The Definitive List: How Many People Has Art The Clown Killed In The Terrifier Franchise?

Since his first appearance in 2008, Art the Clown has rapidly ascended the ranks of horror cinema's most brutal slasher icons, carving out a reputation for sadism and spectacle that rivals legends like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. As of today, December 15, 2025, the silent, grinning killer's official on-screen body count is a topic of intense debate among fans, primarily due to the character's origins in short films and the inclusion of ambiguous dream sequences in the main features.

The total number of victims Art the Clown has claimed across his cinematic universe—spanning *The 9th Circle*, *All Hallows' Eve*, *Terrifier*, and *Terrifier 2*—is a staggering, record-setting figure for a modern horror villain. While the precise, undisputed number is difficult to pin down, a comprehensive review of the franchise reveals a horrifying running total that continues to grow with the highly anticipated release of *Terrifier 3*.

The Architects of Anarchy: Art's Profile and Creators

Art the Clown, often referred to as the Miles-County Clown, is not just a character; he is a phenomenon built by a dedicated creative team. Understanding the man behind the makeup and the visionary behind the camera provides essential context for the character's terrifying success and ever-growing kill count.

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Character Profile: Art the Clown

• Full Name/Alias: Art the Clown / The Miles-County Clown
• First Appearance: *The 9th Circle* (2008 Short Film)
• Primary Actor: David Howard Thornton (from *Terrifier* onwards)
• Creator/Director: Damien Leone
• Notable Traits: Silent, mime-like demeanor, unsettling wide grin, black-and-white clown costume, utilizes a wide array of unconventional and brutal weapons.
• Status: Supernatural Entity (Implied) / Undead Serial Killer

The Creative Team: Damien Leone and David Howard Thornton

Damien Leone (Creator, Writer, Director): Leone is an American filmmaker, editor, and special effects artist who envisioned Art the Clown. He first introduced the character in his short films, which were later compiled into the anthology *All Hallows' Eve* (2013). Leone’s background in practical special effects is the driving force behind the franchise’s signature brand of visceral, uncompromising gore.

David Howard Thornton (Actor): Thornton took over the role of Art the Clown in the 2016 feature film *Terrifier*. A classically trained actor, Thornton's extensive background in voice acting and improv comedy—specifically his ability to convey emotion through pantomime—is what gave the silent Art his unique, terrifyingly expressive personality.

The Running Tally: Art the Clown’s Confirmed Kill Count By Film

Determining Art the Clown's exact body count requires tallying the kills from his four main appearances. The total count for the franchise’s first two feature films and the preceding short films is widely estimated to be over 56 victims, a figure that solidifies Art’s place as one of the most prolific modern slasher villains.

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This breakdown focuses on the verifiable, non-dream-sequence deaths directly caused by Art the Clown, excluding the 18-person massacre featured in a dream sequence in *Terrifier 2*.

1. Early Appearances: The 9th Circle & All Hallows’ Eve (2008–2013)

Art the Clown's reign of terror began in two short films, *The 9th Circle* (2008) and *Terrifier* (2011), which were later incorporated into the 2013 anthology film, *All Hallows’ Eve*.

• The 9th Circle Victims: Art kidnaps a young woman named Casey and delivers her to a Satanic cult. The short ends with a ritualistic sacrifice, making Art responsible for at least 1 confirmed kill (Casey) and potentially several others related to the cult’s activities.
• All Hallows’ Eve Victims: The film's wraparound story and the *Terrifier* short feature Art. The confirmed kills include the three babysitters (Sarah, Kristen, and Mike) who watch the cursed VHS tape and the main victim in the *Terrifier* short. The consensus count for his segments is around 7 victims.

Total Estimated Kills (Short Films/Anthology): 7–8

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2. Terrifier (2016)

The first full-length feature focused entirely on Art the Clown cemented his reputation for extreme violence. The film’s kills are fewer in number but immensely memorable for their brutality.

• Dawn and Tara: The film’s main victims, sisters Dawn and Tara, suffer two of the most infamous deaths in the franchise’s history. Dawn is graphically dismembered with a hacksaw, while Tara is shot in the head.
• Allie: The infamous "shower scene" victim, Allie, is graphically mutilated, with her extremities severed.
• Other Victims: Art also kills a gas station attendant, a tow truck driver (Steve), and a pest control worker (Ramon).

Total Confirmed Kills (Terrifier 2016): 6

3. Terrifier 2 (2022)

The sequel dramatically escalated the kill count, scale, and supernatural elements of the franchise, introducing the demonic Little Pale Girl and the heroic final girl, Sienna Shaw. The film’s runtime and ambition allowed Art to rack up a much higher body count.

• The Bolton Family: Art kills Seth Bolton (a TV host), his wife, and their daughter in a particularly gruesome home invasion.
• Sienna’s Friends and Family: Art murders Sienna’s friend Brooke and her mother, Jessica, in brutal fashion.
• The Halloween Party: The mall sequence features several background victims, including a store clerk, a cosplayer, and multiple anonymous partygoers.
• The Dream Sequence: While not a "real" body count, the scene where Art massacres 18 patrons in a diner is a key piece of lore that hints at his potential.

Total Confirmed Kills (Terrifier 2022): 10–12 (Excluding the 18-person dream sequence)

The Grand Total: Art the Clown’s Current and Future Body Count

The total, verifiable kill count for Art the Clown across his first four appearances (*The 9th Circle*, *All Hallows' Eve*, *Terrifier*, *Terrifier 2*) is conservatively estimated to be between 23 and 26 victims. However, many fan-run counts, which include background victims and the short film’s more ambiguous deaths, place the figure much higher.

Art’s Place Among Slasher Royalty

While his total count is lower than the hundreds claimed by franchise veterans like Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers, Art the Clown’s high-impact, visceral kills have a disproportionately large effect on audiences. The sheer brutality and screen time dedicated to each murder make his relatively small count feel much larger and more impactful than those of his peers. The focus on extreme, practical gore is what truly distinguishes the Miles-County Clown.

Anticipating Terrifier 3 (2024)

The upcoming *Terrifier 3*, which is set during the Christmas season, is poised to push Art's body count into unprecedented territory. Director Damien Leone has promised a return to the grittier, more focused horror of the first film while maintaining the scale of the second.

Early reports and trailers suggest Art will be targeting a new family, including a young girl, and will be operating in a new, holiday-themed setting, guaranteeing a fresh wave of victims. With the film's release, Art the Clown is certain to surpass the 30-kill mark, further cementing his legacy as the most savage and prolific slasher icon of the modern horror era.