Friend Encounters: Kane Hodder and Mark Ailes

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities. Today I feature Mark Ailes, another of my convention buddies.

Mark is a con bud, but I have no idea where we first met. After all these years and all these cons, they all kind of blur.
Mark is a big fan of the cons, but he also has an impressive body of work, as an author and producer. With book titles like Werewolves, Zombies and Deadly Women and Catfurnado, Zombies and One Killer Doll and movie titles including Clownado and Mrs. Claus, it's easy to see Mark likes to work in the horror field.
Although Mark has worked with many folks in the horror industry, he also rarely misses the chance to also meet them at conventions. I have crossed paths with Mark too many times to count.
At Days of the Dead Indy 2019, it seemed he was everywhere I was. One of those places was meeting Kane Hodder, a veteran of many horror films. Most notably, Hodder played Jason five times in the Friday the 13th franchise.
Mark had the rare chance to get a picture with Hodder in full costume. For once, Hodder wasn't choking him. Mark stated, "He didn't try to kill me because I was wearing one of his shirts." Smart move by my friend.
You can check out Mark Ailes on Amazon to see his books. You can also go to Mark Ailes on IMDB to see all of his movie projects. Also, check KaneHodderKills.com for news on this horror icon.

Mark Ailes and Kane Hodder in Indianapolis, IN-July 2019.

Kane Hodder at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Actor and stuntman Kane Hodder is best known for portraying Jason Voorhees in four films from the Friday the 13th film series.  He also has done stunt work as Leatherface and appeared as Freddy Kruger's gloved hand.

He is a frequent and very popular celebrity guest at the Days of the Dead conventions.  I would never believe that he remains this popular after doing so many of the events, yet there is always a lengthy line waiting to meet him.  I'm not knocking hin at all.  It's just that usually there is a point of saturation, but Hodder defies that rule.  Even the other celebrities want to meet him.

For his part, Hodder is a great guest.  He never tires of putting people in choke holds or posing naturally.  I'd say he knows how to work the crowd, but I think it is just natural for him.  He seems to be a genuinely nice guy.

Hodder appeared at the recent DotD in Chicago and his line was long again throughout the event.  The next DotD is in Atlanta on February 2-4 and Hodder will probably be there and he'll probably have a long line again.

You can get more info on DotD at DaysoftheDead.com.  You should also go to KaneHodderKills.com to learn more about Hodder and to check out his book Unmasked: The True Life Story of The World's Most Prolific Cinematic Killer.  It is an interesting book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Kane Hodder and me in Chicago, IL-November 2016.

Kane Hodder at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Despite the picture below, Kane Hodder likes me.  Actually, he likes all of his fans.  That's why he chokes us.

Hodder would have to like the fans and what he does to be patient enough to "choke" hundreds of fans at every convention.  He never seems to get tired of it, although I couldn't blame him if he did.

Hodder is an actor and stuntman with a lengthy resume.  He is the first actor to portray Jason Vorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise multiple times.  He also did some voice work in our friend Bobby Easley's The Devil Dogs of Kilo Company.

On KaneHodderKills.com, you can learn more about Hodder, including info on "Unmasked: The True Life Story the World's Most Prolific Cinematic Killer."  I can promise that the book will entertain you.  I can also promise Hodder will be happy to sign it for you.  Asking to be choked is up to you though.  Sometimes, he gets a little too happy and really clamps that choke on me or maybe it is just me.

Kane Hodder and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.

Unmasking Kane Hodder

Kane Hodder is a big dude who has played some horrific characters in films and has had some incredible kill scenes.  He certainly casts an imposing image.  That image though does not show the true Kane Hodder.
Hodder is a stuntman, actor and author.  He is also a very good guy.
Hodder was severely burned in an accident on set.  He still often wears gloves to cover the scars.  He spends time with children in burn units.  As a former hospitalized child, I appreciate his efforts with these kids.  Any extra attention they get is well received.  That is just the kind of guy Hodder is.
I first met him at a horror convention and I interviewed him there.  I have since met him several times and he is great every time.  He is definitely a JohngyBeat.com favorite.
If you see Hodder at a convention, talk to him and you will probably like him, too.

Kane Hodder and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

On the Beat with Kane Hodder at Flashback Weekend 2012

How can you not like a guy whose website is KaneHodderKills.com?  Don't ask me, because I like him.  In fact, Matt Parker and I both like Kane very much.
We first met Kane last year at Flashback Weekend.  Despite having a long line of people, he took enough time with everyone to make sure you got what you wanted.  Kane even patiently got up and put choke holds on anyone who asked and a lot of people asked (including us).
There was no choking for us this year though.  This year we were professionals.  We were covering the event for a few sites, including JohngysBeat.com, of course.
When I saw Kane was returning this year, I contacted him for an interview and he quickly and politely accepted.  I figured Big Money (Matt) should handle the big man.
We got there just as Kane was asked to do some interview for the convention.  He apologized profusely for making us wait.  Either he is extremely polite or JohngysBeat.com is really gaining respect.  I think it is the first choice there.
Anyway, when he returned, despite having a line of fans, he gave us the interview.  Kane told us a couple good stories and talked about his book, Unmasked: True Life Story of the World's Most Prolific Cinematic Killer.
I picked up a copy of the book (written by Michael Aloisi).  Kane has had an interesting life.  There is much more to this man than just the guy who played Jason in four of the Friday the 13th movies.  Of course, watching the interview or just talking to him, you can tell he has a good story to tell and it is told in Unmasked.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
After you watch the interview, head over to KaneHodderKills.com to learn more about Kane and his book.  We really appreciate Kane and Michael for the consideration, time and patience they showed us.

Friendly Encounters: Mike Perry Meets Kane Hodder

This is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.

