CT HorrorFest

Henry Thomas

When Henry Thomas was eight years old, he watched a PBS special about acting and promptly decided that he had found his calling. Not long after, he went to an open casting call in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas and landed a starring role in the 1981 film Raggedy Man alongside Sissy Spacek.

A year later, Jack Fisk, who directed Thomas in Raggedy Man, heard that Steven Spielberg was having a rough time casting a young lead in his new alien movie and he called him up to suggest that he look at Henry. They flew him in to audition and young Henry Thomas won the role in seconds; E.T. the Extra Terrestrial had found its Elliot.

We are thrilled to bring Henry Thomas to CT HorrorFest 2022.

Films: E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Cloak & Dagger, Fire in the Sky, Legends of the Fall, Suicide Kings, Gangs of New York, Ouija: Origin of Evil, Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep

Television: Masters of Horror, Stephen King’s Desperation, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Sons of Liberty, The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher

Mike Flanagan

With its penchant for ghost stories and haunted locations, being born in spooky Salem, Massachusetts must have had an impact on a young Mike Flanagan. He began making and editing short films on VHS as a young child before becoming a staple in his high school’s drama department. He also kept busy producing short videos with students and anchoring the school’s morning television show.

After graduating from Towson University’s Film Department, Mike immediately jumped into the film field with his first feature, Makebelieve, at the age of 21. In 2011, Flanagan started making waves in horror with his crowd-funded feature Absentia, before letting everyone know that he was here for good with 2013’s Oculus. Mike then became a household name in the horror genre with the 2018 hit The Haunting of Hill House.

Please welcome Mike Flanagan to the 2022 CT HorrorFest!

Films: Absentia, Oculus, Hush, Before I Wake, Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, Ouija: Origin of Evil

Television: The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass

Kate Siegel

Kate Siegel began acting in plays in her Maryland High School before honing her craft and receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Syracuse University. After graduating college, she immediately threw herself headfirst into the horror genre with her first film titled The Curse of the Black Dahlia in 2007.

After several film and television appearances, Kate teamed up with her future husband Mike Flanagan for the first time in 2013’s Oculus. The two then teamed up again in 2016 as Kate wrote and starred in the home invasion film Hush.

In 2018, she starred in the hit TV mini-series The Haunting of Hill House as Theodora Crain and then in 2021’s Midnight Mass as Erin Greene and she is currently filming The Fall of the House of Usher.

Please welcome Kate Siegel to CT HorrorFest!

Films: Oculus, Demon Legacy, Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil, Gerald’s Game, Hypnotic

Television: The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher

Annabeth Gish

After performing in tons of local, community theater throughout her childhood, Annabeth Gish began appearing in television commercials at age eight and then landed her first feature film while still in high school – appearing alongside heavyweights Jon Voight, Ellen Barking and JoBeth Williams in Desert Bloom. The following year saw her star alongside Jon Cryer in Hiding Out and then in the hit Mystic Pizza the year after that.

After Gish graduated from high school in 1989, she still managed to keep busy in Hollywood while studting theater and English and graduating, with honors, from Duke University.

While her list of work is long, genre fans may know her best as Monica Reyes in The X-Files and more recently for her roles in The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass.

Please welcome Annabeth Gish to the 2022 CT HorrorFest!

Films: Hiding Out, Shag, Mystic Pizza, Wyatt Earp, Nixon, SLC Punk!, Texas Killing Fields, Before I Wake, Nightmare Cinema

Television: Chicago Hope, The West Wing, The X-Files, Sons of Anarchy, Pretty Little Liars, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass

Keith David

Born in Harlem and raised in Queens, Keith David caught the acting bug early on and studied his craft at Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts before earning a bachelor’s degree from the Drama Division of the prestigious Juilliard School.

