Star search – KC’s Planet Comicon features bevy of celebrities

Everyone has a story to tell, and celebrities love sharing theirs with fans…at least at comic cons. Celebrities who attend comic conventions know their fans and appreciate them. And, you can see a side of them you had no idea existed because we see them on the big screen on television shows.

Possibly the biggest surprise to me was learning how enamored Wil Wheaton is of actress Felicia Day. They are longtime friends. Both were at the Planet Comicon in Kansas City earlier this spring. Wheaton described spending the evening before at Day’s hotel suite coddling her baby and splitting a pizza with the actress. It was cool learning they’re friends and hearing about the “normal” side of their lives.

Wheaton – a former child actor who continues to act today – was a member of the USS Enterprise crew in “Star Trek – The Next Generation.” He also has a recurring role as himself on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory.” He has 118 acting credits listed on IMDB.

He seeks out something fun to remember about his guest appearances on shows, Wheaton said. However, his role as a serial killer on “Criminal Minds” was challenging. “I couldn’t wait to get home (after filming),” he said. As a fan of the series, Wheaton played a man who held couples captive and tortured them before killing them at a remote motel in the mountains. I’ve wondered how that show affects people because it doesn’t hold back with some of the action.

Ron Perlman, on the other hand, basically said he’ll do anything for a check – acting-wise. The “Sons of Anarchy” and “Hellboy” veteran has a philosophy that he developed early in his career not to pass up chances, because he never knew when or if he’d work again. He has 230 acting credits.

“You want to pay me? I’m in,” the 67-year-old said as the stand room-only crowd laughed. “I’ve made some crappy stuff.”

Most of the crowd loved him as “Hellboy” and ate up his stories of how it took seven years to make the first film because studios didn’t support Guillermo del Toro’s desire to have Perlman portray the comic book character. But, a studio finally relented and two movies were made.

I loved him in “Sons of Anarchy.” His role as Clay, doomed leader of the criminal motorcycle club, was impressive. Someone in the audience asked Perlman why he (Clay) had to kill Piney, an older member of the gang.

“Piney had to go,” Perlman responded. “He’d never shut up,” using his hand to describe the character’s incessant talking. The audience laughed.

Perlman was fun to listen to, and he was personable.

Summer Glau is a fanboy favorite. The star of series such as “Firefly” and “Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles,” Glau talked a lot about her family and upbringing. She was a dancer growing up, and had had to fudge her Hollywood auditions by using the musicals she danced in as acting credits.

Glau, with 34 acting credits, acted on “Arrow” for several episodes within the last couple of years.

Allison Scagloiotti is another former child actor who has transitioned into a successful acting career as an adult. I know her best as Claudia from SyFy’s “Warehouse 13.” She spoke glowingly of her time on the set. She said actors claim a cast is “family,” but the “Warehouse” team truly was, she added.

She portrayed Claudia on the show for 60 of the 64 episodes, joining the team in the fourth episode of the first season. Her character later was revealed as the keeper of the warehouse as the series wrapped with a look at the future of its characters.

Scagliotti has a band with which she performs. She even sang during a “Warehouse” episode.

Jim Beaver has been involved with a few series as a recurring character, as well as doing some one-offs. With almost 140 credits, it’s a likelihood you’ve seen one something. He played Bobby on “Supernatural” for 59 episodes over an 11-year period. He portrayed a sheriff on one of my all-time favorites, “Justified.”

He described working on the set of “Supernatural.” The main actors – Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles – are comedians and love to have fun, he said. He discussed the impact his character had on the lead characters as a father figure of sorts.

With 331 credits listed on IMDB, you’d think John DiMaggio would be a household name, right? Maybe, if those credits were all on-screen. I’ll bet you’ve heard his voice, though. He portrayed Bender, Sal and about another dozen voices. He is known best as a voice actor, having been in series, movies and games. He has voiced “Transformers” characters, as well as “Call to Duty” game series.

He was hilarious, as he kept the crowd laughing with his animated character voices, as well as his stories.

Tara Reid and Shannon Elizabeth were billed as being at Planet Comicon to discuss the “American Pie” series they were cast members in. However, no one really approached the topic. Instead, Reid was quizzed about her roles in the “Sharknado” TV movie series.

Elizabeth discussed very little of her acting career. Instead, she focused on her non-profit organization in South Africa that focuses on protecting endangered rhinoceroses from illegal hunting. She has moved to the African nation to help provide firsthand support.

While we think we know actors through their roles, we really have no idea of who they are in their private lives. It’s fun to learn snippets about their lives and personalize them through events such as Q&A sessions at comic cons.

I encourage you to check Planet Comicon’s website throughout the year for the 2018 convention information here.