The Alexander City Outlook

Dentist cameos in horror films

Local dentist George Hardy, known for his 1989 movie debut in the cult classic “Troll 2,” still gets calls from directors near and far wanting him to appear in their films.

“Well since the documentary (“Best Worst Movie”) came out in November 2010, I’m continuing to do some things,” Hardy said. “Independent film directors and producers have gotten in touch with me to do some little cameos.”

The film’s notoriety as Best Worst Movie has led to Hardy making cameo appearances in at least five films in the past year.

“I just look at whole thing as extracurricular activity,” Hardy said. “I don’t want readers to think I’m going off to be some Hollywood movie star. It’s just fun … especially if they can come film it right here.”

The most recent cameo appears in the independent film “Thr33 Days Dead,” a horror film depicting zombies that take over the world while three friends are on a fishing trip.

Hardy cameos as an newscaster in the film.

“I thought, ‘You know what, why not?’” Hardy said. “It was probably a 20-second to a minute read, but it’s just to say, ‘Oh my God, there’s the guy from Troll 2 in my movie.’”

“Thr33 Days Dead” director John M. Ware of Jasper brought the set to Hardy, filming the newscast in Hardy’s office in front of a green screen.

“We did it in three or four takes and had a blast with it all,” Hardy said. “One of the reasons I chose to do it is because it is a film supported here in Alabama in a small town like Alexander City.”

Ware said he thought the newscaster’s part was perfect for Hardy because it didn’t involve any of the gore that normally goes hand in hand with a zombie movie.

“It’s kind of a bloody movie, and (Hardy) didn’t want to do anything with blood and gore,” Ware said. “I picked out the cleanest part, and he agreed to it. He was concerned about travel, and I said ‘I’ll come to you.’”

“Thr33 Days Dead” is set to premiere at the Rave movie theater at Patton Creek behind the Galleria Oct. 31.

“When I got to meet them, they seem like a pretty bright group of people that are making the film,” Hardy said. “I don’t know about zombie movies, but it would be fun to go (to the premiere).”

Hardy has recently made cameos in the 2011 films “Ghost Shark 2: Urban Jaws” and “Junk.”

Hardy and his daughter Lillian also made a cameo appearance in 2009’s “Zombies of Mass Destruction.”

“I play a hotel operator and Lily is working at the front desk with me,” Hardy said. “We’re checking in moviemakers that are going to a film festival in a little town, kind of like South by Southwest (Film Festival).”

Hardy’s acting experience via cameos may pay off in the near future – he mentioned a “Troll 2” sequel may be in the works.

Since the production of  the “Best Worst Movie” documentary, Hardy said both “Best Worst Movie” and “Troll 2” have received acclaim from celebrities such as Howie Mendel, Rainn Wilson, Quentin Tarantino and Ron Howard.

“Even they want to have cameos in (a Troll 2 sequel),” Hardy said.