Meeting 80s Stars At Chiller Theatre, Part 2: October 2016 And October 2017
Welcome to Part 2 of my series detailing the 80s stars I had the pleasure of meeting at Chiller Theatre in the New 10s. In this article, I'll be talking about my encounters with the 80s stars who were at the October 2016 and October 2017 Chillers. By this point, I now had a general idea of what to do and how to act at the convention. After the ill-fated October 2015 encounter with Howard Finkel as detailed in Part 1 of this series, I decided to leave the recorder at home, and because of that, things went a lot better than they had before.
Johnny Caps and Mackenzie Phillips
I started off the October 2016 Chiller experience by meeting Mackenzie Phillips, noted in the 80s for her work on the classic Norman Lear sitcom One Day At A Time. Ms. Phillips was very friendly, even when I asked her about the high levels of drama on the show (I mean the episodes themselves, not behind-the-scenes). She talked about the importance of the show, and I came to understand what she meant.
Another sign of how friendly Mackenzie is was that she didn't get upset with me for wearing a Rolling Stones hoodie. I forgot what she wrote about Mick Jagger in her autobiography High On Arrival, and when I met Mackenzie again at Chiller five years later, this time wearing a Mickey Mouse hoodie, I apologized for wearing the Stones hoodie in our 2016 picture. She was very kind about it, though, and I thanked her for that kindness.
Johnny Caps and Eddie Deezen
After Mackenzie Phillips, I met Eddie Deezen, a Facebook friend of mine who made an impression on me with his voice work as Donnie Dodo in Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird. He was very friendly and very talkative, and I got along with him well. With how friendly he was, I feel sorry for Eddie, who is currently being cared for due to mental health issues, and I wish him well. Dealing with mental health issues is not fun at all.
Johnny Caps and Dean Cameron
I then met another Facebook friend in Dean Cameron, who memorably played Chainsaw in the 1987 cult classic comedy Summer School. We talked about the negative reception the movie initially got, and how it ended up being a cult favorite. We also talked about the camera work he did on the 2005 documentary The Aristocrats, which was an excellent movie. Dean was fantastic to meet.
However, there is a bit of bad news here. I did an interview with Dean earlier this year, but unfortunately, my recorder wasn't able to pick up a lot of the audio on his end, so I had to scrap publication of it. He was understanding when I told him about that, but I felt disappointed in myself. If Dean ever comes back to Chiller, I'll apologize to him again in person.
Johnny Caps and Robert Romanus
Speaking of classic 80s high school comedies, the next star in the grand parade was Robert Romanus, who memorably played Mike Damone in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. I'd first interviewed Robert via e-mail for RetroJunk in 2010, and we were Facebook friends until he deleted his profile a few years ago. Robert recognized me from Facebook and our mutual friends Steve Mona and Danny O'Connor, and he was very charming. I only wish I had remembered to bring a print of him in Fast Times to sign that was given to me as a 31st birthday present in 2013. Maybe Robert will come back to Chiller someday. That way, we could get a new and clearer picture as my camera was on the fritz.
Johnny Caps and Glynnis O'Connor
Near to Robert was Glynnis O'Connor, whom I remembered from her role as Sally in the 1984 comedy Johnny Dangerously. She told me that the movie was very fun to shoot, and I told her of how much I enjoyed watching it. She didn't have any pictures from Johnny Dangerously available for signing, but I got her autograph on a picture from one of her other roles, and she was very kind as well.
Johnny Caps and Nancy Allen
After Glynnis, I met another Facebook friend of mine, Nancy Allen, whom you all know and love from 80s movies like Dressed To Kill and RoboCop. More recently, she's been active as the executive director of weSPARK Cancer Support Center, and I had the chance to thank Nancy for all she's done in the fight against cancer, a fight that hits close to home as I lost my mom to multiple myeloma.
I plan on reaching out to Nancy again soon about the possibility of an interview. Between her acting and her charity work, there's a lot of ground to cover with her. This also wouldn't be the last time I met Nancy at Chiller Theatre, but I'll save that tale for Part 4 and end this section by saying that if Nancy Allen comes to a convention near you, be sure to say hello to her.
