William Shatner, Patricia Arquette among celebrities at Steel City Con in Monroeville

Hollywood legend William Shatner believed Friday afternoon the astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission would make it safely back to Earth following their voyage to the moon.

The actor best known as Capt. James T. Kirk on the original “Star Trek” series shared his thoughts about the team and their Orion spacecraft hours before the successful splashdown in the Pacific, and moments before meeting with fans at the Monroeville Convention Center for the start of Steel City Con.

He said reentry could be just as dangerous as the takeoff.

Shatner ought to know.

Shatner blasted off into space in October 2021 at age 90. He and three others were on the second passenger flight on a spaceship built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company.

His flight lasted just over 10 minutes.

“I don’t know about fingers-crossed and all, but good thoughts because the heat shield is a little funny, so their angle of entry is a little altered,” Shatner said sitting in the pro-photo booth area of the former Double Tree hotel.

All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry. On the spacecraft’s only other test flight — in 2022, with no one on board — the shield’s charred exterior came back looking as pockmarked as the moon.

The spacecraft successfully splashed down off the coast of San Diego following its 10-day mission.

Meanwhile, back in Monroeville, Shatner is expected to be back at the convention Saturday.

He said Western Pennsylvania fans treat him very well.

“If people come to the Steel City Con, that’s really good treatment,” Shatner said. “I would appreciate good treatment by coming to see me and I’d love to see you. Everything’s good. People are nice.

“I am a witness to the transition of Pittsburgh. From thick smoke and coal-burning furnaces to its parks and (it’s) beautiful. People come here to live. Not just to work.”

Other celebrities featured

Shatner is one of many celebrities at the convention. Among them are Roseanne Barr (“Roseanne,” “She-Devil”), Marcia Gay Harden (“The Mist,” “Mystic River”), Doug Bradley (“Hellraiser”) and Jeff Ward (“One Piece,” “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”).

There are also a few celebrity reunions such as Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn and Pom Klementieff of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise and Richard Karn, Patricia Richardson and Debbe Dunning from “Home Improvement.”

Pro wrestling icons Rob Van Dam, John “Bradshaw” Layfied, Mickie James and Candice Michelle are scheduled for Sunday only.

“I love that people have made it through this tough business to a point where they attract people that want to see them,” Shatner said. “That’s really lovely and I’m all for it.”

Happy birthday

Patricia Arquette is celebrating her birthday weekend at the convention. Her birthday was Wednesday.

Con officials presented her with a cake as a crowd sang.

The star of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3,” “Dream Warriors” and “Severance” is also celebrating the release of her latest horror film, “They Will Kill You” in theaters now.

“I love Pittsburgh because I love the Mattress Factory museum and the (Andy) Warhol Museum and meeting everybody,” Arquette said in between signing things for fans.

“It’s just exciting and nice to meet fans and talk to people. Movies mean a lot to them.”

Arquette, Shatner and other headliners are in the convention center’s events room, where the Q&A panels and costume contests were previously held.

Those activities and Saturday’s artist quick sketch for charity have been moved to the former DoubleTree Hotel, now called The Legacy Hotel or Legacy Event Center. The main entrance is on the side of the building.

Dress for the occasion

The convention is an opportunity for attendees to show their creative side and dress as their favorite pop culture character or create new ones.

J. Skalos and her fiance, Blake Skalo, of the North Hills showed up Friday as Gwen Stacy and Black Cat, respectively, from the Spider-Man comics.

The couple have been cosplaying for years and attend Steel City Con as often as possible.

“It feels like home, I’ve been coming here for so long,” Blake Skalos said.

They were joined by South Hills resident Steven Mizgorski, who was dressed as Spider-Man.

J. Skalos, Mizgorski’s work friend, convinced him to come out after a 10-year hiatus.

“They tell me all about their cosplay adventures at conventions and everything, so I let them drag me back this time,” Mizgorski said.

He said people have been asking them for photos and about their costumes.

The Skalos’ said making new friends adds to the convention experience.

Artist perspective

Steel City Con is the home show for Lawrenceville artist Byron Winton, who has been painting for more than 35 years. He specializes in horror and fantasy.

Danny Anderson of Ebensburg is a fan of Winton’s work and has bought multiple pieces through the years.

“I usually buy something off of him every time and I have my wall decorated full of Byron’s art,” Anderson said Friday. “There’s a few artists I make sure I see every time I come to this, and he’s one of them.”

Anderson’s favorite piece of Winton’s is based on the “Hannibal” TV series.

“I work in solitude,” Winton said. “It’s great affirmation to know that I’m doing the right thing. That things I make people really like and they want to own a piece of it. It’s good motivation and creative drive.

“I’m constantly crossing my fingers that the next piece I like is something my fans like as well.”

There are some new vendors including a Sips & Giggles coffee shop.

The convention continues Saturday and Sunday. More information is available at steelcitycon.com.

Steel City Con going on Friday, Saturday, Sunday at the Monroeville Convention Center.
Bit of a new layout. Saw some new vendors. pic.twitter.com/mLkwzK3lvX

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) April 10, 2026