Victor Miller, the screenwriter who created the original Friday the 13th screenplay, has died at the age of 86.
Miller’s son, Ian, confirmed that his father died on August 30, 2026. No cause of death was disclosed. In a statement shared on Instagram; Ian remembered his father as an intelligent, funny and creative person. One who inspired those around him with his love of photography, music and storytelling.
“He had a helluva run and will be missed dearly,” Ian wrote.
Victor Miller Created the Original Friday the 13th Story
Miller wrote the screenplay for the original Friday the 13th. This 1980 horror film was directed by Sean S. Cunningham. It launched one of the most recognizable franchises in horror history.
The film introduced audiences to Camp Crystal Lake and the grisly history surrounding the infamous location. Although Jason Voorhees would eventually become the central figure of the franchise, Miller’s original screenplay established the foundation for the mythology. This mythology would fuel numerous sequels, television projects and decades of fan interest.
Miller continued working with Cunningham following Friday the 13th, collaborating with him on the 1982 thriller A Stranger Is Watching. The pair had previously worked together on Here Come the Tigers, which Miller wrote under the pseudonym Arch McCoy, as well as the 1978 family comedy Manny’s Orphans, which Miller co-wrote with Steve Miner.
A Career That Extended Far Beyond Horror
While Miller’s name will forever be associated with Friday the 13th, his career extended well beyond the horror genre. His other film credits included Getting In in 1994, Jury Duty in 1995, Rock, Paper, Scissors in 2017, The Once and Future Smash in 2022 and the 2025 short film Sweet Revenge.
Miller also had a lengthy television career. He became an Associate Head Writer on One Life to Live from 1982 to 1984 before joining All My Children in the same role. He later worked on Guiding Light, Another World and General Hospital.
His work in daytime television earned him multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for All My Children, with wins coming in 1985, 1988 and 1998.
Miller’s Legacy Continues With Crystal Lake
Perhaps fittingly, Miller’s legacy will continue to be felt in the Friday the 13th universe. This continuation happens at the same time horror fans mourn his passing.
Crystal Lake, the upcoming A24 prequel series based on the Friday the 13th franchise, is scheduled to premiere on Peacock on October 15. The series returns to the world that Miller helped create more than four decades ago. He did this with his screenplay for the original 1980 film.
The timing makes Miller’s passing particularly poignant for longtime fans of the franchise. While Friday the 13th has evolved considerably since its debut, the series continues to draw directly from the mythology and setting established in Miller’s original screenplay.
A Lasting Impact on Horror
Victor Miller’s greatest contribution to cinema was creating the screenplay that became Friday the 13th. The 1980 film helped define the early slasher boom and eventually spawned a sprawling franchise. This franchise remains one of the most recognizable names in horror.
More than 40 years later, Camp Crystal Lake remains a fixture of popular culture. Miller’s work helped establish the setting and characters that would become synonymous with the franchise. As a result, he gave generations of horror fans a world that continues to be revisited.
A celebration of Miller’s life is planned for November, with his family noting that it will be held on a Friday the 13th.
Victor Miller was 86.
Victor Miller Filmography
- Here Come the Tigers (1978)
- Manny’s Orphans (1978)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- A Stranger Is Watching (1982)
- Getting In (1994)
- Jury Duty (1995)
- Rock, Paper, Scissors (2017)
- The Once and Future Smash (2022)
- Sweet Revenge (2025)
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