Guests

Our 25th Anniversary continues, and guests for our 

October 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2025 Show will include:

From Troma’s Cult Classic, THE TOXIC AVENGER

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Jennifer Babtist 

Jennifer Babtist played “Wanda” in the original TOXIC AVENGER (1984). She also played “Miss Stein” in Troma’s cult classic CLASS OF NUKE ‘EM HIGH (1986), and you can find her in the comedies, GOODBYE NEW YORK (1985), and DICK AND JANE DROP ACID AND DIE (1991); the sci-fi thriller HEAD GAMES, (1996); and wrote and directed the sci-fi flick, ALIEN SEX PHONE PSYCHO (1994).

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Cindy Manion

Cindy Manion played “Julie” in THE TOXIC AVENGER (1984). Before she landed the role in Toxic, she appeared as a coed in Brian DePalma’s BLOW OUT (1981), and was “Jo” in the Chuck Vincent comedy, PREPPIES (1984).

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Robert Prichard

Actor and Producer Robert Prichard made his cult film debut as “Slug” in THE TOXIC AVENGER (1984). He played “Spike” in Troma’s CLASS OF NUKE ‘EM HIGH (1986), returned playing a cop in RETURN TO NUKE ‘EM HIGH VOLUME 1 (2013), was “Rex” in the cult sci-fi flick, ALIEN SPACE AVENGER (1989), and appeared in ALIEN SEX PHONE PSYCHO (1994). You can also find him in the comedy CRACKING UP (1994), in director Richard Haines HEAD GAMES (1996), SATAN HOLD MY HAND (2013), as well as the horror film, DARK PRISM (2015) and more recently, the comedy WEREWOLF BITCHES FROM OUTER SPACE (2017).

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Gary Schneider

Gary was “Bozo” in THE TOXIC AVENGER (1984), and played “Pete” in Troma’s CLASS OF NUKE ‘EM HIGH (1986), and appeared in the comedy BEACH BALLS (1988).

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Mark Torgl

Mark appeared in Troma’s teen comedy THE FIRST TURN ON (1983) before he played mop-boy “Melvin” in THE TOXIC AVENGER (1984). Since the original Toxic, Mark has showed up in a couple other Troma flicks, including CITIZEN TOXIE: TOXIC AVENGER 4 (2000), and RETURN TO NUKE ‘EM HIGH VOL UME 2 (2017). More recently, you can find Mark in writer / director James Balsamo’s I SPILL YOUR GUTS 2 (2020), KILLER WAVES 2 (2020), ALIEN DANGER WITH RAVEN VAN SLENDER (2021), SLICE (2022) and HOLLYWOOD WEREWOLF (2023); as well as THE MACABRE (2022), THE ONCE AND FUTURE SMASH (2022), SPECIAL NEEDS REVOLT! (2024) and the horror comedy INFERNAL (2025) to name a few.

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How about a trio from the 80s horror favorite, FRIGHT NIGHT

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William Ragsdale
 
William Ragsdale played horror movie loving “Charley Brewster” in director Tom Holland’s FRIGHT NIGHT (1985), and went on to play “Charley” again in FRIGHT NIGHT PART 2 (1988). He made his feature film debut in the anthology horror outing, SCREAMS OF A WINTER NIGHT (1979), and appeared in the thriller SMOOTH TALK (1985) with Laura Dern and Treat Williams between the Fright Night films. Other films that Wastelanders may know include BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 2 (2006), THE REAPING (2007), LA BLUES (2007) and REIN (2023) to name a few. William Ragsdale has done several made for TV Movies over the years, including FRANKENSTEIN: THE COLLEGE YEARS (1991), FAVORITE DEADLY SINS (1995), and NOWHERE FAST (1995); and appeared in a ton of television shows, including Ellen, Grosse Pointe, Judging Amy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, and Justified to name a handful.

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Amanda Bearse

Florida born actor and director Amanda Bearse played Charley’s girlfriend “Amy Peterson” in FRIGHT NIGHT (1985). She got her start on television before finding herself in the comedy FRATERNITY VACATION (1985) with Stephen Geoffreys before the two were cast in Fright Night. More television followed, including 260 episodes as “Marcy Rhoades / Marcy D’Arcy” in Married…. With Children from 1987 to 1997. You can also find Amanda in the dark crime-comedy THE DOOM GENERATION (1995), and the comedy TAPAWINGO (1923); as well as TV movies like GODDESS OF LOVE (1988), and HERE COME THE MUNSTERS (1995), and television shows like Likely Suspects, Drop Dead Diva, and Smothered. She began her career as a director, working in television, and directed 31 episodes of Married… With Children, along with several episodes of Malcolm & Eddie, The Jamie Fox Show, Dharma & Greg, and Mad TV to name a few.

