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{{Infobox person
| name               = Damien Leone
| image              = Damien Leone Photo Op Animate Nightmare Weekend Des Moines 2024.jpg
| caption            = Leone in 2024
| birth_name         = 
| birth_date         = 
| birth_place        = 
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| occupation         = {{hlist|Filmmaker|film editor|special effects artist}}
| alma_mater         = 
| years_active       = 
| spouse             = 
| website            = 
| children           = 
| signature          = 
| known_for          = {{Plainlist|
[[Terrifier (film series)|''Terrifier'' franchise]]
}}
}}

'''Damien Leone''' is an American filmmaker, film editor, and special effects artist. He is best known for writing and directing ''[[All Hallows' Eve (2013 film)|All Hallows' Eve]]'' (2013), ''[[Terrifier]]'' (2016), ''[[Terrifier 2]]'' (2022), and ''[[Terrifier 3]]'' (2024), each of which feature his character [[Art the Clown]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Horror Feature: Interview with Damien Leone director of Terrifier|url=http://www.horrorchannel.co.uk/articles.php?feature=interview+with+damien+leone+director+of+terrifier|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110224754/https://www.horrorchannel.co.uk/articles.php?feature=interview+with+damien+leone+director+of+terrifier|archive-date=2020-11-10|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Horror Channel|language=en|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==
In 2016, ''[[Terrifier]]'' was released. Among other credits, Leone wrote and directed the film, which eventually became a [[cult film]] and for which he was nominated for a [[Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Award]] for Best Makeup FX.<ref name="Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/288143/fangoria-resurrects-the-chainsaw-awards-and-dread-central-presents-terrifier-snagged-three-nominations/|title=Fangoria Resurrects the Chainsaw Awards and Dread Central Presents' TERRIFIER Snagged Three Nominations!|website=[[Dread Central]]|first=Jonathan|last=Barkan|date=January 22, 2019|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3729361/terrifier-original-cult-classic-slasher-is-now-streaming-on-screambox/|title='Terrifier' – Original Cult Classic Slasher Is Now Streaming on SCREAMBOX!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=September 1, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/genre-streamer-screambox-bloody-disgusting-acquire-ultra-gory-slasher-movie-terrifier-2-1235054756/|title=Genre Streamer Screambox & Bloody Disgusting Acquire "Ultra Gory" Slasher Movie 'Terrifier 2'|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=June 30, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/terrifier-2-review|title=Terrifier 2 Review|website=[[IGN]]|first=Matt|last=Donato|date=September 23, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/terrifier-2-review|title=Terrifier 2 Basks in the Glory of Its Own Overkill|website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|first=Matthew|last=Jackson|date=October 4, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023|archive-date=April 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414224748/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/terrifier-2-review|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/terrifier-2-fainting-vomiting-art-the-clown/|title=Terrifier 2 director reacts to reports that horror sequel is making people throw up and faint|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Clark|last=Collis|date=October 14, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1074814/director-damien-leone-regrets-how-terrifier-treated-one-of-its-central-characters/|title=Director Damien Leone Regrets How Terrifier Treated One Of Its Central Characters|website=[[/Film]]|first=Drew|last=Tinnin|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref> In 2022, Leone returned for the sequel, ''[[Terrifier 2]]''. ''Terrifier 2'' was received favorably by critics and was a hit at the box office, grossing more than $15 million on a $250,000 budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/terrifier_2 |title=Terrifier 2 (2022)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=6 October 2022 |access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt10403420/|title=Terrifier 2|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3735223/photos-from-the-terrifier-2-red-carpet-premiere-in-new-york-city/|title=Photos from the 'Terrifier 2' Red Carpet Premiere in New York City!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=October 6, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/terrifier-2-viewers-vomit-pass-out-director-says-surreal-1235407675/|title='Terrifier 2' Is Making Moviegoers Vomit and Pass Out, but Its Director Says: 'I Don't Want People Getting Hurt. It's Surreal'|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Zack|last=Sharf|date=October 18, 2023|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/media/horror-movies-box-office-smile-halloween/index.html|title=Why horror films kill at the box office all year round|website=[[CNN]]|first=Frank|last=Pallotta|date=October 31, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1090328/terrifier-2-was-just-as-brutal-to-film-as-it-was-to-watch/|title=Terrifier 2 Was Just As Brutal To Film As It Was To Watch|website=[[/Film]]|first=Matthew|last=Bilodeau|date=November 7, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref> Leone was again nominated for a ''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Award Best Makeup FX, for his work on ''Terrifier 2'', which he later won.<ref name="Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/awards/news/fangoria-2023-chainsaw-awards-nominations-1235502663/|title=Jordan Peele's 'Nope,' Ti West's 'Pearl' Lead Fangoria's Chainsaw Award Nominations|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Todd|last=Gilchrist|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=April 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2023 win">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chainsawawards.org/winners/|title=Winners - Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|website=[[Fangoria Chainsaw Awards]]|author=Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|date=May 22, 2023|access-date=May 22, 2023|archive-date=May 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522025244/https://www.chainsawawards.org/winners/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Leone next directed and wrote ''[[Terrifier 3]]'' and co-produced ''[[Stream (film)|Stream]]'', both 2024 films for which he also provided special effects.