Johnny Caps and Michael Beck
Speaking of Facebook friends, I met Michael Beck for the first time at the October 2016 Chiller. While most may associate Michael with the 70s because of The Warriors, he also appeared in 80s cult favorites like Xanadu and Megaforce. I told him about my enjoyment of both The Warriors and Xanadu, and he liked hearing those compliments. As with Nancy, I would meet Michael again at Chiller a few years later, but that will also be detailed in Part 4.
Johnny Caps and Deborah Van Valkenburgh
Another Warriors cast member I met at this Chiller was Deborah Van Valkenburgh, whom I also knew of from her work in the 80s cult classic Streets Of Fire. She was friendly to meet, but there was a bit of awkwardness as I almost forgot to pay her for the autograph and picture before she reminded me to do so.. I know I mentioned in the first part of this series that Patty Mullen reminded me of the importance of that, and I would remember it for the most part at future shows, but I sort of embarassed myself with Deborah, and I hope she'll come back to Chiller someday so I can compensate for it by paying immediately.
Johnny Caps and Tiffany
I then met one of the most iconic pop singers of the 1980s when I got an autograph of, and picture with, Tiffany. One of my favorite songs by her has my name in it, "Johnny's Got The Inside Moves", so I knew I had to get a reference to that on the picture I got signed. I look forward to Tiffany's return to the Chiller Theatre convention someday as I would love to get a new picture with her. We both look fine in this picture, but the lighting was lousy in the room she was in, so if she were to come back to Chiller, we could do a new picture.
Although I didn't get a picture with him this time out, I met Caroll Spinney for the second and last time at this Chiller. He had given me a free autograph in October of 2014, and although I was thankful for it, I also felt a bit guilty about it, so I paid to cover both the previous autograph and a new one. As it ended up, I got two more autographs of Mr. Spinney, so I had one made out to me and one made out to my brother. Caroll was still very friendly, and I'll always be glad I had the chance to meet him once more before his passing.
Johnny Caps and Gary Riley
Also at this Chiller was Dean Cameron's fellow Summer School star, Gary Riley, who played Chainsaw's friend Dave. Like Dean, Gary was very friendly to meet, and like Dean, we also discussed how the movie didn't do well initially, yet saw its' reputation improve over time. That's something I like about 80s movies. A lot of them are now getting the respect they were declined in their initial theatrical runs, and Summer School is a fantastic example of a title like that finally getting some respect.
Johnny Caps and Kirsten Baker
I then met the first of two Friday The 13th, Part 2 cast members at this Chiller when I got an autograph of, and picture with, Kirsten Baker, who played Terry in that movie. You may remember that Terry wore a Mickey Mouse t-shirt, and Kirsten was wearing the shirt again at Chiller. She still looks amazing, and I was hoping to work on setting up an interview with her. However, I was having trouble getting my iPhone to show the Pop Geeks website properly on the Sunday of that show, so I wasn't able to at that time. Hope springs eternal, though, and I'll try to see if I can still land an interview with her someday.
Johnny Caps and Michael Pare
I then met Michael Pare, the actor behind memorable 80s film characters like Streets Of Fire's Tom Cody and Eddie Wilson of Eddie And The Cruisers. Streets Of Fire was the movie I chose to get an autograph from, and I told Michael of how I first came across that movie on TBS in the 90s and how, even though it was edited for TV, I thought it was fantastic, leading me to rent the tape a while later. Michael was fantastic to meet, but that went for all the talents at this show.
Johnny Caps and Kristy McNichol
After Michael, I met Kristy McNichol for the first time at Chiller. I got her autograph on a picture from The Pirate Movie, and I told her of how I think that movie is better than it gets credit for. I complimented her on her singing in that movie, and she liked hearing that. Unfortunately, though, the lighting was not the best in this room, so the picture could've come out better lighting-wise. Thankfully, as I'll detail in Part 4 of this series, I would have a chance to take a better picture with her.
Johnny Caps and Mark Margolis
Up next was Mark Margolis, an actor who, among his many credits, memorably played Shadow in the 1983 adaptation of Scarface, the killer who was going to kill the diplomat and his kids, much to the chagrin of Al Pacino's Tony Montana, who has a rule about not shooting kids. I told Mark that his role, although small, was very memorable, and he seemed a little offended when I referred to the roe as small. I apologized to him for my words, and he accepted the apology, but it was still pretty awkward for me.
That wrapped up Friday of the October 2016 Chiller, so I went up to my hotel room as I was back on site for the show this time, and I got a good night's sleep. I was up early the next day to get on the pre-show line, and once we were let in, I went to the room where a Jaws 2 reunion was being held to meet the next talent in the grand parade.
