Gunnar Hansen, who played the villain Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, has died aged 68 from pancreatic cancer.
The Icelandic-born actor and writer died at his home in Maine, where he had lived for 40 years, on Saturday, his agent, Mike Eisenstadt, said.
Eisenstadt said Leatherface was “one of the most iconic evil figures in the history of cinema”.
The 1974 film, which has become a classic among horror film aficionados, spawned a series of sequels. In the film, friends visiting their grandfather are hunted down by the chainsaw-wielding maniac.
Born in Reykjavik, Hansen moved to the US as a child and studied at the University of Texas. At the time of his death he was working on a film called Death House, due to come out next year.
As well as acting, Hansen pursued a career as a writer of books and film scripts. His Chain Saw Confidential was a behind-the-scenes look at how The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was made.
He is survived by his partner of 13 years, Betty Tower.