MY TOP 31 CHARACTERS IN "AMERICAN HORROR STORY" (2011)

TATE LANGDON - By far the fan favorite of the show. Tate has both been described as creepy and sexy all at once. The romance between him and Violet is that of a modern Beauty & the Beast with a horror theme. The shooting at Westfield High has to be one of the highlight stories of the entire series. We're blown away once we find out Tate is the Rubber Man of the house (portrayed by the uncredited actor Riley Schmidt). Actor Evan Peters does a phenomenal job creating the combination of fear and passion. It'll be nice to see what Peters brings us in Season 2 in a entirely new role and character.

FUN FACT: On Tate's board are clippings which read "You're not listening", "Murder" and "Warrior", but also "Koalas" and "Zulu".

A QUOTE FROM TATE: "I prepare for the noble war. I'm calm, I know the secret. I know what's coming and I know no one can stop me. Including myself. I kill people I like. Some of them beg for their life. I don't feel sad. I don't feel anything. It's a filthy world we live in. It's a filthy goddamn helpless world. And honestly, I feel like I'm helping to take them away from the sh--, and the piss, and the vomit that runs in the streets. I'm helping to take them somewhere clean, and kind. And there's something about all that blood man, I drown in it."

VIOLET HARMON - Violet reminds me of every smart teenage girl who sits by herself at school. She moves to a new city, a new house, bullied, learning to fit in. Her life of scars catches up with her, but not before she meets Tate. Actress Taissa Farmiga, younger sister to Academy nominee actress Vera Farmiga, owns her role of Violet. She's the only cast member playing a high school student who is actually of high school age, age 17. I expect much more from her as she continues to pursue her talented acting career.

FUN FACT: "Spooky Little Girl" is the only episode in which Violet is never seen. She is mentioned by Ben, to young Moira, who then leaves the room to make her a sandwich.

A QUOTE FROM VIOLET: "I hate it here. I hate everyone. All their bougie designer sh--, the east coast was much cooler. At least we had weather."

VIVIEN HARMON - A very sophisticated mother who suffers from a miscarriage, must continue to play house wife and mom to a cheating husband and troubled daughter. A rape scene then leads to Violet's pregnancy, which is reminiscent of scenes in the film "Rosemary’s Baby". I first noticed Connie Britton in the mom role to the remake of "A Nightmare On Elm Street". She continues the horror genre impressing me with both television series and blockbuster movies.

FUN FACT: It is also theorized that Vivien will not age in appearance as a ghost (unlike Moira) after death in 2011 because her physical body was located and laid to rest off of the property by the living.

A QUOTE FROM VIVIEN: "I'm finding it really hard to look at your face, because I really, really want to bash it in."

BEN HARMON - I would say one of the most haunted living characters in the series is Dr. Harmon. Not only does he have his broken family to care for, he's also followed to the death by stalker Hayden McClaine. Including the seductive maid young Moira, and one of the previous owners Larry the Burnt Man. Actor Dylan McDermott delivers a great dramatic performance, in one of my favorite roles of his as therapist Ben Harmon.

FUN FACT: The maid played by two separate actresses, share a connection to Ben's difficult childhood that involves redheads.

A QUOTE FROM BEN: "The more you fear something, the more power you give it."

YOUNG MOIRA - The young Moira is the flirtatious maid who's always seductive around the house to Ben Harmon. We get a flashback to her murder, and how she was buried just outside the house. For that exact reason her ghost has aged but only appears as young Moira to Ben Harmon. Actress Alexandra Breckenridge is just one of the sexiest characters on the show to melt your TV. Interestingly, the actress is the real life ex-girlfriend of the actor Evan Peters (Tate).

FUN FACT: The Greek word "moira" literally means a part or portion of the whole, and by extension one's portion in life or destiny, which consisted of bad and good moments distributed by the Fates.

A QUOTE FROM YOUNG MOIRA: "Isn't this what all men want? The freedom to satiate their needs guilt-free?"

MOIRA O'HARA - The aged Moira plays what you'd look for in a typical maid, and who I would describe as the friendliest ghost of the house. It's interesting to see her character for she understands, that she's doomed to live in that house forever until her body is discovered. So she moves onwards doing the only thing she knows how to do best, clean up the messes. Actress Frances Conroy is no stranger to a darkly series. The actress won a Golden Globe Award for her character Ruth Fisher in the television series, "Six Feet Under".

