10 Surprising American Horror Story Facts You Have to Know

The Creators Love Their Musicals! • The Rubber Man • Oops! • The Murder House • Not Everything is Fiction • More ...

By A.J. • Jan 8, 2015 MD

Everyone who has been watching this series knows it's full of disturbing characters and stories that make you check under your bed before you go to sleep (with the lights on, of course). However, there are many interesting or fun American Horror Story facts you might not know yet. Many of these details make the show seem even creepier than it already is. Since I haven't watched anything from Season 4 yet (I want to wait until it's over and make a marathon out of it), I'll focus on the first three seasons here. So, here are 10 facts about American Horror Story you have to know!

| Season | Theme | Key Fact | | --- | --- | --- | | Season 1 | Murder House | Inspired by real-life haunted estates. | | Season 2 | Asylum | Loosely based on the Willowbrook State School. | | Season 3 | Coven | Features real historical figures like Marie Laveau. |

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1. The Creators Love Their Musicals!

One of the most surprising facts about American Horror Story, if you're not already aware of it, is that its creators are also the ones who co-created Glee. Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk must have an incredible amount of talent to be able to produce such fundamentally different works. Well, they do have one thing in common: a flair for the dramatic. Remember the iconic "Name Game" scene from Asylum? It's a perfect example of their musical roots bleeding into the horror genre.

2. The Rubber Man

While I'm personally more of a McDermott fan, I'm sure there are many of you who'll find it very intriguing that Evan Peters split a lot of his Rubber Man costumes while performing stunts. The physical demands of the role were quite high. Also, he reportedly had to use lubricant just to be able to slip into the tight latex suit. It sounds like a lot of work for such a terrifying visual!

3. Oops!

While we're still on the topic of Evan Peters (figuratively, ladies!), did you know he accidentally flashed Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson during a shower scene in Asylum? According to this point, the set was already quite intense, so this little mishap probably added some unexpected levity (or more awkwardness) to the production of the show.

4. The Murder House

One of the creepier facts about American Horror Story is that the estate where Murder House is set has been on the market repeatedly during the last few years without selling. Maybe there is some truth behind the haunting story in Season 1! The property, known as the Rosenheim Mansion, saw its price drop from $17 million in 2012 to only $4.45 million in 2014. It's now labeled "unavailable," so I guess we'll see what happens next with this legendary location. Check out our horror movies guide for more spooky settings.

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5. Not Everything is Fiction

Did you know that Madame Lalaurie and Marie Laveau from Coven actually existed in real life? Delphine Lalaurie was a socialite from Louisiana who reportedly tortured her slaves in ways far more horrifying than what you've seen in American Horror Story. On the other hand, Marie Laveau was a Louisiana Creole renowned in New Orleans for practicing voodoo. While they were contemporaries, there's no historical proof that she actually met Lalaurie during her life. You can read more about the real Madame Lalaurie on Wikipedia.

6. Alma and Kit

Alma and Kit from Asylum also have correspondents in real life. Their story was inspired by a renowned interracial couple, Barney and Betty Hill, who claimed they were victims of an alien abduction in the 1960s. This adds a layer of "true story" mystery to the already complex narrative of the mental institution. Their case is one of the most famous reports of extraterrestrial encounters in American history.

  • Barney Hill: The first widely publicized alien abductee.
  • Betty Hill: Known for her detailed descriptions of the "Zeta Reticuli" star map.
  • Historical Context: Their story brought the concept of "Greys" into popular culture.

7. Banjo Recitals on Set

Because of the unsettling atmosphere surrounding the Asylum set, Zachary Quinto had to find a way to cheer things up a bit between shots. So, he started to play the banjo when they were not shooting! It's hard to imagine the menacing Dr. Thredson strumming away on a banjo, but it clearly helped the cast cope with the dark material. What a nice guy for keeping the spirits high!

8. Denis O'Hare's Dedication

Denis O'Hare—the actor who played Spalding in Coven—remained in character while on set and refused to speak, relying solely on gestures to communicate with the crew. Now that's real dedication to the craft! Method acting like this is common on Murphy's sets, as seen with other stars in our binge-worthy TV shows list. Spalding’s creepy silence definitely benefited from O'Hare’s commitment.

9. Briarcliff

Co-creator Ryan Murphy confessed that Briarcliff, the mental institution in Season 2, is loosely inspired by the Willowbrook State School and its horrific conditions exposed in 1972. The real-life institution was the subject of an investigation by Geraldo Rivera, which revealed shocking neglect. Additionally, Murphy drew from an urban legend about a man who lived in the ruins after it had been closed, adding to the show's dark lore.

10. Surprising Connections

Murphy has also stated that, although every season has a different story and its own journey, all of them are connected in one way or another. Those who are up to date with Season 4 have already seen a glimpse of these connections. And I, who haven't watched even one episode from Freak Show, accidentally read a huge spoiler! Good job, A.J.! It just goes to show how intertwined this universe really is, from the Murder House to the halls of Briarcliff.

I'm always curious to learn what lies behind the story and behind the scenes of my favorite movies and TV series. How about you? Do you know more interesting facts about American Horror Story or other popular shows? Exploring the hidden details of AHS facts is part of the fun for any true fan.

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Mysha

    2015-01-10T01:48:56.174Z

    I have never watched an episode! I'm going to need to catch up...Apple TV here I come!
  • Delyn

    2015-01-15T22:52:49.700Z

    Jessica Lange and Paula Stevenson are dynamite. Love them
  • Delyn

    2015-01-15T22:53:53.222Z

    Oops!! Sarah Paulson! Teacher brain name mashup!!!
  • Nicolebruski

    2015-01-09T05:52:51.933Z

    That there actually was a death shoot where in the psychiatric hospital when patients dies of TB they used the shoot to dispose of bodies!
  • Clee000

    2015-01-08T21:43:28.095Z

    My lovely sweet american horror story! I lovee itttt
  • Arantxa

    2015-01-08T22:16:44.216Z

    I like this show so much! These were so interesting! And @Clee000 I'm sure it's everything but sweet or lovely haha
  • Celine

    2015-01-09T12:22:12.268Z

    Love it!
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