<ref name="Terrifier 3">{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3554905/interview-david-howard-thornton-teases-terrifier-2-says-script-terrifier-3-already-underway/|title=[Interview] David Howard Thornton Teases 'Terrifier 2' and Says Script for 'Terrifier 3' is Already Underway|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Cullen|last=Fleetwood|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Terrifier 3 (2)">{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/damien-leone-terrifier-3-evil-dead-sam-raimi-new-project-2023-2|title='Terrifier' director Damien Leone teases 'Terrifier 3' and a potential 4th film, and says he's met with 'Evil Dead' director Sam Raimi about a new project|website=[[Insider Inc.|Insider]]|first=Eammon|last=Jacobs|date=February 2, 2023|access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Terrifier 3 (3)">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1187893/damien-leone-is-writing-terrifier-3-and-then-hopes-to-work-with-sam-raimi/|title=Damien Leone Is Writing Terrifier 3, And Then Hopes To Work With Sam Raimi|website=[[/Film]]|first=Matthew|last=Bilodeau|date=February 3, 2023|access-date=April 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Stream">{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3742528/stream-guitarist-paul-wiley-to-score-new-horror-movie-from-the-producers-of-terrifier-exclusive/|title='Stream' – Guitarist Paul Wiley to Score New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier'! [Exclusive]|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=December 5, 2022|access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Stream (2)">{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3724885/stream-fresh-look-at-new-horror-movie-from-the-producers-of-terrifier-exclusive/|title='Stream' – Fresh Look at New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier' [Exclusive]|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=John|last=Squires|date=July 27, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Terrifier 3 (4)">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/terrifier-sequel-art-clown-release-details-bigger-budget-box-office-hit-1235383506/|title='Terrifier 3': Details Revealed For Bigger Budget Threequel After Second Film's Box Office Breakout|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Terrifier 3 (5)">{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3763948/terrifier-3-is-officially-happening-and-will-continue-to-push-boundaries/|title='Terrifier 3' Is Officially Happening and Will Continue to Push Boundaries!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Stream (3)">{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3764501/stream-poster-puts-skin-in-the-game/|title='Stream' Poster Puts Skin In the Game!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=June 2, 2023|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref>''Terrifier 4'', which Leone has said could possibly be the conclusion of the franchise, is currently in the works.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/terrifier-4-damien-leone-art-the-clown-backstory-first-15-minutes/|work=Movie Web|title=Creator of 2024's Most Shocking Horror Hit Promises to Finally Give Fans What They Want in "Epic" Sequel|author=Melzer, James|date=May 30, 2025|accessdate=May 30, 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Leone grew up in the [[Great Kills]] section of [[Staten Island, New York]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2022/10/new-horror-flick-written-produced-by-staten-islanders-gets-national-attention-for-causing-viewers-to-vomit-and-faint.html |title=New horror flick, written, produced by Staten Islanders, gets national attention for causing viewers to vomit and faint |first=Jessica |last=Jones-Gorman |newspaper=Staten Island Advance |date=October 15, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}</ref>

In October 2025, nearly ten years after the film's release, actress [[Catherine Corcoran]], who appeared in the first ''Terrifier'' film, filed a federal lawsuit against Leone and producer Phil Falcone claiming both producers shortchanged her on promised residuals for the film and used her on-screen nudity without her consent. A lawyer for Leone and Falcone said, “Damien and Phil deny the claims in the complaint and will vigorously defend this lawsuit.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/terrifier-star-catherine-corcoran-says-producers-short-changed-filmed-rcna240324|work=[[NBC News]]|title='Terrifier' star Catherine Corcoran says producers shortchanged her, filmed her nude without written permission|author=Li, David K.|date=October 29, 2025|accessdate=October 30, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/terrifier-lawsuit-sexual-harassment-breach-of-contract-1235157784/|work=[[Indiewire]]|title=‘Terrifier’ Actress Sues for Breach of Contract, Alleges Extreme Sexual Harassment in Claim|author=Foreman, Alison|date=October 27, 2025|accessdate=October 30, 2025}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
! Editor
! Makeup/Special Effects
! Notes
! References
|-
| 2005
| ''Love''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref name="TCM Filmography">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/9849593%7C0/Damien-Leone#filmography|title=Damien Leone - Turner Classic Movies|website=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|author=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=August 22, 2024|archive-date=August 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822052404/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/9849593%7C0/Damien-Leone#filmography|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2008
| ''The 9th Circle''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| Short film, first appearance of [[Art the Clown]]