FUN FACT: The actress who portrays the older version of Moira, Frances Conroy, actually has a discolored iris, she is not wearing contact lenses. She was in a car accident and then had eye surgery. Frances mentioned her eye problem in the casting sessions and the writers decided to make this a plot point so that she would not have to wear contact lenses. That is why Constance shooting Moira in the eye was written in.

A QUOTE FROM MOIRA: "Sometimes, people just go mad."

CONSTANCE LANGDON - Constance has to be one of the most mysterious neighbors on any television series. Her southern sense of humor carries her ego between the living and the dead. A family of nightmares and misfortunes pretty much explains the life of Constance. The two time Oscar winner is the only cast member to win a Golden Globe Award for her supporting role on "American Horror Story".

FUN FACT: Although Constance stated that she had four children, a fourth child was never revealed.

A QUOTE FROM CONSTANCE: "I have long stopped wondering why the mad do mad things."

YOUNG ADELAIDE - Young Addie appears as the first character in the Pilot episode as the mysterious little girl. Addie appears to have been born with Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. Whether this is accurate, or whether there is some other influence on her appearance (whether or not Addie is even Addie and not the fourth child of Constance whose identity is still unknown) remains to be seen. Two of her siblings also are said to have had issues of a similar nature.

FUN FACT: Her age and birth date in the series are unknown.

A QUOTE FROM YOUNG ADELAIDE: "You're gonna regret it. You're gonna regret it. You're gonna regret it."

TROY & BRYAN TWINS - The two twin boys practically set the mood for what the rest of the season picks up on. They get into mischief, they're destructive, they have no respect for a house, and end up disappearing. We see the twins in several of the following episodes as ghosts. Still acting as the same two twins, playing tricks on Vivien with the kitchen cabinets, and damaging Dr. Harmon's car.

FUN FACT: They are the first ghosts among the multitude that appear to Violet, and are seen running through the basement.

A QUOTE FROM TROY & BRYAN: "We got bats!" "I hate trees!"

ADELAIDE - Adelaide is probably the most innocent character of the entire show. All she wants to do is play with her friends in the haunted house, and to be as pretty as Violet. Her Halloween costume is "The Pretty Girl", just before her untimely death. One of the saddest moments I think in the series. She's physically attacked only one time in the house and this was by the Harmon's dog, Hallie. Actress Jamie Brewer, much like the young Addie, both have their breakthrough performances on "American Horror Story".

FUN FACT: Addie appears to be able to enter the house, no matter what barriers are in her way.

A QUOTE FROM ADELAIDE: "I like it here! My friends are here!"

BEAUREGARD - Also known as the disfigured brother, "Beau". Chained up in the attic most of his life, the ghost of the monstrous Beau only reappears in either the attic or basement. Most notably opening up with rolling out his favorite toy red ball to join him and play. Much like Adelaide (his sister), he also is a innocent but tormented boy. Unlike Adelaide, he was murdered. The young actor Sam Kinsey also makes his breakthrough role on "American Horror Story".

FUN FACT: Beauregard is French for "beautiful gaze".

A QUOTE FROM BEAU: "Play!"

LARRY HARVEY - Also known as the disfigured, "Burnt Man". Larry Harvey is one of the previous owners of the house, who tries to warn Ben Harmon that he must get out. The fire that killed his whole family is just one of the problems Larry has. In love with the neighbor Constance, his objective is to do anything to get Dr. Harmon out of that house. Including to get rid of that pesky stalker of Dr. Harmon. Actor Denis O'Hare has done some brilliant drama and thriller movies, such as "The Babysitters", and "Quarantine". Definitely an underrated actor.

FUN FACT: The name "Larry Harvey" is a reference to the founder of the "Burning Man" festival of the same name.

A QUOTE FROM LARRY: "She went to bed early, my wife. And then I, put the girls down. And then the voices started. They told me what to do. I was like, an obedient child."

LEAH - She's the only other living student of Westfield High that we get to know, other than Violet. First she was the big bad bully to Violet, and after some influence by Tate, she's left with nightmares of being in that house. She unknowingly gives Violet the answer to her fate. Leah is one of the only living people who has seen and is attacked by the ghost Infantata. Actress Shelby Young, for a guest starring role turns in a great performance.

