Smith is celebrating being alive by making a birthday appearance at his Vulgarthon film and podcast event in Red Bank this summer. The director, who has shed upwards of 40 pounds after suffering a heart attack, announced the 'thon on Twitter Monday.
After suffering a heart attack in February, Kevin Smith is celebrating being alive with a mini film and podcast fest in his native Red Bank.
Vulgarthon, a Red Bank event that Smith founded in 1998, is marking its 20th anniversary on August 2, which also happens to be Smith’s 48th birthday.
“After the heart attack, I know I’m not even supposed to *be* here today, or that day,” Smith tweeted on Monday, announcing the event’s return with a reference to his classic 1994 film “Clerks.”
It’s unclear what the Vulgarthon lineup will be — “Clerks”? “Vulgar“? “Dogma”? “Mallrats”? “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”? “Chasing Amy”? — but Smith said the ‘thon would take place at Bow Tie Cinemas in Red Bank (36 White St.) and consist of a lineup of five films followed by five podcasts.
August 2 is my 48th birthday! After the heart attack, I know I’m not even supposed to *be* here today, or that day. So to celebrate, I’m throwing a 20th Anniversary #Vulgarthon at the Red Bank @BowTieCinemas! A day of 5 films followed by 5 podcasts! 337 tickets go on sale FRIDAY! pic.twitter.com/3zyi2RraFr
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) July 2, 2018
The newly anointed Weight Watchers ambassador, who grew up in Highlands, has shed upwards of 40 pounds after suffering a massive heart attack during a break between two shows in Glendale, California. Smith posted photos of himself on social media that show his noticeably thinner frame and face.
He had already dropped 85 pounds several years before his “widow-maker” heart attack, but the director radically changed his eating habits afterward, joining his vegan daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, in going vegetarian — despite his distaste for vegetables — and trying the all-potato diet that helped Penn Jillette lose more than 100 pounds.
A total of 337 Vulgarthon tickets go on sale on Friday, July 6. But don’t expect to buy them from the theater.
Staff at Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, Smith’s store in Red Bank — where his AMC reality series “Comic Book Men” is filmed — said Smith would be sharing more details on where to get tickets in the coming days.
On the huge-vanity… #NationalSelfieDay pic.twitter.com/vWt8qK4szV
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) June 21, 2018
Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.