Once owned one of the world's largest movie poster collections, dating
from 1900 onwards.
He received the Bronze Star for Valor in Vietnam in 1969.
When he auditioned for the part of the Hitchhiker, he read the script and thought the character reminded him of an eccentric relative. He screen-tested by acting like his relative and got the part.
He once owned Leatherface's apron, worn in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
He performed a marriage to artist/photographer Theresa Jara at Fright Night Film Fest in Louisville, Kentucky, on August 18, 2007. The wedding party included cast members from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and other horror celebrities. There were over 300 guests in attendance.
He was inducted into the Hollywood Horror Hall of Fame, 1993.
He lives in Texas but travels all over the world for guest appearances at horror conventions and film festivals.
He has six children: Kirsche Dickson, David Valenzuela, Heidi James, Morna Harnden, Preston Neal, and Marlee Neal, and two step-children, Angelina Hitchcock and Andrea Ramos.