I couldn't believe how many celebrities there were at this year's Chicago Comic-Con (AKA "Wizard World"). I attended on Saturday Aug 21, the second full day. The biggest draws this year were William "Kirk" Shatner and Adam "Batman" West, and I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of them (I did--photos below). I didn't get their autographs; photo op fees were expensive, and autographs were also costly. Though I like them, I was not planning on spending my whole paycheck on them. I did see alot of happy fans, though, patiently waiting in line.
Shatner and West moved around from room to room today, posing for various photo ops and doing interviews, so I had a hard time finding them. Eventually, I caught up with them. West and Burt "Robin" Ward were doing a special photo op session (probably for a hundred bucks) together with a replica of the "Batmobile". They were behind a red curtain, but I managed to sneak a few pics of them before I was told to put away my camera.
There were a few people from the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises. Representing Star Wars, Jake Lloyd was there - he was the kid who played young Annakin Skywalker in 1999's "Episode 1".
The guy who was choked by Darth Vader in the first movie (from 1977) was there. Don't ask me what the actor's name is; I'm guessing that scene was his 15 minutes of fame. There were probably a few more bit players from the movies but I have no idea who they are. These guys I recognized:
Representing Star Trek, other than the aforementioned Mr. Shatner, I saw Walter Koening ("Chekov"), Brett Spiner ("Data"), and Avery Brooks, who played one of the captains on a spinoff show that I never watched. There were some other people but I'm not that much of a Trekkie to know them.
Every second person there was in costume. As for me, I just went as myself. About 50% of the costumes I didn't recognize, but these I did:
There were lots of TV stars there from the 1970s and 1980s. Micky Dolenz from "The Monkees". Roj and Dee from What's Happening were there. (I forgot their real names). John Schnieder ("Bo Duke") was there. Lindsay Wagner ("The Bionic Woman") was there, as was her co-star Richard Anderson. Christopher Knight ("Bobby Brady") was there, and nearby at other tables were Beth Horn from "American Gladiators", Julie Newmar from "Batman", Ian Ziering, Lorenzo Lamas, Angie Everhart, and some wrestling stars such as the Iron Sheik. .
Representing the Terminator series, Michael Biehnn and Linda Hamilton from the first movie (she was in T2 also) and the female terminator from the third movie. Also some people from the "Twilight" movies, but I have no idea who they are.
Linda Blair (The Exorcist) was there; I had already met her at another previous event. She is involved with an animal charity and always gives proceeds to the cause. (Sorry that some of these pics are so blurry). John Savage from The Deer Hunter was there too.
I only met three celebrities today, which was the highlight of the day. First, I just had to meet Richard Roundtree, AKA: Shaft. I had a movie poster that I wanted to get him to sign for me. He was such a nice guy, and was talking with everyone for really long periods, so the wait was long. Two cast members of Back to the Future were there, and I had them sign my other poster that I brought. Claudia Wells who played Jennifer in the first movie was there. She was as nice as could be. This was pretty much her only hit film, I think. She said her mother was sick when they filmed the sequels and that's why she wasn't in them. Then I met Mr. Strickland, James Tolkan and he was a nice guy. But he looked so much older than I remembered him in the films. I told him I also liked him in Dick Tracy and he said he was surprised that people remember him in that. He said he's good friends with his co-star from that movie Al Pacino.
The inscriptions read:
To Thomas, Richard Roundtree, "Shaft"
To Tom, James Tolkan "Mr. Strickland"
To Tom, How about a ride, Mister? Blessings, Claudia Wells "Jennifer Parker"
What a day. Lots of celebs. I know some folks who attended it too. Nice coverage.
ReplyDeleteTotally fascinating! I've never been to one of those conventions although I did go to a vampire/goth convention (and I'm NOT goth) in New Orleans at Halloween because I just HAD to!! I have to know--the photo of Supergirl . . . is she pregnant???? I always love to hear when a star is nice (like Johnny Depp) and good to hear Richard Roundtree is a nice guy. I guess some of your pix were blurry because you must have been running away from all the handlers yelling at you to STOP TAKING FREE PHOTOS! Jeeeeeez. Anyway, sounds like you had a riproaring good time. PS--I've always had a major crush on Michael Biehn so I'm so jealous you saw him in person . . .
ReplyDelete@ASWS- Thanks! (PS, I didn't see Snow White or any Disney characters there)
ReplyDelete@Vintage Christine - wow that vampire convention in New Orleans sounds interesting. Ha ha, you know, I don't know about the Supergirl---she probably is pregnant. Ha ha.
I did have a few people tell me to put away my camera. Also I don't like feeling like a stalker, but I just had to try and take some pics otherwise you all wouldn't believe me. lol