Meet Houston's 7-year-old horror cosplay legend in the making

7-year-old Jordan Alexander Pinella is a second grade student in Houston that is already a die-hard horror fanatic with a devoted following of fans. He plans on being a horror movie director one day. 7-year-old Jordan Alexander Pinella is a second grade student in Houston that is already a die-hard horror fanatic with a devoted following of fans. He plans on being a horror movie director one day. Photo: Stephanie Garcia Photo: Stephanie Garcia Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Meet Houston's 7-year-old horror cosplay legend in the making 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

Since Jordan Alexander Penilla was just two years old he’s been dressing up as some of the scariest villains in cinematic history. He’s made appearances at almost every big comic and sci-fi convention dressed up as characters as diverse as Edward Scissorhands, Jigsaw from the Saw series, and Pinhead of Hellraiser fame. His bright, expressive eyes add just the right amount of unnerving innocence to even his most forbidding outfit.

At just two years old, he slept with a Chucky doll in his bed, even dressing up as the possessed doll on Halloween. But at seven years old he’s a second grader, albeit one who longs to make horror movies.

Big-time Hollywood special effects artists have complimented the second grader on his elaborate costumes when he makes appearances at sci-fi conventions from Houston's Comicpalooza to San Diego. His pictures have appeared on websites like TMZ, Perez Hilton, and a host of other horror film fan outposts. When he’s dressed up he’s asked to pose for pictures with those young and old. Celebrities appearing at the conventions pull him out of the crowd to meet him.

He got a peck on the cheek from actress Rose McGowan this past summer.

His mother, Stephanie Garcia, 37, has fostered his love of horror movies, though she keeps the gorier selections from him at this point. He prefers the psychological frights over the gore. His classmates don’t really know how he spends his weekends covered in costumes and makeup, but his teachers do.

In addition to his regular schooling Pinella also attends regular acting classes. Those burgeoning skills came in handy recently when the ScreamWorld folks asked him to be a part of their haunted house in North Houston. A local makeup studio, Makeup by Vicki, does all of his makeup and helps Garcia with costuming and props. Right now they are trying to work out the kinks for a Beetlejuice costume.

"With every character his mom gives me, I quickly envision what I need to do to make it work for Jordan considering his age," says his stylist, Vicki Mendez. "As soon as he gets in my chair, he allows me to get to work, with no complaints. He's such an awesome kid and gets right into character as soon as we're done.

Pinella is one of Garcia’s two sons. Her oldest is 14 years old and can be seen just a few feet away cheering his brother on at conventions. The family originally hails from California, but work brought Pinella’s father to Houston.

Though the responses to Pinella’s appearances are usually lights out positive, there are some detractors who have been vocal with accusations that his family forces him into the makeup and outfits. Some have said that it’s indecent for a child of his age to inhabit a character like Pinhead.

“From the beginning this has been his thing and he doesn’t mind sitting in a chair for hours when the makeup is applied,” Garcia says. Right now she just wants to keep her son’s feet on the ground and not let the attention go to his head. Garcia says that the family hasn’t ruled out one day returning to California to pursue an acting career for Pinella.

Pinella says that he’s already turned in his Christmas list and its full of cameras, props, lighting gear.

“He’ll make movies on his cellphone with his toys all the time,” says Garcia. “He’s constantly asking how he can be a movie star or a director."