Terry Michael Acord

Terry Michael Acord, “Mike” to all those who knew him personally, was born in Fairfield, Illinois. His home was found with those he loved, but he considered Ohio to be his home state. As a boy Mike lived in a variety of small towns in Ohio. He thought of Wooster as his hometown. It was a place he described as the perfect Smallville. That place being where Superman lived as a young boy. It was appropriate that Mike should be from Smallville, as he was a Superman to all those who knew him. Although it was Captain Marvel, as a super hero, he loved best. Mike had the opportunity to represent DC comics as Captain Marvel officially,. That moment remained an extremely fond memory. From a young age Mike had an interest in all things pop culture. He became an expert on the various things considered that. He had a voluminous knowledge of silver and golden age comic books, Classic horror, Monster movies, B movies and Science Fiction. He knew well of classic t.v., and classic comedy. He loved the Beatles, the British Invasion and surf music. The sixties were his preferred decade, and he spoke fondly of all things from then. Mike loved Horror Hosts. That group of individuals, in that genre of film hosting, that introduced, admittedly, bad films. Mike's favorite was Ghoulardi. A man who became a late night phenomenon in Cleveland Ohio. His irreverent humor captured Mike's imagination, and made him laugh. Houlihan and Big Chuck, followed by Big Chuck and Little John, entertained and further inspired him. He knew he wanted to do something like that. ...and so he did. Mike became an entertainer. There were singing telegrams and regional theater at first, then Disney. He was part of the original cast of the Adventurers club. (That phrase so often used, now found nearly everywhere, Kongaloosh, came in part from him.) He worked at Universal, and Arabian Nights. He worked in traveling and childrens theater. His favorite work was found at Terror on Church Street. There he became “the face” of the horror themed attraction. He was first known as Deadbeat, then Lon Madnight, there. That name came from Lon Chaney Sr.'s long lost film, London after Midnight. The look Mike adapted was also inspired by that film. It was an homage to Cheney, and at the same time, was all Mike Acord. Mikes first attempt at horror hosting was as the character Mr. Darc. He hosted the show Darc of the Night for three successive Friday nights. Mike honed his horror hosting skills with his fellow cast members at Terror on Church Street. Shortly there after he was given the opportunity to film a series of introductions and exists of classic horror films for producer Bill Black. Crypt of Horror became an ongoing series and Mike, as Lon, with Kim and Spooky Sam (along with others) introduced and summed up the films. Humor, clever and sometimes broad, was a trademark. Mike was extremely good at it. Mike later went on to film several hosted segments as “Madnight Movies.” He also continued to work with Bill Black. He playing the villainous Cloak, and as a variety of other characters. His most recent work was a film not yet released called “Shadow Slayer', where again he played Lon Madnight. Mike loved being Lon, but he was not Lon. He, was, a man both gentle and kind. Intelligent, strong, he espoused a blue collar work ethic, and old fashioned Midwestern values. Mike didn't drink or smoke. He did always try to do the right thing. Mike worked at many attractions in Orlando. There was Skull Kingdom, Terror in Orlando, CSI, Zombie Outbreak, at the Orlando Science Center, and Star Trek the experience. Mike worked for over fifteen years at Titanic the artifact exhibition. There he gave tours as a third class passenger, James Kelly. In Titanics dinner show he played James Widener, Gasparo Gatti, and most notably Captain Edward John Smith. He embodied each of these characters with compassion and humor. Mike did voice over work and commercials. He did many things. He was a fine actor with an agile mind. He brought heart and humor to all he did. He was an even greater man. He was passionate about justice. He was a believer in equality and fairness. He was an endlessly loving, and dedicated husband, to his wife Ellie Rose Fox. The two shared everything. From matching t shirts, to every interest. Always holding hands: they were never apart for long. There's was a passion. They loved strongly and well. Mike was a wonderful father to his son Ben. He was keenly interested in his life and supported and encouraged all his passions. Mike was a loyal and giving to all he knew. He was a father, a brother, a very good friend. Mike would want to be remembered more for the man he was more than the roles he played. He'd be gratified by the lives he changed for the better. He'd be happy in the love those felt from him. He was a modest man who did not like to hear praise, but was deeply grateful for appreciation. .He is deeply missed. He is deeply loved. He always will be.

Terry Michael Acord

January 22, 1959 - July 14, 2017