Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Weinhold.
Hi Matt, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in San Francisco, California in 1964, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved the fantastic. Science fiction! Horror! Fantasy! All of these genres helped shape me into the person I am today. Growing up, I immersed myself in comic books, literature, movies, TV, conventions, cosplay, toys, memorabilia, and anything else that sparked my imagination. In my early teens, I started making short 8mm science fiction films, usually inspired by the latest blockbuster of the day. This eventually led me to seriously study film production in college, where I made the leap to 16mm. Around this time, I also began to develop an interest in stand-up comedy and did my first bit at a Star Trek convention. After paying my dues doing open mic nights and one-nighters, I soon was able to support myself as a working comedian.
For decades, I headlined comedy clubs across the country and appeared on shows for NBC, CBS, MTV, VH1, HBO, A&E, Comedy Central, Showtime, and FOX. When I finally moved to Los Angeles, I pursued acting and guest-starred on CBS’s “The Weird Al Show,” HBO’s “The Comeback,” NBC’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”, and the feature film, “Green Flash.” I also appeared in many TV commercials for products ranging from Dunkin’ Donuts, KIA, Aflac, Roundup, Hometown Buffet, and Ford. As a die-hard sci-fi fan, I was thrilled when I got the chance to be in a Burger King “Star Wars” commercial, taking on Darth Vader. All this acting led me to voice-over, and I lent my talents to GSN’s “Throut & Neck”, MTV’s “Super Adventure Team”, Nickelodeon’s “Squirrel Boy”, G4’s “Code Monkeys”, and as the voice of Arthur in “The Journyman Project” CD-ROM series. One of my goals had always been to be a writer/performer on a TV series, which I was able to do on Style Channel’s “The Dish” with Danielle Fischel and CBS’ “Culture Click”. In a similar vein, I also appeared on numerous “countdown” specials for various networks, including “Why We Love Vampires” for NBC. Over the years, I started to concentrate more on writing, and for many years, I was the chief contributor to US Weekly’s popular “Fashion Police” feature. I’ve also provided material for The Emmy Awards, BBC America’s “The Nerdist”, and IFC’s horror-comedy show, “Stan Against Evil”. Can you see where this is all heading? In the past few years, I’ve delved into the world of producing and TV showrunning.
I served as executive producer/head writer for several shows on PlayboyTV, including “Foursome: Walk of Shame,” “The Stash,” and “Groundbreakers,” hosted by the legendary John Waters. My show business career has been rewarding and has allowed me to merge my interest in sci-fi, horror, and comic books, with my profession. During my career, I’ve done correspondent work for the SyFy Network, written scripts for Cartoon Network’s “Beware The Batman”, Dark Horse Comics’ “Creepy,” and did stand-up in the Star Trek documentary, “Trekkies.” My latest nerd-centric passion project has been MONSTER PARTY. Monster Party is a bi-weekly podcast I produce and co-host with my friends James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan, and Larry Strothe, and we’ve been going strong for over six years! We feature guests that range from genre luminaries like Stuart Gordon, Denise Crosby, Doug Jones, and Jeffrey Combs to comedy greats like Laraine Newman, Scott Thompson, Dana Gould, and Oscar Nunez. Monster Party has been featured in periodicals like Fangoria, Famous Monsters of Filmland, and even The Huffington Post! And, if that weren’t enough, we’ve provided Blu-ray commentary tracks for Shout Factory’s “The Vengeance of She”, “The Alligator People,” and Mill Creek’s new Hammer Films box set. Monster Party provides the commentary for William Castle’s “The Old Dark House.” Just in time for Christmas!