Sure, I have been to Flashback Weekend many times, but I wanted to bring a different perspective, so I sought the help of other attendees.  Enter Michael Rector.
Michael is a veteran of all sorts of these conventions. In fact, we run parallel convention courses...Flashback Weekend, Horror Hound, Days of the Dead and others.
Michael was kind enough to send along a picture of his friend Mike Perry who met Kane Hodder at a previous Flashback Weekend.
Michael also gave me a quick recap of the Kane Hodder experience.
I went with a group of friends and Mike had never been to a convention like this before. When I had seen Kane there, I talked to him briefly and introduced him to Mike and said 'Kane, you got to initiate him like you did me.' So I went to take the photo and like always with new fans, Kane put his hands around Mike's neck as if to choke him and that's when I got the photo. Kane has always been a class act and I enjoy talking to him at any convention I go to that he's a guest at.
So there you have it folks, another ringing endorsement of Kane Hodder. Thank you to Michael (and Mike) for sharing the story and picture.
JohngysBeat.com has hopes of getting a quick interview with Hodder at Flashback Weekend.  Check out FlashbackWeekend.com for more info and schedules for this great event.

Mike Perry and Kane Hodder at Flashback Weekend in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

Kane Hodder Kills

Kane Hodder has appeared twice in Friendly Encounters.  Jamin Hillwig met Hodder at the Motor City Comic Con and Mike Jolley met him in Indianapolis.  Jamin and Mike had great things to say about Hodder, but I had yet to meet the big man.
Last year, Matt and I were covering the Flashback Weekend convention when we stumbled upon Hodder's booth.  I didn't know he was going to be there, but I could not pass the opportunity to meet him after the great reports from my friends.  Because it was early, the line was relatively short and I figured it would not take long.  I was wrong, but very happy to be wrong.
The line moved slowly because Hodder made each person feel special.  He connected with everyone and spent real time with each person.  He gladly posed for pictures, patiently putting almost everyone in some sort of chokehold as requested.    You would think stuff like this gets tiring, yet Hodder was pleasant all day long.
We talked a bit about his book, Unmasked:The Story of The World's Most Prolific Cinematic Killer.  The book is now available through his website www.KaneHodderKills.com.  Although I have not yet read it, I plan on doing so and having him sign my copy at a future convention.  I am hoping to do an interview with him, too.
Having met him, I can now agree completely with Jamin and Mike.  Hodder is a great guy and a fantastic convention guest!

Kane Hodder, Matt and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

At Days of the Dead in Indianapolis

I was doing research for this weekend's Days of the Dead convention in Indianapolis, when I came across Mike Jolley.  Mike is the CEO/Owner/President of Bloody Scorpion FX, which specializes in special effects and mask-making.  In fact, the picture you see below features Mike with Kane Hodder holding a mask that Mike made.  How cool is that?!
Mike showed the mask to Kane at the Days of the Dead convention earlier this year.  Mike describes Kane as "one of the coolest, nicest people...just so awesome".  Mike says that every time he meets Kane, Kane remembers him from previous times.  He asks/states, "How cool is that?!"
The answer is very cool.  There are a handful of celebs who really are just a step above.  I have never met Kane, but I hope to meet him someday.  I have met a few who remember me and believe me, it makes a big impression.  Those are the truly special encounters.
I am glad Mike had such an experience with Kane.  I am even happier he shared it with us here.  I also hope to meet Mike at the convention this weekend.

Mike Jolley and Kane Hodder in Indianapolis, IN-Early 2011.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series about my friends meeting celebs.

Again this year, I will be covering the Motor City Comic Con for Global Traveler magazine. I started to do my research and I came across Jamin Hillwig, a Michigan resident and MCCC attendee. I asked Jamin to share some of his stories and pictures and he agreed.
I'll let Jamin tell his own story.
When I saw Kane Hodder's name on the guest list for the Motor City Comic Con in 2003, I made him my primary target. Kane Hodder is the actor who played Jason in the Friday the 13th films (specifically 7-10). This was back when the MCCC was held at the old Novi Expo Center, where they had "Autograph Alley" in the back and to the right. Hodder wasn't hard to spot. He is about 6'4" and built like a brick outhouse. After waiting in a short line, I introduced myself and my wife and shook his hand. The man has a grip like a vise. We talked briefly about Freddy versus Jason, which was coming out in a few months and how he wasn't going to be in it. He told me his good friend Robert (Freddy) Englund had lobbied hard to get him the part, but the director Ang Lee, wanted his Jason to have "sad eyes", because he was the victim in this movie. We both had a good laugh about Jason being a "victim". Jason Vorhees is not a victim. He is a KILLER. I got his autograph and asked for a picture. He said "sure" and I asked if he could do me a favor and choke me in the picture. "Okay, whatever you want," he said with a chuckle. So my wife got the camera and said she was ready. Then Kane grabbed me by the throat and lifted me so I was on my tip-toes (I'm only 5'4") and cranked down with just a little more than what you'd call "gentle pressure". I believe I made a sound like "awwk!!" and then my wife snapped the pic. He put me down, I thanked him and we shook hands again and he crushed my hand again. I read in an interview later, that when Kane is Jason, this is what he does. He tends to use a bit more force with his "victims" because he likes for their reactions to be authentic...like Jason is really trying to kill them, which is about what you see on my face in the picture because I really didn't expect that and I was wondering "Just what have I got myself into this time?" I got a great picture and I actually felt honored that he'd treat me as somebody Jason was trying to kill. But the true moral of the story is:Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.
Thanks to Jamin for sharing his story and picture. Hopefully, it is just the first of several he will share here in the future.

Jamin Hillwig and Kane Hodder in Novi, MI-May 2003.