Steve Dash, the actor known for playing the only version of Jason without his infamous hockey mask, has passed.
Steve Daskawisz, better known as Steve Dash, has passed on at the age of 74. Dash, who struggled with complications from diabetes, was said to be in good spirit even though he had lost his left leg just months earlier to the disease.
Born March 14, 1944, Steve grew up no stranger to acting and started young at the urging of his mother. Steve would later take his acting to the Army where he would entertain the troops in the USO shows. After leaving the Army, Dash put his acting on hiatus to focus on marriage and settling down so he became a NY cop assigned to the 17th Precinct of Manhattan. It was after a burglary at an advertising agency and a compliment from an agent that the acting flames were once again stoked for Dash, however, it was a meeting with stunt coordinator Cliff Cudney that would lead to Steve Dash’s most famous role.
In Friday the 13th Part II, Steve Dash would portray the sack-hooded Jason, who single-handedly slaughters camp counselors-in-training next door to the infamous Camp Crystal Lake. Though not credited with the main role of Jason, only as the stunt man, it has been said by Steve himself, that every shot of Jason, except for a scene where Jason goes through the window at the end, was Dash himself.
Dash did not return to the part of Jason for the third installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, though he was tempted. According to an interview with CampCrystalLake.com, Steve is quoted as saying, “…they wanted me to pay for my way out there to LA where they were shooting it, and my own per diem, my own hotel and everything else.” Steve goes further to say how he regrets the decision due to the number of sequels that would come about.
Not one to be hindered by regret, Dash went on to secure acting and stunt credits, finding work in movies like the erotic drama 9 ½ Weeks and the low budget Mr. Hush.
In his later years Steve could be found in attendance at conventions talking about his most famous role while enjoying the company of all his fans. Dash will surely be missed as we say farewell to the Jason that started it all.
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