Jamie Lee Curtis first became known as Hollywood’s “Scream Queen” more than 35 years ago, when she captivated legions of fans who flocked to “Halloween,” “The Fog” and other horror fests. What audiences didn’t know at that time was that Curtis had her own fears — she was frightened of being pigeonholed.
At the top of her reign in 1979, Curtis turned her back on horror. That risky choice eventually led to a versatile r?sum? that has included hit movies (“True Lies,” “A Fish Called Wanda”), sitcoms (“Anything But Love”), books (she has written seven best-selling children’s books), commercials (pitching Activia yogurt) and high-profile guest shots (“New Girl”).
But now Curtis is back in blood.
In a wicked spin on her horror roots, Curtis is the centerpiece of Fox’s new series titled, appropriately enough, “Scream Queens.” The series, from Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story,” “Glee”), is a send-up of slasher movies, particularly those set in sororities with scantily dressed or undressed co-eds.
It’s a surprising homecoming for Curtis.
“I never saw this coming,” she says while relaxing on the back patio of the comfortable Santa Monica home she shares with her husband, actor-director Christopher Guest (“Waiting for Guffman”) and their children. “I didn’t know I wanted it. But now I am delighted to have it. And creatively, I am having the time of my life.”