Guests

With the 50th Anniversary of Texas Chainsaw Massacre just around the corner, we’re looking to get the remaining Cast Members together for another (long overdue) Wasteland appearance.

Allen Danziger

Allen played “Jerry” (Sally’s boyfriend) in TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974). After appearing in an early Tobe Hooper’s short film, EGG SHELLS (1969), the part of Jerry was written for him by Hooper, and the rest as they say, is history. In 1978, with a newspaper ad that read, "Gorilla for Hire," Allen began Three Ring Service, an Austin, Texas based entertainment company that supplies anything from singing telegrams to sumo wrestlers or balloon twisters to belly dancers for any occasion from company picnics, to birthdays and beyond. Allen made his first ever convention appearance when we held our 30th anniversary TCM reunion in the Spring of 2004, joined us again in 2009 when we last held a TCM reunion, and we’re more than happy to have our ol’ friend back for round three when we begin the road to ‘Saw’s 50th Anniversary 20 years after we first got the cast together.


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John Dugan

If you do more theater than film work over the years like John Dugan has done, then having a film like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) under your belt is never a bad thing. John played “Grandpa” in Tobe Hooper’s original horror classic, and played the role so well that many people actually thought that the role was played by an old man. Twenty years after the original, John showed up in TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION (1995) as a Cop during the hospital scene. In the mid-2000s John returned to acting in feature films, where he’s appeared in MONSTROSITY (2007), HELL-EPHONE (2008), BUTCHER BOYS (2012), reprised his roll as Grandpa” in TEXAS CHAINSAW 3-D (2013), THE BOOGEYMAN (2014), BITE SCHOOL (2015), DEVIL’S INK (2017), and the horror-comedies THE ONCE AND FUTURE SMASH (2022) and ATTACK OF THE KILLER CHICKENS: THE MOVIE (2022) to name a few. Currently, John has a trio of films in pre-production, filming or announced.


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Teri McMinn

Houston born Teri McMinn studied and worked at The Dallas Theater Center after graduating high school. In 1971, she moved to Austin where she attended the University of Texas and St. Edwards University. While in Austin working in local theater, director Toby Hooper and producer Kim Hinkle saw an article about her in the local newspaper and had her audition for the role of “Pam” in their film, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE; and the rest, as they say, is meat hook history. After the film's 1974 release, Teri studied acting in Los Angeles and New York. Doors opened as a leg and foot model in commercials and print work while continuing with stage work. You can also find Teri in the comedy, THE CELLAR (2009), and BUTCHER BOYS (2012) along with several of her TCM cast mates. Teri was new to the entire convention scene when we first had her back in 2009 to celebrate ‘Saw’s 35th anniversary, so it’s great to have her back as we begin the run up to the film’s 50th anniversary next year.

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Edwin Neal

Ed Neal was everyone’s favorite “Hitchhiker” in director Toby Hooper’s horror classic, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), where he turned the phrase, ”Do you like head cheese?” into a line every horror movie fan in the world knows, recites, and still gets a respectful laugh out of from time to time. Ed is sort of a jack of all trades. He’s done stand-up, acts, he’s a known and respected poster dealer, and he’s spent a lot of time doing video game, cartoon and animation voice work and dubbing, often times voicing several characters in the same show. In 1985 he wrote, produced and starred in the future-is-bleak shocker, FUTURE-KILL alongside TCM alumni Marilyn Burns. Ed’s had small roles in big “Hollywood” movies like JFK (1991) and has had some interesting roles in small budget films like ZOMBIEGEDDON (2003) where he plays... “God”...? You can also find Ed in MURDER-SET-PIECES (2004), SATAN’S PLAYGROUND (2005) which costars Ellen “Evil Dead” Sandweiss; indy horror flick SHUDDER (2007), westerns like THE MAN WHO CAME BACK (2008) and KILL OR BE KILLED (2015), and the horror films IT CAME FROM TRAFALGAR (2009), BUTCHER BOYS (2012), KILL OR BE KILLED (2015), and DEATH BREED (2021) to name but a few of the films you can find Ed Neal in.