After touring the U.S. in productions of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream and an uncredited role in the ’79 blaxploitation classic Disco Godfather, Mr. David secured the role that endured him to horror fans forever as he starred as Childs in John Carpenter’s 1982 classic The Thing. In 1988, David again teamed up with John Carpenter to star alongside Roddy Piper in the sci-fi action thriller They Live.

Mr. David’s love of theater never went away, and he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance in Jelly's Last Jam. He continues to work in theater having appeared in the revival of The Wiz, Hot Feet, Seven Guitars and more.

Also, an accomplished voice actor, David voiced Spawn for the animated series, Goliath from Gargoyles, Lemuel Kane in Archer and also has a recurring role as the President of the United States in the animated show Rick and Morty as well as many video games.

Please join us in welcoming the multi-talented Keith David to CT HorrorFest 2021!

Television: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Todd McFarlane's Spawn, ER, Creepshow

Film: The Thing, They Live, Platoon, Men at Work, Marked for Death, Clockers, Dead Presidents, The Quick and the Dead, There's Something About Mary, Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick

Theater: The Lady from Dubuque, Jelly's Last Jam, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Hot Feet

Video Games: Mortal Kombat 11, Marvel Heroes, Fallout, Mass Effect, Halo

Tom Payne

Growing up in England, Tom Payne caught the acting bug at a young age while attending King Edward’s School in Bath, Somerset. A force to be reckoned with in their drama department, he went on to attend the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.

After a few television appearances, Mr. Payne caught eyes appearing alongside heavyweights Frances McDormand and Amy Adams in 2008’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and began working at a regular pace thereafter.

It was in 2016, however, when the horror world took notice as he was cast in the role of Paul “Jesus” Rovia on AMC’s The Walking Dead – a fan favorite among lovers of the comic book.  

Please welcome Tom Payne to our 2022 CT HorrorFest!

Films: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, My Funny Valentine, The Physician, Winter, Mindgames, IO

Television: The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Prodigal Son, Luck, Wuthering Heights

Scott Ian

After seeing the rock band KISS at Madison Square Garden when he was fourteen years old, Scott Ian found his calling – music. Scott’s style of playing was forged on a steady diet of bands like Black Sabbath and Motörhead while also being shaped by bands like The Ramones and The Misfits who haunted the local NYC clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City.

Scott formed Anthrax in 1981, after reading about the disease in a biology textbook while in high school, and the band went on to release their first record, Fistful of Metal, in 1984. While a landmark album and an amazing example of early thrash metal, it was 1985’s Spreading the Disease that began Anthrax’s rise to “Big 4” status. Horror fans hold a special place in their heart for 1987’s Among the Living with lyrics by Ian about Stephen King stories ‘The Stand’ and ‘Apt Pupil’.

It gives us great pleasure to welcome, straight outta Queens, NY, Mr. Scott Ian to CT HorrorFest 2022!

Bands: Anthrax, S.O.D., Mr. Bungle, The Damned Things, Motor Sister

Television: Married…With Children, The Walking Dead

Frank Bello

When times got tough, Frank Bello turned to music. Music was always there for Frank, so when his uncle Charlie started playing drums in metal band Anthrax, Frank was there as a guitar tech and roadie. When Dan Lilker left the band after the release of Fistful of Metal, Frank was there to grab the bass and has been laying down that thunderous sound ever since.

Shaped by the playing of bass legends like Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Geddy Lee (Rush), and Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Frank has influenced a slew of younger bass players in the world of music.

Please welcome Anthrax’s Frank Bello CT HorrorFest 2022!

Bands: Anthrax, Helmet

Television: Married…with Children, Law & Order, NewsRadio

Films: Joe’s Apartment, Greetings from Tim Buckley, Best Man in the Dark

Jeffrey  Combs

After falling in love with acting while doing plays in his California High School, Jeffrey Combs attended Santa Maria's Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, before enrolling in the Professional Actor's Training Program at the University of Washington.

Mr. Combs spent several years performing in West Coast theaters before relocating to Los Angeles and landing his first role in the notorious 1981 film Honky Tonk Freeway alongside names like Jessica Tandy and Teri Garr. Then in 1981, he got his first taste of the horror genre in the supernatural slasher film Frightmare.

