Surprising facts about 'American Horror Story.’

Surprising facts about 'American Horror Story.’

Updated on July 29, 2022 14:50 PM by Laura Mendes

With more than 100 episodes, American Horror Story has officially been around for ten years. It comes as no surprise, then, that it contains a wealth of intriguing anecdotes and supporting information.

We've gathered some of the strangest facts about the franchise, ranging from acting parts that almost never happened to the horrifying real-life origins of some of the characters.

Even the most devoted fans of American Horror Story may not be aware of some of these truths. So feel free to peruse this entertaining list of information to broaden your understanding of AHS and discover a little bit about its past.

. "Cult" Used Sarah Paulson's actual phobias

In Cult, Ryan Murphy used Sarah Paulson's real-life fears to evoke terror. This included scenes with clowns, bees, and heights. It appears that the goal was to make the surroundings seem more authentic. Having said that, it's possible that Paulson wasn't always acting at this point and that she was indeed terrified, and understandably so.

. "AHS" and "Glee" Are Related

These shows may be diametrically opposed, but—believe it or not—they have an odd and unexpected connection. AHS creator and writer Ryan Murphy are the brains behind the hit TV program Glee.

I immediately thought, "I'm going to write a show about a*** sex and mass killings." for Interview Magazine, Murphy explained, "I couldn't write any more lovely lectures for these Glee kids about love and tolerance and togetherness; therefore, American Horror Story came about. I'll commit suicide.

The fact that one is built on nightmare tropes while the other is a joyous musical extravaganza is sufficient evidence that Murphy is a gifted writer and director.

It Took A Long Time to Film Bette and Dot Scenes

The moments involving Bette and Dot, the two-headed actors in Freak Show, required 10 to 15 hours to film. Sarah Paulson, who portrayed the conjoined twins, had an attached prosthetic head. After each scene was shot, this was paired with digital editing to transfer Paulson's visage to the second head. It shows how meticulously the show is produced.

Chris Zylka  Almost a Star in "Asylum."

Actor Chris Zylka was supposed to play a deaf character at Briarcliff hospital in the second season of the television series Asylum. He was supposedly fired from the show because he wouldn't shave his head for the part. His entire character was then dropped from the show as a result. Despite how popular AHS is, it would have been intriguing to observe the dynamic by introducing a different character.

 A Real Person Was the Model for Edward Mordrake

Mordrake from Freak Show comes to mind. Edward Mordrake's character was based on a natural person; he wasn't the invention of authors Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. A man with the same name who was said to have a spooky face on the back of his skull served as the inspiration for the urban legend Edward Mordrake, which has been around for hundreds of years. You know, the guy with the moving and speaking face on the back of his head? Believable? Your choice.

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The Hotel Has a True History

H.H. Holmes created a hotel from scratch in the 1880s with the express purpose of killing the visitors. He was alleged to have murdered over 200 people during his rule in this location before being apprehended by police. The hotel was loosely based on two hotels where murders had occurred. The hotel, like the AHS adaption, included secret passageways and rooms in addition to the maze-like features meant to imprison the hotel's occupants. James March's character, Holmes, might have been modeled after him.

Ryan Murphy was also influenced by the renowned Hotel Cecil, operating from 1924 to 2017. Numerous unexplained deaths have occurred at this location, including the notorious demise of Elisa Lam, whose tale was made public by a Netflix documentary.

The Gimp Suit on Evan Peters Kept Ripping.

Recall the all-black suit-wearing "Rubber Man" from season one? That at least gives the scary character a little humor! Peters needed to be slathered with lubricant to squeeze into this outfit because it was so tight for him. Due to its tightness, it also tore several times on set, necessitating the need to bring in replacement ones.

"1984" Was Intentionally Filmed in the 1980s.

Undoubtedly, 1984 had a vintage vibe to it. This served as a tribute to the 1980s slasher genre and included attire and other accessories from that era. The soundtrack extensively used synthesizers, contributing to the album's distinctly 1980s vibe. It was also, oddly, shot in the 80s, VHS-style, hazy manner. AHS was filmed in a novel way for the first time in the series.

Everything in the series is related.

The creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk claim that each season is interconnected, even if each series is distinct and set in its own universe. This is occasionally evident in each series; for example, Pepper occurs in Asylum and Freak Show, while The Murder House reappears in Hotel.

