At only 12 years old, Matthew stepped into movie history as E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982), the most beloved alien visitor of all time.

A Los Angeles native on his very first job in or outside of film, he was one of three people who performed inside the full body costume depending on the scene or specific shot requirement. Matthew was lovingly considered the Stunt E.T., performing all walking scenes throughout the film that required a fall. Most memorable of his on-screen moments include the famous kitchen scene where an exploring ET drinks some beer, drunkenly bumps into walls, and then falls over on his belly; and the Halloween hallway scene where the family takes his picture in the ghost sheet costume.

Walking on his hands inside the alien’s large awkward feet while holding his body aloft and peering through the chest, this young man was responsible for many of the creature’s most iconic physical movements. Matthew brought an extra depth to the character’s believability, very much unseen in any other similar productions from that time.

The legendary scream queen who just happens to be the family mom to our favorite Extra-Terrestrial, Dee Wallace has given fans over five decades of epic horror film performances for directors ranging from Wes Craven to Ti West. Best known as Mary, the mother of Elliot and Gertie in E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982), she became instantly cherished by moviegoers worldwide for her wonderfully touching portrayal in this heart-warming tale of friendship. Widely considered to be one of the greatest and most enjoyable films of all time, E.T. held the highest box office record for over a decade, making Dee instantly recognizable to fans of all ages for generations to come.

With over 280 other film, TV and streaming appearances far too numerous to list, her first standout horror role came as the young mother menaced in Wes Craven’s atomic hillbilly vacation from hell, THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977), followed by Joe Dante’s THE HOWLING (1981) whose intense storyline paired with ground-breaking special transformation effects set a new standard for the sub-genre, spawning 7 sequels plus an upcoming Netflix remake in the works. Next, she faced Stephen King’s killer St. Bernard in CUJO (1983) before heading to an episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1985) and then encountering some not-so-friendly aliens in the fun sci-fi horror CRITTERS (1986), also launching 4 sequels and a streaming series.

Her film highlights of the 90s include cult horror fave POPCORN (1991) and Peter Jackson’s fantastic supernatural horror/comedy THE FRIGHTENERS (1996) with Micheal J Fox, while post-2000 we catch her in episodes of both SUPERNATURAL (2005) and GRIMM (2011) along with a quick cameo in Ti West’s captivating THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009).
Dee also appeared in several Rob Zombie films. They include HALLOWEEN (2007), LORDS OF SALEM (2012) and a surprisingly nasty role as a prison guard in the third 1000 CORPSES installment, 3 FROM HELL (2019) while finding time to lend her voice to Zombie’s animated THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO (2009) and then again more recently in his remake of THE MUNSTERS (2022). This “easter egg” style voice-over makes her 2nd MUNSTERS franchise appearance after HERE COME THE MUNSTERS (1995).

With 23 award wins (largely for Best Actress) and 9 other nominations from film festivals and Guilds worldwide, Calgary Horrorcon is very proud to welcome the return of Dee Wallace with members of her E.T. family in 2025.

Best known for his role as Michael in E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL (1982), Robert Macnaughton is an award-winning actor who portrayed Elliot and Gertie’s older brother. Mike helps E.T. build his communicator, finds him in the woods when he is missing, and then carries him back to their house. After a few misadventures, a stolen scientist van, and a flying bike ride, Mike helps E.T. go home and is thanked by the lovable alien personally for saving him before boarding the spacecraft. Turning in a standout performance as the brother who grows into the role of aide and protector to both E.T. and Elliot garnered Robert a 1982 Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

Appearing mostly in dramatic and comedic family fare such as I AM THE CHEESE (1983), NEWHART (1982), and AMEN (1986), Robert also starred in several TV movies including THE ELECTRIC GRANDMOTHER (1982), a remake of a TWILIGHT ZONE episode, and was the lead in the powerful film HEAR ME CRY (1984) about teen suicide.

While these are the roles he is famous for, Robert did make a recent horror appearance in Damien Leone’s previous outing to the hit TERRIFIER trilogy, FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE MUMMY (2015). In this early film from a rising director of note, he joins the cast as Issac, an anthropologist who plays an unwitting role in returning the cursed Pharaoh to life.

Not only a renowned director of such films as PIRANHA (1978), THE HOWLING (1981), and GREMLINS (1984) but also a highly respected film historian, Joe Dante started out editing trailers for Roger Corman’s New World Pictures after film school in 1974 and directed his first movie for the company only one year later.

His directorial debut was a satirical exploitation gem co-created/co-directed by Alan Arkush  HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD (1976) featuring props and costumes from famous Corman productions, including the cars from DEATH RACE 2000 (1975) and more, plus a cast of Corman regulars. 

Learning from the master himself, Joe next followed up with the great animal attack feature PIRANHA (1978), co-wrote and provided some quick uncredited director duties for ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL (1979), before his amazing werewolf feature, THE HOWLING (1981) with Dee Wallace leading a host of stars.

Catching the attention of Steven Spielberg, Joe joined him and other greats on TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE (1983) before directing the beloved youth horror/comedies GREMLINS (1984) and GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH (1990) for Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.

Between those hits and amid several others, he directed THE SHADOW MAN, a fondly remembered segment of the TWILIGHT ZONE (1985), and the brilliant suburban horror/comedy THE ‘BURBS (1989) filled with his signature humor.

While he has only touched on horror occasionally since the 80s and focused on more mainstream projects, Joe directed five episodes of EERIE, INDIANA (1991), two episodes each of horror anthologies NIGHT VISIONS (2001), and MASTERS OF HORROR (2005), plus two episodes of WITCHES OF EAST END (2014) and SALEM (2015).  Recent horror films include THE HOLE (2009), BURYING THE EX (2014), and NIGHTMARE CINEMA (2019), and others of note over the years include adventure comedies EXPLORERS (1985), INNERSPACE (1987) also with Spielberg, and SMALL SOLDIERS (1998).

Currently, Joe is a member of the Board of Advisers for the Hollywood Horror Museum and has his own weekly podcast THE MOVIES THAT MADE ME  (2018) with many special guests and fascinating film-related topics well worth checking out.

Joe now has two highly anticipated Corman-themed projects in pre-production: LITTLE SHOP OF HALLOWEEN HORRORS, a new remake of the classic Corman feature, and also THE MAN WITH THE KALEIDOSCOPE EYES about a very interesting night in Corman’s life with Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Jack Nicholson in tow.

Horror & sci-fi film ace Charles Band is a writer, producer, director, and publisher active since the 1970s. Charles has directed over 80 films while releasing more than 450 during his lengthy career as a producer. While developing films for others, he moved to his own studios early on, first Empire Pictures and then Full Moon Features, the latter now with its own streaming channel.

Charles was also a key player in the home video boom with companies Meda/Media Home Entertainment and Wizard Video, being among the first to distribute European horror movies from renowned cult filmmakers like Lucio Fulci and Jess Franco in America.

As either writer/producer/director or sometimes all three, Charles had a hand in creating classics such as PUPPETMASTER (1989), TOURIST TRAP (1979), GHOULIES (1984), FROM BEYOND (1986), TRANCERS (1984), CASTLE FREAK (1995), THE DUNGEONMASTER (1984), PARASITE (1982), TERRORVISION (1986), and SUBSPECIES (1991). More recently, he spawned film franchises from both his THE GINGERDEAD MAN (2005) and EVIL BONG series (2006) and continues to build on his vast body of work each year with dozens of new projects and frequent sequels of his classic titles.

Featured as the vengeful undead killer Johnny in this year’s Canadian cult horror sensation IN A VIOLENT NATURE (2024), Ry Barrett offers a perfect performance as the silent 80’s style masked slasher, inflicting rusty tool shed justice on those always deserving teens. A bloody love letter to the FRIDAY THE 13th franchise and the wave of similar films it spawned, VIOLENT NATURE is told from the killer’s perspective cutting a fresh, unique take on the long-running subgenre, and taking home the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Kill 2024.

