Jay Maynard
| Jay Maynard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1959/1960 |
| Residence | Fairmont, Minnesota |
| Other names | Tron Guy |
Jay Maynard is an American computer programmer and system administrator and the volunteer project maintainer for Hercules, a free emulator of IBM mainframe hardware. He is known for his self-made electroluminescent costume based on the film Tron, which resulted in his nickname Tron Guy.
Internet fame
Maynard created a revealing electroluminescent costume, inspired by the film Tron, that he could wear at the science fiction convention Penguicon in 2004. He has said that he "hasn't missed a Penguicon, and doesn't intend to".[1] He created a web page of photos of the costume, and of himself wearing it. His page of photos quickly gained a lot of attention on the internet, after it was posted on Slashdot[2] and Fark.
He was invited for a series of appearances on the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2004.
In 2006, Maynard appeared in a music video entitled "We Are the Web", for the website of the same name. The video advocates the concept of network neutrality.[3] In it, Maynard appears alongside several other internet celebrities, including Leslie Hall and Randy Constan. He was also parodied in the 2008 South Park episode "Canada on Strike". His likeness appeared alongside those of such other Internet celebrities as Gary Brolsma, Star Wars Kid, Chris Crocker and Tay Zonday.
In 2009, Maynard was the focus of the "Web Redemption" segment on an episode of the TV series Tosh.0; in this segment, an internet celebrity answers both serious and mocking questions from host Daniel Tosh, then re-enacts their original act.
In 2010, Maynard was banned from seeing the film Tron: Legacy in his iconic Tron suit in his local movie theater because of the illuminating lights on his suit.[4]
On June 8, 2011, Maynard appeared on America's Got Talent. He received a "no" vote from each of the three judges and did not make it past the audition round. Howie Mandel had him restart his introductory speech over several times, so it was left unclear what his act was going to be.
In 2011, Maynard appeared in a commercial for Duck Brand duct tape. The ad recreates the light-cycle race from Tron using stop-motion animation, followed by Maynard's appearance in the Tron Guy outfit.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ What is Penguicon?, YouTube Video (May 4, 2013)
- ↑ "Another Fan-Made TRON Costume". Slashdot. April 18, 2004. Retrieved July 12, 2006.
- ↑ "Fighting for Net Neutrality". wearetheweb.org. Retrieved August 21, 2006.
- ↑ "TRON Guy's Costume – Banned from Movie Theater". TMZ.com. December 12, 2010.
- ↑ Watercutter, Angela (August 22, 2011). "Video: Genius Idea for Tron-Themed Duck Tape Ad". Wired. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jay Maynard. |
- Jay Maynard (ham radio website)
- Jay Maynard (personal website)
- Jay Maynard (livejournal)
- Jay Maynard at the Internet Movie Database
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