It was in 1985 however, when he cemented himself into the hearts of horror fans forever as he became Dr. Herbert West in HP Lovecraft’s Re-Animator!

Please welcome Jeffrey Combs to CT HorrorFest!

Films: The Man with Two Brains, Re-Animator, From Beyond, Cellar Dwellar, Bride of Re-Animator, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Frighteners, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Would You Rather

Television: Jake and the Fatman, Freddy’s Nightmares, Hunter, The Flash, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Justice League Unlimited, The 4400, Creepshow

Barbara Crampton

Born in Long Island, NY, Barbara Crampton was raised in Vermont and spent her summers traveling the country with her father as part of a carnival. In seventh grade she discovered acting and began appearing in school plays and continued studying her craft in high school and college where she graduated with a BA in Theater Arts.

After moving to LA, she began acting on soaps with notable roles on both Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless. Her first film came as she landed a role in Brian De Palma’s 1984 Body Double.

In 1985, she had her first of many forays into the world of horror as she was cast in the role of Megan Halsey in HP Lovecraft’s Re-Animator!

Please welcome Barbara Crampton to CT HorrorFest!

Films: Re-Animator, Chopping Mall, From Beyond, Puppet Master, Castle Freak, You’re Next, We Are Still Here, The Lords of Salem, Road Games, Tales of Halloween, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich

Television: Days of Our lives, Santa Barbara, The Young and the Restless, Guiding Light, The Bold and the Beautiful, Party of Five, Channel Zero, Into the Dark, Creepshow

Milly Shapiro

Born in Tampa, Florida, Milly Shapiro was initially inspired to pursue the arts after seeing her older sister singing, dancing, and acting. At the age of three, young Milly began taking singing lessons and then progressed to acting at age five.

At the age of ten, she was cast in the role of Matilda Wormwood in ‘Matilda the Musical’ for which she won Tony Honors for Excellence in Theater and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Cast Recording.

Then in 2018 she caught the eye of horror fans as she nailed the role of Charlie Graham in Ari Aster’s debut film Hereditary.

Please welcome incredible actress and singer Milly Shapiro to 2022’s CT HorrorFest!

Films: Hereditary

Theater: Matilda the Musical, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown

Television: JJ Villard’s Fairy Tales, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, Splitting Up Together

C.J. Graham

Over the years, CT HorrorFest has been honored to be able to celebrate some of the great actors who have portrayed Jason Voorhees in the series; from Ari Lehman to Tom Morga to Warrington Gillette to the late, great Steve Dash - we've had a good bunch of them, and we are super excited to add another to the list!

Please join us in welcoming the man behind the mask in Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives - C.J. Graham - to CT HorrorFest in 2022!

Films: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, Highway to Hell

Airon Armstrong

Airon Armstrong is no stranger to danger. Having been in the stunt business for over a decade, and with over a hundred credits to his name, it’s no surprise that he would be called upon to work as stunt coordinator for 2021’s Halloween Kills; and growing up a huge John Carpenter fan, he was in heaven!

While Airon was preparing the stunts for Halloween Kills, director David Gordon Green was trying to find someone to play The Shape (Myers) for the 1978 flashback scenes. Airon Armstrong volunteered himself, showed the director what he would do and was immediately cast, cementing his place in history as one of the actors lucky enough to play Michael Myers in a Halloween film.

Please welcome Airon Armstrong to this year’s CT HorrorFest!

Films (actor): Halloween Kills, John Wick: Chapter 2, Broken Soldier, Escape Plan, Proud Mary

Film (stunts): John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, The Dark Knight Rises, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, Halloween Kills, Black Mass, Gotham, John Wick, 22 Jump Street

Robert Brian Wilson

It’s time to get in the Christmas spirit, horror fans!

