History of Jason Voorhees in Timeline
Jason Voorhees is the primary antagonist of the Friday the 13th franchise. Initially appearing as the deceased son of Pamela Voorhees in the first film (1980), he was created by Victor Miller, with contributions by Ron Kurz, Sean S. Cunningham, and Tom Savini. Though not originally intended as the main villain, Jason became the series' iconic killer, known for his hockey mask and relentless pursuit of victims. He has since transcended film, appearing in novels, video games, comic books, and even a crossover film with Freddy Krueger, cementing his place in pop culture horror.
May 9, 1980: Cinematic Debut in Friday the 13th
On May 9, 1980, Jason (Ari Lehman) made his first cinematic appearance in the original Friday the 13th. He is portrayed in the memories of his mother, Mrs. Voorhees (Betsy Palmer), and as a nightmare of the film's protagonist, Alice (Adrienne King). Mrs. Voorhees seeks revenge for Jason's drowning, which she blames on the camp counselors.
1980: First Appearance
In 1980, Jason Voorhees first appeared in Friday the 13th as the young son of Pamela Voorhees, portrayed by Ari Lehman. He was not originally intended to be the main antagonist of the series.
1981: Jason's Revenge on Alice
In 1981's Friday the 13th Part 2, Jason (Steven Dash and Warrington Gillette), revealed to be alive, seeks revenge on Alice for decapitating his mother in the original film. He returns to Crystal Lake, living as a hermit and guarding it from intruders. He kills a group of teenagers setting up a new camp, wearing a sack over his head. Ginny slams a machete through his shoulder, incapacitating him.
1982: Higgins Haven Massacre
In 1982's Friday the 13th Part III, Jason (Richard Brooker) escapes to Higgins Haven. He kills anyone wandering into the barn where he is hiding. He dons a hockey mask and continues his killing spree. Chris Higgins slams an axe into his head.
1982: Novelization of Friday the 13th Part 3
In 1982, Jason appeared outside of film in the 1982 novelization of Friday the 13th Part 3 by Michael Avallone. Avallone used an alternate ending, where Jason decapitates Chris.
1984: The Final Chapter
In 1984's Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Jason (Ted White) is presumed dead but awakens at the morgue and returns to Crystal Lake, where he resumes his killing spree. Tommy Jarvis eventually kills him with a machete.
1985: A New Beginning
In 1985's Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, Tommy Jarvis (John Shepherd) is in a mental hospital, fearing Jason's return. Roy Burns (Dick Wieand) uses Jason's persona to become a copycat killer. Jason (Tom Morga) appears only in Tommy's dreams.
1985: Friday the 13th Commodore 64 Game Release
In 1985, Jason Voorhees made his first appearance in a video game, with the release of Friday the 13th on the Commodore 64.
1986: Jason Lives
In 1986's Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, Tommy (Thom Mathews) inadvertently resurrects Jason (C. J. Graham) with superhuman abilities. Jason returns to Crystal Lake and resumes his killing spree. Tommy chains Jason to a boulder on the lake floor, and Megan Garris cuts his neck with a boat propeller.
1986: Novelization of Jason Lives
In 1986, Jason appears in print in the novelization of Jason Lives by Simon Hawke, which introduces Elias Voorhees, Jason's father. In the novel, Elias has Jason buried after his death.
1986: Alice Cooper Releases 'He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)'
In 1986, coinciding with the release of Jason Lives, Alice Cooper released the song "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" from his album Constrictor, to signal Jason's big return to cinema.
1987: Simon Hawke's Adaptation of First Three Films
In 1987, Simon Hawke adapted the first three Friday the 13th films into novelizations.
1988: The New Blood
In 1988's Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Jason (Kane Hodder) is freed by Tina Shepard (Lar Park Lincoln), who was attempting to resurrect her father. Jason kills those who occupy Crystal Lake and is dragged back to the bottom of the lake by an apparition of Tina's father.
1988: Screamin' Toys Releases Jason Model Kit
In 1988, Screamin' Toys produced a model kit where owners could build their own Jason statuette. The kit required the owner to cut and paint various parts in order to assemble the figure.
1988: Simon Hawke's Adaptation of First Three Films
In 1988, Simon Hawke continued adapting the first three Friday the 13th films into novelizations.
1988: Unmasked Part 25 Release
In 1988, the British film Unmasked Part 25, lampooning slasher film series like Friday the 13th, was released. It features a hockey mask-wearing serial killer named Jackson who develops a romance with a young woman.
1989: Jason Takes Manhattan
In 1989's Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason returns from the grave and follows a group of students to Manhattan. He kills all but Rennie (Jensen Daggett) and Sean (Scott Reeves) and is submerged in toxic waste in the sewers and dies.
1989: Friday the 13th Nintendo Entertainment System Game Release
In 1989, LJN released Friday the 13th on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game involves the gamer, who picks one of six camp counselors as their player, trying to save the campers from Jason, while battling various enemies throughout the game.
1989: Vico C Releases "Viernes 13" and writes a second part.