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Stephen Geoffreys

Cincinnati, Ohio born Stephen Geoffreys played the obnoxious horror movie geek “Evil” Ed Thompson in Fright Night (1985). He got his start in teen comedies HEAVEN HELP US (1985) and FRATERNITY VACATION (1985) with Amanda Bearse before landing the role of “Evil Ed” in FRIGHT NIGHT and went on to appear in the crime drama AT CLOSE RANGE (1986), the cult horror films THE CHAIR (1988) and 976-EVIL (1988), as well as the sci-fi thriller MOON 44 (1990) and the drama WILD BLADE (1991). Stephen did a fair amount of television, including The Twilight Zone reboot, Amazing Stories, and the made for TV film, The Road Raisers (1989). In a bit of an unexpected career move, Geoffreys did a number of adult films before returning to film work in the indie horror film SICK GIRL (2007), and has done several since, including MR. HUSH (2010), BITE MARKS (2011) and THE DAY OF THE LIVING DEAD (2014).

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And let’s not leave out our other terrific Guests

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Eddie Deezen

Eddie Deezen began his career doing stand-up comedy before moving to California where he became known for “nerd” characters in films, including GREASE (1978) and GREASE 2 (1982), MIDNIGHT MADNESS (1980), I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND (1978) and WAR GAMES (1983). His first feature film was Charles Band's cult sci-fi film, LASERBLAST (1978), and you’ll find Eddie in all kinds of “video store” films like ZAPPED! (1982), A POLISH VAMPIRE IN BURBANK (1983), ASSAULT OF THE KILLER BIMBOS (1988), CRITTER’S 2: THE MAIN CORSE (1988), BEVERLY HILLS VAMP (1989), HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD 2 (1990), and TEENAGE EXORCIST (1991). In the 1990s, Eddie Deepen started a long career doing voice work for movies, TV, and animated series. You can find him lending his voice talents as “Mandrake” in Dexter’s Laboratory, as the know-it-all kid in THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004), and as “Ned” in Kim Possible, and various SpongeBob Squarepants cartoons and films. More recently, Eddie appeared in the latest Critters film, CRITTER: ALL YOU CAN EAT (2024).

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Elizabeth DeRazzo

Texas born Elizabeth DeRazzo relocated to LA after high school to begin pursuing her acting career, where she quickly appeared on stage in several productions. She had featured roles on The West Wing and Six Feet Under before her big break on an episode of Cold Case in 2005. She continued to guest star on television for the next few years before she landed the role of “Maria” on Danny McBride’s HBO comedy series, Eastbound & Down between 2010 and 2013. In 2014, Elizabeth co-starred on the comedy series Idiotsitter. Starting in 2015, she starred in a string of films that include the docudrama THE 33 (2015), the cult black comedy, THE GREASY STRANGLER (2016), as well as LEMON (2017), and FRAT PACK (2016). She returned to TV with the role of “Yoli” on Vida (2018 - 2020) and a current episode of the comedy series, It’s Florida, Man.

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Tim Ritter

Shot on Video Pioneer wrote and directed his first SOV feature, DAY OF THE REAPER (1984) when he was only 16 years old. After he wrote and directed the horror anthology TWISTED ILLUSIONS (1985) with long time collaborator, Joel D. Wynkoop, he sold his first professional script for TRUTH OR DARE? (1986) at 17 and went of to direct the movie the following year. TRUTH OR DARE? was a video store hit with gore fans (and we’re sure that Tim was ripped off by the production company.) He went on to write, produce and direct KILLING SPREE (1987), WICKED GAMES (1994), CREEP (1995), SCREAMING FOR SANITY: TRUTH OR DARE 3 (1998) and DIRTY COP NO DONUT (1999) before the video stores started to fade away. With plenty of fans willing to continue to search them out, the market for indie horror and exploitation films has never really died, and Ritter has continued to make movies to this day. DIRTY COP 2: I AM A PIG (2001), TWISTED ILLUSIONS 2 (20054), DEADLY DARES: TRUTH OR DARE 4 (2011), I DARED YOU: TRUTH OR DARE 5 (2011), SHARKS OF THE CORN (2021), CATNADO (2022), and several segments for various horror anthologies have followed. Tim Ritter has also written a couple of novels: The Hammer Will Fall in 1999, and Unreel in 2004. We at CW have actually known and supported Tim since our humble beginnings in 1987 so it’s nice to finally have him join us after all these years.