Johnny Caps and Gigi Vorgan
Gigi Vorgan was at this Chiller as part of the aforementioned Jaws 2 reunion, but what I discussed with was her work in the 1988 movie Red Heat, where she played Officer Audrey. She told me she had fun working on that movie, and I thought that was great to hear. I only wish I'd thought to ask her about her extensive work in the field of ADR in the 1980s, but if I ever have the chance to interview her, I'll definitely have some questions about that.
Johnny Caps and Teri Weigel
After Gigi, I met another famous Facebook friend of mine in Teri Weigel, Playboy's Miss April 1986 who appeared in 80s cult classics like Cheerleader Camp and Savage Beach. Teri was very friendly to meet, and had a lot of great pictures available to be signed. I didn't go for an 80s picture to be signed, but if Teri ever returns to Chiller, I'll definitely get one autographed. In the meantime, I need to reach out to Teri about an interview. I'll do so soon.
Johnny Caps and Marsha Warfield
Next up was Marsha Warfield, who memorably played bailiff Roz Russell on Night Court. I told her about how much I enjoyed watching that show, and also of how I liked her 90s comedy album This Isn't Gross, This Is Important. There was a bit of awkwardness when she mentioned that I had to get a ticket for the picture and autograph combo as that's how the booker who brought her in works, but I got it sorted out quickly, and the picture came out well.
Johnny Caps and Lauren-Marie Taylor
The second Friday The 13th, Part 2 cast member I met at this Chiller was Lauren-Marie Taylor, who played the character of Vickie in that movie. When I met her, although I got a picture from Friday The 13th, Part 2 signed, the movie I discussed with her was John Belushi's final movie Neighbors, where she played the role of Elaine, the daughter of Belushi's character Earl. Lauren-Marie spoke very highly of John, and that was lovely to hear. If John Belushi were still alive, I wonder if he would've gone out on the convention circuit. I didn't think to ask Lauren-Marie that, but if she ever comes back to Chiller, I will.
Johnny Caps and Holly Fields
I met a future Facebook friend of mine when I said hello to Holly Fields, a talented and versatile actress whose 80s credits include movies like Communion and The Big Picture, appearances on TV shows like It's Garry Shandling's Show and MacGyver, and Madonna's infamous banned Pepsi commercial. Holly was fantastic to meet, and I would have the chance to interview her several months later for Pop Geeks, where she had some fantastic stories to share. The interview link is highlighted in the previous sentence, so check it out when you have a chance.
Johnny Caps and Shavar Ross
Although I would meet several more stars at the October 2016 Chiller, the last 80s star I met at this show was Shavar Ross, whose 80s credits included Dudley on Diff'rent Strokes and Reggie in Friday The 13th, Part V: A New Beginning. I'd actually met him in the hotel elevator Saturday night, but I knew I wanted to get his autograph and picture the following day. He was very friendly. We were actually Facebook friends briefly a few years ago. It didn't last too long, but that's okay. Some talents only like to associate their pages with their fellow professionals and not with fans. He was still cool to meet, though.
With the October 2016 Chiller Theatre in the books, I started saving for the following year. I didn't attend the April 2017 Chiller, but I did go to the October 2017 Chiller, and for me, the show keeps getting better. October 2017 was a great example of that. I didn't attend the April 2017 Chiller, which marked the show's return to the Hilton Parsippany, so October of 2017 was my first time at this hotel, and I came to like it better than Chiller's previous location, the Parsippany Sheraton.
Johnny Caps and Kelli Maroney
The first star I met at the October 2017 Chiller was my longtime friend Kelli Maroney, the star of 80s favorites like Night Of The Comet and Chopping Mall. I first befriended Kelli about a decade earlier when I interviewed her via e-mail for RetroJunk, the site I was writing for at the time. It was a very early interview for me, and you could tell if you looked at it, but we became friends instantly, and have remained that way since.
I loved meeting Kelli in person. She recognized me immediately, and I would say hello to her and get several autographs and photos with her throughout the weekend. The meeting went so well that it played a part in the second interview we would do, this time on the phone for Pop Geeks. Here's the link to that interview, where I feel I came up with better questions that time out. If Kelli comes to a convention near you, be sure to say hello to her.