Ari Lehman Biography

Ari Lehman (born May 2, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actor and performing artist. He is best known for having played Jason Voorhees as a child (who emerges from the lake) in the first Friday the 13th film.

Biography

As Ari Lehman stated in his interview with Tony Vilgotsky of Gore Noir magazine (West Hollywood), he wasn't interested to build actor's career even after the huge success of Friday the 13th. Instead of it he was much more interested in music. "It's all because of music. I was already very interested in music before I was in Friday the 13th, studying jazz piano with some of the top teachers around. Also, I was encouraged to develop a dynamic sense of identity at an early age, growing through challenging myself to achieve difficult tasks and important goals." he said "My experience on the few movie sets I worked on as an actor were neither challenging nor exciting. In fact, I discovered that actors spend much of their time waiting, then say one line, and then go back to waiting, as the cameras and lights are moved around, then asked to say the same line again. It simply could not compare with the immediacy of playing music onstage!"

Ari Lehman is a notable member of horror community and often can be seen at horror conventions all over the world. "What fascinates me in my travels, meeting so many interesting people, is seeing the rapid growth of a subculture that brings together a wide range of "dark" elements including Horror, Metal, Gothic Fashion, Dark Arts, Tattoos, Haunted Houses, Ghost Hunters, Hearse Owners, Horror Burlesque Troupes, Dark Themed Magicians, Sideshow Artists, Steampunks, the list is endless... All of these individuals refuse to be casualties of conformity. They rise up from the sedentary cemetery of society and, like reverse zombies, offer their brains to the world, in the form of artwork, music, design, acting, film making, dance, etc., bringing together a powerful creative force. I am both humbled and proud to be a part of this, and to witness this growth," he stated in the same interview to Gore Noir.

Music career

Lehman has his own heavy metal band whose name, First Jason, is based upon his role as Jason. First Jason is a horror rock act. They released their first album, Jason is Watching! on February 13, 2009, the same day that the Friday the 13th remake was released. The band frequently tour, performing at horror film festivals and conventions, as well as metal festivals and punk/metal venues. The bass player from Chicago death metal band Macabre performs on the record and has also toured with First Jason. Another member of the band is drummer Ryan Adomaitis.

First Jason is particularly notable for its use of the "Keychete", a loud heavy metal keytar on a six-foot long machete with a red lead Jason mask affixed to the blade, which plays the sounds of distorted guitar and bass.

Private life

Ari Lehman is married.

Filmography

• 2012 " Deathwoods
• 2011 " The Girl
• 2010 " Underground Entertainment: The Movie
• 2010 " Night on Has Been Mountain
• 2009 " Terror Overload
• 2008 " Hell-ephone
• 2008 " Three Thug Mice (short)
• 2006 " ThanXgiving
• 1980 " Friday the 13th
• 1978 " Manny's Orphans

Discography

• 2009 " Jason Is Watching! (with the band First Jason)