Ari Lehman is best known for his role as the first-ever Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th (1980). He recently took the time to sit down with Horror Geek Life and discuss how he got involved in the film industry, what it was like to play Jason Voorhees, and talk about his band, First Jason.
Horror Geek Life: What inspired you to become a part of the film industry?
Ari Lehman: First of all, please allow me to say that I consider myself very fortunate to have been the actor who played the very first Jason Voorhees. Secondly, it is definitely the fans of Jason that have determined the success of the series – almost more than any other film in Hollywood History. Therefore, I feel that all of the dedicated Friday the 13th and Jason Voorhees fans out there are equally responsible for the success of the character.
My father shared his love of great books and movies with me. When I was very young, we watched The Wizard of Oz, and I was completely captivated by the film. Also, we were at Times Square the day that Star Wars premiered – I went on to watch it nine times in the theater over the course of the next few months! With movies like that, I became interested in acting and decided to audition for roles in the school plays. It was there that I heard about an audition with director Sean S. Cunningham.
Horror Geek Life: Tell us more about the audition with Sean Cunningham and how you scored the role of the first Jason in Friday the 13th.
Ari Lehman: Director Sean S. Cunningham had his offices in the town where I lived at that time – Westport, Connecticut. He was doing a movie about a group of inner-city orphans who win back their orphanage from the mob in a soccer tournament – Manny’s Orphans. I managed to land the 80-line role of “Roger” at the audition, and I was happy. While I learned a great deal about film acting on the set of Manny’s Orphans, the film was not to get the distribution Sean had hoped for – soccer just was not popular then.
The next summer, I received a call from Sean S. Cunningham himself – “Ari? I have another role for you please come to the office… by the way, can you swim?” Sean asked. “Yes, I can swim,” I answered. “Great, you got the part!” said Sean, and that is how the first Jason Voorhees was ultimately cast – good thing I took those swimming lessons!
Horror Geek Life: How has this role affected your life?
Ari Lehman: Well, my full-time job is as the bandleader, singer, and keytarist of First Jason – my hard rock band that draws heavily upon the Camp Crystal Lake scenario and Jason character. I perform on a heavy metal keytar that is attached to a giant Jason machete prop, and it has an LED Jason mask in the blade. So, I’d say the role has had an effect without question!
First Jason has had the honor of being a featured act at major horror events throughout the USA, Canada, and EU. We also have two albums out now, Jason is Watching! and Heed My Warning. Our third album, To Be A Monster, is in the recording process now for a Halloween 2016 release. Touring all over the world in this capacity is absolutely wonderful, and through hard work and persistence, it has also become a lucrative endeavor.
Wherever we go, we are accepted with open arms by fans, bands, and venues, and I do not ever take it for granted that my having played Jason is a big part of that. First Jason has benefited from this association, and in return, we always do our very best to be there for the fans and venues in every way possible. This approach is opening more doors for us daily, and let me please say here that I am deeply gratified for all of the support we get online on via Facebook and YouTube, and we intend to work even harder to please everyone in our audience.
Horror Geek Life: Has horror always been a part of your life?
Ari Lehman: After being scared by the flying monkeys, I happened to watch Boris Karloff in The Mummy, and I became fascinated with the Universal Monsters. I distinctly remember getting into a heated debate at summer camp about who played Count Dracula best – in my opinion (back then), it was Bela Lugosi. My friend, however, liked Christopher Lee better. I also learned about the Hammer Horror series and became a life-long fan – particularly the work of Peter Cushing for some reason.
In the ’70s, there were many female-driven paranormal-themed horror films like Rosemary’s Baby, Carrie, and The Exorcist, but at that age, it was not interesting to me. Jaws, however, was a different thing entirely. Growing up near the Long Island Sound, we would always play at the beach, and the big deal was to pretend that Jaws was attacking us in the water. Later, this would come in handy on the F13 set, hahaha! Also, my first big role onstage at High School for the famous Staples Players was as “Renfield” in the Bram Stoker version of Dracula, and I always got the audience to laugh – great fun!
Horror Geek Life: I know you’ve dabbled in a few different things, but what has been your favorite film you’ve done so far?
