Dragon*Con
Escapist fare takes Dragon*Con spotlight
Pop culture stars descend on Atlanta for festival
For accessAtlanta
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Pop culture convention Dragon*Con embraces sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, comics, art, film and all points in between. Among the beaucoup of activity (parade, costume contest, live music), TV and movie personalities carve out their own niche signing glossy pics for a price and chatting up fans at Q&A sessions in the ballroom. Here are few of our favorites from the list.
NBC
‘Heroes’ co-star Hayden Panettiere is schedule to appear _ along with a host of other comic book, fantasy film and TV series stars _ at this year’s edition of the Dragon*Con festival downtown.
MICKY DOLENZ
Claim to fame: Performed as Micky on the ’60s rock ‘n’ roll comedy TV series “The Monkees” and was in the eponymous band, which produced a slew of hits (“Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.”
Little known fact: He provides the voice for Snuggle, the mascot of Snuggle Fabric Softener in its TV commercials.
Essential work: His performance in “Head,” a psychedelic Monkees movie co-written by Jack Nicholson and director Bob Rafelson.
Other stuff: Was the star of the late-’50s TV series “Circus Boy,” and was a DJ on WCBS FM, an oldies station in New York.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE
Claim to fame: Plays Claire Bennet on the hot NBC TV series “Heroes.” Its highly anticipated third season debuts this fall. She’s also the current Neutrogena cover girl.
Little known fact: Began modeling at age 5 months, appearing in Playskool toy commericals. She does voice-over work, including her role as Dot in the 1998 Disney-Pixar film “A Bug’s Life.”
Essential work: She recently released her poppy, sugary single “Wake Up Call.”
Other stuff: Panettiere is an activist and supporter of charities including animal rights and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
RAY PARK
Claim to fame: Played the lightsaber savvy Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace.” He also wowed fan boys as Toad in “X-Men.”
Little known fact: Played the Headless Horseman action double in Tim Burton’s “Sleepy Hollow.” He’s set to star in the comic book-based movie “Iron Fist.”
Essential work: He portrays Snake Eyes in “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra,” which comes out next summer.
Other stuff: He’s trained in the traditional Chinese Northern Shaolin kung fu.
AVERY BROOKS
Claim to fame: Trekkies know him best as Captain Sisko in the TV series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” He also played Hawk in the ’80s cop series “Spenser: For Hire.”
Little known fact: Brooks served as artistic director of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta from 1993-1996. He directed nine episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
Essential work: Beam him up, Scotty.
Other stuff: He can also sing jazz and opera. In 1985, he had the lead role in the Anthony Davis opera “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X.”
ROBERT ENGLUND
Claim to fame: He’ll always be remembered as Freddy Krueger in the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” film series.
Little known fact: Directed the 1988 horror flick “976-EVIL.” Provided the voice of The Riddler on “The Batman” animated series.
Essential work: You can’t top Freddy and his manicure.
Other stuff: Can’t seem to get away from horror. His upcoming films include roles in “Zombie Strippers” and “2001 Maniacs: Beverly Hellbillys.”
THE 411: Dragon*Con. $25-$90. Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. Also takes place at Atlanta Hilton, Marriott Marquis Atlanta and Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. 404-249-6400, www.dragoncon.org.
