Zach Galligan has spent 45 years navigating the unpredictable terrain of the entertainment industry — a career marked not just by longevity, but by reinvention.
To many, he will always be the earnest young hero from Gremlins, the wide-eyed everyman battling mischievous monsters in one of the most beloved genre films of the 1980s. Others remember him from the cult horror favorite Waxwork, a darker turn that proved he could move comfortably between fantasy, horror, and satire. But Galligan’s body of work stretches far beyond the titles that made him a household name.
Across decades, Zach Galligan has taken on guest roles in dramatic television, participated in projects requiring elaborate practical effects, and endured the physical demands of cable rigs, prosthetics, and full-body makeup — the kind of behind-the-scenes craftsmanship that defined an era of filmmaking before CGI dominance. His career reflects both the evolution of Hollywood and the endurance required to survive it.
More recently, Galligan returned to familiar territory through the animated prequel series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, revisiting a franchise that continues to captivate new generations. Beyond acting, he has also explored music, performing as part of a progressive rock group — another creative outlet in a career defined by artistic curiosity.
I had the opportunity to speak with Galligan while he was promoting his upcoming appearance at Pop Culture Con on March 14th and 15th. What followed was less a standard interview and more a conversation shaped by reflection and perspective. He spoke candidly about the enduring legacy of Gremlins, his observations on the shifting landscape of Hollywood, and the realities of sustaining a career in an industry that often prizes the new over the experienced.
After 45 years, Galligan is not simply revisiting his past; he is engaging with it, reframing it, and sharing it with audiences who see him not just as a nostalgic figure, but as a working artist with stories still to tell.
If you’re brave enough, here is the album Zach Galligan worked on.
So I was just doing it, as it was just an opportunity to do it. And I’d never been on a record before. I thought that’ll be cool. I’ll be on, um, I’ll be on this thing. It was a big, it is big sprawling triple record, which is like just a massive epic.-Zach Galligan on being part of this album
Zach Galligan will be a featured guest at Pop Culture Con.
Pop Culture Con is a two-day event filled with celebrity Q & A panels with photo opportunities, autographs, cosplay contest, and vendor hall for shopping for that special keepsake or collector item. Be a part of the show and visit the website to submit your application for exhibitors, volunteers, and sponsorships.
March 14, 2026, Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
March 15, 2026, Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Houston CityPlace Marriott at Springwood Village
1200 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring, TX 77389
2-Day Ticket price – $34.99 Single Day Ticket price – $24.99
Kids, 12 & under are free, must be accompanied by an adult.