Who Played The Gremlin In William Shatner's Classic Twilight Zone Episode

In William Shatner's classic Twilight Zone episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," a young Shatner played the role of a frightened airplane passenger named Robert Wilson. The gremlin terrorizing the protagonist was played by an uncredited stunt performer, who was actually actor Nick Cravat. Cravat appeared in various films, including "The Flame and the Arrow" and "The Island of Dr. Moreau."

In a 2024 interview with Television Academy, Shatner expressed mixed feelings about filming the episode. He was concerned that the horror elements might come off as humorous, but was pleased when he saw Cravat's fur-laden costume, fearing it wouldn't be taken seriously. The story, directed by Richard Donner, serves as a metaphor for the fear of flying, with the gremlin symbolizing collective anxieties.

Since the episode aired over 60 years ago, Shatner hopes the episode's impact has been enduring. "Twilight Zone: The Movie" (1983) adapted the story once again, with John Lithgow playing the anxious flyer who notices the gremlin (played by Larry Cedar). While this version of the gremlin is more believably scary, Matheson wasn't entirely fond of the adaptation, praising Lithgow's performance but expressing dissatisfaction with the story's execution.

Matheson noted that Shatner's rendition of the character feels more visceral, as he was trying to control himself during filming due to a previous mental breakdown.