John Carl Buechler

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

John Carl Buechler's connection to the Friday the 13th franchise came as director of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988). He also handled special make-up effects on that film. His work on the series was part of a broader career in horror and science-fiction, where he frequently collaborated with Charles Band's Empire Pictures. Buechler's make-up effects credits include major horror entries like A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) and Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988). He also acted in the Hatchet series, playing Jack Cracker in Hatchet (2006) and Hatchet II (2010).

In Their Own Story

After being diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer, Buechler's wife set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for medical expenses. He died on March 18, 2019. His filmography spans decades, with special make-up effects work on 1980s classics like Re-Animator (1985), From Beyond (1986), and Dolls (1987). As a director, his credits include Troll (1986), Cellar Dweller (1988), and Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988). He also wrote and directed later projects like The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2006) and Under ConTroll (2019).

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Buechler's work, his special make-up effects filmography is extensive. He contributed to Ghoulies (1985), Troll (1986), TerrorVision (1986), and Prison (1987). His director credits include Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1991) and Curse of the Forty-Niner (2002). He also served as producer on Deep Freeze (2002) and wrote the story for Demonwarp (1988). As an actor, he appeared as himself in the documentaries His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2009) and Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th (2013).

Did You Know?

• John Carl Buechler's last directorial credit was Under ConTroll (2019).
• He played Jack Cracker in both Hatchet (2006) and Hatchet II (2010).
• Buechler's make-up effects work includes Re-Animator (1985) and From Beyond (1986).
• He directed Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
• His wife set up a GoFundMe page after he was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer.