WALLINGFORD, CT — Daniel Kearney recently wrapped filming on his 21st feature film, working alongside some of the biggest stars in the horror genre that he grew up watching.
Kearney, who lives in Wallingford with his wife and three children, is living a childhood dream that started coming to fruition a few years ago when he began producing and acting in horror movies.
His latest project, “Deadly Endings,” was filmed at several homes and an abandoned factory in Wallingford from June 1 to June 17, with additional filming in Hamden and Middletown.
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“Deadly Endings” is an anthology film that includes three separate horror stories and features a “cast of horror heavyweights,” according to Kearney. The featured cast includes Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Terrifier 2), Chaney Morrow (Wrong Turn, Haunt), Mark Patton (A Nightmare On Elm Street 2), Hannah Fierman (VHS, CREEPSHOW), Santiago Cirilo (The Walking Dead, and Kearney.
Kearney stars in the segment “One Last Shot,” which he said is a “highly emotional story” that has something for any scary movie fan.
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“There are monsters, there is serious deep emotion, and there are straight up terrifying scenes,” he said. “I hope that this film will be perennial, that fans of the genre will revisit. It is my biggest role, and I gave all I had into it. We aim for a mid-2025 release on both physical media and worldwide streaming.”
Kearney is also a producer on the film, which represents his 11th collaboration with Rose as producers.
Rose is a legend in the horror genre, with more than 150 film credits, and the reason Kearney got involved in films – and now one of his closest friends.
Kearney said Rose starred in the first horror film he ever saw, the cult classic “Sleepaway Camp.”
“I used to rent it habitually at Tommy Ks video store in North Haven in the 90s,” Kearney said. “The staff there always had it ready for me, I would tug my mom’s jacket and say can you ask them for me.”
Then, in 2014, as an adult, Kearney had the chance to meet Rose at a horror convention in Connecticut.
“We immediately hit it off, and the following years I would see her at convention after convention and in 2019 I said to her, ‘you know I really would like a chance in film’ she looked at me and said ‘let’s do it,’” Kearney said. “I was floored. She handed me a key and I just had to work and perform and by the grace of God, I landed project after project. Fast-forward to 2022, we shot and produced an incredible film Dark Circles at my family’s home right down the street in North Haven where I first rented her cult classic Sleepaway Camp. You just can’t make this stuff up, it was surreal, talk about full circle. I owe it all to her and taking that chance on me.”
Kearney has also worked with stars such as Alan Ruck, perhaps best known as Cameron Frye in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” who also starred in ABC’s “Spin City” and HBO’s “Succession,” and veteran character actor Terry Kiser – Bernie from “Weekend At Bernie’s.”
Kearney recently produced the horror-comedy “Crust” with Sean Whalen (Twister, Halloween 2) that starred Ruck and Daniel Roebuck (The Fugitive) among others.
“Working with some of these actors has been mind-blowing,” Kearney said. “To bring pictures to life with these giants is surreal.”
Kearney said he got to spend time with Kiser while filming “Dark Circles,” which was also shot in Wallingford and will be released later this year.
“We had shot one night at Middlesex College and I came outside with him for a bit, and he just gave me the most incredible advice and shared his personal stories about performing,” Kearney said. “I take it with me everywhere I go.”
Kearney, who has 14 films coming out in 2025, will be taking a bit of a break until August when he heads to Pittsburgh for the horror feature “GRIND,” which he is producing and has a supporting role.
“My schedule has been insane the past few years but I’m very grateful for it,” Kearney said. “I don’t take a second for granted. Timing and travel is everything, it’s all a real work-life balance. My family comes number one in my life, so there are boundaries, but it has worked successfully. I think hard work is very important, I just want to show my children you can follow your dreams and make something from nothing – all is truly possible with kindness and belief in oneself.”
Kearney worked as a professional Michael Jackson tribute artist for many years, which he said helped him transition into film, along with classes, and gave him the confidence to pursue it.
“Being an actor was always a dream of mine, especially in the horror genre, but you know, I think everyone has that fear of really pursuing a passion, especially when you have so many responsibilities in life and there are no guarantees,” Kearney said. “I feel when you have children, you give up your dreams to make theirs come true, which is most important. I want to be fully accessible to my kids 24/7 so it’s not something I actively pursued. It was very serendipitous. If I did not have the signal to go ahead and the overwhelming support from my wife, it just wouldn’t have happened. She’s incredible.”
Kearney said while it’s exhausting work, he certainly feels like he’s living a childhood dream.
“I am inexhaustibly trying to create a film that resonates with fans just like the ones that meant so much to me, even just one,” he said. “The horror community is the sweetest, kindest, most genuine fan base of film. I want so badly to bring to life a film that people will love, or a performance people will come back to which is perennial. I have zero desire for any sort of fame, the complete opposite, I think that’s why I have been successful. I just want to bring a character to life that resonates.”
For more information on the filming of “Deadly Endings,” visit its Facebook page here, and for the latest on Kearney’s productions, visit his IMDB page here.
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