Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, he moved to the U.S. at age five. He grew up in Maine and later attended the University of Texas, where he studied English and Scandinavian Studies. Hansen is best known for his iconic role as Leatherface in the 1974 horror classic "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre." Though primarily recognized for this role, he appeared in other films and worked as an author and screenwriter. His contributions to the horror genre have left a lasting legacy.