Poltergeist
1982 film by Tobe Hooper · Released 1982
Poltergeist is a 1982 American supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor from a story by Spielberg. It stars JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, and Beatrice Straight, and was produced by Spielberg and Frank Marshall. The film follows a suburban family whose home is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct their youngest daughter. As Spielberg was contractually unable to direct another film while he made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Hooper was selected based on his work on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and The Funhouse (1981).
Cast ages at release (1982)
- Craig T. Nelson, as Steven "Steve" Freeling: 37–38
- JoBeth Williams, as Diane Freeling: 33–34
- Beatrice Straight, as Dr. Lesh: 67–68
- Dominique Dunne, as Dana Freeling: 22–23
- Heather O'Rourke, as Carol Anne Freeling: 6–7
- Richard Lawson, as Dr. Ryan Mitchell: 34–35
- Zelda Rubinstein, as Tangina Barrons: 48–49
- Lou Perryman: 40–41
- Sonny Landham, as Pool Worker: 40–41
- Oliver Robins, as Robbie Freeling: 10–11
- Dirk Blocker, as Jeff Shaw: 24–25
- James Karen, as Mr. Lewis Teague: 58–59
- Michael McManus, as Ben Tuthill: 35–36