Dan Kamin
He played in Michael Gornick’s Creepshow 2 as Old Chief Wood’n Head.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Dan Kamin: I’ve always been inspired by movies. After seeing a movie about Houdini with Tony Curtis I became a boy magician. After seeing a movie with Charlie Chaplin I became a mime and physical comedian. These days I perform around the world with symphony orchestras. Your readers can check out my work at www.dankamin.com or YouTube.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Old Chief Wood’nhead?
Dan Kamin: Michael Gornick, the director, and George Romero, who wrote the screenplay, both knew me from my mime work in the Pittsburgh area.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Dan Kamin: I didn’t have to audition. They wanted a thin person who was good with movement to animate the Indian in an interesting way.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Dan Kamin: The costume essentially sealed me in, with mechanics to move the eyes and mouth. An airhose had to be put into it,
which made a whooshing noise. Since I was effectively blind and deaf a small earphone had to be put into the head so that I could communicate with the director.
SKSM: You worked with Michael Gornick on this film, how was that?
Dan Kamin: Michael was delightful to work with, a lovely person.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Dan Kamin: Nada.
SKSM: What did you do after Old Chief Wood’n head?
Dan Kamin: I taught Robert Downey, Jr. to be Charlie Chaplin for the Chaplin movie, and created the comedy sequences in that movie. I did the same with Johnny Depp for a film called Benny and Joon.
SKSM: What are you thinking of the end result of the film?
Dan Kamin: My daughter, who was eleven at the time, had never seen a horror movie, but she insisted, of course, on going to that one when it came out. She was on the set, so I kept reminding her that things weren’t real. She shushed me impatiently. At the end of the movie, she turned to me and said, “Dad, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but that’s the worst movie I’ve ever seen.” Yet I know the movie has lots of fans, because I have heard from them over the years. No accounting for taste, I guess.
SKSM: Are you (or were you) a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Dan Kamin: I like his prison dramas Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile best. Terrific films.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Dan Kamin: Don’t diss a wooden Indian.
