Finding out as an adult that you were adopted can be hard enough. But finding out that you were adoptedand Freddy Krueger is your biological father would be devastating. In the 1991 horror film, “Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare,” Lisa Zane played Dr. Maggie Burroughs, who learned that Freddy Krueger was her father during one of his murder sprees.
Not only did Burroughs accept reality, but she became the hero of the film when she pulled Krueger out of the dream world and killed him in the real world. You can meet Lisa Zane, aka Freddy’s daughter, at the HorrorHound Weekend convention at Sharonville Convention Center Sept. 10-12.
Lisa Zane was born and raised in Chicago to Greek parents. Her original last name was Zanetakos. She is Billy Zane’s ("Tales from the Crypt:Demon Knight," "Titanic") older sister, and convention-goers can meet him at HorrorHound Weekend, too. Lisa studied drama at Vassar College in New York and speaks English, Greek, Italian and French. She sings in Spanish but does not speak it. She is an actress, a singer anda songwriter.
How did she get to play Freddy Krueger’s daughter?
“It was offered to me. They knocked on my door and said, ‘do you want to play this?’ And I read it and I thought that sounds awfully cool to actually kill Freddy. Is that in my contract? I am killing him, for real? And I am his daughter, too?” Lisa Zane said.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
When Lisa first met Robert Englund, he was in full Freddy Krueger costume, and it was at night on the Elm Street set. She thought that he looked more charismatic than scary. “It was thrilling to see him walking toward me in silhouette,” Zane said.
What was it like playing Freddy Krueger’s daughter?
“It was pretty natural. She was kind of a powerful character, although she had this whole past she didn’t understand but she was fighting it. She was a pretty solid character. It was energizing,” Zane said.
Lisa does not regularly keep in touch with her former castmates from “Freddy’s Dead” but sees them at conventions and participates in panels with them.
She recently started a band called Flapunco, which plays hard rock with Latin rhythms. They are working on their first album, which might be completed by the end of the year.
Zane has never been to Cincinnati before. While here, she plans to see one or two of our attractions and might try Cincinnati chili.
"Nightmare on Elm Street" fans can meet Zane and several other series actors at HorrorHound. Robert Englund – Freddy Krueger – will be there, and he might finally try our chili. Lisa Wilcox (Alice Johnson), Tuesday Knight (Kristen Parker), Toy Newkirk (Sheila Kopecky), Brooke Theiss (Debbie Stevens), Tony Cecere (stunt coordinator), and Adri-Anne Cecere and Coye Cecere (the jump rope girls) are coming, too.
"Halloween" film franchise fans will be able to meet Nick Castle (Michael Myers), James Jude Courtney (Michael Myers), Danielle Harris (Annie Brackett and Jamie Lloyd), Christopher Nelson (mask sculptor), P.J. Soles (Lynda), Sandy Johnson (Judith Myers)and Chris Durand (Michael Myers).
"Friday the 13th" franchise fans can meet Tom Morga (Jason Voorhees), Deborah Voorhees (Tina), Jeannine Taylor (Marcie)and Lauren-Marie Taylor (Vickie).
"Walking Dead" actors Michael Rooker (Merle Dixon) and Nadia Hilker (Magna) are scheduled to appear.
Jason Mewes (Jay), Jeff Anderson (Randal Graves)and Brian O’Halloran (Dante Hicks) from "Clerks" will be there.
Jordyn DiNatale (Ruby Lane), Noah Garret (Skull Mask)and Lloyd Pitts (The Nightwing Killer) from the "Fear Street" series will show up.
Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), Kevin Dillon (Creepshow), Paul Sorvino (The Devil’s Carnival), Teach Grant (It Chapter Two), Jeremy London (Monsters Anonymous), Butch Patrick (The Munsters), The Godfather (Nation of Domination), Ted DiBiase (WWE Superstars)and Leonard Lies (Dawn of the Dead) are also scheduled to appear.
Each celebrity has separate charges for autographs, professional picturesand selfies. Check out the website for prices.
Vendors will sell toys, movies, posters, clothes, artand other merchandise.
HorrorHound will host several events. There will be the 2021 HorrorHound Film Fest, Horror Host Hall of Fame, panels, Q&A sessions, a kids costume contestand more. Guests who want to get a tattoo can partake in Ink Fusion, an event that allows people to schedule an appointment with an ink artist. On Saturday night, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., there will be an '80s Dance Party andScareoke at the Marriott Delta, across the street from the convention center.
HorrorHound Weekend
Where: Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road
When: Sept. 10-12
Admission: Tickets at the door cost $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday and $30 for Sunday.
Information: horrorhoundweekend.com