Zacherley, "The Cool Ghoul"

John Zacherley has been known simply by the name Zacherley, for many years, after becoming a "hit" on local New York television in the 1950s and right through the 1980s. His family name is actually spelled 'Zacherle' but professionally he added the 'y'. For the past several years, he has been the resident "star attraction" at the Chiller Theatre Expos.

His entire biography can be read here.

Zacherley is a legend to those of us who grew up watching the many different local tv shows presented on various stations in the NY City area. I've always wanted to meet him, and tell him about my enjoyment of watching his tv antics during my youth, and after patiently waiting on line along with many other "Zach fans", I met and briefly chatted with him.

Zacherley was 90 at the time of the April show, and he is not very mobile. He sat on a raised chair behind a table covered with various photos he was selling. I bought this one, very happy to pay his fee of $20.


He also obliged his many fans by posing for photos with them. Here is the one of him and me.

Cindy Pickett

Cindy Pickett was also appearing at the Chiller Theatre Expo in April, and she is one actress I definitely wanted to meet. I remember her from the 1986 feature film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" in which she played the mother to Matthew Broderick's title character, and from the late 1980s tv ensemble series "St. Elsewhere", which she joined in the 3rd season as 'Dr. Carol Novino'.

Ms. Pickett was cordial and welcomed the opportunity to meet her fans. I had a pleasant chat with her about "St. Elsewhere". She said it was very exhausting work, but a lot of fun too.

She, too, was in the tent behind the hotel, and when I asked if she'd pose for a photo with me, she quickly obliged. Here is the photo.


And here is the portrait photo she signed for me, for the very reasonable fee of $20.

Larry Storch - Still 'Corporal Agarn"

In April, I attended the Chiller Theatre Expo in Parsipanny, New Jersey, with friends Peter and Brad. The Expo is presented twice a year, in April and October, and each event has dozens of celebrities appearing, each selling autographed photos and whatever else they have to offer, such as books and cd's. Of the many who were there, there were only five on my 'want list'.

One of the celebrities was Larry Storch, who is best remembered for his role as 'Corporal Agarn' on the 1960s tv sitcom "F Troop". Mr. Storch has had a very lengthy performing career, starting as a stand-up comic and impressionist. He has guest-starred in dozens of tv shows over the years, and appeared in many feature films.

At the Chiller Expo, Mr. Storch was seated at a table in a tent on the grounds behind the hotel. He was very cordial to everyone, and obviously appreciative of his fans, as shown in his willingness to pose for photos without charging anything. He was wearing the hat and scarf from "F Troop" (or perhaps they were replicas, I didn't ask), and here is the photo of us.

And here is the vintage character portrait he signed, for the minimal fee of $20.