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Daniel Pearl

*Appearance pending work obligations. - Cinematographer Dan Pearl was born in the Bronx, New York and grew up in New Jersey. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in radio, film and television and a Master of Arts in communication from the University of Texas in Austin and shot his first film for director Tobe Hooper. That film turned out to be THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), and began a career that continues to this day. He was the cinematographer on several films Wastelanders will know, including Charles Band’s adult comedy, FAIRY TALES (1978), the thriller, THE FIFTH FLOOR (1978), Larry Cohen’s horror-comedy, FULL MOON HIGH (1981), ZAPPED! (1982), DEADLY ILLUSION (1987), and the cult comedy, AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON (1987) to name a few. Pearl was director of photography on Tobe Hooper’s INVADERS FROM MARS (1986), Larry Cohen’s IT’S ALIVE 3: ISLAND OF THE ALIVE (1987) and A RETURN TO SALEM’S LOT (1987). He’s also been the cinematographer on an amazing amount of music videos over the last 40+ years, shooting videos for the likes of The Tubes, The Police, Stevie Nicks, Genesis, U2, Styx, B.B. King, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Van Halen, Guns n’ Roses, and so many others. 

As mentioned above, Dan Pearl may have some work set for the Spring. With the glacial pace in which film productions work, and the quick nature of shooting a music video, we’re confident that he will make the show. We just wanted to make sure everyone was aware his appearance is pending regular work.


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William Vail

Bill Vail played “Kirk”, our cannibal families first victim, in the original TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. As an actor, you can also find him in POLTERGEIST (1982) and the cult horror outing, MAUSOLEUM (1983). Bill has also served as art director on the TV movie, CHERNOBYL: THE FINAL WARNING (1991), has been nominated for two prime time Emmy awards, and has been the set decorator on several television productions and TV shows over the years.

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And...

Roger Bartlett

Musician Roger Bartlett wrote the “radio” song, Fool For A Blond that the TCM cast listens to during their van ride to the old family home in TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974). Roger was the guitarist for Jimmy Buffett in the beginning when the two performed as a duo in Buffett’s early years. He became a member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band (1974 - 1977) where he played acoustic and electric guitar and sang harmony vocals.


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Jeannie Bell

St. Louis born Jeanne Bell will forever be known as Diana “T.N.T.” Jackson in director Cirio Santiago’s cult action film, T.N.T. JACKSON (1974), but you’ll also find her in several stand-out action and “blaxploitation” films in the 70s. After her photo layout as the October 1969 Playboy Playmate of the Month, she wound up as a reoccurring character in the 8th season of The Beverly Hillbillies TV Series (1970) before moving on to feature film work. Her first film appearance was in the crime / action film, MELINDA (1972) with Calvin Lockhart and Rosalind Cash; followed by TROUBLE MAN (1972), BLACK GUNN (1972), CLEOPATRA JONES (1973), Martin Scorsese’s MEAN STREETS (1973) and Lee Frost’s POLICEWOMAN (1974) before T.N.T. JACKSON (1974) came her way. You can also find Jeannie Bell is the action thriller, THREE THE HARD WAY (1974) with Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, and Jim Kelly; the crime thriller, THE KLANSMAN (1974) with Lee Marvin and Richard Burton; director Cirio Santiago’s THE MUTHERS (1976) with former CW guest Rosanne Katon and Trina Parks; D’Urville Martin’s DISCO 9000 (1977); and rounded out her film career in the Robert Aldrich crime comedy, THE CHOIRBOYS (1977). Throughout the 70s Bell appeared in several popular television series, including Sanford and Son, Ironside, Police Story, Police Woman, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker, to name a few.


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Nick Benson

Special Effects artist, Nick Benson got his start on the makeup effects crew for Kevin Tenney’s NIGHT OF THE DEMONS (1988) before moving on to the the horror comedy, DEAD HEAT (1988), and doing special effects and acting as a puppeteer on director Chuck Russell’s underrated remake of THE BLOB (1988). Since then, Nick has worked on many a horror and sci-fi film, including A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER (1988), HOWLING 4: THE ORIGINAL NIGHTMARE ((1988), SOCIETY (1989), THE ABYSS (1989), TOKYO: THE LAST WAR (1989), TREMORS (1990), BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR (1990), and TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE (1990). You’ll also find his handiwork in the drama, GROSS ANATOMY (1989); the Kevin Costner western, DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990), and the action-fantasy film, ROAD TO HELL (2008) to name a few. Nick has also dabbled in the role of producer, starting with the made for TV movies, D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS (1994) and THE DOWN BOYS: IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (1999), and currently has a couple of horror films in pre-production as we post this little bio on the web site.

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Olivia Brown

Olivia Brown’s first film roll was as “Candy” in the Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy crime-comedy, 48 HRS. (1982) and she’s worked fairly steady in film and television since. You’ll find her in the action film, STREETS OF FIRE (1984), the cult comedy, THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN (1987), the horror film, MAN’S BEST FRIEND (1993), and comedy HOUSE ARREST (2012) to name a few you may have seen. She appeared in several popular television shows over the years, including T.J. Hooker, Hill Street Blues and The Love Boat before landing the role of “Detective Trudy Joplin” in the 1984 - 1998 detective show, Miami Vice opposite Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas. After Miami Vice wrapped, she continued to do a lot of TV work, and you can find her in several episodes of Designing Women, Dear John, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Beverly Hills 90210, Moksha, and 7th Heaven, along with plenty of one off guest spots on other popular TV shows.



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Count Gore De Vol

Count Gore De Vol has been hosting horror movies since 1971 in three markets: Paducah, KY, Washington, DC, and The Entire World! After a year at WDXR in Paducah, he moved to WDCA, Channel 20 in Washington, where he hosted Creature Feature and competed with Congress and the Senate for the title of chief blood sucker for more than 15 years. In 1998, Count Gore responded to the calls of his fans and returned to his chosen profession by becoming the first horror host on the Internet with “Creature Feature”, his Weekly Web Program at www.countgore.com that continues to this day. In 1999 he triumphantly returned to Washington to host Channel 20’s "Countdown with the Count" Millennium Special. You’ll find the Count’s alter ego, Richard Dyszel, in director Don Dohler’s THE ALIEN FACTOR (1978), NIGHTBEAST (1982), GALAXY INVADER (1985), and the Don Dohler scripted, CRAWLER (2004). Count Gore can be found in many a TV Show or TV Special, as well as “the narrator” in the indy vampire flick, THE DEAD MATTER (2009); and he just happens to be the main topic of interest in the documentary EVERY OTHER DAY IS HALLOWEEN (2009). Pre COVID, Count Gore was a semi-regular guest at Cinema Wasteland since the beginning, but hasn’t been with us for a few years now. He’s currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first show on WDCA in Washington, the 25th anniversary of his becoming the first horror host on the internet, and the 5th anniversary of the roku channel, Count Gore De Vol Presents, so it’s a great time to have him back at his old CW Show stomping grounds to help celebrate those achievements.

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Alex Vincent

New Jersey born Alex Vincent played “Andy Barclay”, the unfortunate little kid who found himself on the wrong side of “Chucky” in CHILD’S PLAY (1988). In 1989 he starred in the Belgian drama, WAIT UNTIL SPRING, BANDI (1989) before reprising the role of “Andy” in CHILD’S PLAY 2 (1990), a movie that had a bit more of a mean streak than the first film did. At 13 Alex was cast along side Dee Wallace Stone in the family adventure flick, MY FAMILY TREASURE (1993). Alex sort of left acting behind and carried on with other interests for a few years after MY FAMILY TREASURE but returned to acting with the Australian horror film, DEAD COUNTRY (2008) and as a prank caller in the comedy, ON THE ROPES (2011). In 2013, Alex returned to the role of “Andy Barclay” in both CURSE OF CHUCKY (2013) and CULT OF CHUCKY (2017), as well as the recent CHUCKY TV Series (2021). You can also find Alex in HOUSE GUEST MASSACRE (2013), THE DARK MILITARY (2019), and currently has a couple of films in post-production.