In 1989, Puerto Rican rapper Vico C released a song titled "Viernes 13" which featured Jason in Puerto Rico. The song was so popular that Vico C wrote a second part titled "Viernes 13, Parte II".
1992: Jason Receives MTV Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1992, Jason Voorhees was awarded the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award. He was the first of only three completely fictional characters to be presented the award.
1993: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday
In 1993's Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, Jason returns to Crystal Lake and is hunted by the FBI, who successfully kill him. Through mystical possession, Jason survives by passing his demon-infested heart from one being to the next. Jason's niece Jessica Kimble stabs him and drags him into Hell.
1993: Comic Book Debut
In 1993, Jason made his comic book debut in the adaptation of Jason Goes to Hell, written by Andy Mangels. He also appeared in Satan's Six No. 4, a continuation of Jason Goes to Hell.
1994: Release of Young Adult Novels
In 1994, four young adult novels were released under the title of Friday the 13th. These novels did not explicitly feature Jason, but revolved around people becoming possessed by Jason when they put on his mask.
1995: Jason vs. Leatherface Miniseries
In 1995, Nancy A. Collins wrote a three-issue, non-canonical miniseries involving a crossover between Jason and Leatherface. Jason stows away on a train after being released from Crystal Lake and befriends Leatherface, who adopts him into his family. Eventually, they turn on each other.
1996: Godzilla Receives MTV Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1996, Godzilla was awarded the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award.
1996: Scream References Friday the 13th
In the 1996 film Scream, directed by Wes Craven, Drew Barrymore's character is stalked by a killer who quizzes her on horror movie trivia. She incorrectly guesses Jason as the killer in Friday the 13th, highlighting a common misconception.
1997: Chewbacca Receives MTV Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1997, Chewbacca was awarded the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award.
1998: McFarlane Toys Releases Jason Goes to Hell Figure
In 1998, McFarlane Toys released a figure of Jason from Jason Goes to Hell.
2001: Jason X Film Release
In 2001, Jason X marked Kane Hodder's last performance as Jason.
2002: McFarlane Toys Releases Über-Jason Figure
In 2002, McFarlane Toys released a figure of Über-Jason from Jason X.
2003: Novelization of Freddy vs. Jason
In 2003, Black Flame published the novelization of Freddy vs. Jason.
2003: Freddy vs. Jason Film Release
In 2003, Freddy vs. Jason, a crossover film, was released in which Jason (Ken Kirzinger) battles Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Freddy resurrects Jason from Hell and sends him to Springwood to cause panic. A battle ensues in both the dream world and Crystal Lake. The identity of the winner is ambiguous.
2003: Tie-ins with Freddy vs. Jason Film Released
In 2003, there were tie-in merchandise released with the film Freddy vs. Jason.
May 13, 2005: Release of Friday the 13th Comic
On May 13, 2005, Avatar Press began releasing new Friday the 13th comics. The first, titled Friday the 13th, was written by Brian Pulido and illustrated by Mike Wolfer and Greg Waller, and took place after the events of Freddy vs. Jason.
September 2005: Release of Friday the 13th: Bloodbath
In September 2005, a three-issue miniseries titled Friday the 13th: Bloodbath was released, written by Brian Pulido and illustrated by Mike Wolfer and Andrew Dalhouse. The story involves teenagers who awaken Jason.
October 2005: Release of Jason X Comic
In October 2005, Brian Pulido returned to write Jason X. Picking up after the film Jason X, Über-Jason is on Earth II where a biological engineer attempts to subdue him.
2005: Novelizations of Jason X and New Series
In 2005, Black Flame published the novelization of Jason X and began publishing a new series of novels under the Jason X and Friday the 13th titles. Jason X: The Experiment was the first published.
2005: Psychological Appeal of Jason Voorhees Surveyed
In 2005, California State University's Media Psychology Lab surveyed 1,166 Americans on the psychological appeal of movie monsters. Jason Voorhees was considered an "unstoppable killing machine" and scored highest in all categories involving killing variables.
February 2006: Release of Friday the 13th: Jason vs. Jason X
In February 2006, Avatar published Friday the 13th: Jason vs. Jason X, written and illustrated by Mike Wolfer. The story takes place after the film Jason X, with a battle between the "original" Jason and Über-Jason.
June 2006: Release of Friday the 13th: Fearbook
In June 2006, a one-shot comic entitled Friday the 13th: Fearbook was released, written by Mike Wolfer with art by Sebastian Fiumara. Jason is captured and experimented upon, then escapes and seeks out Violet.
October 13, 2006: Friday the 13th Mobile Game Release
On October 13, 2006, a Friday the 13th game was released for mobile phones. The game puts the user in the persona of Jason as he battles the undead.
December 2006: DC Comics Begins Publishing Friday the 13th Comic Books
In December 2006, DC Comics imprint Wildstorm began publishing new comic books about Jason Voorhees under the Friday the 13th moniker. The first set was a six-issue miniseries involving Jason's return to Camp Crystal Lake, which is being renovated by a group of teenagers in preparation for its reopening as a tourist attraction. The series depicts various paranormal phenomena occurring at Crystal Lake. Jason's actions in this storyline are driven by the vengeful spirits of a Native American tribe wiped out on the lake by fur traders sometime in the 19th century.