An Ontario-born actor based in Toronto, Ry has starred in over 60 indie horror productions filmed in Canada including THE DROWNSMAN (2014), Dread Central’s ZOMBIEWORLD (2015), LIFECHANGER (2018), BEYOND THE CHAMBER OF TERROR (2021), CULT HERO (2022), and THE HYPERBOREAN (2023).

Across his career, Ry has 3 award wins across 8 nominations. This includes a 2011 Best Actor Winner TIFVA Award, a 2015 Best Male Performance at Fantastic Planet Film Festival in Sydney Australia, and a 2017 Vanguard Award winner at Blood In The Snow Canadian Film Festival, being a special recognition that is dedicated to those promoting and helping develop the independent contemporary genre filmmaking community across Canada.

Best known as everyone’s favorite 80’s party cadaver from WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S (1989), Terry Kiser is a quite recognizable cult actor with over 160 TV and film appearances from the 1970s to today.

Most notable of his horror films would be his major turn as psychiatrist Doctor Crews in FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988), the very memorable secondary antagonist to the story’s psychic-powered lead after Jason Vorhees. Previously, Terry appeared in Michael Crichton’s sci-fi murder thriller LOOKER (1981) and then FROM A WHISPER TO A SCREAM (1987) with horror god Vincent Price and followed FRIDAY with a comedic turn as the evil scientist villain in horror comedy TAMMY AND THE T REX (1994). This very fun B-movie recently released a new gore cut in 2019 with unseen original footage, becoming quite popular with horror fans while finding a whole new audience nearly 30 years later.

Besides his most famous role as Bernie in both parts 1 and 2 of that franchise, Terry long held cult status from his myriad appearances in episodes of nearly every popular 70s and 80s TV show. From big action thrillers like THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN (1974), THE FALL GUY (1981), and KNIGHT RIDER (1982), to long-running hit comedies THREE’S COMPANY (1976), THE GOLDEN GIRLS (1985) and THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL -AIR (1990), Terry’s talent for playing varied roles in any genre was clearly evident.

Most recently, Terry appeared in slasher STREAM (2024) along with many other horror alums (including this year’s co-guest Dee Wallace) and the A WORK OF ART (2024) music video for Ice Nine Kills, playing a character quite reminiscent of his classic roles we love. Fans of the TERRIFIER series and Terry will definitely want to check this clip out.

Born in Lethbridge Alberta, the multi-talented Duncan Regehr is perhaps best known to horror audiences for his dark portrayal of Count Dracula in THE MONSTER SQUAD (1987), a menacing, sinister incarnation of the vampire lord that stands out among his fanged peers even while presented through a popular young horror comedy. Directed by the talented Fred Dekker and written by Shane Black, MONSTER SQUAD gave Duncan center stage as the lead villain who recruited the other Universal Monsters as henchmen, causing much havoc until stopped by a group of young horror fans.

Joining CBC Radio at age 16 as the host of a teen-oriented talk show, Duncan greatly diversified before pursuing acting full-time as an artist, champion figure skater, Olympic boxing contender, and classically trained Shakespearean stage performer. After several years spent in Canadian television, Duncan broke into the US market continuing with a wide variety of TV roles as dashing heroes, dramatic historical figures, and stylish, well-spoken, and very deliberate villains. Starring as the evil Prince Dirk Blackpool in WIZARDS AND WARRIORS (1984), he crafted perfectly dislikable characters both there and then as a recurring character in mega-popular alien invader horror show V, THE SERIES (1984). Duncan played Charles, the villainous alien foil of Diana and the resistance alike. He was in talks to return for the partially written 2nd season before the show was abruptly removed from broadcast.

After playing mostly heroic roles in the 80s, he briefly returned to the horror genre as a serial killer in the slasher thriller THE BANKER (1989) opposite Robert Forster before entering one of his biggest roles as the titular hero in ZORRO (1990). A well-loved US television series broadcasted around the world across English-speaking, European, Latin American, and South American countries in the early 1990s, Duncan
brought excitement and vigor to the swashbuckling hero and being an expert rider, performed many of his own stunts.  This family-friendly adventure series lasted four seasons and is considered by many to be one of, if not, the best version of the classic legend.

