Vampires: Best of the Best...sort of

This is a fun list of vampire characters from film and TV. You may not agree with the list but you’ll certainly know most of these blood suckers.

The Vampires

1.

Jerry Dandrige

(Chris Sarandon - Fright Night 1985)

"I've just destroyed your car Charlie. But that's nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you...tomorrow night." With great lines like this, a cool and calm demeanor, and an intimidating servant (Billy Cole), this fruit munching vampire quickly became a cult classic. Why did they have to ruin this with that horrible sequel?

2.

David

(Kiefer Sutherland - The Lost Boys 1987)

David, along with his well-dressed entourage and murky soundtrack, made vampires cool and hip. Who didn’t want to fly around Santa Carla at night on motorcycles...ripping people from parked cars...drinking their blood? Sutherland had to wear black gloves throughout the whole movie to cover a cast he had due to a broken arm sustained while fooling around on a bike behind the scenes.

3.

Count von Count

(Sesame Street)

Aptly named, The Count debuted on Sesame Street in Season 4 (1972–73). Helping kids with numbers and math, the Count would count anything then laugh maniacally which was always followed by thunder and lightning. But what was with his monocle? Do vampires have bad eyesight?

4.

Grandpa (Sam Dracula)

(Al Lewis - The Munsters)

Grandpa was the father of Lily Munster and the sarcastic father-in-law to Herman, who was the butt of many insults. Not only was he a vampire but was also a bumbling alchemist from his “lab” located in the cellar of the house. The only vampire that I know of who had a pet bat...Igor!

5.

Count Vladimir Dracula

(George Hamilton - Love at First Bite 1979)

Find yourself evicted from your castle in Transylvania by rioting peasants? Go to New York to find your bride. This is exactly what Vlad did in the ’79 vampire spoof. Campy lines and over acting makes Hamilton’s vampire loveable if not laughable. Are vampires suppose to have tans?

6.

Barnabas Collins

(Jonathan Frid - Dark Shadows '66-'71)

Dark Shadows featured ghosts, zombies, and werewolves but it was the introduction of Barnabas Collins that made the show popular. Frid’s role as Barnabas was intended to be brief but the character quickly became the star of this campy, melodramatic drama. Ben Cross (ironic name) played Barnabas in the ’91 revival from NBC.

7.

Janos Skorzeny

(Barry Atwater - The Night Stalker 1972)

While the vampire Janos may not be well known, his nemesis Carl Kolchak is. Janos success and popularity in the TV movie helped launch the follow-up movie The Night Strangler. These two movies were the base for Kolchak: The Night Stalker series.

8.

Lestat de Lioncourt

(Tom Cruise - Interview with the Vampire 1994)

Love him or hate him, Tom Cruise did a great job playing the main, sexually ambiguous antagonist from Anne Rice’s novels. Cruise was placed on a platform during certain scenes to bring his height up to that of the other actors. Mini-Lestat?

9.

Count Dracula

(Gary Oldman - Bram Stoker's Dracula 1992)

Gary Oldman brings this role (young and old) to life (pun intended). He is crafty, sexy, and powerful in this Bram Stoker’s version. Even the acting of Keanu Reeves couldn’t take away from this amazing performance. Dracula...EXCELLENT!

10.

Dracula

(Bela Lugosi - Dracula 1931)

We must give props to Bela Lugosi who played his most famous role in this 1931 black and white classic. Universal Studios bought the rights to Dracula from Bram Stoker’s widow for a mere $40,000. I guess even the undead felt the pain of the Depression.