Ken Abraham: The man behind the cheesy 80's exploitation screams! by Greg Tiderington

Ken Abraham was remembered for his role in the 1987 cheesy low-budget David DeCoteau horror/sci-fi flick titled 'Creepozoids' playing the role as a heavy named Butch who was poisoned to death with venom that the creature sprayed on him in the film. Not only that, in the flick his character was the boyfriend of Linnea Quigley (Who is a legendary exploited b-film scream queen) and worked with her in two other direct-to-video b-films 'Vice Academy' (Which also starred Ginger Lynn Allen) and another DeCoteau flick 'Deadly Embrace' (Starring Jan Michael-Vincent).
Ken worked in many other low budget horror flicks till the early 90's and was a scream king for a brief moment during that time span.
He has been a regular actor in Rick Sloane's films when he first stepped into a supporting role playing a Thug in a spoof titled 'Hobgoblins' and one of the leads in 'Mind, Body & Soul' (Starring Wings Hauser and Ginger Lynn Allen).
He also has a reputation acting in many action and comedy films like in 'Deadlock', 'Lethal Pursuit', 'Ministry of Vengeance' (Starring George Kennedy, Ned Beatty & John Schneider), 'Girlfriend from Hell' and 'Backroad Motel'.
You also might've seen his cameo in the blockbuster hit motion picture 'The Forgotten'. He has a number of guest roles in TV shows like in '21 Jump Street', 'Angel', 'That's Life' and 'NYPD Blue.' Apart from acting, he also works behing the scenes as a writer, producer and a production assistant for many TV shows.
Well I had the pleasure to interview Ken about his career in his past horror films as he got back to me on e-mail the next day and was nice enough to respond to all my questions.
Check out his official site at
www.kenabraham.com


 
Greg: At what age did you see yourself as an entertainer?

Ken: Back when we were kids, my brother, a friend and I used to memorize and perform skits from old comedy teams for our families. I even lied about my age to perform in a teen talent contest doing Lou Costello’s part in “Who’s On First?” I was only twelve.

Greg: Did you see yourself acting in horror flicks?

Ken: No, I saw myself working in comedy. Acting in horror films is great fun, but they scare the hell out of me. I’m the wuss in the back row covering my eyes. I never went out and actively pursued it. It just kind of happened.

Greg: What was your first acting gig?

Ken: My first acting gig was playing a car-stealing creep on 'Superior Court'. I think what’s more interesting is my first time on a movie set. I was an extra on 'The Terminator', and it changed my life.  No one had any idea it was going to be a great movie while it was being shot. I know I didn’t. If you look closely, I’m the bartender in the scene in the nightclub. I can also be seen leading up to the nightclub. There’s that moment when Sara Connor is walking down the city street looking for a phone and the good guy, Reese, has yet to approach her. He comes out from a doorway and follows her but leaves a one-person distance between them. I’m that one person -- drinking a diet coke, I believe.

Greg: How did you come across your film 'Creepozoids'?

Ken: 'Creepozoids' was actually an audition for a friend of mine. Back in those days, he and I used to crash auditions all the time. So when I showed up with him, I asked if I could read also. I read and got the part and he didn’t. It was quite thrilling because that was my first film…other than being an exta that is.

Greg: Is it true that the director David DeCoteau and Ellen Cabot are the same person?

Ken: I wouldn’t know because I’ve never been formally introduced to Ms. Cabot. 

Greg: What experience would you like to share with us being on the set of the film?

Ken: As mentioned, this was my first film, and the very first thing shot was an eating scene. The food was canned yams, and I, wanting to be in character, ate them heartily. I ate them during the rehearsals, I ate them during the scene, I ate them during other people’s close-ups – I practically ate them all! I was stuffed. The prop guy had to tell me to slow down or we would have run out. I didn’t realize you’re not supposed to eat when the camera is not on you; I just kept on eating. When we wrapped the film, Linnea Quigley gave me a can of yams signed by the whole cast. I still have it (though it’s starting to leak a little after all these years).

Greg: Who did you enjoy working with the most?

Ken: Linnea, Linnea, Linnea. How can you not love Linnea Quigley?

Greg: What memorable scene did you have doing the film?

Ken: Well, being naked on the set for a shower scene with Linnea is pretty hard to forget.

And, it wasn’t even a shower! We were standing in the middle of a room, in a plastic baby pool, freezing our buns off alongside some piping that was supposed to be our shower. Just out of frame was a guy on a ladder pouring water from a five-gallon bottle down the pipe so that it would come out of the shower head. Voila, movie magic. Plus, soap doesn’t read on camera, so what you see us lathered up in is really shaving cream.

