Aric Cushing (born September 26, 1973) is an American actor and writer. He is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival.

Early life and career

A native of California, Aric grew up in the town of Boulder Creek. As a child he performed in numerous local productions such as ''This One Thing I Do,'' a feminist play about Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony'', Girl Crazy'', ''The Diary of Anne Frank'', and ''Arsenic and Old Lace'', and at 12 years old in ''A Chorus Line''. For his performance in ''Hats Off: A Tribute to Broadway Musicals'' in 1986, at 13 years old, he told the Valley Press, "I'm excited. I can't wait to get back out there." A recipient of numerous speech awards, he received a college grant from

Hewlett-Packard The Hewlett-Packard Company, commonly shortened to Hewlett-Packard ( ) or HP, was an American multinational information technology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California. HP developed and provided a wide variety of hardware components ...

, attended both the

American Conservatory Theater The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is a nonprofit theater company in San Francisco, California, United States, that offers both classical and contemporary theater productions. It also has an attached acting school. History The Ameri ...

in San Francisco and the London Court Theater in England, and afterwards toured the Pacific Northwest in a 2-person travelling theater company. Upon moving to Hollywood, he worked at a talent agency before producing and starring in the film ''Broken and Bleeding'', later renamed ''Shot to the Heart''. In 2019, he won Best Actor at the Prison City Film Festival in Huntsville, Texas for his role in ''Shot to the Heart''. After producing and starring in ''The Yellow Wallpaper'' feature film, he appeared in ''America's Most Wanted'', ''Renegade'', and a variety of other TV shows and music videos. In 2016, his middle grade book ''Vampire Boy'' was published, and won the ''Readers' View'' award, the ''Purple Dragonfly Award'', a ''Pinnacle Award'', first place for the Gertrude Lawrence Middle Grade Reader Award, and a ''Reader's Favorite'' medal. Also in 2020, he starred in ''

There's No Such Thing as Vampires ''There's No Such Thing as Vampires'' is a 2020 horror film that was directed by Logan Thomas. It is based on a script written by Thomas and Aric Cushing, who also starred. The film premiered in the United Kingdom and United States in August 202 ...

'' and in 2021 received a Best Supporting Actor Nomination at the ''FilmQuest Film Festival'' for his portrayal of the lead villain.

The Fear and Fantasy Film Festival

The co-founder of the Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival. The festival began in 2012 and was established by director Logan Thomas and Aric Cushing. Festival awards include Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Actress, and others, as well as a screenwriting competition. The festival was first held in

Burbank, California Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank has a population of 107,337. The city was named after David Burbank, w ...

. The festival also released a Horror Shorts Vol. 1 DVD with selections from the festival of fear and fantasy short films from around the world.

Aric Cushing and Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Aric Cushing's relationship to Charlotte Perkins Gilman is varied. Gilman's most famous story, "The Yellow Wallpaper" has been adapted numerous times for stage and screen, most recently in 2011 for a film starring Aric Cushing."

The Yellow Wallpaper "The Yellow Wallpaper" (original title: "The Yellow Wall-paper. A Story") is a short story by American writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman, first published in January 1892 in '' The New England Magazine''. It is regarded as an important early work ...

feature film () was directed by Logan Thomas. He also wrote a corresponding collection of

Charlotte Perkins Gilman Charlotte Perkins Gilman (; née Perkins; July 3, 1860 – August 17, 1935), also known by her first married name Charlotte Perkins Stetson, was an American humanist, novelist, writer, lecturer, advocate for social reform, and eugenicist. She wa ...

