As Elliot in E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982), Henry shone as the lead in the most magical movie of a generation and effortlessly connected with audiences of all ages as E.T.’s human BFF, winning the 1983 Young Artist award for the role. No small part of the film’s success, E.T. surpassed even Star Wars at the box office to become the biggest film of all time, holding that title for 11 years.
Continuing with a string of feature films across the 80’s including the classic spy kid adventure CLOAK & DAGGER (1984), Henry quickly found his footing in the next decade as a young Norman Bates in PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING (1990). The first ever to play the iconic role other than Anthony Perkins, Henry had begun his career connection with timeless horror tales but his fans didn’t know it yet. From the engaging alien abduction film FIRE IN THE SKY (1993) to his powerful turn in the romantic epic LEGENDS OF THE FALL (1994) and then to compelling crime thrillers SUICIDE KINGS (1997) and Martin Scorsese’s GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002), Henry has built a well-varied career showcasing his widely-ranging talent and depth as an actor.
Touching on horror occasionally over the years between other projects, Henry joined his first Mike Flanagan feature as the priest in the hit sequel OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL (2016), becoming one of the mainstay artists in his slew of hit adaptations and original productions.
Amid other films and television appearances, Henry followed up with Flanagan’s next feature Stephen King’s GERALD’S GAME (2017), and then his breakout streaming hit THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE (2018) for which Henry won the Saturn Award for BEST ACTOR 2019. He made a very special appearance as “The Bartender” in the next Flanagan project, King’s THE SHINING sequel DOCTOR SLEEP (2019), and continued with starring roles in more of the filmmaker’s hit series THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR (2020) and MIDNIGHT MASS (2021) along with an episode of THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (2022). Most recently, Henry starred as Frederick the oldest heir in THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (2023), easily the best Poe adaptation since the Roger Corman/Vincent Price collaborations of the early 1960s, crafting a performance that has cemented his status as a top horror star of the modern era.
With 3 award wins across 13 career nominations including two Golden Globes and a BAFTA, Henry is also a FANTASPORTO Special Career Award Winner for his highly praised lifetime achievements in film.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stuart Gordon
Linnea Quigley
David Naughton
CJ Graham
Linda Blair
Ashley Laurence
Doug Bradley
Tom Adkins
Ken Foree
James Remar
John Dugan
Bill Moseley
Edwin Neal
Teri McMinn
James Jude Courtney
Kane Hodder
Bob Elmore
Danielle Harris
Danny Lloyd
Alex Vincent
Amy Steel
The Chiodo Brothers