FUN FACT: Leah and Violet's relationship doesn't make the two friends. However, they have no one else to talk to about the horrors of the house, since no one would believe them. They are therefore forced to spend time together to deal with their traumatic experience.

A QUOTE FROM LEAH: "The devil is beautiful."

THADDEUS MONTGOMERY - Also known as the creation of Charles Montgomery, "Infantata". Thaddeus only appears in a couple of different episodes, representing the failed attempt of a family trying to have a baby. Much like Moira, Thaddeus was murdered and undiscovered, therefore ages as a ghost. Actor Ben Woolf has to have had the most detailed make-up design amongst all of the dead in the house. And he does a great job of using it for terror.

FUN FACT - Concerning Infantata's design, creator Ryan Murphy states that the mouth is based off of a leech mouth. The character's overall "look" is inspired by the genetic disease Progeria, and the character's clothing is inspired by one worn by the dismembered Lindbergh Baby.

A QUOTE FROM NORA: "Life is too short for so much sorrow."

NORA MONTGOMERY - Nora is the first female home owner of the house, married to the husband who's a surgeon, Charles Montgomery. In pieces of every episode, we learn more about the couple and their diabolical desires. In death, Nora is still haunted to want to have her very own baby. Much like every other family after her. Actress Lily Rabe, daughter to the late actress Jill Clayburgh, does a terrific job in one of my favorite performances of hers.

FUN FACT: Unlike many of the ghosts aside from Violet, she kills herself by a bullet to the head. Horrified and confused as a ghost, she quickly gains her threatening personality to want to take Vivien's baby no matter what.

A QUOTE FROM NORA: "If Thaddeus comes back to scare you again, just shut your eyes and say GO AWAY!"

YOUNG TATE - Very different from the modern Tate, we see an innocent child raised by the ghosts and monsters of his family and residents before him. I believe it's from this moment on, when we see a slow ticking bomb develop in the young boys mind. Actor Paul Butler has already started an early acting career and can be seen in the Oscar nominated film, "A Single Man". His father in that movie is also cast in "American Horror Story", as the gay partner "Patrick".

FUN FACT: From the beginning we learn that the ghost Nora still dreams of raising a baby much resembling young Tate. Tate vows to himself to give her that baby one day.

A QUOTE FROM YOUNG TATE: "I wish you were my mommy."

CHARLES MONTGOMERY - Charles is a husband, father to a brought-back-to-life Infantata, and is a surgeon gone mad with experiments. It is likely that the case of Thaddeus going missing and later turning up dismembered was inspired by the real life case of the Lindbergh baby. Who was also kidnapped and later turned up heavily decomposed and dismembered. This seems even more probable given his lace gown, which is nearly identical to the Lindbergh's baby. Actor Matt Ross gives a great performance as the creepy surgeon Charles Montgomery. Best known for his role in the movie "American Psycho".

FUN FACT: Regarding his dismembering of Short, Charles shares similarities with one of the real-life suspects in the case, Doctor Walter Bayley. He was a prominent surgeon who was believed to have performed illegal abortions and suffered from a deterioration of his sanity.

A QUOTE FROM CHARLES: "A writer writes, a surgeon cuts. I think you will find these pieces more portable. She seemed so sad. I've decided to give her a smile that will last forever."

ELIZABETH SHORT - Also known as the actress, "The Black Dahlia". Who was in real life murdered and became Hollywood's biggest unsolved mystery. We relive the final moments of what easily could have been Elizabeth Short's life. What better place for an actress to want to gain fame than in the city of Los Angeles, the back drop for "American Horror Story". Mena Suvari a favorite actress of mine, embodies the same essence of Elizabeth Short in her character role. From her smile, to the "Nightmare" score by Artie Shaw. This is a brilliant moment for "American Horror Story".

FUN FACT: The character Elizabeth Short is American Horror Story's play on the still unexplained murder that lead to the real Elizabeth Short's death. The late Miss Short was not referred to as "The Black Dahlia" until after her death. The name was a pun on the (then popular) film "The Blue Dahlia", changing the word Blue to Black because of Elizabeth's black hair and affinity for wearing black gowns.

A QUOTE FROM ELIZABETH: "My dreams will never come true."

TRAVIS WANDERLY - Travis plays the cute and adorable boy toy to the neighbor, Constance. His compassion for Adelaide is sweet, but his dreams to become a model leave him open to be taken advantage of. Actor Michael Graziadei plays more of a role as a pawn for sex, and quickly gets entangled in Hayden's web. His death is just one of the creative ideas behind the scenes.

