Fanboy Expo brings celebrities to Knoxville

KNOXVILLE -- There is only one event where you can meet Fonzie from “Happy Days,” Gimli the dwarf from Middle Earth and Chewbacca of “Star Wars” fame all in one day – the Fanboy Expo Knoxville. The region’s premier pop culture meet-and-greet and collectibles event will be held November 7-9 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

“We are thrilled to have the Fanboy Expo at our facility for the second year,” Knoxville Convention Center General Manager Mary Bogert said. “Fanboy draws pop culture enthusiasts from across the region, and we always are excited to see the elaborate cosplay from attendees and the iconic fandom paraphernalia at the expo in our exhibit halls. It’s one of the most fun events of the year!”

Cult classic lovers and comic book aficionados will gather in Knoxville for the chance to meet their favorite celebrity actors and comic illustrators. The expo also will feature vendors selling comic books, toys and other fandom paraphernalia.

Celebrities will be available throughout the weekend to answer questions from fans, pose for pictures and sign photos and memorabilia. Some of the notable guests will include:

• John Rhys-Davies, best known as Gimli the dwarf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy
• Henry Winkler, who played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the 1970s sitcom, “Happy Days”
• Peter Mayhew, the actor behind Chewbacca in the “Star Wars” series
• William Zabka, best known as villain Johnny Lawrence in “The Karate Kid”
• Tommy Flanagan, Emilio Rivera, Rusty Coones, Michael Ornstein, Kristen Renton and Natalie Skyy known for their roles on the hit FX series, “Sons of Anarchy”
• George Newbern, the voice of Superman in the animated Justice League series
• Sarah Douglas, best known as Ursa opposite Christopher Reeve in “Superman” and “Superman II”
• Shannon Farnon, who voiced Wonder Woman in “Super Friends”
• Dee Wallace, best known as Elliott’s mom in “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial”
• Sandahl Bergman, known for her role as Valeria in “Conan the Barbarian” with Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Rodger Bumpass, the voice of Squidward in “SpongeBob SquarePants”
• Several cast members from AMC’s “The Walking Dead”
• Julius LeFlore, stuntman for “Return of the Jedi”
• Wrestling legends Jim Duggan, known as “Hacksaw Jim Duggan,” and Chris Chavis, “known as “Tatanka”

Attendees also will have the opportunity to be judged on cosplay, or costume play, of their favorite comic book, television series, movie or video game. Contestants’ costumes must be at least partially handmade and will be judged by professional or celebrity judges Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. Winners will be selected in different genre categories, including science fiction, fantasy and television; horror; comic books, anime and video games; and children’s costumes. An overall male and female winner also will be selected.

The exhibition booths with comic books, movie props and other fandom paraphernalia will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. General admission tickets are available online and for purchase at the door at $15-$25 for single-day pass; weekend pass, $50; general VIP weekend pass, $99; and super VIP weekend pass, $399.

Published November 1, 2014