In 1984, one of the most well-known Christmas slasher films of all time was released unto the world: Silent Night, Deadly Night! Easily one of the most controversial horror films of the 1980’s, its release led to heavy protests at theaters country-wide and caused beloved stage and screen actor Mickey Rooney to write a letter stating that "the scum who made it should be run out of town for having sullied the sacredness of Christmas” (this was obviously before he starred in the series’ fifth installment).

At a young age, Billy Chapman witnessed his parents being murdered by a man dressed as Santa and as he grew older and left the abusive Catholic orphanage that he was raised in, Billy took it upon himself to “punish” those who were naughty.

We are thrilled to welcome Silent Night, Deadly Night’s star Robert Brian Wilson to CT HorrorFest 2022!

Films: Silent Night, Deadly Night, Silent Night, Deadly Night 2, Gunsmoke: The Last Apache, The Wrong Roommate, A Husband for Christmas

Television: Thirtysomething, Dynasty, Perfect Strangers, Knots Landing, Generations, Santa Barbara, Jake and the Fatman

Judith O'Dea

In 1967, casting began on a low-budget creature feature to be shot in Pittsburgh, PA. Several roles were needed to be filled and one of them was for the lead actress.

Producer Karl Hardman, who also played Harry Cooper in the film, reached out to his friend Judith O’Dea to ask if she’d be interested in auditioning for the role.

From there, the rest of the cast fell into place and George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead began terrifying audiences in 1968 and Judith O’Dea will forever be remembered for her role as Barbra.

Please join us in welcoming Judith O’Dea to the 2022 CT HorrorFest!

Films: Night of the Living Dead, Claustrophobia, They Came from the Ether, Night of the Living Dead: Genesis

Television: The Pirate

Kyra Schon

Growing up watching the horror movies shown by Bill “Chilly Billy” Cardille on Pittsburgh’s Chiller Theatre on Channel 11 WIIC/WPXI, Kyra Schon was ecstatic when, at nine years old, her dad asked her to play a young monster in a film that he was producing and starring in.

Her dad, of course, was the late Karl Hardman who produced Night of the Living Dead and played the role of the antagonist Harry Cooper, and his real-life daughter Kyra played the now iconic role of Harry’s daughter Karen Cooper, who turned into a zombie and ended her mom’s life with a garden trowel.

We’re excited to add another big name from the cast of George Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead – welcome Kyra Schon!

Films: Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Ari Lehman

While growing up in nearby Westport, CT, young musician Ari Lehman heard word of auditions for a film being shot near his hometown. He snuck into the audition and landed the role of Roger in Manny’s Orphans, one of several “sports-comedy” collaborations between writer Victor Miller and director Sean Cunningham.

About a year later, Miller and Cunningham were about to start shooting another film, but this one was not sports, nor was it a comedy. This one was Friday the 13th, and since they knew Ari, he was called in to audition for a role. After confirming that he could swim, young Jason Voorhees was cast, and Ari Lehman went down in history as ‘First Jason’.

Please join us in welcoming first-year CT HorrorFest alumni Ari Lehman to Naugatuck in 2022!

Films: Friday the 13th, Manny’s Orphans, Bite School, Scarred

Composer: Salomé, Vampira: The Movie, The Girl, Supernaturalz: Weird, Creepy & Random

Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango  - CANCELED on 8/25/2022

In October of 2004 a new reality show premiered on the SciFi Channel and took the world by storm.  While there were plenty of earlier television shows over the years that explored the paranormal realm, Ghost Hunters kicked off the ghost-hunting genre of television show and its huge popularity garnered dozens of similar shows.

With 13+ years on the air, the TAPS investigative team has gone through a lot of different folks and we’re happy to bring you two of the longest-standing members in Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango – please welcome them to CT HorrorFest 2022!

Steve Gonsalves: Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters Academy, Ghost Nation, The House In Between, The House In Between 2

Dave Tango: Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters Academy, Ghost Nation

Is CT HorrorFest scary?