Yep, standing naked together I had to caress Linnea with shaving cream while kissing her. Tough job. Unfortunately, during the scene I had to think of everything in the world BUT that! I was counting the lights on the freakin set!

Greg: Was scream queen Linnea Quigley who played Bianca in the film a lot of fun to work with? Tell us your experience working with her.

Ken: As mentioned, I was completely new to the business, and Linnea made me feel so comfortable in every respect. She wasn’t stuck up and didn’t have any ego or attitude; in fact it she was just the opposite. One of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. She’s cool.

Greg: What about Kim McKamy who played Kate in the film? Do you know what made her move on to pornography? Usually it’s the other way around for actors and actresses.

Ken: I remember she wouldn’t take her top off for one scene. I think it’s the scene where she’s sleeping or in bed or something and she insisted on keeping her bra on. So it shocked me to learn years later that she moved to porn. I’ve never seen one of her films. Can’t imagine it to be honest. Just proves that she’s a good actress.

Greg: Was the flick David’s idea if a take on those old cheesy monster films?

Ken: I have no idea; I can’t speak for David. I always thought it was inspired by Alien.

Greg: Now 'Creepozoids' received a quick theatrical release. Was it shown in theatre’s nationwide? If not what countries did it show in?

Ken: I don’t know the extent of the release, but I saw 'Creepozoids' at the old State Theatre downtown Los Angeles on a double bill with 'Slave Girls From Beyond Infinity'. It was a pretty funny experience. I had forgotten my money and they wouldn’t let me in. I pointed to my name on the poster on the wall and said hey that’s me will you please let me in. I could have sworn she said, “Have a nice day” so I said thank you and proceeded to enter the theatre. Well, she started screaming bloody murder, and I turned and said what is your problem, you just said have a nice day. And she said, “No, I said don’t RUIN my day!”

Luckily, a friend showed up and paid for me to enter the theatre.  So much for my big screen Hollywood debut.

Greg: Did you get any good feedback from viewers or were you interviewed in talk shows or horror magazines like Fangoria for your role as Butch?

Ken: I didn’t do any interviews after 'Creepozoids' to my knowledge, but I remember seeing reviews that weren’t all that positive. But you know what, that was my first movie, and I was in a position of doing what I love and having people review me. It was pretty cool.

Greg: You did a non horror flick called 'Deadly Embrace' with Linnea and it was directed by Ellen Cabot as it was credited and produced by David DeCoteau so maybe you will know by that if Ellen was really David under a different name.

Ken: I never worked with anyone nor met anyone named Ellen Cabot.  If that's what DeCoteau chose to put in the credits, you just have to ask yourself why?  Personally, I dunno.

Greg: I heard that David, you and Linnea weren't proud of it was this true? It didn't have much of a plot and showed alot of skin.

Ken: The reason 'Deadly Embrace' was disappointing was that Karen Black was orignally supposed to play  the therapist, and she pulled out literally days before shooting.   In the end, it's just two sets of hands, none of which are mine, and a voiceover that I did at non-union rate as a favor. (the movie was a union film soley because of Karen Black, and when she pulled out I'm sure it pissed some people off--finacially speaking that is).

It was when I was looping the film (adding the VO track) that I saw the words "A great cast is worth remembering" on the screen.  I told DeCoteau that was putting salt in the wounds.  He told me it was put there as a joke and it wouldn't be on the final product.  He lied.  Or changed his mind because I said "salt int he wounds."   He must've written that sarcastic remark because he didn't like the film.  I only assume that because, as you mentioned,  he's not listed as director.  Instead it says Ellen Cabot.  And as I stated earlier, I never heard of Ellen Cabot.

Greg: What was your next horror flick after 'Creepozoids'?'

Ken: I worked on a film that was never released called, 'Max Blood'. I’d say of all the low-budget movies I did it was the coolest. Stephen Quadros played the bad-ass leader of a bunch of punks that kill someone, and he’s later brought back from the dead. I worked on that at the same time I had a small part in 'Hobgoblins'. 'Max Blood' I shot all day, then I went and filmed 'Hobgoblins' at night and went right back to 'Max Blood' in the morning.

Ah, those were the days.

Greg: Now you played a Thug in the horror spoof 'Hobgoblins' directed by Rick Sloane as you worked with him in the future with films like 'Vice Academy', 'Mind, Body & Soul' and 'Marked for Murder'. I enjoyed your performance in it although the film was extremely cheesy. Did you have a good fight choreographer for the film?