FUN FACT: Travis' life bears strong resemblance to Elizabeth Short's. He is a young man who came to L.A. for a shot at fame only to be gruesomely murdered. Also like Short, he gained a nickname in the aftermath of his death: "The Boy Dahlia".

A QUOTE FROM TRAVIS: "Do You think I could model?"

HAYDEN MCCLAINE - Hayden is best known as the mistress to stalk Dr. Harmon, who he first cheated with and to whom he still see's occasionally. Her love for Dr. Harmon gets her killed on the property of the house. Actress Kate Mara much like her sister, actress Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), are two favorite sisters of mine to watch in the movie industry. Kate portrays the definition of what a psycho stalker is, who then becomes a ghost to the house. Her weapon of choice is an ice pick, a reference to the movie, "Basic Instinct". At times I think she's even sexier than the character Moira.

FUN FACT: Hayden now shares a grave with Moira. If Moira is unable to move on from the house (it is suggested this is because her remains are still on the premises), then it is possible the same is true of Hayden. In which case, she will age as a ghost much like Moira.

A QUOTE FROM HAYDEN: "He said that, in-between my thighs, I tasted like raspberries and cream."

R. FRANKLIN - The character of R. Franklin plays out to become one of the most horrific serial killers of his time. Pretending to be an injured man, he makes his way into the house and kidnaps a couple of the nurses. His commands to dress in uniform, soon explains each nurses fate. Actor Jamie Harris, younger brother to actor Jared Harris (Mad Men) gives a great creepy performance as a man gone mad. I also loved the use of the "Psycho" themes, "The Rainstorm" and "The Bathroom" playing in the background of his scenes and stabbings.

FUN FACT: R. Franklin's character and murders were inspired by the case of real life serial killer Richard Speck.

A QUOTE FROM R. FRANKLIN: "I told you, Jesus can't save me."

BIANCA FOREST - One of the pretend patients of Dr. Harmon, confessing one of her nightmares to him. We soon later realize that she had been casing the house for the home invasion to happen that night. Soon Bianca who was ready to create a murder, becomes a victim herself. Actress Mageina Tovah is no stranger to television series, and also had the small role in both "Spider-Man 2" and "Spider-Man 3" movies. A great actress who I noticed immediately from her slender physique and eerie expressions.

FUN FACT: Bianca died halfway down the street off the property in a way similar to her alleged dream, bisected at the waist.

A QUOTE FROM BIANCA: "R. Franklin was the first, before Manson. He changed the culture, we're paying tribute to him."

FIONA - Fiona who plays victim outside the front door of the Harmon's, wants to recreate every detail of the R. Franklin murders. As the leader of the home invasion, she surprises the group with the actual ashtray used in the kidnappings, in which she purchased off of Ebay. Fiona like the others, ended up getting what they deserved from the very same two ghost nurses the group had mocked. Actress Azura Skye has a long list of roles in both TV and movies, always as the quiet and creepy girl.

FUN FACT: Fiona dies in a manner similar to that which she would have re-enacted as murderer.

A QUOTE FROM FIONA: "R. Franklin hated nurses. He had a bad experience with the mercury in a broken thermometer."

GLADYS - The plus size nurse is kidnapped against her will by R. Franklin, who quickly refers to her as Fatty Patty. She's then drowned in the upstairs bathroom tub, in which she reappears as a ghost on numerous accounts. Gladys also is one of the two nurses to help give birth to Vivien in the present day. Actress Celia Finkelstein gave me the creeps whenever I saw her as a ghost. She just had a haunting presence about her, more so than the rest of the ghosts on the show.

FUN FACT: Gladys is the only ghost who shows herself to Derrick in the tub of the Harmon's upstairs bathroom as he practices in getting over his fear of ghosts.

A QUOTE FROM GLADYS: "Look at what he did to me!"

DERRICK - As one of Dr. Harmon's patients, he's completely frightened of urban legends. Quickly he gets to the most frightening one of them all, the legend of "Piggy Man". After a couple struggles he takes Dr. Harmon's advice one last time, just before his death. Just seconds after Vivien eats a brain, Derrick gets shot in the head, an ironic twist on the Piggy Man legend. Actor Eric Stonestreet is a talented actor and makes a great guest appearance for this one episode. He's currently one of the lead characters on the hit comedy series, "Modern Family".

