Houston – Today on Houston Life we had the pleasure of chatting with three of the headliners for this weekend’s POP CULTURE CON —Lou Ferrigno, Sean Kanan, and Vic Mignogna who are all set to meet fans and share their experiences. With Houston Life co-host Derrick Shore and Houston Life reporter Lauren Kelly, they discussed everything from what it’s like to be a well-known figure in the entertainment industry to their fans. From Ferrigno’s role as the original Incredible Hulk to Kanan’s portrayal of “Cobra Kai” villain Mike Barnes, and Mignogna’s legendary voice acting in anime, they each have have a unique perspective and stories to tell about their careers.
The trio will attend POP CULTURE CON, the two-day event packed with cosplay contests, vendors, and, of course, fan opportunities to meet their favorite stars. The convention celebrates a wide range of pop culture, offering something for everyone, no matter what era you grew up in. Fans of different genres will be able to meet actors, voice actors, comic creators, autographs, photos, and sketches from popular guests, cosplay as your favorite hero, villain, or character from any fandom. There will also be vendors offering collectibles, artwork, and pop culture-themed merchandise for purchase.
When asked about the lasting legacy of their most famous roles, Ferrigno, best known for his portrayal of the The Incredible Hulk in the 1970s TV series, reflected on how the character has continued to resonate with new generations of fans. He’s gone on to appear in several TV and films, as well as making a cameo in the 2003 Hulk remake. At one point, the conversation turned to fitness as Ferrigno, who is known for maintaining incredible physical shape, shared his workout routine. He emphasized the importance of moderation, good sleep, and a balanced diet adding that he tries to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. ”For Lou Ferrigno, the spotlight has always been intense, especially when it comes to everyday activities like going to the grocery store.
Kanan, who played the ruthless Mike Barnes in The Karate Kid Part III and later reappeared in the Cobra Kai series, mentioned the resurgence of his popularity thanks to the show’s success. While talking about live-action work, Kanan discussed the demands of soap opera acting, particularly in The Bold and the Beautiful, where he has had a long-running role spanning 1,002 episodes. Kanan also updated us on his new hot sauce line, Bad Boy Hot Sauce, which includes flavors like Cobra Venom, Mango Madness, and Red Pepper Punch.
In contrast, Vic Mignogna, a voice actor known for his roles in anime, points out that his work gives him a bit more anonymity voicing over 400 characters across various series. He explained, voice actors like himself can blend in more easily since their faces aren’t as well-known. This doesn’t mean his work is unnoticed—he’s recognized for his involvement in the Star Trek Continues web series, a live-action show that picks up where the original Star Trek series left off. During the interview he reflected on his experience with Japanese anime, where voice direction can range from being highly specific to allowing for greater freedom and input from the actor.
Pop culture is something that evolves rapidly but, Ferrigno, Kanan, and Mignogna have embraced their roles, despite many actors wanting to distance themselves from past characters.
This weekend at POP CULTURE CON is where you can meet them and get autographs and photos. Tickets are $19.99 for one day and $26.99 for both days.
Other notable anime guests include:
- Linda Young – Known as Frieza “Dragon Ball Z,”
- Stephanie Nadolny - Known for her English dubbing role as the child version of Goku, the protagonist of the outrageously popular Dragon Ball series and the child version of Goku’s son, Gohan, in Dragon Ball Z.
- Tiffany Vollmer - American Film Producer, Make-Up Artist, and Voice Actress. Known as the voice of Bulma in the Dragon Ball franchise.
- Mehdi Aouichoui - French 2D Animator, Storyboard Artist, and Character Designer based in Tokyo, Japan
Other notable comic guests include:
- Jim Starlin - Leading creative force in the comic book industry for over four decades. Known for many iconic characters: Iron Man, Batman, the Avengers, and the Justice League. Under Marvel Comics, Thanos
- Larry Hama – Writer, Artist, Editor, and Actor. Best known as the writer of Marvel’s GI JOE and WOLVERINE comics in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
- Angel Medina – Former Comic Book Artist for Marvel Comics and Image Comics. Best known for his work on The Incredible Hulk, Warlock and the Infinity Watch, The Amazing Spider-Man, Venom,
- Dave Wilkins – Art Director and Concept Artist in the gaming industry
- Dirk Strangely – Creator of the beloved book series Darkened Bedtime Stories For Children
- David Roman – A Rick and Morty comic book artist under Adult Swim, Oni-Press and Cryptozoic. He has also created art for Lucas Film, Star Wars, The Walking Dead.
Other notable voice actors include:
- Keone Young - Voice of original Storm Shadow “GI JOE”
- Jonathon Ross –Voice of John Redcorn “King of the Hill”