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Lou Wagner

Character actor, Lou Wagner, has worked steadily since the mid-1960’s in film and television. One of his earliest roles was as the impish alien “J-5” in the cult TV series Lost in Space episode “The Haunted Lighthouse” (Season 3, Episode 7). This was followed by a terrific role in PLANET OF THE APES (1968) as the rebellious chimp, “Lucas.” Lou appeared in the trend setting thriller, AIRPORT (1970), as well as the family film, PUFNSTUFF ZAPS THE WORLD (1970), before appearing in CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972), and you can find him in the made for TV sci-fi movie, THE UFO INCIDENT (1975), horror films like MIRRORS (1978) and SUNSPLIT (1997), and comedies like THE BALTIMORE BULLET (1980) and GORP (1980) among many others. You’ll certainly recognize Lou Wagner from his many TV roles throughout the years. He appeared in several episodes of the original Dragnet (1968-1968), had a regular role as “Harlan Arliss” on CHiPs (1978-1983), and more recently as “Wally Phillips” on Raising Hope (2010-2014). Over the years, We’re sure you caught Lou in shows like Happy Days, Star Trek: Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Yes Dear, My Name is Earl, The Millers, and so many others.

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Ona Zee

California girl, Ona Zee, became a model at the age of 12. After some college and a year at the Parson Art School in New York, Ona took acting lessons and appeared in several television commercials while continuing her modeling work. Unlike most of the female performers in adult films, Ona didn’t begin appearing in hardcore films until the mid 1980s when she herself was in her mid-30s, and has appeared in roughly 200 adult films between 1987 and the early 2000s, including TROPICAL LUST (1987), TALK DIRTY TO ME 5 (1987), and Part 6 (1988), THE BITCH (1987) and several sequels, SEDUCTION BY FIRE (1987), BABYLON PINK 2 (1988), and 3 (1988), OUR DINNER WITH ANDREA (1988), LUST CONNECTION (1988), GOOD EVENING VIETNAM (1988), AMANDA BY NIGHT 2 (1988), SLEEPING BEAUTY AROUSED (1989), THE BONDAGE CLUB films (1990), the SEX ACADEMY films (1994), and a ton of others I’m sure many of you discovered in the back room of your local mom and pop video store back in the video days of the 80s and 90s. Ona formed her own production company in 1990, and attempted to form a porn film actors union in the 1990s that collapsed due to lack of legal and political support. After 1997, Ona did four or five more films and retired from the adult film business in the early 2000s.


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AND IT WOULDN’T BE A C.W. SHOW WITHOUT OUR EQUALLY IMPORTANT CINEMA WASTELAND REGULARS.

A. Ghastlee Ghoul

The host of the Dayton and Springfield Ohio area’s long running, late night, horror-comedy schlockathon known as “The Ghastlee Movie Show” has been spewing video-vaudevillian cheese and sleaze to the untold millions... ah, hundreds... OK, dozens of fans held captive by his wit and wisdom for over 30 years now. Occasionally joining Ghastlee for a Cinema Wasteland weekend is long time cohort in crime, Jeff McClellan: American, as well as Louu the XXXmas Devil, and Suspira; both members of the garage-punk band, SPLATTERTUDE. A. Ghastlee Ghoul has been with us since our very first show. We sort of adopted him as our official Wasteland horror host and he’s been the Wasteland AV guy for over 20 years now. The last few years you can find him and Suspira in the Vendor’s Room behind their tables all weekend long.



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Amy Lynn Best

Amy Lynn Best, a Pittsburgh PA native, has studied acting and dancing since she was three years old. She co-produced and costarred in the independent feature horror film, THE RESURRECTION GAME (2002), and like many independent film producers, she learned the film business from the ground up. On the short haunted house film, TENANT, Amy studied cinematography from that film's director of photography, Bill Fuller. Out of necessity, she learned the basics of grip work, camera operation, and the fine art of line producing. Since meeting her film making husband, Mike Watt, she has acted or worked on nearly a dozen films, including the critically-acclaimed feature, AMERICAN NIGHTMARE (2000), DR. HORROR’S EROTIC HOUSE OF IDIOTS (2003), along with ABATTOIR (2007), SPLATTER MOVIE (2008), DEMON DIVAS AND THE LANES OF DAMNATION (2009), “The Gorge” segment of George Romero’s DEADTIME STORIES 2 (2011), LITTLE BIG BOY (2012), TALES OF POE (2014) and RAZOR DAYS (2015) to name a few.



