Opening his first haunted house in 1976, Leonard Pickel has become a ground-breaking visionary and legend in the haunted attraction and horror industries. Haunting professionally since 1987, he has designed over 100 attractions for entertainment giants such as The Playboy Mansion, Universal Studios, Madison Scare Garden, Morris Costumes, Six Flags and Paramount amusement parks. Over one million people in the US have experienced his work firsthand, earning him high acclaim and a passionate following worldwide. A true pioneer, Pickel is constantly pushing the boundaries of the art of haunting.

One of Pickel’s most remarkable contributions to the haunt and horror industries is the invention of what has become known as the “Pickel Theory of Haunted Houses”. A high startle, low gore, high throughput, low theatrics approach to dark amusements, this unique non-offensive style of attraction design revolutionized the industry, challenging its reliance on blood and gore to “gross out” rather than frighten.

Pickel coined and was awarded the registered trademark for the term “Hauntrepreneur®” when he opened his first consulting and design business and proceeded to spearhead a revolutionary transformation of the haunt tradition from a garage hobby into a hugely profitable industry model and an art form in its own right .

Pickel’s trend-setting accomplishments include the first turn-key haunted house kits, the first adaptation of the “Field Theory” for haunted attractions (The Triangular Grid System), and first multi-element approach to haunting.

Serving the haunt community, Pickel founded the premier dark amusement publication, Haunted Attraction Magazine. In 1997 he also formed the first haunted industry trade association, the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA).

In 2004, Pickel introduced the first national convention dedicated solely to the haunted attraction industry, the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon®). The annual event quickly grew in popularity and became known as the expo “Designed for Haunters, by Haunters”. Specializing in education, HAuNTcon has become the ultimate destination for haunted attraction owners around the world.

An accomplished speaker, Pickel frequently lectures on various aspects of the haunted attraction industry worldwide. His “Getting Started in the Haunted Attraction Industry” seminar is a must attend for budding and professional haunters interested in operating a profitable event.

Called the “Godfather of Haunting” by industry experts and fans worldwide, Pickel was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the IAHA. His name appears in the Millennium Edition of Trivial Pursuit. Pickel makes frequent appearances as an industry expert on top viewership programs such as those on the Travel Channel and recently  the 2011 Martha Stewart Halloween Special.

Pickel is constantly searching for new challenges and striving for new heights in his haunting career. His vast 30 plus years of experience and his unique vision for the future of haunting, has kept him ahead of competitors  and has earned the admiration of all who follow in his haunted footsteps.

Pickel lives with his wife and partner Jeanne in Orlando, FL.