- published: 16 Jun 2009
- views: 147610
Derek Mears (born April 29, 1972) is an American actor and stuntman, best known for his role as Jason Voorhees in the reboot of Friday the 13th.
Mears was born in Bakersfield, California. He performed improv comedy at ComedySportz in Bakersfield. He graduated from Highland High School in Bakersfield in 1990.
Mears has numerous credits both as a stuntman and as an actor. He had minor roles in The Tick, ER, Alias, Nash Bridges, Men in Black II, The Shield, CSI: NY, My Name Is Earl, Mr. & Mrs Smith, CSI: Miami, and The Hills Have Eyes 2. His stunt credits include the films Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Blades of Glory, and TV series such as Angel and Bones.
Mears got his breakthrough lead role in the new Friday the 13th film. He was recommended to the producers, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form of Platinum Dunes, by make-up and special effects guru Scott Stoddard, who created the new look for Mears' character, Jason Voorhees. Due to Mears' height at 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) he is one of the tallest actors who ever portrayed Jason, beside Ken Kirzinger, who stands at a similar height to Mears. He was nominated for an MTV Movie Award in the category for Best Villain for his portrayal of Voorhees, but lost to Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Friday the 13th - Derek Mears Interview
Men Behind the Mask Q&A; Panel Kane Hodder, Derek Mears, Brian Steele, Tyler Mane
Behind the mask of Jason with Friday the13th's Derek Mears
Adam Green's Scary Sleepover - Episode 4: Derek Mears
Derek Mears Demo Reel
Derek Mears Interview | AfterBuzz TV's Spotlight On
Friday the 13th (2009) Behind the Scenes B-roll Footage w/ soundtrack Part 1
Q & A WITH TONY TODD, TYLER MANE, AND DEREK MEARS
Men Behind the Mask Panel Derek Mears, Brian Steele, Tyler Mane & Nick Principe
Derek Mears Interview - Predators
Derek Mears - Jason in "F13" (2009).
Derek Mears Exclusive Interview With iHorror.com