David Howard Thornton engaged in Art the Clown costume

David Howard Thornton, known for the Terrifier films, recently proposed to his girlfriend Jada Christie during the Huntsville Comic and Pop Culture Expo in Huntsville, Alabama. What made the moment even more special was that Thornton was fully dressed as Art the Clown, the iconic antagonist from the Terrifier film series. He shared a video of the proposal on his Instagram account, where he was visibly thrilled when Jada said yes.

Background on Terrifier

The first Terrifier film was released in 2016, and since then the franchise has built a strong following in the horror genre. Terrifier 2 followed in 2022, further boosting the series’ popularity. The upcoming release of Terrifier 3 is scheduled for October 2024, followed by Terrifier 4, which is expected to be the final film in the series.

The proposal

The proposal took place on April 20, 2026, a moment that will no doubt be remembered by both Thornton and Christie. Dressed as the brutal but fan-favorite Art the Clown, Thornton got down on one knee and popped the question, creating a sharp contrast with the violent scenes his character is known for. Convention attendees witnessed the unique moment, which quickly went viral on social media.

Reactions from fans and colleagues

Thornton’s engagement became a trending topic on social media, where fans and fellow horror lovers congratulated the couple. Damien Leone, the creator of the franchise, also responded enthusiastically to Thornton’s post: "That’s how you do it! Congratulations!" along with clown and balloon emojis. The mix of humor and horror that defines the Terrifier films comes from the unique creativity of Thornton and Leone.