Entertainment

Stars of ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Star Wars, Marvel films and more will be at GalaxyCon in Raleigh

GalaxyCon returns to Raleigh this week, offering four days of pop culture and cult favorites who will be greeting fans and signing autographs.

There also will be lots of costumed people roaming around Downtown Raleigh and the Raleigh Convention Center, along with several celebrities.

Here’s what to know about GalaxyCon.

Attendees of GalaxyCon Raleigh pose for a portrait before heading into the Convention Center Friday afternoon, July 28, 2023.
Attendees of GalaxyCon Raleigh pose for a portrait before heading into the Convention Center Friday afternoon, July 28, 2023. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

When and where is GalaxyCon in Raleigh?

The event runs from July 27-30 at the Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St., Raleigh.

Hours are Thursday, 2 p.m. to 12 midnight; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visitors flock to the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday, July 28, 2023 for GalaxyCon, an annual 4-day event celebrating comic books, anime, cosplay, and more.
Visitors flock to the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday, July 28, 2023 for GalaxyCon, an annual 4-day event celebrating comic books, anime, cosplay, and more. Anna Connors aconnors@newsobserver.com

What celebrities are scheduled to appear?

Celebrities spanning pop culture, wrestling, sci-fi and more take part in meet and greets, panels, autograph sessions, photo opps and more. Tickets range in price, depending on the experience.

Randy Jones, a Raleigh native who was the Cowboy in the Village People

Paula Abdul, singer/dancer/judge on “American Idol.”

Shameik Moore, the voice of Miles Morales and Spider-Man in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Grant Gustin, Barry Allen/The Flash from “The Flash.”’

Ian Somerhalder, Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries” and Boone Carlyle from “Lost.”

Giancarlo Esposito, Moff Gideon from “The Mandalorian” and Gus Fring from “Breaking Bad.”

Christopher Lloyd from “Back to the Future” and “Addams Family” movies.

Jaleel White of “Family Matters”

Joel McHale of “Community” and numerous other projects

Karen Gillan of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Doctor Who”

Ming-Na Wen of “The Mandalorian,” “Mulan,” “ER” and “Agents of SHIELD.”

Richard Dreyfuss of “Jaws,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and numerous other projects

“Star Trek” cast members William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), Levar Burton (Geordi La Forge), John De Lancie (Q), Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Cmdr. Data) and Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar).

Star Wars” cast members Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Dave Barclay (Yoda, Jabba the Hutt), Ming Na-Wen (Fennec Shand) and Mike Quinn (Nein Nunb).

Joey Fatone of NSYNC and A.J. McLean and Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys.

Ric Flair, the wrestler known as “The Nature Boy”

A full list can be found at galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-raleigh-guests.

How is the SAG-AFTRA actors strike affecting GalaxyCon?

Film and TV celebrities can still appear at GalaxyCon, even though the SAG-AFTRA union called for a strike of all members, organizers announced in a Facebook post.

However, the labor action affects what they can discuss, officials said. Because SAG-AFTRA affects theatrical contacts, actors cannot promote their ongoing work.

Organizers announced this week that attendees will need to submit questions in advance on the GalaxyCon website for celebrity panels to help the actors comply with the rules.

Since the strike was announced, Grant Gustin, who played Barry Allen and The Flash in “The Flash,” has canceled his panel but will still take part in photo ops and autographs. Kate Mulgrew of “Star Trek” and “Orange is the New Black” fame, canceled her appearance, organizers announced.

How to get tickets

Many multi-day passes are sold out, but some single-day tickets remain available through galaxycon.com.

Sisters Shanti (left) and Sonia Lino from Creedmoor pose outside GalaxyCon Raleigh, Friday, July 29, 2023.
Sisters Shanti (left) and Sonia Lino from Creedmoor pose outside GalaxyCon Raleigh, Friday, July 29, 2023. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Ellie Ochman poses for a portrait outside of GalaxyCon Raleigh, Friday, July 28, 2023.
Ellie Ochman poses for a portrait outside of GalaxyCon Raleigh, Friday, July 28, 2023. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Stars of ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Star Wars, Marvel films and more will be at GalaxyCon in Raleigh."

Josh Shaffer
The News & Observer
Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.
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