All of Finn Wittrock’s ‘American Horror Story’ Characters, Ranked

Finn Wittrock has established himself as one of the most versatile regular contributors to the anthology series ‘American Horror Story‘, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Since making his debut in the franchise in 2014, the actor has portrayed a broad spectrum of contrasting personalities across multiple installments.

His characters span from privileged serial killers and historical figures to afflicted vampires and desperate artists. Examining his performances across each season illustrates the wide range and distinct narrative impact he has brought to the series.

Bobby Richter

In ‘American Horror Story: 1984’, Finn Wittrock appears during the season finale as the adult incarnation of Bobby Richter, the son of Benjamin Richter. Seeking answers about his family, Bobby travels to the abandoned grounds of Camp Redwood in 2019 to uncover the truth regarding his deceased father. His investigation is interrupted by the lingering spirits trapped on the camp property, including the resurrected serial killer Richard Ramirez. Benjamin’s spirit intervenes to defend his son against the hostile ghosts, allowing Bobby to leave the cursed grounds as a rare survivor.

Jether Polk

Wittrock took on a physically unrecognizable role in ‘American Horror Story: Roanoke’ as Jether Polk, a member of the cannibalistic Polk clan. Unlike the more hardened members of his family, Jether exhibits a childlike disposition and harbors dreams of achieving fame through video production. He is left to guard and torture captive victim Lee Harris inside the family’s farmstead while the Polks harvest flesh. Lee manipulates Jether’s emotional vulnerability and desire for human connection, ultimately overpowering and killing him during her escape attempt.

Rudolph Valentino

In the fifth season, ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’, Wittrock pulled double duty by portraying the silent film star Rudolph Valentino. The storyline reimagines the historical actor as an immortal blood drinker who was turned by director F.W. Murnau in the 1920s before passing the affliction to his lover, Elizabeth. Trapped inside a sealed wing of the Hotel Cortez by James Patrick March for several decades, Valentino eventually escapes into the modern world. His reunion with Elizabeth is cut short when an envious Donovan discovers his motel hideout and shoots him to death.

Tristan Duffy

Wittrock made his first appearance in ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ as Tristan Duffy, a volatile runway model recruited into immortality by The Countess. After receiving the blood virus, Tristan embraces an erratic, violent lifestyle within the haunted walls of the Hotel Cortez. His outlook shifts after developing genuine romantic feelings for the hotel’s resident bartender, Liz Taylor. The Countess abruptly ends the romance by murdering Tristan upon discovering the betrayal, though his ghost eventually reconciles with Liz in the afterlife decades later.

Harry Gardner

Wittrock portrayed the lead character Harry Gardner in the ‘Red Tide’ storyline of ‘American Horror Story: Double Feature’. Harry is a struggling screenwriter who moves his pregnant wife and daughter to a remote coastal Massachusetts town for the winter season. Desperate to overcome writer’s block, he consumes mysterious black pills that provide brilliant creative inspiration at the cost of requiring human blood to survive. His obsession with maintaining artistic greatness alienates his family and culminates in his death when his daughter and colleagues eliminate him.

Dandy Mott

Wittrock debuted in the franchise during ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ as Dandy Mott, an emotionally stunted aristocrat residing in 1950s Jupiter, Florida. Spoiled by his wealthy mother Gloria, Dandy develops a morbid fascination with murder and initially partners with Twisty the Clown before embarking on his own violent spree. After acquiring ownership of the traveling freak show, he retaliates against the troupe’s defiance by executing nearly every performer on the fairgrounds. The surviving performers capture Dandy and drown him inside an escape water tank as retribution for his atrocities. This breakthrough role earned Wittrock critical recognition along with a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for this debut role.

Share your thoughts in the comments about which Finn Wittrock character from ‘American Horror Story’ left the biggest impact on you.