Ari Lehman: The only actual feature that has been really released that I was in is Friday the 13th – so there ya go! I do have the honor of acting in many independent horror films – including some recent releases – The Barn, Camp Killer, Easter Sunday, Pi Die Die Day, and Cheerleader Camp 2: The Death. They all have been lots of fun! Please support independent horror filmmakers, everybody – they are working very hard in a changing climate and really need your encouragement. JASON HAS SPOKEN!!!
Horror Geek Life: What is your ultimate favorite horror movie?
Ari Lehman: I have so many, but I’d like to mention Night of the Hunter since I feel it is the very first offering in the American slasher genre. A complete departure from the Gothic style that was still being utilized by other production houses, Charles Laughton set out to create a film that encapsulates the human condition itself – all its tender and terrifying moments. A wandering preacher, played masterfully by Robert Mitchum, turns out to be a depraved serial killer. This widely imitated film also makes amazing use of music and scenery to depict a riveting story.
Also, I really like German expressionist horror films like F. W. Murnau’s Faust and Nosferatu, as well as Fritz Lang’s M. White Zombie is another classic horror favorite of mine.
Horror Geek Life: Do you have any upcoming projects?
Ari Lehman: First Jason’s To Be A Monster is our new album, and as I mentioned before, it is going to be released by Halloween 2016. We will be filming some exciting music videos to go with the songs. Meanwhile, we are continuously touring everywhere – as we speak we are preparing to travel from Chicago to El Paso, Texas, to perform at The Alamo Drafthouse there, doing shows all along the way, of course.
This Halloween weekend, First Jason headlines at The Gothic Theatre in Denver, Colorado, with Cryptkeeper John Kassir as our special guest host MC for the event. The new album effectively brings First Jason to another chapter, with a new guitar player, Eddie Machete, a drummer bass amp, and new songs like “When the Clock Strikes 13,” “Mother Has Spoken,” “Better Crazy Than Lazy,” and the title track “To Be A Monster.” We are producing the album at Uptown Recording with master engineer and musician Rob Ruccia in Chicago. Get ready for some great new music and videos from First Jason!
As far as movies, I was just cast in Terror Tales opposite Felissa Rose. This independent horror will be shooting in Denver, Colorado, this year. Also, I am eager to hear about the new Friday the 13th feature film coming from Paramount Pictures in 2017!
Horror Geek Life: Are there any fond memories you have of the film industry?
Ari Lehman: Attending the horror conventions, horror film festivals, and award ceremonies is always a blast, and I consider it an honor to meet these great people of the horror genre, many of whom I can now call my friends. Frequently, I am working together with the other Jason actors, who are all outstanding individuals. Meeting the other great slasher actors who have played Freddy, Leatherface, Michael Myers, Candyman, and Hell Priest from Hellraiser has made me feel deeply honored, and they are all really great to be around.
I did have the opportunity to be good friends with Betsy Palmer, who played Pamela Voorhees, and that was a profoundly positive influence on my life and career. She was born on the same date as my real mom: November 1st – and we just got along really well. I miss her all the time. Adrienne King, my “swimming partner” from Friday the 13th, is also a dear friend and always has a kind word of encouragement for me. I think she forgave me for dunking her in the lake! (laughs) Adrienne is also really wonderful with the fans, and her wine is very good.
One memory that I will always cherish is when I was selected to sing some First Jason songs and hand out award statues at the Fantasy Horror Awards in Orvieto, Italy. The great director, Ruggero Deodato, was in charge, and I got to give awards to Mario Bava, Robert Englund, Kristina Klebe, Dario Argento, and more in an Italian Opera House!
Horror Geek Life: What instruments do you play, and when did your love for music begin?
Ari Lehman – Piano, electric machete keytar, and vocals. I studied music in New York City with JoAnne Brackeen, Jim McNeely, and Vladimir Shafranov after getting a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music.
I started playing the violin at age 5 and the piano at age 7. I also worked for Interscope Records and Tuff Gong Records as a touring and recording artist after I graduated. Performing in USA, Europe, and Africa.
Horror Geek Life: Wow, you’ve done so much already and been to so many places. Would you ever like to write/perform music for a horror movie?
Ari Lehman: Yes, absolutely. Until then, First Jason has many new music videos in the works, the first will be for our new song “Witch Camp.”