A Real Person Was the Basis for Delphine LaLaurie

Here's a strange fact that will make you tremble! Delphine LaLaurie, played by Kathy Bates in Coven, was modeled after a real-life person. LaLaurie used to torture and murder her slaves in New Orleans during the slave era. Although she was portrayed in AHS in a brutal and gory way, this did occur. Locals destroyed her home after learning that she had abused enslaved people in her cellar. She and her family, unfortunately, fled to France, which was terrible news for those seeking retribution.

Lady Gaga Didn't Start for "Hotel."

The fifth season of AHS did not initially plan to feature Lady Gaga as the lead. She approached the show's creator Ryan Murphy about any open opportunities because she is such a big fan. It turns out that if Gaga hadn't first contacted Murphy, Hotel would have been entirely different! In actuality, audiences and critics alike eventually praised her performance and portrayal of a vampiress

Ryan Murphy is the "Creative Husband" of Sarah Paulson.

Sarah Paulson, the most recognizable actor in AHS, has been a fantastic regular throughout the entire series. She reportedly first met Ryan Murphy in 2004. Her acting career was far less well-known at this time than it is now, but she must have left an enduring impact because she went on to play the most recognizable characters in the majority of Murphy's shows! So much so that she refers to him as her "creative husband" and labels their union "the creative marriage of my life

Twisty Ruined the Image of Clowns

Clowns of America International makes this claim. After viewing Twisty the Clown on Freak Show, some members of this organization voiced their displeasure, claiming that he promoted "clown terror." That is correct! The Hollywood Reporter was quoted by the president of Clowns of America International as saying, "We do not support in any way, shape, or form any medium that sensationalizes or adds to coulrophobia or 'clown fear.'

Ben Woolf Taught Preschoolers As Well

Ben Woolf worked as a preschool teacher full-time in addition to being a part-time actor. He had previously appeared as an uncredited extra in the horror film Insidious, but he was best recognized for playing Meep in Freak Show. Even though this was arguably the height of his career, he tragically passed on the same year Freak Show was launched. The late Ben Woolf had a stroke and passed away after being struck by a car's rearview mirror.

Sarah Paulson subsequently directed an episode

Sarah Paulson was given the opportunity to direct an episode of Apocalypse as a result of the success of her role in AHS. Paulson took over the camera for Return to Murder House, the final episode that featured throwbacks to infamous AHS characters, and it was a major episode at that. This was the first time an AHS actor had served as the program's director. It's not unexpected that stars like Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates appeared in her show. Can she helm a couple more shows? Thank you, Ryan Murphy.

You Can Rent The Coven Mansion

wacky fact? You can rent out the Coven home for private usage! The magnificent structure is in Louisiana, but there's a problem. Not at all, but it does cost $5,000 per night. To be fair, it has three levels, a lot of history, and a lot of square footage. This can be a pricey present for die-hard show lovers.17

'Name Game,'   not originally included in the script

The famous Name Game song from the film Asylum by Jessica Lange wasn't part of the original plan; it was instead her creation! She was motivated to create the song because the series might occasionally be gloomy and dismal. Simply put, without the upbeat musical piece that contrasted sharply with the show's typically somber themes, Asylum wouldn't have been as successful. Looking back, this was a pivotal point in the series and undoubtedly one of its most memorable scenes.

Lady Gaga Dedicated a Room to Outfits

Nothing 'strange' will ever surprise Lady Gaga. The well-known actress had a whole room set aside for her elaborate outfits while filming Hotel. Lou Eyrich, who collaborated with Gaga to design her clothing, created them. These included items from Gucci as well as Gaga's own wardrobe. It makes sense why her vampiress appeared so fashionable in the episode.

Zachary Quinto Uplifted Spirits by Playing Banjo

This looks like some much-needed lighthearted fun, similar to Name Game, given how severe the Asylum story was. Actor Zachary Quinto lifted spirits between scenes by playing the banjo because Asylum was so depressing. He seemed to enjoy playing the instrument sincerely, and his coworkers appreciated that.

Horror films included the "Murder House" music

Songs from numerous horror film soundtracks were incorporated in Murder House. These included films like What Lies Beneath, Insidious, and Bram Stoker's Dracula. This is a typical practice in movies since it makes it simple for filmmakers to select tense music quickly. When creating his films, director Quintin Tarantino frequently employs this technique.

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