8 Things You Didn’t Know About Crispin Glover

Crispin Glover is so much more than Back to the Future’s George McFly. Obviously, he played Marty’s father in the first Back to the Future, but Glover has created a career for himself as a director, writer, singer, and all-around eccentric in the decades afterward.

He’s just plain fascinating. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of facts about the man that you probably didn’t know.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Crispin Glover

1. Played Two Roles Affected By Time Travellers

George McFly clearly profited from time travel in Back to the Future because he transformed from being a zero to a hero who defeated the school bully. Crispin, on the other hand, played the one-armed bellboy who was surly and harsh at first but became peppy and cheerful when it was revealed that by changing the timeline, he was able to maintain his arm.

2. Three Years Younger Than Michael J. Fox

This implies that in Back to the Future, he had to be aged up slightly at the end and begin to appear old enough to be Fox’s father. Otherwise, having a ‘dad’ who appeared to be the same age could have looked odd. ^[1]

3. Starred With Johny Depp In Many Movies

He’s appeared in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Dead Man, and Alice in Wonderland, so he and Depp have a long history of collaboration. He also played Willy Wonka in the Epic Movie that Depp sought to make famous, but his version was far crazier.

4. Book Writer

You’d have to be a fan of his to truly understand what they are, as many of them are admittedly frightening and off the beaten path in terms of subject matter, but he’s gotten them all published through his family’s company. ^[2]

5. Went To Court Against Steven Spielberg

He did not appear in the sequel due to a disagreement over how much he would be paid, but Spielberg decided to utilize his likeness regardless. Unfortunately, Crispin did not give his authorization, so he took Spielberg to court over the use of his likeness and won. ^[3]

6. Took To Acting Early In Life

He began performing in 1977, to be exact and has been doing so ever since. He began acting at a young age and has appeared in a variety of roles over the years, often as a demented but always funny figure.

7. A Vegan

Some people become vegan later in life, but Crispin began eating vegan when he was in his twenties and has remained vegan ever since.

8. Called A Mad Man And Genius

It takes skill to be thought of as both, though he is neither since he is eccentric and has a distinct viewpoint that many people do not grasp.