampire movieby many, but upon its initial release, it was an absolute flop.
It was critiqued for poor special effects and tired characterizations, butthe film’s one saving grace was Hauer’s performance as Van Helsing.However, the most disappointing thing about his appearance was that Van Helsing didn’t arrive on-screen until the film’s third act.
9Keith Reay
Dracula Reborn (2012)
Dracula Rebornwas a modern reinterpretation of Stoker’s story, set in present-day California.Keith Reay portrayed a younger version of vampire hunter Van Helsing, whose commitment to his profession often resulted in the unnecessary deathsof anyone who stood in his way.
Despite the fact that he killed the two police detectives who tried to arrest Jonathan for his wife’s murder, Van Helsing was still unable to survive his last fight with the Count.Annoyingly, Van Helsing wasn’t very helpful or resourceful inDracula Reborn. However, Dracula ripping out Van Helsing’s heart in the climax was rather dramatic and unexpected.