's work, titled "The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories: The Complete Gothic Collection" (). "Aric Cushing's introductory essay 'Is the Yellow-Wallpaper a Gothic story?' nails the subject; especially since the original feminist take on Gilman's works often skated over the Gothic feel of her works to focus on underlying feminist interpretations alone." Previously, Charlotte Perkins Gilman's work as a novelist, short story writer, poet, and public speaker was mostly regarded from the feminist viewpoint, especially when her feminist work was used as a platform in the 1960s feminist movement. The introduction contends that before Gilman launched into her socialist themes, and during the time she wrote 'The Yellow Wall-paper" story, she focused on Gothic stories for a short period of time (mostly between 1890–1895). The story is sometimes polarized between people who believe it to be only a Gothic story and those that only believe it to be a women's rights tale. Aric Cushing is the first to discover two previously 'lost' works that surrounded her short and brief period writing Gothic and ghost fiction, which are included in the compilation, and were never re-published after their original publication dates in the 1890s. The stories are "The Unwatched Door" and "Clifford's Tower". In 2014, Aric edited and published "Lost Essays" (), a collection of Gilman's commentaries.

Filmography

*2021: ''

'' as Maximilian Maddox. *2020: ''The Dragonfly Conspiracy'' as Dr. McGinnis. *2019: ''The Premonition'' as The Grim Reaper. *2018: ''Shot to the Heart'' (as Edward) (Winner Best Actor at the Prison City Film Festival) * 2013: '' Horror Shorts: Volume 1'' (Actor and produced by) * 2012: ''

'' (also produced and written by) Plays character Dr. John Weiland. * 2011: ''

American Horror Story ''American Horror Story'' is an American anthology horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX. The first installment in the '' American Story'' media franchise, each season is conceived as a ...

'' (as Junkie)(1 episode). * 2011: ''Indie Friendlie'' (Interview: as Self). * 2011: '' The Witness'' as Simon. * 2009: '' The Wave: 3D'' as Producer. * 2008: ''

Hotel Caesar A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a re ...

'' (TV Series) (5 episodes) as Robert Toril. * 2005: ''

The Dying Gaul ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' as Jeffrey Bishop. * 2003: ''

Unreal Unreal may refer to: Books and TV * ''Unreal'' (short story collection), a 1985 book of short stories by Paul Jennings * ''Unreal'' (TV series), a 2015 television drama series on Lifetime Computing and games * ''Unreal'' (video game series), ...

'' unknown. * 2002: ''

Tender Dracula ''Tender Dracula, or Confessions of a Blood Drinker'' (french: Tendre Dracula) is a 1974 French horror-comedy film directed by Pierre Grunstein. The film stars Peter Cushing, Alida Valli, Bernard Ménez and Miou-Miou. The film involves two script ...

'' (Re-release Producer). * 2002: ''

Toxic Zombies ''Toxic Zombies'' (also known as ''Bloodeaters'', ''Bloodeaters: Butchers of the Damned'', ''The Dromax Derangement'', and ''Forest of Fear'') is a 1980 horror film directed by Charles McCrann, who also acted in the film. It was classified as a vid ...

'' (Re-release Producer). * 2001: ''

History's Mysteries ''History's Mysteries'' is an American documentary television series that aired on the History Channel. Overview The 154 episodes of the series were produced from 1998 to 2011. Each season consisted of 12 to 14 one-hour episodes that focused on ...

'' (1 episode) Looter * 1998: '' Broken and Bleeding'' (also co-directed by) as Eddie Tartarus. * 1998: '' Some Prefer Cake'' (special thanks) * 1997: ''

Jack Jack may refer to: Places * Jack, Alabama, US, an unincorporated community * Jack, Missouri, US, an unincorporated community * Jack County, Texas, a county in Texas, USA People and fictional characters * Jack (given name), a male given name, ...

'' as Officer Stevens. * 1996: "

Come and Get Your Love "Come and Get Your Love" is a song by American rock band Redbone. The song was originally released as a promo track under the name "Hail" and was later featured on their fifth album, ''Wovoka'' (1973), under its current name. The song was rel ...

" (Real McCoy video) Actor. * 1995: ''

Renegade Renegade or The Renegade may refer to: Aircraft *Lake Renegade, an American amphibious aircraft design *Murphy Renegade, a Canadian ultralight biplane design *Southern Aeronautical Renegade, an American racing aircraft design Games *'' Comman ...