FUN FACT: Derrick died in exactly the way he was afraid of, but it was due to a home burglary, not the Piggy Man.

A QUOTE FROM DERRICK: "Here Piggy Piggy. Here Piggy Piggy. Here Piggy Piggy."

KYLE GREENWELL - One of the slain students to go to Westfield High, he's shot in between the eyes by the troubled Tate. On Halloween night at the Harmon's house, he comes back with the rest of the Dead Breakfast Club to confront both Tate and Violet. It's never explained to Violet that these kids are actually ghosts, she had assumed they were just dressed up as zombies. Actor Brando Eaton has become a great TV actor, making huge appearances on other television series including "Dexter" and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager".

FUN FACT: Westfield High is likely a reference to the Virginia Tech shootings. Seung-Hui Cho, who committed the worst single shooter massacre in US history, killing 33 and injuring 25, was an alumni of "Westfield High" in Virginia.

A QUOTE FROM KYLE: "No more sh-- Tate! You owe us an explanation!"

CHLOE STAPLETON - One of the slain students in Tate's massacre at Westfield High. She comes back with the rest of the Dead Breakfast Club as the bloody cheerleader who also confronts Tate. Actress Ashley Rickards is a beautiful actress who like many, I would have liked to have seen a bit more of. Coincidentally the actor Evan Peters (Tate) played the love interest of Ashley Rickards (Chloe) on the show "One Tree Hill". Which also might be a pun to what Tate tells her when she's a ghost.

FUN FACT: She was the last to be shot by Tate, tearfully begging him to not kill her as she urinated due to the horror. She was shot directly in the heart.

A QUOTE FROM TATE: "I don't know you."

CHAD WARWICK - Chad is the previous owner of the haunted house before the Harmon's. He's known for purchasing the rubber man outfit for his lover Patrick. On Halloween that year, Chad is confronted by The Rubber Man and meets his demise. He returns as a ghost, who finds it in himself to want a baby as well. Actor Zachary Quinto has an awesome role as the more feminine lover. As soon as he's a ghost, he becomes quite creepier than when he was alive. In his career, he's known as Spock from the new "Star Trek" and untitled Star Trek sequel.

FUN FACT: Actor Zachary Quinto is in fact gay, but is vastly different from the role of Chad. He also is the only person in history to appear on the cover of Entertainment Weekly two weeks in a row.

A QUOTE FROM CHAD: "Well I do LOVE Halloween.. and it's just around the corner."

PATRICK - It's clear that his relationship isn't strong with Chad. The two have a fight on Halloween and never resolve their issues before both being murdered by The Rubber Man. This also carries over to their future as ghosts. Unlike Chad, Patrick wishes he had never been trapped in the house. Actor Teddy Sears is a guest appearance TV actor and certainly made for a great role to watch here.

FUN FACT: It is theorized that Patrick did not age as a ghost after his physical death (unlike Moira and the Infantata ) because his physical body was found and laid to rest off of the property.

A QUOTE FROM PATRICK: "And for the record, I like leather. Not latex."

BILLIE DEAN HOWARD - Closest friend and spiritual adviser to Constance, she's invited down to help inform Constance of what lingers amongst the spirits of the house. She appears to be a normal and quiet friend to anyone, but does carry her eerie sensibility. Actress Sarah Paulson has been acting since the mid-90's, where she started her career on a show much like this one called, "American Gothic". She has since become a wonderful actress with a warming personality.

FUN FACT: The character "Billie Dean Howard" is based on real life author and psychic, Allison DuBois.

A QUOTE FROM BILLIE DEAN: "The dead can hold a grudge better than most Scorpios."

MARCY - Most resembling the panicky and fidgety realtor of the house. She basically sugar coats the same story over and over from the Harmon family to the newest Ramos family. She knows that the house is haunted but simply tells it as it is, a murder suicide closed case. She's also now the proud owner of the Harmon's dog, Hallie. Actress Christine Estabrook, a former classmate of Meryl Streep, has a full portfolio of movies, television, and theatre performances. One of the veteran actresses of the cast right next to Jessica Lange.

FUN FACT: Secretly, she is both a racist and a homophobe.

A QUOTE FROM MARCY: "No matter how gruesome or horrible the murder, you can always find somebody out there to buy the house."