Ken: The fight scene in 'Hobgoblins' was fun and we just winged it. I’m sure I came up with the part where he flips me because I used to be able to flip pretty easily (that was like 17 years ago- I’d kill myself now). My favorite fight scene that I did choreograph was in the movie 'Lethal Pursuit' opposite Blake Gibbons –one helluva actor. Now that was a great fight scene.

Greg: What is Rick Sloane like to work with?

Ken: Rick Sloane does it all. Writes, directs, produces, edits.  Fucking amazing. I insulted him once through some gossipy half-wit that took what I said out of context. We were shooting in his brand new home in an extremely affluent neighborhood in the hills, and I was dumbfounded that his movies were so successful that he could live there. Of course, when you have some ass-kissing, drama-loving, sycophant run and tell someone what you said it never sounds very pleasant. The guy knows what he’s doing, and obviously deserves success. Can I be shocked by the extent of that success, sure. Should some little fuckhead go run and tell him my thoughts, no. So to that person. Fuck you.

Greg: Your other horror flick with Rick was the role as Sean in 'Mind, Body & Soul' which starred Ginger Lynn Allen. From what I understand from other people that worked with her that she is not so pleasant. Was she difficult for you to work with?

Ken: I liked Ginger. I liked her a lot. I think people were nasty to her and spoke badly about her behind her back because of her career choices. They judged her. And being judged puts people on the defensive. Perhaps she overcompensated by playing the “diva.” She certainly was the antithesis of Linnea’s no-ego personality, but I liked her. Years after we worked together I was walking down Melrose and she was driving by. She saw me honked, screamed, got out of the car and gave me a big hug. Seemed like a real sweetheart to me. In fact, I just saw a comedic short she did where she gives birth to a cartoon character. Adam Corrolla is the voice of the kid. So, so funny!

Greg: Wings Hauser was also in the film as the cult leader John Stockton as he has a string of b-films and is a name. What was he like to work with on set? Do tell us!!!

Ken: One time after working on a particular take that Wings wasn’t in, I walked up to him and asked how it looked, he said, “What am I fuckin 411?” I laughed my ass off. I still use that line to this day. Wings was good, really new his shit.

Greg: Why were you credited as Ken Hill in the film?

Ken: Dunno

Greg: What was it like making 'Terror Night'?

Ken: It was so, so long ago I barely remember it.  One of the few things I remember is that it was at a time when I was in peak physical condition.  I remember working out like a fiend during that movie.

Greg: What was the story all about?

Ken: 'Terror Night', recently released as 'Bloody Movie' (which I just found out yesterday), is about a silent film star who comes back to kill a bunch of people messing around on his estate.  Something like that.  I never saw the movie.

Greg: Who did you play in that film and what was his character like?

Ken: I have no idea who I played in the movie.  Honestly, for a million bucks I couldn't guess my character name.  I'll have to look it up. I know I was the jerk-off, asshole guy of the group.

Greg: There were alot of known names you worked with that have done movies for so many years like John Ireland, Cameron Mitchell, Alan Hale Jr., Aldo Ray and Dan Haggerty. What kind of an enviroment was it like working with them?

Ken: Alan Hale Jr. played the Skipper on 'Gilligan's Island', and I was thrilled to meet him in person.  In fact, one of my fondest memories from the film is when I told Mr. Hale  how I grew up watching him on TV and was honored to be working on the same set as him.  He looked down at me (he was a very tall man, much taller than he appeared on television) and said, "Well, young man, that's the kindest thing anyone could have said to me."  I melted.  My only regret is I didn't ask him to call me "Little Buddy."  I actually wanted to but wussed out.  How cool would have been to have the Skipper himself say, "hey, little buddy!"  the guy was great.  he died soon afterwards.  I was happy to have met him.

Aldo Ray was a hoot.  I remember being in his trailer and him going off on Patty Duke, the then president of SAG, for throwing him out of the guild.  He freely called her some colorful names and told me how "Chuck" got him back into the guild.  It didn't occur to me until days, perhaps weeks later, that the "Chuck" he was referring to was Charlton Heston, the new president of the Screen Actor's Guild.

Greg: What actor or actress were you most fond of working with?

Ken: I loved working with Denise Stafford aka Jamie Summers.  I had a major crush on her and thought she was the cutest thing ever.  I had no idea of her adult film background; in fact, I was totally clueless.   I remember we had a bathtub scene together and she was topless.  Me being the ignoramus that I am and not knowing about her adult film career, I felt embarrased for her, like they were exploiting the poor girl. It even effected the scene a bit because if you watch it I'm extremely shy and reserved.  The irony is staggering.  It's funny that two of my girlfriends in these low budget films have been major adult film stars ...Jamie Summers and Ginger Lynn.

