Oscar Winners, Iconic Movie Casts, Celebrities attract Comic Con Faithful Near and Far – Ann Clanton

Photo, top:  Tim Jones, RI cartoonist of Sour Grapes, published in many newspapers in RI – and in RINewsToday!

by Ann Clanton, contributing writer

From Warwick to Westport, Connecticut, to Boston and north of, the Rhode Island Comic Con faithful made the trek up and down the 95 corridor to get a glimpse of pop-culture at this year’s event. Beyond what is considered “locals”, others who attend each and every Comic Con came in on trains – and yes, planes – as the Comic Con life is part of theirs – complete in costume, and spending considerable money on celebrity packages of attendance and photos.

Purchasing a treasured photo op is part of the festivities, with iconic and pop culture celebrities from the 1970s to the current day. Not unusual to see were costumes in great detail and authenticity. Panel discussions made the day have a somewhat serious tone for some as Comic Con is a lifestyle and a business for many attendees.

HR Puff n Stuff and Lost in Space creator Marty Kroft was on hand, along with the cast of National Lampoon’s Vacation cast members Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo were among the pop culture icons who gathered for Comic Con’s 13th year of the Biggest Show in the Littlest State.

Back in the ‘80s, there was little more synonymous in pop culture than director John Hughes and teen actor Molly Ringwald, with Molly the star of three of John’s biggest movies: Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. Molly was just 15 years old when she filmed the first of the trio in 1984, and suffice to say, aging has taken its toll – does it not on all of us?  Molly Ringwald’s place in 1980’s Pop Culture brought out the John Hughes – Pretty in Pink movies fans for a 2026 panel discussion. The queen of the 1980 Teen angst movies was joined by her Pretty In Pink Co-stars John Cryer and Andrew McCarthy.

One by one the cast spilled the tea. John Hughes casted them with the intention that they would not like each other, we learned, when in fact they would become very close. They kept the clothes from the film, but some like the pink prom dress was lost. John Hughes disclosed that some of the slang for Breakfast Club was made up by him!

1990’s movie nostalgia was on full display, too. Nominated for Oscars for Thelma and Louise, Both Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon were slated to make appearances together. However, due to flight cancellations, Geena Davis did not arrive on the first day, but a panel with Susan Sarandon still took place.  Sarandon talked candidly about being ousted by Hollywood due to her political stance on Israel.  As a result she makes a lot of appearances for Altered Reality – Comic Con. There’s little if any politics going on at “Cons”, an event of pure enjoyment, see and be seen, and remembering entertainment of the past – some of which is very much in the present and now.

While not listed among her credits. Director Ron Howard’s daughter and Rhode Island native actress co-star, Bryce Dallas Howard, was among the celebrity guests in the AMP. When reminded that Rhode Island was the hometown of her “The Help” co-star Viola Davis, Howard praised Davis and reminisced how much she learned from Viola and Octavia Spencer.

Despite cancellations of celebrity guests like Henry (The Fonz) Winkler, a big disappointment for all, there was plenty of star power and opportunities to experience Comic Con Rhode Island. Organizers state the attendance was in the thousands. Attendance picked up on Saturday, and Sunday is going strong – as traffic and crowds made maneuvering around the Convention Center, AMP and the Omni Hotel, a little tricky – but fun looking at the cosplayer attendees, some with families holding hands – and investing a few dollars in this economy for joy and togetherness.

Some celebs were eager to talk to the press, even seeking us out and asking if we wanted to take a photo. Nice. Friendly. A new life for many. And appreciated by all.

Stay tuned for an update MONDAY – more panels to attend! Off to National Lampoon! C’mon down for the last day!

SUNDAY!