Lead guitarist for The Misfits 1980-1983, 1995-2001, and 2016 to present with the original lineup reunion shows, Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein is true punk rock royalty and one of the most recognizable stars in punk & metal with early vinyl now valued in the 1000s each.

Born Paul Caiafa, the younger brother of Misfits’ bassist Jerry Only, Doyle joined the legendary punk group when he was only 16. Originally a roadie for the band, Doyle was taught guitar by Glenn Danzig and Jerry, then stepped in after Bobby Steele failed to show up for a recording session. As lead guitarist for almost every incarnation of The Misfits, Doyle has been hammering speakers with classic punk anthems since the Danzig era to the Original Misfits reunion shows of recent years including Skulls, Die, Die My Darling, Night Of The Living Dead, and Astro Zombies.

Considered the first horror punk band, The Misfits blended punk, early goth, and metal with horror film themes in song titles, lyrics, and imagery. Doyle was on all three classic Danzig-lead albums Walk Among Us (1982), Evillive (1982), and Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983). This final release of the original line-up has been called the “first trash album ever” by Kirk Hammett of Metallica as it was recorded months before the earlier releases of Venom, Metallica, and Slayer but hit the market after the others.

After the band’s first breakup, The Misfits only increased in popularity through their influences on other acts leading to over 150 recorded and released covers of Misfits songs by such notables as Metallica (3 covers), NOFX, My Chemical Romance, Dropkick Murphys, Entombed, Cradle Of Filth, Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, Sum 41 and many more.

Coming back with Jerry and the 90s line-up, Doyle appeared on four more albums before departing and starting his own projects. He released albums as the group Gorgeous Frankenstein in 2007 and two albums as Doyle in 2013 and 2017.

Reunited on stage with both Glenn and Jerry in 2016, headlining shows and festivals as The Original Misfits, they were the first classic punk band to not only headline but also sell out Madison Square Garden. They also set a new record at one of Los Angeles’ largest and most popular concert venues, selling out the LA Forum, home to both the Lakers and Kings sports teams, in under a minute.

In television and film, he has appeared as himself with the 90s MISFITS line-up in several projects, including George A Romero’s BRUISER (2000) providing two original songs for a total of four included in the movie and soundtrack, WCW MONDAY NITRO (1995), ANIMAL ROOM (1995), the Insane Clown Posse movie, BIG MONEY HUSTLAS (2000) and CAMPFIRE STORIES (2001).

Best known as the pivotal character of Leland Palmer, the victim Laura Palmer’s dad, in David Lynch’s supernatural cult horror phenomenon TWIN PEAKS (1989), TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME (1992) and TWIN PEAKS THE RETURN (2017), Ray Wise has appeared in over 50 hit television series and dozens of feature films in over 250 screen appearances.

From early roles in classics such as Dr. Alec Holland, the man who becomes the monstrous elemental hero, in Wes Craven’s SWAMP THING (1982), followed by a cameo in CAT PEOPLE (1982) and many, many hit shows in guest or reoccuring roles, Ray first really got audiences attention as Leon Nash, one of the very memorable evil gang members in ROBOCOP (1987) before being cast in his career defiing role as Leland two years later.

Ray has appeared in big horror features such as DEAD END (2003), JEEPERS CREEPERS 2 (2003), the US remake of Japanese chiller ONE MISSED CALL (2008), and INFESTATION (2009). With a cult status firmly cemented, fans loved him as the steady smoking doctor in CHILLERAMA (2011), followed by the great medical horror EXCISION (2012), and then with a number of other horror greats in the Barbara Steele lead THE BUTTERFLY ROOM (2012). Ray has even played Satan, the devil himself, on more than one occasion, most prominently in the popular TV series REAPER (2007). Continuing with horror appearances in films such as BIG ASS SPIDER! (2013), DIGGING UP THE MARROW (2014) from HATCHET franchise writer/director Adam Green, SUBURBAN GOTHIC (2014), the well-cast THE LAZARUS EFFECT (2015), and TV series THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (2018), Ray has also lent his talents to many mainstream films such as X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011), and six-time Oscar nominee GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005).

