The True Stories Behind Some Iconic American Horror Story Characters

American Horror Story has been adored by horror fans since its inception in 2011. The anthology horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk has a dedicated and loyal following, largely because most of its content is inspired by real-life events. In fact, many of the iconic characters featured in the show are based on real people, murderers, and stories. That alone engages an audience and certainly adds to its overall horror appeal.

The show has thrown up many memorable series’ over the years, too, with the likes of Murder House, Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Hotel and Apocalypse being particularly well received in recent times and enabling horror fans to sample their favourite genre away from the movies which, on occasions, can be distinctly average in today’s world. Horror fans can also access games like the Book of Dead slot alongside a whole host of other gaming material based on the genre, but watching American Horror Story is a favourite choice for many. The story writing is superb, with each tale throwing up a distinctly different setting and a range of new characters. You’re always guaranteed gore, a healthy dose of fright, and some excellent acting from the likes of Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, and even Lady Gaga too.

To celebrate what is a truly iconic series, here is a look at some of the true stories behind some of American Horror Story’s most memorable characters.

The Nurse Murders and the Richard Speck Case

In the first season of the show, Murder House, two nurses are brutally killed. Ryan Murphy claims that the murders are directly inspired by the Richard Speck massacre in 1966, in which the Texan broke into a Chicago dorm and brutally murdered eight nurses in one night after viciously torturing and raping them. The aforementioned scene in Murder House references that horrific crime incredibly well, while also adding its own eerie feel to it.

Asylum: Anne Frank

The second season of the show, Asylum, was one of its most popular. Fans were quick to notice how it features a mental health patient who claims to be Anne Frank, the poor girl who documented her experiences during the Holocaust. The character in the show, Charlotte, is never referred to as Anne, but she certainly makes a compelling case. Regardless of whether it’s meant to be Frank or not, the character stuck in the minds of fans of the series in what was a truly tragic part of Asylum.

Twisty the Clown and John Wayne Gacy

Twisty the Clown, a character from Freak Show, is said to be based on one of the most famous clown killers in history, John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was addicted to causing harm, murdering and raping people between 1972 and 1978.

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Madame Delphine LaLaurie

A favourite season for many fans of AHS, Coven character Madame Delphine LaLaurie was actually based on a prominent New Orleans socialite with the same name in the 1800s. It turns out the show was accurate, as the character played by Kathy Bates was said to have tortured and killed many of her slaves. As a result, the house became haunted, with some reports suggesting that it still is even to this very day.

The Axeman of New Orleans

 Nobody has ever known his real name, but Danny Huston’s character in Coven was based on a real person who committed a series of horrific murders in New Orleans between 1818 and 1819. Using razors and axes, the killer would break into houses and carry out his gruesome crimes, much like in the show.