Horror Icon Jamie Lee Curtis Admits She Doesn't 'Really Love' the Genre

The 'Halloween' star says she owes her career to horror, but it's 'not my thing'.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:34pm

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Jamie Lee Curtis, known for her iconic roles in horror films like 'Halloween', has admitted that she doesn't actually enjoy the genre. The Oscar-winning actress said at a SXSW panel that while she appreciates horror and is grateful for the opportunities it has provided her, it's "not my genre, not my thing."

Why it matters

Curtis' comments provide a rare, candid perspective from a major horror star who has become synonymous with the genre. Her admission that she doesn't personally love horror, despite its central role in her career, offers insight into the complex relationship some actors have with the films that made them famous.

The details

Curtis, whose career was launched by her role as Laurie Strode in the original 'Halloween' film, said she doesn't "really love" the horror genre, even though she "owes her life to it." She added that she doesn't feel the need to "pretend" to be a "genre girl" who loves being scared, despite her iconic status as a "scream queen."

  • Jamie Lee Curtis made these comments at a SXSW panel over the weekend.

The players

Jamie Lee Curtis

An Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in iconic horror films like the 'Halloween' franchise.

Janet Leigh

Curtis' mother, who had a famous role in the horror classic 'Psycho'.

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What they’re saying

“I don't really love it. I'm not joking; I'm not into it. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. It's just not my genre, not my thing.”

— Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress (EW)

“The fact that it's a genre that now is getting more understanding and appreciation, of course I'm happy. It's fantastic that the Academy is moving along with that and changing and growing, like any good institution.”

— Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress (EW)

The takeaway

Jamie Lee Curtis' candid admission that she doesn't personally enjoy the horror genre, despite its central role in her career, provides a rare glimpse into the complex relationship some actors have with the films that made them famous. Her comments highlight how an actor's public persona can differ from their private preferences, and how they may feel compelled to embrace a genre they don't fully connect with.