Robert Barton Englund (born June 6, 1947) is an American actor and director, best known for playing the supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. Classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Englund began his career as a stage actor in regional theatre, and made his film debut in the 1974 drama film Buster and Billie. After supporting roles in films like Stay Hungry (1976), A Star Is Born (1976), and Big Wednesday (1977), he had his breakthrough as resistance fighter Willie in the 1983 miniseries V and its subsequent sequel series. After his performance in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), he became closely associated with the horror film genre, and is widely-regarded as one of its iconic actors.