American Horror Story characters all have quirks. But Denis O Hare plays the most interesting roles each time he joins the cast. His roles in American Horror Story are so vastly different from each other. If you eliminated his entire career, these roles would be enough of a testament to his range as a character actor.
He plunges the audience into whatever role he’s in. It takes effort to remember that it’s Denis O’Hare you’re looking at. The multiple award-winning actor clearly has fun with the roles each season, you can see it in his performance. O’Hare embraces the smarm, dedicates himself to the creepy, struts with purpose, and takes lurking to a whole new level. Listed here are all the characters played by Denis O’Hare on American Horror Story so far. May there be many, many more.
AHS Season 1, Murder House: Denis O’ Hare Was Larry Harvey
Denis O’Hare began his brilliant run on American Horror Story as Larry Harvey. A previous owner of the infamous “Murder House” who murdered his entire family. Went room-to-room dousing the beds of his wife and two daughters with gasoline as they slept. Now, covered in burns and raving mad, Harvey blames the house for his actions. His interest in the Harmon family seems to be genuine concern for their safety. But soon spirals into the realm of a psychotic obsession.
AHS Season 3, Coven: Spalding
In American Horror Story season 3 Coven, Denis O’Hare returned to the fold as Spalding. A mute, faithful butler butler at Miss Robichaux’s Academy. O’Hare slinks around the mansion absorbing decades of secrets and disposing dead bodies – some he keeps for creepy tea parties. Denis O’Hare was so dedicated to being creepy, he’d bring tiny baby doll hands to the set – just because.
AHS Season 4, Freak Show: Stanley
In season 4 Denis O’Hare portrays a con-artist named Stanley whose biggest claim to fame is his abnormally large penis. Stanley is the definition of the word smarmy. And he isn’t above committing murder if it means he can make a quick buck. Stanley poses as a Hollywood agent to gain access to the Freak Show performers. His plan is to sell them (or parts of them) to the American Morbidity Museum.
AHS Season 5, Hotel: Liz Taylor
Denis O’Hare’s performance as Liz Taylor, a transgender woman, in AHS: Hotel was brilliant. Liz was the meatiest role the series has given him to date and he played it masterfully.
Rocking over-embellished accessories, platform heels, and makeup fit for Cleopatra. O’Hare sashays down the halls of The Cortez like a fabulously fierce force of nature. Then, at the flip of a coin, transitions into the wise, worldly, yet weary advisor to the sad souls at The Cortez bar.
AHS Season 6, Roanoke: Elias Cunningham
Elias Cunningham was mostly an exposition character. Sure, he’s got his own backstory but largely existed to explain things to Matt and Shelby. He’s a professor, researching and writing a true crime novel about the murderous nurses who resided in the Roanoke house.
Conducting his research inside the house is what drove him mad. Denis O’Hare played the role of a frantic, disheveled, harbinger of doom rather well. He tried desperately to warn the new residents of the evil that awaits them. But city folks never listen, do they?
AHS Season 6, Roanoke: William van Henderson
In addition to his role as Elias Cunningham, O’Hare was William van Henderson. The “actor” playing Elias Cunningham in the reenactment of the horrors that took place in Roanoke. So O’Hare played a man and the man portraying that man. Say that five times fast.
Who are your favorite American Horror Story Characters? Share in the comments below!
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