Speaking of William Castle, here’s a sweet story. When I married the love of my life, Carrie, we decided to have our wedding ceremony at The Silent Movie Theater, here in Los Angeles. The theme was old-timey Hollywood, and everyone dressed up accordingly. But the real capper happened before the vows. We spoofed the William Castle/Vincent Price classic, “The Tingler,” in which a creature made out of human fear gets loose in a silent movie theater. Only in our version, the creature is made out of my fear of commitment. Of course, Vincent Price (played by Dana Gould) saves the day by getting us all to neutralize “The Tingler” with our screams. A little more about Carrie: I have an enormous collection of sci-fi/horror memorabilia, 16mm films, and genre-related toys. My collection has covered every inch of every place I’ve ever lived, and the reaction from my various girlfriends over the years has been mixed, to say the least. But when Carrie visited my apartment for the first time, I was suddenly called away by an audition. When I returned to my place, I found Carrie on the kitchen floor, getting my electronic Gamera and Godzilla figures to fight each other. That’s when I knew… she was the one!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been quite fortunate and have managed to fulfill many of my childhood dreams. I’ve been in movies and TV shows, I spent decades doing standup comedy, my writing has been published in books and magazines, and I’ve gotten to meet many of my showbiz heroes. It’s been a great run so far. But if I had to identify the biggest obstacle in my life, it would have to be… me. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve battled with self-loathing and anxiety. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been a horror fan. Monsters were misfits like me, and movie scares helped me cope with the real-life ones. I was picked on quite a bit growing up, but when I embraced performing, it gave me a shot of courage that I desperately needed. Standup comedy taught me not to take everything (including myself) so seriously. Still, I’ve never been able to keep all that lifelong anxiety completely at bay. It’s a daily struggle, but with every wonderful/uncomfortable situation my profession has put me in, I get a little stronger. And a bit happier.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
It’s a lucky person who can do what they love for a living… and that’s me! I’ve worked as a standup comedian, an actor, a television personality, a radio host, a published writer, a producer, a podcaster, and many other amazing entertainment related jobs. It’s really been an incredible adventure! I take great pride in my accomplishments, and I’m quite fond of the projects I’ve been involved with. Here are a few standout moments, at least for me: Winning the Seattle Comedy Competition in 1989. My years of contributing to US Weekly’s “Fashion Police” feature. Doing voice work in MTV’s “Super Adventure Team.” Performing standup in the film, “Trekkies.” Watching Udo Kier perform lines, I wrote for an episode of “Beware The Batman.”
Working on the IFC horror/comedy series, “Stan Against Evil.” Doing a completely improvised warm-up comedian set for an episode of HBO’s “The Comeback” Alas, only about 10 seconds were used in the final cut. Acting with John Waters for a Christmas episode of Playboy TV’s “Groundbreakers.” Writing a story for Dark Horse’s “Creepy” comics #10. It’s a satirical H.P. Lovecraft homage called “Mint In Package”, featuring art by Darick Robertson. Writing and doing voice work for the animated intro to the film “Carbon Nation.” Being the co-creator/co-host/producer of the Monster Party podcast. AND it being featured in “Fangoria” and “Famous Monsters of Filmland” magazines. Doing Monster Party Blu-ray commentary for “The Vengeance of She”, “The Alligator People” and “The Old Dark House.” And as for what might set me apart from others, I think that may be my imagination and dark sense of humor. At least that’s what the voices tell me.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
From my own self-quarantine experience and watching what my mother has been dealing with in her retirement facility, I’ve come to better appreciate up close, in person interaction. Sure, I’ve been making due with outdoor mask-wearing social distancing, Zoom meetings, and long phone calls. But I’ll breathe a Covid-free sigh of relief when I can wade through a sea of nerds at Comic Con and not fear for my life. Of course, I’ll still be in danger of getting trampled trying to purchase convention exclusives or from getting a nose full of a fellow geek’s two-cheek sneak. I’ve also learned how desperately ignorant this country is when it comes to science and critical thinking. If we don’t start placing more importance on educating our populace, we’re doomed.
Contact Info:
- Email: bruce@omnipop.com
- Website: mattweinhold.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.weinhold.9
- Twitter: @MattWeinhold @monsterpartyhq
- Youtube: monsterpartytv https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd2HYcEf2OlynkiXpym61kA
- Other: https://monsterpartypodcast.libsyn.com