August 15, 2007: Friday the 13th: Pamela's Tale Part 2 Release
On August 15, 2007, Wildstorm published the second part of the special comic book titled Friday the 13th: Pamela's Tale. This comic book covers Pamela Voorhees' journey to Camp Crystal Lake and the story of her pregnancy with Jason as she recounts it to hitchhiker Annie, a camp counselor who was killed in the original film.
October 10, 2007: Friday the 13th: How I Spent My Summer Vacation Part 2 Release
On October 10, 2007, Wildstorm published the second part of the special comic book titled Friday the 13th: How I Spent My Summer Vacation. This comic book provides new insight into the psychology of Jason Voorhees as he befriends a boy born with a skull deformity.
February 13, 2008: Friday the 13th: Bad Land Part 2 Release
On February 13, 2008, Wildstorm released the second issue of the miniseries Friday the 13th: Bad Land. The miniseries features Jason stalking a trio of teenaged hikers taking shelter from a blizzard in Camp Crystal Lake.
2008: Jason's Capture by the U.S. Government
In 2008, Jason was captured by the U.S. government, leading to experiments to study his regenerative capabilities.
2009: Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash: The Nightmare Warriors Release and Jason's Character Changes
In 2009, Wildstorm released a sequel to Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash, subtitled The Nightmare Warriors. Jason escapes from Crystal Lake to hunt Ash, but is captured by the U.S. government. Freddy helps him escape, heals his injuries using the Necronomicon, and appoints him general of his Deadite army. Also in 2009, Derek Mears was hired to portray Jason Voorhees in the remake, and Jason's characterization changed, likening him to a combination of John Rambo, Tarzan, and the Abominable Snowman.
2009: Scott Stoddard's Design of Jason Voorhees for 2009 Film
In 2009, for the remake of Friday the 13th, effects artist Scott Stoddard took inspiration from Carl Fullerton's design in Friday the 13th Part 2 and Tom Savini's work in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. He crafted six versions of the mask, each with varying degrees of wear, aiming for a human look for Jason.
2009: Friday the 13th Reboot
In 2009, in the Friday the 13th reboot, young Jason (Caleb Guss) witnesses his mother's (Nana Visitor) beheading and becomes a killer. The adult Jason (Derek Mears) kidnaps Whitney Miller (Amanda Righetti) and holds her prisoner. Whitney's brother Clay (Jared Padalecki) rescues her. Whitney stabs Jason with his own machete, and their fates are left unknown.
2009: Derek Mears Hired to Portray Jason Voorhees
In 2009, stuntman Derek Mears was hired to portray Jason Voorhees in the remake of Friday the 13th, based on the recommendation of makeup special effects supervisor Scott Stoddard. Mears likened portraying Jason to Greek mask work.
2009: Jason's Characterization Changes in 2009 Film
In 2009, the characterization of Jason changed in the remake of Friday the 13th. Derek Mears likens him to a combination of John Rambo, Tarzan, and the Abominable Snowman from Looney Tunes. Jason is meant to be more sympathetic, although Fuller and Form contend that they did not want to make Jason too sympathetic.
2009: Various Jason Action Figures Released
In 2009, various action figures and statuettes were released featuring Jason. This included figures by NECA and Mezco Toyz in their action figure series.
April 2010: Sideshow Toys Releases Jason Polystone Statue
In April 2010, Sideshow Toys released a polystone statue of Jason, based on the version appearing in the 2009 remake of Friday the 13th.
2010: Capture and Cryonic Suspension
In 2010, Jason returns after another unexplained resurrection. Having been captured by the U.S. government in 2008, Jason is experimented upon in a research facility. He escapes, kills all but one of his captors, and freezes himself and Rowan in a cryo-chamber.
2013: Eric Millikin creates mosaic portrait of Jason Voorhees
In 2013, experimental pop artist Eric Millikin created a large mosaic portrait of Jason Voorhees out of Halloween candy and spiders as part of his "Totally Sweet" series.
2014: Jason Cameo in RadioShack Super Bowl Commercial
In 2014, Jason made a cameo appearance in the RadioShack Super Bowl XLVIII commercial "The '80s Called".
2017: New Friday the 13th Video Game Release
In 2017, a new Friday the 13th video game was released, which allows players to take control of Jason or camp counselors in a multiplayer format focused on Jason trying to kill the counselors before they can escape or time runs out.
June 2020: Jason Appears in COVID-19 PSA
In June 2020, Jason Voorhees appeared in a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to encourage people to wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2021: Jason Named "Greatest Movie Slasher of All Time"
In October 2021, IGN named Jason Voorhees the "Greatest Movie Slasher of All Time", while Scott Gleeson of USA Today named Jason the 2nd most "haunting horror movie villain".
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