'' (TV Series) as Grocery Boy David. * 1995: ''

Sawyer Brown Sawyer Brown is an American country music band. It was founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by Mark Miller (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard (keyboards, vocals), Bobby Randall (lead guitar, vocals), Joe "Curly" Smyth (drums), and ...

'' (Video) Actor. * 1994: ''

America's Most Wanted ''America's Most Wanted'' (often abbreviated as ''AMW'') is an American television program whose first run was produced by 20th Television, and second run is under the Fox Alternative Entertainment division of Fox Corporation. At the time of i ...

'' (TV Series) as Tad Mason. * 1994: '' Speed: Billy Idol'' (TV Short) Actor. * 1993: '' The Lisa Theory'' (Directed by Academy Award-winning director Steven Okazaki) as Mark. * 1993: ''

Tales of the City ''Tales of the City'' is a series of nine novels written by American author Armistead Maupin from 1978 to 2014, depicting the life of a group of friends in San Francisco, many of whom are LGBT. The stories from ''Tales'' were originally serial ...

'' (Mini-Series) as Christmas Reveller. * 1993: ''

And the Band Played On ''And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic'' is a 1987 book by ''San Francisco Chronicle'' journalist Randy Shilts. The book chronicles the discovery and spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immun ...

'' (HBO TV Movie) as Street Walker. * 1992: ''Sincerely Yours'' (Pilot) as David. * 1992: ''

Sister Act ''Sister Act'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Emile Ardolino and written by Paul Rudnick (as Joseph Howard). It stars Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer forced to join a convent after being placed in a witness protection program. It ...

'' as Student.

Bibliography

*2020: ''Don't Turn Out the Lights: A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (contributor). Random House.'' *2016: ''Vampire Boy'' (Novel) *2015: '' Mirrored Voices: Best New Poets'' (Contributor) *2015: '' Mirrored Voices: Emerging Poets Anthology'' (Contributor) *2014: '' Lost Essays'' (Compiler, Editor) *2013: ''

'' (Screenplay) *2012: '' The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories: The Complete Gothic Collection'' *2011: '' Dracula: A Play in 2 Acts'' *1998: '' Broken and Bleeding'' (Screenplay)

Stagework

*2011: ''

The Solid Gold Cadillac ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'' is a 1956 comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (blac ...

'' (Sierra Madre) *2008: '' Of All Places'' (Los Angeles) *2005: ''

Dracula ''Dracula'' is a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897. As an epistolary novel, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist, but opens with solicitor Jonathan Harker taking ...

'' (Los Angeles Premiere) *2001: ''

The Sum of Us The Sum of Us can refer to: *'' The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together'', a 2021 best-selling political book by Heather McGhee. *''The Sum of Us (play)'', a 1990 play by Australian writer and director David Steve ...

'' (Los Angeles) (Robby Nomination: Best Supporting Actor) *1995: ''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken ...

'' (Pasadena) *1993: '' Mollie and Roberto'' (Mill Valley) *1992: '' One of These Days'' (San Francisco) *1992: ''

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depic ...

'' (Pacific Northwest Tour) *1992: '' Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped'' (Pacific Northwest Tour) *1991: '' Elevate... Or?'' (San Francisco) *1991: ''

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' (sometimes referred to as ''HG2G'', ''HHGTTG'', ''H2G2'', or ''tHGttG'') is a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams. Originally a 1978 radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4, it w ...

'' (Menlo Park) *1988: A Thurber Carnival *1986: This One Thing I Do (Ben Lomond) *1986: Hats Off: A Tribute to Broadway Musicals *1985: A Chorus Line (Santa Cruz) *1984: Diary of Anne Frank (Ben Lomond)

References

* *Rothman, Archie. (2001). "More Theatre," NoHoLA. (pg. 28).

External links

*
Aric Cushing on World Cat
*Aric Cushing at the Horror Writers Associatio

*Aric Cushing on Amazo

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cushing, Aric 1973 births Living people American male film actors Male actors from California Place of birth missing (living people) People from Boulder Creek, California American male screenwriters Screenwriters from California