|
|-
| 2011
| ''Terrifier''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Short film
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[All Hallows' Eve (2013 film)|All Hallows' Eve]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Anthology film
| <ref name=koestnerreview>{{cite web|title="All Hallows' Eve" (DVD Review)|url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/all-hallows-eve-dvd-review/|last=Koestner|first=Madeleine|date=November 8, 2013|work=[[Fangoria]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019211633/http://www.fangoria.com/new/all-hallows-eve-dvd-review/|archive-date=October 19, 2014|access-date=September 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/49010/all-hallows-eve-dvd/|title=All Hallows' Eve (DVD)|last=McHargue|first=Brad|date=October 15, 2013|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=September 13, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3| 2015
| ''[[Frankenstein vs. The Mummy]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/frankenstein-vs-the-mummy-movie-review-262 |title=Frankenstein vs. The Mummy (Movie Review) |last=Dee |first=Jake |date=February 2, 2015 |website=Joblo.com |access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Shock">{{cite web |url=http://www.shockya.com/news/2015/02/20/frankenstein-vs-the-mummy-dvd-review/ |title=Frankenstein Vs The Mummy DVD Review |last=Willis |first=JM |date=February 20, 2015 |website=Shock Ya! |access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| ''Laugh Killer Laugh''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref name="TCM Filmography"/>
|-
| ''[[All Hallows' Eve 2]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| Anthology film
| <ref>{{cite web |title=All Hallows' Eve 2 |date=9 February 2016 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_hallows_eve_2 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |accessdate=30 October 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Terrifier]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/terrifier|title=Terrifier (2018)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=15 March 2018 |access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Terrifier 2]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Joseph |first1=Matt |title=Watch: Art The Clown Returns In First Terrifier 2 Trailer |url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/watch-art-clown-returns-terrifier-2-trailer/ |website=We Got This Covered |date=24 July 2020 |accessdate=15 October 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| 2024
| ''[[Stream (film)|Stream]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3682525/team-behind-terrifier-2-comes-horror-movie-stream-starring-danielle-harris-jeffrey-combs/|title=From the Team Behind 'Terrifier 2' Comes Horror Movie 'Stream' Starring Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Combs!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=John|last=Squires|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=March 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3742528/stream-guitarist-paul-wiley-to-score-new-horror-movie-from-the-producers-of-terrifier-exclusive/|title='Stream' – Guitarist Paul Wiley to Score New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier'! [Exclusive]|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=December 5, 2022|access-date=March 29, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Terrifier 3]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| <ref name="Terrifier 3" /><ref name="Terrifier 3 (2)" /><ref name="Terrifier 3 (3)" /><ref name="Terrifier 3 (4)" /><ref name="Terrifier 3 (5)" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3786827/terrifier-3-will-slay-christmas-in-theaters-on-october-25-2024/|title='Terrifier 3' Will Slay Christmas in Theaters on October 25, 2024!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=John|last=Squires|date=November 2, 2023|access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>
|}

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Nominated work !! Result !! References
|-
| 2011 || ShockerFest || Audience Choice Award || rowspan="2"| ''Terrifier'' || {{Won}} ||
|-
| 2012 || Louisville Fright Night Film Fest || Best "Grindhouse" Film || {{Won}} ||
|-
| 2015 || [[Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards]] || Best Independent Film || ''[[Frankenstein vs. The Mummy]]'' || {{Nominated}} ||
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2019 || rowspan="2"| [[2019 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards]] || Best Limited Release || rowspan="2"| ''[[Terrifier]]'' || {{Nominated}} || rowspan="2"| <ref name="Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2019" />
|-
| Best Makeup FX || {{Nominated}}
|-
| 2022 || Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Awards || Breakthrough Director || rowspan="2" | ''[[Terrifier 2]]'' || {{Nominated}} || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awardswatch.com/2022-greater-western-new-york-film-critics-association-winners/|title=2022 Greater Western New York Film Critics Association winners|website=AwardsWatch|first=Erik|last=Anderson|date=December 30, 2022|access-date=May 22, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| 2023 || ''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards || Best Makeup FX || {{Won}} || <ref name="Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2023" /><ref name="Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2023 win" />
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|2093171}}
* {{TCMDb name|9849593%7C0}}

{{Damien Leone}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leone, Damien}}
[[Category:20th-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:American film editors]]
[[Category:Film producers from New York City]]
[[Category:American horror film directors]]
[[Category:American horror writers]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Horror film producers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American special effects people]]
[[Category:Terrifier (film series)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Damien Leone|access_date=2026-03-01}}