One of the finest character actors working today, Ray has 5 award wins across 13 nominations including a 2015 Emmy for Outstanding Special Guest Performer (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS 1973), Best Actor at B-Movie Film Festival 2006 for CYXORK 7 (2006), a 2001 Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner at 2001 Toronto Planet Indie Fest (CLOSING THE DEAL 2011), a 2017 Best Vocal Ensemble from People’s Choice Voice acting Awards for BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE (2016), and another Best Ensemble from Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest for the acclaimed animated horror TO YOUR LAST DEATH (2019).

And now, a request for all you Teenage Comet Zombies! Appearing in over 30 films and well over 500 hours of television, Kelli Maroney is best known to horror fans as Samantha, the blonde cheerleader of the two high school “valley girls” who take on zombies and evil scientists in 80s favorite NIGHT OF THE COMET (1984).
Filled with great moments, classic 80s images and beautiful cinematography in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, the film has become an influential cult hit due to its humor and strong yet very relatable female protagonists.

No stranger to the screen, Kelli had already graced over 300 episodes of RYAN’S HOPE (1975), played the main cheerleader in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982), and appeared in several hit TV series episodes before starring in Jim Wynorski’s B-Movie masterpiece, CHOPPING MALL (1986) produced by Roger Corman. Essentially the anti-SHORT CIRCUIT film and even released the same year, this super fun killer robot movie is filled with sly references and in-jokes to other popular horror flicks, and is remembered quite fondly for its very outlandish poster art and very 80s-style murder machines.

Kelli did most of her own stunts for the film and her character is quite similar to that in COMET, a smart, sweet capable girl who was taught by her Marine dad to be very good with guns. The soundtrack has also received recent acclaim being named one of the 35 greatest horror movie soundtracks of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine and recently re-released on vinyl.

Her second feature for the year was action/horror hybrid THE ZERO BOYS (1986) from Euro-shock filmmaker Nico Mastorakis continuing her tough but cute, intelligent girl characters followed by a guest appearance on MURDER, SHE WROTE (1986). Kelli then jumped into several more Wynorski films for Corman including horror/comedies NOT OF THIS EARTH (1988), the entertaining TRANSYLVANIA TWIST (1989) with Angus Scrimm, and an uncredited pop-up cameo in HARD TO DIE (1990), a re-titled yet direct sequel to SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE II (1987) made in a more tongue-in-cheek vein.

Next was the movie adaptation of the Dean R. Kootz novel SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT (1991), then Kelli played herself in SCREAM QUEEN HOT TUB PARTY (1991) with other popular horror actresses Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens and Michelle Bauer.

Recent horror work includes an episode of TRUE BLOOD (2008), SCARE PACKAGE II: RAD CHAD’S REVENGE (2022), SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA 2 (2022), plus the two Lovecraft mythos-inspired THE DEEP ONES (2020) and H.P. LOVECRAFT’S THE OLD ONES (2024) where she plays the same character in both films and the latest STAYCATION (2024) on which she is co-producer.

While only appearing in two horror films, Patty Mullen left a true high mark on horror comedy history as the epically named female creature in that “terrifying tale of sluts and bolts,” Frank Henenlotter’s hilarious FRANKENHOOKER (1990) . Easily the funniest Frankenstein monster ever put together and one of the most memorable, it was released in 1990 and is widely considered the last of the horror/comedy greats during the horror boom of the late 20th century.

Before her wonderfully comedic turn bringing one of the biggest icons in horror/comedy to life, Patty also played the dual roles of mother/daughter Judy and Kiki LaRue in the entertainingly freaky 80s slasher DOOM ASYLUM (1987), and was a three-time Penthouse cover model, including being awarded the 1988 Penthouse Pet Of The Year which brought her several live celebrity appearances on TV and at events for years after.

After long retiring from film and modeling, Patty has returned as both actor and producer on STRANGE TOYS, an upcoming horror/sci-fi romp with mainstays of the sub-genre Lloyd Kaufman and Michael St. Michaels.