Who Played The Gremlin In William Shatner's Classic Twilight Zone Episode
TVLine • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," a classic episode of "The Twilight Zone," features William Shatner as Robert Wilson, with actor Nick Cravat performing as the gremlin in an uncredited stunt role.
- Shatner expressed initial concern that the horror elements might appear humorous due to the gremlin costume, but was ultimately pleased that the episode remains impactful over 60 years later.
- The story, written by Richard Matheson and directed by Richard Donner, serves as a metaphor for the fear of flying, with the gremlin symbolizing collective anxieties.
- The episode has been adapted twice, including a 1983 film version starring John Lithgow, which featured a more frightening gremlin but received mixed reviews from Matheson regarding the story's execution.
- Matheson praised Lithgow's performance but felt Shatner's portrayal was more emotionally gripping due to its depiction of a mental breakdown.