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Elizabeth Shepherd

With a ton of TV work and plenty of non-Wasteland roles under her acting belt, Elizabeth Shepherd has worked steadily on stage, film and television for over fifty years now. Touching on a couple of roles I’m sure all Cinema Wasteland fans will remember her for, she costarred with Vincent Price as “Lady Ligeia” in Roger Corman’s Poe classic, TOMB OF LIGEIA (1964); as well as portraying “Joan Hart” (and gruesomely meeting her demise) in the horror-thriller, DAMIEN: OMEN 2 (1978). Elizabeth Shepherd was originally cast in the role of “Emma Peel” in the original Avengers TV series. She even shot footage for the first two episodes of the series that was later reshot with Diana Rigg. Other notable TV roles include: an episode of the DANGER MAN secret agent series, an appearance in PSI FACTOR, several episodes of POLTERGEIST: THE LEGACY, and she was the voice of “Infinity” in several episodes of THE SILVER SURFER cartoon series. More recently, Elizabeth appeared in the horror film, GAME OF DEATH: THE SIX DOORS TO HELL (1924) and in the comedy, NORTHBOUND (2025) currently in post-production. Elizabeth does an excellent reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s Tomb Of Ligeia. I believe that she recently recorded it as well, but as a treat to CW fans, she’d love to do a reading live at the October Show, so you can look forward to it come showtime.

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Tiffany Shepis

New York born and raised Tiffany Shepis got her start in films as a teenager in (James Gunn’s first screenplay) TROMEO AND JULIET (1996). In all the years since her debut film, Tiffany has racked up over 150 acting credits in indie films, shorts, television, and cult flicks, like the cult horror film THE HAZING (2004), the SYFY hit ABOMINABLE (2006)), SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE (2014). You can catch her in Troma’s TERROR FIRMER (1998), CITIZEN TOXIE: TOXIC AVENGER 4 (2000), and seven episodes of Troma’s Edge TV between 2000 and 2001. Other notable films you can find Tiffany Shepis in, include TED BUNDY (2002), the comedy VYNAL DOLLS (2002), director Adam Wingard’s HOME SICK (2007), the wonderfully titled BONNIE AND CLYDE VS. DRCULA (2008), NIGHT OF THE DEMONS (2009), BASEMENT JACK (2009), CAESAR AND OTTO’S PARANORMAL HALLOWEEN (2015), the anthology horror film TALES OF HALLOWEEN (2015) and John Russo’s MY UNCLE JOHN IS A ZOMBIE (2016), to name but a very few of her film credits. Tiffany also appeared in plenty of television shows, including 12 Monkeys, doing various voices on Robot Chicken, and the reoccurring role of “Dr. Oak” on Star Trek: Piccard.

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Tom Sullivan

Tom was the makeup effects man, prop builder, stop motion animator... ah, hell, he did so much behind-the-scenes work that we feel Tom is at least partially responsible for the entire look and feel of Sam Raimi’s cult horror favorite, EVIL DEAD. Before EVIL DEAD, Tom was the special effects guy on Sam Raimi’s WITHIN THE WOODS (1978), the short film that Sam Raimi made to secure financing for EVIL DEAD. He also worked plenty an uncredited job on EVIL DEAD 2 and did some sculpting work on THE FLY 2 for Chris Wallas. A talented artist, Tom has also done illustrations for collectible card games, film production companies, book illustrations, and designed the ultra-cool “Book of the Dead” DVDs for the Anchor Bay limited edition EVIL DEAD and EVIL DEAD 2 releases. He also penned the TOM SULLIVAN’S BOOKS OF THE DEAD comic series and found himself taking a few acting roles in films like the horror-comedy BUDDY BEBOP VS THE LIVING DEAD (2009), SPLATTER MOVIE:THE DIRECTOR’S CUT (2008), DOG (2009), A SHEER AGENDA (2009) and a few short films. Tom was actually the first guest we invited to be a part of the very first Cinema Wasteland Show back in September 2000, and was a part of the Cinema Wasteland Show and Family for 20 years where he became a real fan favorite guest.  Tom had his own “Sullivan Museum Room” at the CW Show, where you’ll find Tom, as well as long time “Museum Curator” and Evil Dead historian, Pat Reese, (who’s also been a part of Cinema Wasteland since the beginning.) You’ll find original EVIL DEAD props, storyboards and artwork on display for all attending fans to see up close and personal. And he will once again be filling his room with some great stuff for fans to look at and purchase, so be sure to pop in say “hello” and check out what Tom and Pat have to offer everyone.

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

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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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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.

** Mummy and the Monkey are unable to attend April's show but will see everyone in October. **



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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.

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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.