True crime fans get ready. There is a new series coming that is based on a story so wild it is hard to believe it is real. "Happy Face" on Paramount+ is ripped straight from the headlines but with a twist. It is not just about the serial killer it is about his daughter.
Real Life Nightmare: Growing Up as the Daughter of the Happy Face Killer
Melissa Moore's life took a shocking turn one day in 1995. Her mom had a serious family meeting in the basement and dropped a bomb. Melissa's dad Keith Hunter Jesperson was actually the notorious Happy Face Killer. Yes that Happy Face Killer who murdered at least eight women in the early 90s and signed his creepy confession letters with a smiley face. Talk about a family secret.
Between 1990 and 1995 Jesperson was strangling women across the US. He was a long-haul trucker so he traveled a lot making his crimes even harder to trace initially. His smiley face signature became chillingly famous. Now Melissa Moore's unbelievable story of being his daughter is the basis for "Happy Face" the new thriller series.
'Happy Face' Series: Fiction Meets Reality with Dennis Quaid and Annaleigh Ashford
The Paramount+ show "Happy Face" takes Melissa Moore's story and spins it into a "what if" scenario. Annaleigh Ashford plays a fictionalized adult Melissa who is a makeup artist for a Dr. Phil-like talk show. Dennis Quaid takes on the role of her dad Keith Jesperson. Things get crazy when Jesperson calls Melissa's work demanding to speak to her. He claims he has new info on a ninth murder victim and will only spill the beans to his daughter. Drama ensues.
While the show's present-day plot is made up Melissa Moore is an executive producer on "Happy Face" and she says the show nails some real aspects of her life. That includes her "toxic entanglement" with her dad. She hasn't seen him since 2004 but the show captures that messed-up dynamic where Jesperson would play mind games and manipulate his own daughter. Moore says Ashford and Quaid really nailed portraying that twisted father-daughter relationship.
From Sweet Childhood Memories to Disturbing Red Flags: Melissa Moore's Early Life with a Serial Killer Dad
Looking back at her childhood Melissa remembers some normal happy stuff. She grew up in a small town in Washington State. Her dad was a trucker and often away but when he came home it was exciting. He would bring back trinkets and coins. Little Melissa would even dig in his pockets for change to buy candy. Seemed like a regular dad in some ways right?
The Dark Side Emerges: Animal Cruelty and Chilling Confessions
But even early on there were hints of something deeply wrong. When Melissa was just five she found some kittens. Her dad took them hung them on a clothesline and tortured them. Yes you read that correctly. This was a glimpse into the darkness lurking beneath the surface.
After her parents divorced things got even more disturbing. During a car ride when Melissa was around 11 or 12 her dad casually mentioned he knew how to get away with murder without leaving any trace. At the time she thought he was just being weird and dramatic. But it turns out he might have been talking about his actual crimes.
Jesperson's first known victim Taunja Bennett was murdered in 1990. Over the next five years he killed seven more. Finally in 1995 he turned himself in after murdering his girlfriend. When Melissa visited him in jail he gave her some truly chilling advice: "My best advice is to change your last name." That is when she knew for sure her dad was guilty of horrors beyond comprehension.
'Happy Face' Theme Song and Opening: Setting a Dark and Unsettling Tone
To really set the mood "Happy Face" uses a haunting theme song "Happy (Reprise)" by Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins. The song is slow and a bit eerie with the word "Happy" being used in a way that is totally unsettling given the show's subject matter. The opening credits are also super creepy with images of blood seeping through paper. It all sets a tone that this is not your typical true crime show.
More Than Just Gore: Exploring Generational Trauma and the Human Impact of Crime
Creator Jennifer Cacicio wanted "Happy Face" to be different from other crime dramas. She wanted to look at the lasting trauma and the ripple effects of violence. She says "Every act of violence is a rock dropped into water and it ripples out." The show is about generational trauma family secrets and how crime affects everyone connected to it not just the victims directly.
Cacicio herself has personal experience with having a parent in prison. Her father was incarcerated for drug charges. She says she and Melissa Moore connected over "having this family secret having the shame around incarceration and kind of having this dad that you idolized but had this hidden life."
Melissa Moore's Mission: From Survivor to Advocate and Storyteller
Instead of hiding from her past Melissa Moore decided to confront it head-on. She wrote an autobiography "Shattered Silence" and created the podcast "Happy Face Presents: Two Face". She also became an executive producer for TV projects like "Monster in My Family" where she interviewed other people with parents who were murderers.
Melissa has spoken to over 100 people who have gone through similar experiences. She wanted to create a community for people dealing with the unique pain and shame of having a serial killer parent. She says when she shared her story she started getting emails from others saying "I'm just like you" and that it validated her experience and showed her she wasn't alone.
Key Facts About the Happy Face Killer and the 'Happy Face' Show:
- Based on a True Story: The show is inspired by the real-life experiences of Melissa Moore daughter of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson.
- Keith Hunter Jesperson: Known as the "Happy Face Killer" he murdered at least eight women between 1990 and 1995.
- Smiley Face Signature: Jesperson signed his confessions with a smiley face drawing.
- Melissa Moore's Role: Executive Producer of the show ensuring aspects of her true story are accurately portrayed.
- Dennis Quaid: Portrays Keith Hunter Jesperson in the series.
- Annaleigh Ashford: Plays a fictionalized version of Melissa Moore in the present day.
- Fictionalized Plot: The show's current timeline and ninth victim storyline are fictionalized but based on real emotional experiences.
- Explores Trauma: "Happy Face" focuses on the generational trauma and emotional ripple effects of crime rather than glorifying violence.
Get Ready to be Hooked: 'Happy Face' Premieres Soon
"Happy Face" premieres March 20 on Paramount+. If you are into true crime dramas with a focus on the human stories behind the headlines this is one to watch. It promises to be chilling thought-provoking and definitely unforgettable. Prepare yourself for a story that is both terrifying and deeply human.