Jerry Dandrige | |
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Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandrige
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Created by | Tom Holland |
Portrayed by |
Chris Sarandon (1985) Colin Farrell (2011) |
Information | |
Species | Vampire |
Gender | Male |
Spouse(s) | Gabriella Dandridge |
Relatives | Regine Dandridge (sister) |
Jerry Dandrige is a fictional vampire. He first appears in the 1985 film Fright Night portrayed by Chris Sarandon, which was later spun-off into a comic book series that utilized Sarandon's likeness. Dandrige, portrayed by Colin Farrell, also appears in the 2011 remake both of which he is the main antagonist. The original screenplay and film credits spell his last name "Dandrige", but some secondary sources, including the makers of the tie-in comics, use the spelling, "Dandridge" (with a second "d").
Jerry Dandrige moves in next door to teenager Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) and his divorced mother. Charley begins to suspect Dandrige is a killer after seeing a news report about a murdered woman whom Charley had seen in Dandrige's house, and the boy later makes the horrifying discovery that Dandrige is a vampire while spying on him through a window. Danridge soon learns about Charley's investigation of him and threatens his life, which leads Charley to seek out a TV host named Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall) to help him find a way to kill Dandrige.
Aside from using the alternate spelling of his name, the comics remain consistent with the original film. After his death, Dandridge's ashes are collected by The Legion of the Endless night, a powerful vampire organization. With the aid of a witch and using the body of an all-star NBA player named Moves Wilson, the Legion are able to resurrect Dandridge, who is now blessed with the ability to withstand the rays of the sun. As the Legion falls apart, Dandridge flees to France and begins to amass his own legion of vampires, beginning with a Parisian prostitute named Lili.
The character also appears in the 2011 remake of the film, also called Fright Night. Neighbor Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) comes to suspect that Dandrige is a vampire and responsible for the disappearances of several neighborhood residents.