Draft:Blake Best

Blake Best (born October 14, 1985) is an American author, actor, and musician. Most of his literary work is in horror, though on occasion he has combined horror and non-fiction projects.

Early Life
Blake Best was born in Nashville, TN on October 14, 1985. While growing up he suffered abuse and began to watch horror films and write short stories. When he was nine years old, one of his teachers entered an essay he had written about the Loch Ness monster into a writing contest. While continuing to write, Best learned how to play the guitar at the age of thirteen. Best's father was a professional guitarist and both of his parents were avid music enthusiasts.

Music Career
Best toured for five years as part of several bands, including metal band Bridge to Oblivion and Nexus Point. He released two full length albums, four EPs, and a live EP before he retired from touring life in 2013. Best began releasing his own music and released four EPs between July 2023 and June 2024: "Lucid," "Unplugged," "Save Me Now" and "Looking Glass."

Best is also a composer and has scored music for various episodes of the series “All Things Unexplained” from 2020-2024.

Writing Career
In October 2016 Best and Elm Street alumni Mick Strawn were inducted into the Hall of Horror in Las Vegas for their contributions to the A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise) mythology. Best wrote an original possession novel called "The Within" and a novel called "Razor's Edge" that served as an origin story for the antagonist of the film series, Freddy Krueger. In 2018 Best and Mick Strawn, production designer of the hit horror films A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master began working on a book that chronicled the making of the fourth film called Behind the Screams. The book was released in conjunction with the thirtieth anniversary of the fourth film. Makeup effects legend Steve Johnson (special effects artist) and Bart Mixon were on board with the release of the book. Best often discusses the impact of "Behind the Screams" and "Razor's Edge" and how the Elm Street films in general have affected fans since the films were released.

Acting Career
Blake is best known to horror film fans as "Blake the Guard" from "He Comes to Kill," released by Strange Films in 2022. His character is remembered as being serial killer Stanley Elk's "biggest fan" and for presenting him with a victim. "Blake the Guard" also holds the distinction of sacrificing himself to Elk in order to show him that he has a devoted legion of followers.

Filmography
Blake has appeared in the following films:

All Things Unexplained (2020-2024)

FredHeads: The Documentary (2022)

He Comes to Kill (2022)