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J.R. Bookwalter

Akron, Ohio native J.R. Bookwalter spent almost four years completing what would become his first feature film: THE DEAD NEXT DOOR (1988). Upon its completion in LA, J.R. ran into producer David DeCoteau, who was just starting his own small production company, and spent the next four years writing, directing, producing, mixing sound or scoring for nine feature films and four special interest videos for DeCoteau. In 1991, Bookwalter used what he had learned and started Tempe Entertainment, further teaching himself the ins and outs of low budget film production and distribution. You name it and J.R. Bookwalter has more than likely tried it in order to get his films made. In addition to producing, directing and editing, you’ll find him occasionally acting, doing make up and effects work and/or pretty much any crew job required of him. In addition to THE DEAD NEXT DOOR, some of the films all fans should recognize that J.R. wrote, produced or directed include: KINGDOM OF THE VAMPIRE (1991), OZONE (1993), THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 25th ANNIVERSARY DOCUMENTARY (1993), MIDNIGHT 2 (1993), THE SANDMAN (1996), BLOODLETTING (1997), WITCHHOUSE 2 and 3 (2000/2001), DEAD AND ROTTING (2002), HELL ASYLUM (2002) and so many others.



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The Mummy and the Monkey

In the grand tradition of Cleveland Horror Hosts comes The Mummy and the Monkey’s Hairy Scary Hangout, hosted by Janet Decay and Grimm Gori. Their weekly Live Streaming Friday Night Facebook Show delivers bits, skits, and a scary flick! And the live platform allows them to mix it up in real time with the viewing audience, which sets them apart from most other horror host shows. Are you D.T.F.?(Down To Friday) Then grab a Drink, a Snack, and we'll see you at the Hangout this Friday! You’ll also find Janet Decay and Grimm Gori in the CW Show Guest and Vendor Room (or otherwise prowling the Show) all weekend long. Be sure to stop over, say hello, and check out what they have to offer as you pass through the Vendor and Guest room. You’ll also be able to catch a family friendly Mummy and Monkey Show on Saturday morning at the show in Movie Room 2 and pick up the DVD of that show (or any others they may have available) at their table later in the day.



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Son of Ghoul

With 30+ years and thousands of shows broadcast on TV, Son of Ghoul is Akron and Cleveland’s longest continuous running horror host; as well as a long time regular here at the Cinema Wasteland show. Live in the Cleveland or Akron area? Then by all means, see if you can’t catch Son of Ghoul’s movie show on television. A life long Three Stooges fan that can actually boast that he owns all 190 Columbia produced Three Stooges shorts on 16mm film, Son of Ghoul presents a trio of Stooge Shorts every Saturday at Noon in Movie Room 1 and has recently started to put together the Saturday morning “politically incorrect” cartoon block for us. After all, Cinema Wasteland, cartoons, and the Three Stooges go together better than drunks and strippers. Well, almost better...



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Mike Watt

Writer, director, publisher, and journalist Mike Watt wrote and directed THE RESURRECTION GAME (2001) and Bloody Earth Film's A FEAST OF FLESH (2007) (aka "Abattoir") through Happy Cloud Pictures, which he co-founded with the lovely and talented Amy Lynn Best and the less lovely but also talented Bill Homan. He also wrote the screenplays for SEVERE INJURIES (2003), WERE-GRRL (2002), SPLATTER MOVIE: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT (2008), DEAD MEN WALKING (2005) for The Asylum, THE SCREENING (2007) for G. Cameron Romero, as well as DEMON DIVAS AND THE LANES OF DAMNATION (2009) and RAZOR DAYS (2015). Mike has worked as an editor, producer, actor, and most any other job needed to complete a film or short. He was the editor of Sirens of Cinema Magazine and is always tirelessly perusing most anything to pay his rent… ah, further the independent film spirit and commerodity all of us in this business equally share. He currently publishes Exploitation Nation, a magazine devoted to the indy and classic film scene and is getting ready to launch another magazine that may even be available by the time the Fall Show rolls around.


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Come and meet representatives from the following Wasteland supporters:

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* ALL GUESTS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR ALL 3 DAYS OF THE SHOW UNLESS NOTED *

Guest appearances are based on schedules permitting. Guests do charge a nominal fee for autographs. Show events are naturally subject to change.

ALL OF OUR GUESTS WILL BE SET UP IN AMONGST THE VENDERS IN OUR 10,000 SQUARE FOOT DEALERS ROOM FOR EASY ACCESSIBILITY ALL THREE DAYS OF THE SHOW.