Press Release
Actor Anthony Michael Hall, who gained fame for roles in 1980’s “Brat Pack” films SIXTEEN CANDLES and THE BREAKFAST CLUB and later starred in “Stephen King’s Dead Zone” among dozens of film and television credits, will attend Wizard World Chicago Comic Con at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, August 11-14. Hall joins such other distinguished celebrities as Patrick Stewart, Bruce Campbell, Christopher Lloyd, Morena Baccarin, Felicia Day, Academy Award Winner® Lou Gossett Jr. and James Marsters at the event, which will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.
Hall began his career in commercials and on stage as a child, and made his screen debut in 1980. His films with director-screenwriter John Hughes, beginning with the popular 1984 coming-of-age comedy SIXTEEN CANDLES, shaped his early career. Hall’s next movies with Hughes were the teen classics THE BREAKFAST CLUB and WEIRD SCIENCE, both in 1985. His performances as lovable geeks in these three films connected his name and face with the stereotype for an entire generation.
Hall diversified his roles to avoid becoming typecast as his geek persona, joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live” (1985–1986) and starring in films such as OUT OF BOUNDS (1986), JOHNNY BE GOOD (1988), EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990) and SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (1993). After a series of minor roles in the 1990s, he starred as Microsoft’s Bill Gates in the 1999 television film “Pirates of Silicon Valley” and played pitcher Whitey Ford in Billy Crystal’s “61*.” He had the leading role in the USA Network series “The Dead Zone,” from 2002 to 2007. During its run, the show was one of the highest-rated cable television series.
Chicago Comic Con is the seventh stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour. Hours are Thursday, August 11, 5 – 9 p.m.; Friday, August 12, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, August 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/chicago.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); four-day all-session tickets are $50 ($60 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.
About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.
The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.
