Remembering Scott Spiegel: Evil Dead II Co-Writer and Hostel Producer Dies at 67
Scott Spiegel, one of the most influential behind-the-scenes voices in modern horror cinema, has passed away at the age of 67. Best known as the co-writer of Evil Dead II (1987) alongside Sam Raimi, and as an executive producer of Eli Roth’s Hostel films, Spiegel leaves behind a legacy that helped shape both cult horror and mainstream genre filmmaking.
The news of Spiegel’s death was first shared by special effects legend Robert Kurtzman and later confirmed by his longtime friend and collaborator Bruce Campbell. “Scott Spiegel was a huge part of my formative years back in Michigan,” Campbell wrote on X. “From Sunday School to being stock boys together, to Evil Dead II, which Scott co-wrote, I can’t look in the rear-view mirror without seeing this unique guy doing cheap gags. I’m grateful for the treasure trove of happy memories. Keep Shemping, Scott!”
The reference to “Shemping” is a nod to the trio’s enduring love for slapstick comedy and their Three Stooges-inspired term “Fake Shemp,” which referred to actors or crew doubling as monsters, background characters, or even standing in for absent performers. Spiegel himself often “Shemped” in Raimi’s early projects, cementing his role as both collaborator and performer in the group’s earliest creative efforts.
Early Years with Raimi and Campbell
Born on 24 December 1957 in Birmingham, Michigan, Spiegel formed a creative alliance as a teenager with Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. The three bonded over filmmaking experiments in their suburban neighbourhood, eventually producing the Super 8 feature It’s Murder! (1977). Spiegel not only co-wrote the project but also acted in it, showing early signs of his multifaceted talents.
Throughout the late 1970s, Spiegel and Campbell would shoot extra footage on weekends for Raimi to splice into their homegrown productions. Campbell later recalled in The Evil Dead Companion how Spiegel would throw himself into improvising roles, wearing costumes, doubling as monsters, and essentially becoming an indispensable part of Raimi’s early film experiments.
This collaboration would set the groundwork for The Evil Dead (1981), where Spiegel appeared in small roles, and later the cult classic Evil Dead II (1987), which he co-wrote. His script helped Raimi balance grotesque horror with slapstick humour, a tone that has since become a hallmark of the franchise.
Directorial Career and Cult Horror
Spiegel made his directorial debut with Intruder (1989), a late-80s slasher film set in a grocery store, which has since achieved cult status among horror fans. With its creative kill sequences and tongue-in-cheek tone, the film showcased Spiegel’s unique blend of visceral horror and playful comedy.
Later, he directed From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999), a direct-to-video sequel that leaned into pulpy vampire action, and Hostel: Part III (2011), continuing his collaboration with Eli Roth, with whom he co-founded Raw Nerve Productions. While neither sequel reached the acclaim of their predecessors, Spiegel’s involvement demonstrated his ongoing influence and commitment to keeping horror franchises alive.
Beyond directing, Spiegel was also a prolific producer. His executive producer credit on Roth’s Hostel (2005) and Hostel: Part II (2007) connected him to one of the defining horror franchises of the 2000s, known for ushering in the “torture horror” wave of the decade.
Hollywood Contributions and Cameos
While horror was his first love, Spiegel’s career extended into broader Hollywood projects. He co-wrote Clint Eastwood’s action thriller The Rookie (1990), starring Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, proving his versatility beyond horror.
He also appeared on screen in several films, often in small but memorable roles. Fans spotted him in Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Drag Me to Hell (2009), and even lending his voice in Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). These cameos underlined his enduring friendship with Raimi and Campbell, as well as his willingness to keep participating in their evolving creative universe.
Legacy and Influence
Spiegel’s death marks the loss of one of horror’s unsung heroes. While he was not always in the spotlight, his fingerprints are all over modern horror cinema. From shaping the manic energy of Evil Dead II to keeping cult franchises alive through his directing and producing, Spiegel epitomised the creativity and collaboration that fuels genre filmmaking.
Bruce Campbell’s tribute perhaps best sums it up: Spiegel’s career was not only about horror movies, but about friendship, collaboration, and a lifelong passion for film. His humour, ingenuity, and dedication will continue to influence both fans and filmmakers for years to come.
