Where Are They Now: Ken Sagoes
A few weeks ago, I decided to binge the Nightmare On Elm Street series. It took me 2 days, more coffee than I’d care to admit, and no sleep to get through all nine films – remake included.
But as I sat down to part 3, Dream Warriors, my mind began to wander. What happened to the cast?
Sure, I have seen them pop up from time to time in movies and TV shows. Some even dabble in other creative ventures, like writing or directing.
So when I was approached by Ken Sagoes in regards to his latest venture, I couldn’t resist in checking in with him to see how he’s been, what he’s been up to, and to give us more insight into what he’s working on now.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the man himself as we discuss Freddy, writing, diversity in Hollywood, and what the future has in store.
REI: Most people will recognize you as Ronald Kincaid from A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. How did you get the role?
KEN: It was by an audition that I did not want to go on. Mainly because what the “casting breakdown” was asking for I did not fit. (Casting breakdown is when casting directors send out a description of the roles they are looking to cast in a film/television show) It was a rainy day. I had to go to court before my appointment which was across town and I didn’t have a car. I had to take three buses in the pouring rain to get there after I lost my court case. I had a very serious ‘didn’t want to be there’ attitude. The casting director and director (Chuck Russell) thought I was acting. Long story short, it was what they were looking for in Kincaid and I got the role. Thank God for a bad attitude . laughs
REI: Are you surprised by how popular your character and the A Nightmare On Elm Street films remain?
KEN: Yes, very much so. I no idea when I was filming Nightmare 3 that playing this role was going to be a blessing that would follow me for life. I am grateful.
REI: I have to ask; what is your favorite Freddy Krueger kill?
“Welcome to prime time, bitch!”
KEN: There are two – besides mines, of course. *smiles* 1) The killing of Taryn (played by Jennifer Rubin) with needles in her veins followed by Freddy’s line, “What a rush,” and Jennifer (played by Penelope Sudrow) with her head going through the TV set, followed by the line, “Welcome to prime time, bitch!” – classics.
REI: What is your fondest memory of bringing Kincaid to the big screen?
KEN: About mid-way doing filming, I realized that I was playing a role that the world doesn’t often see for Black actors. There was never a bored moment playing Kincaid. Every scene will fall under a fondest memory.
REI: Are you a horror fan?
KEN: I was not a big horror fan, but I did have two favorite horror films. One was “Blacula” in the 70s, and the other was “The Birds.” Believe it or not, I had the honor of meeting the star of Blacula, the late-great, William Marshall who played Blacula. A very special history note William Marshall was actually the first Black to survive a horror film from part 1 and then part 2. I was the first to survive a major international horror film.
When I first moved to Los Angeles, I got a job as a security guard at Universal Studios in early 1979. On my clock route, I met one of the greatest of all horror icons, Mr. Alfred Hitchcock.
REI: The master of suspense himself! That would have been amazing. Is there anything about your career, if given the opportunity for a do-over, would you change?
KEN: No, I think God constructed a path for me to follow for my own personal growth.
REI: You’ve established yourself as an author too. What inspired you to write?
KEN: I grew in the deep South in a very small country town call Stockbridge, Georgia, south of Atlanta in my early years. I used to listen to my grandfather tell old folk tales on the porch some nights before we went to bed. Often, when my mind started to wonder, stories would gather in my head. Sometimes, I would act them out. In my latter years, we moved to Atlanta, Georgia. My English teacher and drama teacher encouraged me to write and act.
REI: What advice do you have for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
KEN: Never give up. Know that everyone will never see your total dream because it is “YOUR” dream, and it comes from within you. It’s going to be hard at times, sometimes the road could seem like it has too many curves, too many bumps, huddles might seem too high to jump, and the words of people (your family, your friends, co-workers, and sometimes, even yourself) may say, “you can’t do it.” But that is NOT true. The fact that you can think it, YOU can do it. So, my first advice is to “believe,” and “NEVER GIVE UP.”
REI: Do you feel that that film industry lacks diversity? If so, do you have any suggestions for how it can be rectified?
KEN: Yes, I do, very much so. My suggestion from me is to go make my own stories and produce them. It’s the best rectify I can do.
REI: What are you currently working on?
KEN: I am working on a short film that is very dear to my heart. It’s called, “The Secret Weapon, Yesterday IS Today. It is the story about youth during the sixties that went head-to-head with one of the most notorious iconic racist of the time. His name was Bull Connor and how he treated the youth that protested him made him the Freddy Krueger of their time. He even put kids as young as 4 years old in hog pens. But the children did not give up until they won the battle. What those youth did, the world watched, and the world applauded.
REI: How can your fans and our readers at Macabre Daily help with your latest project?
KEN: I have set up a special offer for the horror community to support me. I will personally sign special items and mail them to you (post card, dog tag, bookmark, and waistband. None of those special Nightmare on Elm Street 3 & 4 items has been presented at horror conventions. There is even a limited-edition canvas 16x20 print from an original piece of abstract art. Since it has been 34 years since Nightmare 3 premiered – on 34 numbered prints will be available. Just go to: www.thesagoescompany.com. The offer will June 30th.
REI: What can we expect from you in the future?
KEN: Some of everything, from my writing to my acting, to directing and producing. I am even thinking about getting back on the stand-up stage. Yeah, I once did stand-up.
But before I end this interview, let me say this, THANK YOU, for the many years of support. Please know, that I am who I am because of you, and I am appreciative and honored.
I want to issue a huge thank you to Ken for his time. It has been a true pleasure in speaking with him and getting to see what he’s been up to. I hope our wonderful readers at Macabre Daily can get behind him and support his new venture as well as scoring yourself some rare Dream Warrior merch!
