Bruce Lorne Campbell (born June 22, 1958) is an American actor, producer, writer and director. One of his best-known roles is portraying Ash Williams in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead franchise, beginning with the 1978 short film Within the Woods. He has starred in many low-budget cult films such as Crimewave, Maniac Cop, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat, and Bubba Ho-Tep.