PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Ever since I first saw it way back in 1987, Sleepaway Camp has been my favorite movie of all time, and I have seen it more times that I can count. Not only is it a fun little slasher flick in general with some awesome and unique death scenes, but it also features some of the best characters that you just can’t help but love. One of those characters is Ricky, played by the wonderful and always cool Jonathan Tiersten (The House that Wept Blood, Terror Tales), who sadly passed away recently.
When I was a pre-teen, I thought that Ricky was the coolest character ever and I wanted to be just like him. He was tough, had a foul mouth, and was very protective of his cousin Angela. Jonathan did an excellent job bringing the character to life, and I don’t think that Ricky would have been as beloved as he was had any other actor played him. If you watch this movie, you will notice that Jonathan had a ton of talent from a young age, and it is very unfortunate that he was taken from us way too soon.
I met Jonathan and Felissa Rose at a horror convention in Lexington, Kentucky back in 2011. I was just a ball of nervous energy when I was walking across the convention floor as I was very excited to meet two people that I absolutely idolized. They both greeted me with a smile, and both were just the nicest, sweetest people that you could ever imagine. I think I hugged both around 2,000 times that day. We all hit it off immediately, and after speaking with them they invited my wife and I (as well as some friends with us) to attend a Q and A session with them. I remember being thrilled to death as we sat up front and Felissa sit with us as Jonathan performed one of his songs for the crowd, and it was apparent to me that he was just as talented as a musician as he was an actor. We hung out with them for most of the convention, and at one point I had both sign my Camp Arawak shirt I was wearing to the delight of all the onlookers in the area.
After that day I spoke to Jonathan on an almost regular basis through Facebook messenger and email. He was always extremely friendly and sweet to me, and I will never forget that he almost always posted a birthday message on my Facebook page for my birthday every year which meant the world to me to be quite honest. I have seen Jonathan and Felissa several more times at the horror convention in Lexington over the years, and each time they greeted me with kindness and called me by name as soon as they saw me. Again, it meant the world to me that both knew who I was and they couldn’t have been any nicer each time. I know that people say that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but in my case, I couldn’t disagree more as Jonathan and Felissa were everything I’d hope they would be and more, and I will always cherish our friendship.
Unfortunately, I missed the last several horror conventions that they were at for a number of reasons, and I really regret it. I saw the news of Jonathan’s passing last week and was immediately in tears. At first, I didn’t believe it and didn’t want to believe it. I kept telling myself that it wasn’t right and that the person that reported it was misinformed and that he was still alive and well. Then I HAD to believe it when I saw more reports of his death, and I had no choice but to accept it. I accepted it, but damn, I really hated to do so.
Jonathan was just an all-around good person, and I am glad that I got the chance to meet him and call him a friend. He was a talented actor, musician, and just all-around awesome guy that will be greatly missed. He was taken from us way too early, and my heart goes out to his family, friends, and fans. I just wish that I had gotten one last chance to see him and talk to him before his passing.
Jonathan, if you are seeing this just know that I thought the world of you and appreciate how kind and friendly you always were to me. You will be greatly missed, and the world is a sadder place now without you in it.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
