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Ward Costello
★ Acting

Ward Costello

1919 – 2009 · Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. · Active 1948–1989

Ward Costello, born in 1919, carved a niche in the world of cult cinema with his performances in Law of the Land (1976), Goldengirl (1979), and Bloody Birthday (1981). His roles often brought a unique blend of charm and intensity, enhancing the narratives of these films. In Bloody Birthday, he contributed to the eerie atmosphere that defines this slasher classic, showcasing his ability to navigate the darker themes of the genre. Costello's work remains a significant part of the conversation around exploitation and grindhouse cinema.

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Bloody Birthday

Bloody Birthday

1981 ★ 6.0
as Mr. Taylor

In Meadowvale, California, three children, Debbie, Curtis and Steven, were all born during an eclipse. According to their horoscopes, this has left them without emotions. They are now all ten year-olds and engage in a series of fiendish murders of other children and adults. Teenager Joyce Russel is looking after her young brother Timmy while their parents are away when they are targeted by the children. As Joyce tries to stand up against the children, her efforts to tell what is happening are disbelieved by the adults around her. In 1970, three children are born at the height of a total eclipse. Due to the sun and moon blocking Saturn, which controls emotions, they have become heartless killers ten years later, and are able to escape detection because of their youthful and innocent facades. A boy and his teenage sister become endangered when they stumble onto the bloody truth. Review: “This little shocker was made in 1980, and you can really see it, but! It’s not that bad, i will be honest. The film centers around 3 10 year olds, who were born at the horizon of an eclipse. now this has turned them into cold blooded killers, almost from today’s headlines. The next door neighbors (older sister and her little brother), catch on to their ways. And we get to see julie brown (from MTV) naked, this is worth the rental alone. We also get to see, strangulations, arrows through eyes and naked people shot, hope i am not ruining the plot. watch for the poster of van halen, getting shot with bulletholes. check it out….. it is an interesting flick.”

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

31 credits
1980s 9 credits
1989
Roe vs. Wade as Supreme Court Judge
Movie ★ 6.0
1988
Movie ★ 5.8
1987
Project X as Price
Movie ★ 6.3
1987
Star Trek: The Next Generation as Admiral Gregory Quinn
TV ★ 8.4
1982
Firefox as General Rogers
Movie ★ 6.1
1982
Missing as Congressman
Movie ★ 7.3
1982
TV ★ 7.1
1981
Bloody Birthday as Mr. Taylor
Movie ★ 5.9
1981
Movie ★ 7.0
1970s 12 credits
1979
Movie ★ 5.4
1978
Movie ★ 5.9
1977
MacArthur as Gen. George C. Marshall
Movie ★ 6.3
1977
Code Name: Diamond Head as Captain Macintosh
Movie ★ 3.3
1977
The City as Captain Lloyd Bryant
Movie ★ 6.1
1977
TV ★ 7.3
1976
Movie ★ 4.0
1976
Law of the Land as E.J. Barnes
Movie ★ 3.8
1974
TV ★ 7.9
1974
TV ★ 7.2
1973
TV ★ 7.0
1960s 2 credits
1961
The Defenders as Tom Aufderheidie
TV ★ 6.3
1960
The Gallant Hours as Harry Black
Movie ★ 6.7
1950s 7 credits
1958
Terror from the Year 5000 as Dr. Robert Hedges
Movie ★ 3.8
1957
The Lark as Joan's Father
Movie
1955
TV ★ 7.8
1955
TV ★ 5.2
1954
Run Like a Thief as Mr. Wheelock
Movie
1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame as Joan's Father
TV ★ 8.8
1940s 1 credit
1948
The Philco Television Playhouse as Investigator Robert Wheelock
TV ★ 6.6