As The Texas Chain Saw Massacre marks its 50th anniversary, memories resurface for many who were involved in the 1974 horror classic. One such individual is Presidio County attorney Rod Ponton, who had a brief but notable stint in the film industry before embarking on a successful legal career.
Ponton, now a prominent lawyer in West Texas, graduated with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a film that would become a landmark in American horror cinema. While reflecting on his role in the film’s production, Ponton shared that his time in the movie industry was short-lived due to the financial realities he observed.
“Although I tried my hand in the film industry after Chainsaw, I quickly realized the only people making a steady living in film were the lawyers and accountants. So off to law school I went, never regretted it,” Ponton said.
Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film remains iconic five decades later, with anniversary events scheduled throughout 2024. Celebrations have included an ice sculpture unveiling at SXSW in Austin and special screenings at venues like the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Later this year, fans can look forward to a multi-disc collector’s edition release featuring a 4K UHD restoration of the film.
Though now widely known for his legal work rather than his brief film career, Ponton has served legal clients across Texas in areas such as Alpine, Presidio, Fort Stockton, Pecos, Terlingua, Fort Davis, Lajitas, and Marfa. He became nationally recognized as the “Zoom Cat Lawyer” after a virtual court mishap went viral, but his early involvement in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre continues to add a unique chapter to his personal story.
Texas Reporter 