Summary
- The original Goosebumps series featured several well-known actors before they became famous, such as Ryan Gosling, Scott Speedman, and Karen Robinson.
- Ryan Gosling, known for his roles in Drive and La La Land, starred in a creepy episode where his character discovers a camera that predicts disasters.
- Other notable actors in Goosebumps include Hayden Christensen, A.J. Cook, and Laura Vandervoort, who all had memorable roles in various episodes of the series.
The original Goosebumps television series boasts a plethora of well-known actors, including some that appeared before they were famous The beloved children's anthology horror series, Goosebumps, ran for four seasons from 1995 to 1998. It adapted R. L. Stine's classic horror books of the same name, featuring a string of actors long before they received wider recognition.
Goosebumps was the first adaptation of Stine's literary work, becoming one of the most highly regarded children's horror series ever. Disney+ has since revived the show and produced a new Goosebumps TV show inspired by Stine's books. Nevertheless, the original remains one of the most celebrated incarnations, and revisiting its episodes and surprising cast members is always interesting.
10 Ryan Gosling
Now one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Ryan Gosling starred in one of Goosebumps' creepiest episodes. Gosling plays Greg Banks in Goosebumps season 1, episode 15, "Say Cheese and Die." Greg and his friends break into an abandoned warehouse and steal a camera. Upon using the camera, however, Greg discovers the photographs predict, and perhaps cause imminent disaster. Subsequently, Ryan Gosling is particularly well-known for his starring roles in Drive, The Notebook, and La La Land. Additionally, Gosling received particularly high praise for his portrayal of Ken in 2023's Barbie.
9 Scott Speedman
Also appearing in Goosebumps season 1, episode 15 "Say Cheese and Die" is actor Scott Speedman. Speedman plays Officer Madison, one of the two police officers who visit Greg after his friend Shari disappears. During the interaction, Greg is repeatedly startled by the reflection in Officer Madison's glasses, which dehumanizes the character and makes him appear more imposing. Since Goosebumps, Scott Speedman played Michael Corvin in Underworld and Underworld Evolution and is also recognizable for playing James Hoyt in the horror movie, The Strangers.
8 Karen Robinson
A third famous face in Goosebumps, season 1, episode 15, "Say Cheese and Day" is Karen Robinson. Robinson plays the other police officer to questions Greg on his friend, Shari's, disappearance. Robinson's character is called Detective Reddick and leads the questioning of Ryan Gosling's Gregg. This role preempts Karen Robinson's later work, including her roles as Superintendent Edwina Shanks in Pretty Hard Cases and Captain Kathleen Davies in The Calling. However, Robinson is probably best known for playing Ronnie Lee, a popular character from the sitcom Schitt's Creek.
7 Caterina Scorsone
Caterina Scorsone appeared in two different Goosebumps stories. The first is season 1, episode 10, "Night of the Living Dummy II," playing Sara, the sister to the protagonist Amy Kramer who has been gifted a cursed ventriloquist dummy named Slappy. Scorsone subsequently appears in Goosebumps season 3, episode 19, "Chillogy: Part 1: Squeal of Fortune," as Jessica, a money-obsessed teen who is sucked into a miniature town and turned into a pig. Caterina Scorsone is best known for playing Dr. Amelia Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy, and her roles in Edge of Darkness and November Man.
6 Hayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen starred in the second Goosebumps episode to feature Slappy the Dummy, season 2, episodes 23 and 24, "Night of the Living Dummy III." In the episode, Zane (Christensen) is terrorized by Slappy during a visit with his cousins, Trina and Daniel - whose father had recently acquired the cursed ventriloquist doll. Hayden Christensen is most famous for playing Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Episode II: Revenge of the Sith. Christensen would reprise this role in a couple of Star Wars shows and also starred in the 2008 science fiction movie Jumper and the 2003 drama, Shattered Glass.
5 A.J. Cook
A.J. Cook appeared in Goosebumps, season 2, episode 22, "Don't Wake Mummy." Cook played Kim, a girl whose Egyptologist father has sent an ancient sarcophagus back to his family. Kim decides to open the sarcophagus, which awakens the mummy within, which promptly attacks the family. A.J. Cook was one of the primary cast members in the procedural crime drama, Criminal Minds, in which she plays series mainstay, Jennifer Jarreau. Cook is also notable for playing Mary Lisbon in Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides and the protagonist Kimberly Corman in Final Destination 2.
4 Laura Vandervoort
Laura Vandervoort starred in three Goosebumps episodes. First, Vandervoort played Nadine Platt in Goosebumps season 3, episode 10, "The Haunted House Game." During the episode, Nadine and her friend Jonathon discover a haunted house-themed game, where the events of the game begin to happen in reality. Vandervoort's second Goosebumps role is in season 4, episodes 7 and 8, "Deep Trouble: Parts 1 & 2." Vandervoort plays Sheena Deep, who visits her uncle in the Caribbean and stumbles on a plan to fish into mutants. Laura Vandervoort is known for a variety of television roles, including Supergirl in Smallville, Elena Michaels in Bitten, and Lisa in the 2009 remake of V.
3 Kevin Zegers
Kevin Zegers appeared in Goosebumps season 2, episode 13, "Let's Get Invisible." Zegers plays Noah Thompson, who, along with his older brother, discovers a mirror that turns people invisible. As the brothers experiment with the mirror, they find it more and more difficult to become visible again, and it is revealed Zegers' Noah may have not returned at all. Zegers is best known for his roles as Toby in Transamerica, Terry in 2004's Dawn of the Dead, and Josh Framm in the Air Bud movies. Zegers has since gone on to star as FBI agent Brendon Acres in The Rookie: Feds and made a guest appearance in House.
2 Brendan Fletcher
Brendan Fletcher played Grady Tucker in Goosebumps, season 1, episodes 18 and 19, "The Werewolf of Fever Swap: Parts 1 & 2." The episode depicts Grady, who adopts a dog suspected of terrorizing his family's livestock. In a bid to prove his new pet innocent, Grady uncovers that the creature actually responsible is another boy, who transforms into a fearsome werewolf. Brendan Fletcher is probably best known for playing Fryman in The Revenant, Mark from Freddy Vs. Jason and the thug codenamed Krampus in Violent Night. Fletcher also had smaller appearances on the television dramas, Joe Picket and Siren.
1 Adam West
Adam West appears in Goosebumps season 2, episodes 2 and 3, "Attack of the Mutant: Parts 1 & 2." West plays The Galloping Gazelle, a superhero who is brought into the real world, with his archenemy the Masked Mutant. West reprised the role in 1997, voicing character for the Goosebumps videogame, Attack of the Mutant. West is famed for his performance as Batman in the 1960s television series and the 1966 feature film. West is also notable for voice work, including The Fairly Odd Parents and Family Guy. West is a prime example of an actor whose appearance in the classic original Goosebumps series has been forgotten.