Not unless you find meeting celebrities and shopping awesome vendors scary. Some people come dressed in costumes. But don't expect a haunted house or to be chased by someone with a chainsaw.

What time should I arrive as an attendee and buy tickets?

Any time. Tickets will be on sale both days at the door.

But can the event sell out?

Yes. The venue can only fit so many people and as such, we have allotted a certain number of tickets for Friday and a certain number for Saturday. We will keep track and make “low ticket alert” announcements on social media if either day that is getting near sell out.

I purchased a Friday ticket but have decided to come Saturday instead, is that okay?

Pre-purchased tickets are non-transferrable. If you show up on Saturday with a “Friday” ticket, you will need to purchase a new ticket to gain entry.

Does my ticket also cover celebrity autograph fees?

No, your ticket purchase gets you entry into the event, allows you to shop the vendors, entry into the panel discussions, and the chance to line up and purchase a celebrity autograph/photo.

What if the line to meet a certain celebrity becomes too long?

We’ve had this problem in the past and this year we will be instituting a ticketing system should the need arise during the show. More to come on that.

Can I come in costume?

Of course!

How much are autographs?

Autographs are priced at the discretion of the talent. The last few years on the East Coast, autographs have ranged from $20-$200. We will do our best to publish a list of autograph/photo prices a few days before the event, provided that they get us the information ahead of time.

Is there an ATM onsite?

Yes. 

My costume has a weapon is that OK?

All costume props must be inspected at the front desk. Because of safety reasons, we cannot allow any real or sharp weapons into the venue without being checked.

Can I have my machete/knife, etc. signed by a celebrity?

If you collect signatures of Jason, Michael, or any other character on a real weapon you must present the weapon to a CT HorrorFest staff member at the FRONT desk. We will then take the weapon and bring it to the celebrity where you can have it signed. After the celebrity signs the item, you must either exit and put it in your vehicle or give it to a CT HorrorFest staff member who will keep it at the front desk for safe keeping.

What happens if the convention is canceled?

If for any reason the convention is canceled, we will refund all ticket purchases and vendor tables within 30 days.

What happens if the celebrity you are coming to meet cancels?

As the event promoters, we hope that no one cancels; that is truly a nightmare for us. We understand that you may have purchased a ticket to meet one specific person, but celebrity cancellations are out of our control. We do not offer refunds for this reason - the show will go on.

I’m having an issue with another attendee, what do I do?

Please do not take any matters like this into your own hands. Whatever your issue is, let a staff member know and we will take care of it.

My friend is running a haunted house or has a horror-podcast or another business, can I hand out flyers at CTHF?

No. Attendees are not allowed to distribute, stickers, cards, or any promotional item without prior approval from CTHF. Our vendors and sponsors pay for the ability to promote their haunts, events, businesses, etc. so it would be unfair to allow attendees to do the same for free.

Will there be food?

The venue will have approved food vendors on site selling food, snacks, and beverages (including beer and wine).

Will you be adding more guests?

We will continue to announce guests on a rolling basis as the show draws near.

Can I smoke?

There is no smoking of any materials, including vaping or e-cigarettes, allowed in the Naugatuck Event Center. You are free to go outside and smoke and re-enter the event.

Can I take photos of vendors and/or celebrities?

With their permission, yes.

Can I interview some of the celebrities for my podcast during CTHF?

No, the celebrities are there to meet with fans and we need the lines to move at a steady pace so that they're able to meet with everyone without interruption.

I want to record a panel and post it on YouTube or live stream a panel/event. Is that cool?

Live-streaming or posting your personal panel recordings online is not allowed. CT HorrorFest will post professional recordings of all panels and events from both days on their YouTube page following the event for any you may have missed, and you are free to repost those.

I’m leaving for the day and want to give my friend my wristband so they can enter.

Anyone attempting to enter CT HorrorFest with a wristband that looks damaged or used will have that wristband removed and will need to purchase a ticket to enter.