Another actress from the film went on to be a soap star-- from what I heard.  She was very nice on the set, and certainly a better actress than most hacks you find on low budget films, but I don't recall much more than that.

Wait, it's coming back to me... I did hang out with Michelle Bauer and Jimmy Elwell during the film.  They were the biker couple.  I lost touch with Jimmy but I did stay friends with him for a while.  Michelle was so cool.  I remember being shocked at how pretty and down to earth she was.  It's a shame, bit those two don't always go hand in hand.  For her they did.  She was awesome.

Greg:
Was the film like a big party to do?

Ken: I don't remember it being like a big party.  But then again, I barely remember it.

Greg: What kind of a budget did this film carry that you know of?

Ken: No clue.

Greg: Do you remember what kind of release this film got?

Ken: I found out yesterday that it was released as 'Bloody Movie'.  Other than just yesterday, I never thought it had a release.

Greg: In 'Vampire Knights', I understood from a critic that the effects were terrible as there was a scene when a pretty girl asks if someone believe’s in monsters and the person says there’s no such thing as monsters so she goes in the back of a van and then comes out with a brown face and sharp teeth as the critic says it looked like she was wearing a mask. Was that true? Were there any good effects throughout that film?

Ken: 'Vampire Knights' was a miracle. Originally, it was shot for just a few thousand, a trailer was cut, and from that trailer the movie pre-sold internationally. So it was a success on paper. To look at it, it ain’t pretty; but I still love it. If that movie was shot with any kind of budget – and I mean a real budget – it might’ve been good.

As far as the woman with the brown face and sharp teeth, that wasn’t a mask, that’s basically how she looks.

Greg: Did the film ever make it to theatre’s like 'Creepozoids' did or was it just direct-to-video?

Ken: I don’t know what the hell happened to 'Vampire Knights'. I know it must be shocking for anyone not involved with the film to watch it, but for me, it was so much fun. It incorporated comedy and we had a blast. It’s the kind of film that I don’t care if anyone has seen it, it was just fun doing it.

Greg: In the flick you worked with the late Robin Stille from 'Slumber Party Massacre' and 'Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama' fame as she took her own life due to alcoholism. Were there issues with her on set?

Ken: Robin Stille was incredibly professional and fun to work, and was Idevastated to hear of her passing. I don’t know the reasons surrounding her death, but I find ones that sum it up so easily and stigmatically attribute it to just one thing, offensive.

Greg: Did you ever attend to her funeral?

Ken: No, I didn’t find out until years later.

Greg: Were you ever asked by David DeCoteau to be in 'Sorority Babes'?

Ken: No.

Greg: You also guested in an episode of 'Angel' which was a takeoff from 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and played the part as Spivey. Was your role a major guest starring role?

Ken: Originally, it was a small scene of me being interrogated by Elisabeth Rohm, but after we shot it I got a call that they wanted to extend the opening and that they wrote a scene of me running and getting captured on the street.

Greg: Was kind of a role was your character?

Ken: My character, Spivey, was a low level mobster.

Greg: 'Angel' was a top horror TV series. Did you feel like it was a good break for you and did you get well noticed in the show?

Ken: 'Angel' was a fun gig to get, but I didn’t get noticed from it.

Greg: Were you ever asked to return to the series?

Ken: Nope.

Greg: Do you have any future horror films you plan to be in?

Ken: I have a small part in 'The Forgotten', but other than that I’ve been pretty much writing and producing lately.

Greg: Now here’s some fun stuff:

What are your favourite horror films?

Ken: 'Silence of The Lambs', 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein', 'American Werewolf In London'. Like I said, I don’t really like them, I just like to be in them.

Greg: If you have a film you’d like to change. What would it be?

Ken: I think you need to be more specific. Are you referring to one of my films or any film? Because if I could change any film I would change 'Citizen Kane'. I would have someone run in during the last scene and say, “Asshole, you just through the RoseBud on the fire. It’s his sled!! Hello!!”

Greg: What is the film you acted in that you cherish the most?

Ken: I don’t cherish any of them. I haven’t seen any in years.'Vampire Knights' was great fun, but it’s soooo low budget that it’s pretty unwatchable. But I love it. Then again I haven’t seen it in 15 years.

Greg: If you were a top scream king for one day whether this actor was alive or dead who would he be?

Ken: Wouldn’t want to be anyone for a day. Now that’s creepy.

Greg: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Ken: Perfect happiness is working full time as an actor.

Greg: What are your ambitions in life?

Ken: When I find out I’ll let you know.