If you are into teenage vampire flicks, you have probably watched The Lost Boys a dozen times and can quote the film by heart. Even today, this ultra-cool black comedy still wins new fans, which is partly due to its great cast. The stars of The Lost Boys made what could have been a cheesy horror movie into a classic that continues to charm a new generation of film lovers. You probably agree that the stars were perfect for their roles, but have you ever wondered what became of the cast when they left Santa Carla? Let’s find out.
The Lost Boys Cast — Where Are They Now?
Alex Winter Played Marko
He had quit acting when teenaged Alex Winter decided to go back to the screen to play the magnificently mulleted Marko in The Lost Boys. He even stopped going to film school for a bit to do the gig. However, it was truly a risky move for Winter, and he wasn’t actually convinced that the film would be a hit. In the 2019 documentary titled In Search of Darkness, he explained, “It was impossible to see it working. I was like, ‘[This is] not going to work in spades.’”
Alex Winter Played Marko
He Was Very Wrong
Needless to say, Winter was very wrong! The film became a huge hit. Two years later, he returned to acting again in the sci-fi comedy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where he co-starred with Keanu Reeves. The movie also became a classic and even spawned two sequels. It also created a bodacious new kind of teen slang. You might think that Winter would choose to continue acting with such successful projects, but he didn’t.
He Was Very Wrong
Burned Out
Despite the success, Winter got burned out by stardom. He eventually decided to take a break from acting — a more permanent one. He then started directing and has since made documentaries with varied subjects like children in Hollywood, file sharing, and tax havens. Perhaps you have seen the sequel Bill & Ted Face the Music. He is in that, as well. The acting bug may still be in Winter, after all.
Burned Out
Billy Wirth Played Dwayne
Joel Schumacher knew that the strong, brooding Dwayne had to be played by someone who had just enough sex appeal. Luckily, the former model Billy Wirth had a lot of that. The filmmaker told Empire in 2020, “I thought, ‘I’m gonna put [Wirth] in a motorcycle jacket with no shirt on, and he is gonna be a fabulous Lost Boy.’” Dwayne is the second vampire that appears in the film.
Billy Wirth Played Dwayne
More Than Eye Candy
However, Wirth proved to be more than eye candy. After the run of The Lost Boys in cinemas, the Brown University alum became a jack of all trades. Aside from acting, he went into filmmaking, made music, and became an artist. He was even on American Gladiators back in 1989. He also appeared on several popular TV series, including Sex and the City, CSI, and Charmed.
More Than Eye Candy
“Fun Time”
Much like his The Lost Boys co-star Winter, Wirth has been actively producing different things, such as the 2001 feature film MacArthur Park, which he also directed. However, despite all of his accomplishments, the experience he had on The Lost Boys is still hard to beat. “We really did sleep all day, party all night. [It was] a fun time,” he recalled to CherryLosAngeles in 2017.
“Fun Time”
Jason Patric Played Michael Emerson
Although Jason Patric comes from a family of actors, at the time that they filmed The Lost Boys, he was still quite green in acting and Hollywood. Back then, Jason Miller’s son and Jackie Gleason’s grandson had only done one other theatrically released film. Nevertheless, Patric didn’t allow his relative inexperience to stop him from playing Michael brilliantly. It was like the actor was born to play the character.
Jason Patric Played Michael Emerson
Initial Resistance
In the beginning, Patric had resisted The Lost Boys since he thoroughly disliked vampire films. It is not a surprise, then, that the star has since stuck to mostly drama. For example, his later work includes grittier fare like the 1996 star-studded film Sleepers and the 2002 crime thriller Narc. But then again, Patric also starred in Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997), a flop he would likely rather forget since it got him nominated for a Razzie for Worst Actor.
Initial Resistance
Most Dramatic Role
However, the most dramatic role that Patric ever had actually occurred off-screen. In 1991, he got involved in a shocking celebrity scandal. Apparently, he stole Julia Roberts from Kiefer Sutherland just days before the couple’s wedding. Gasp! In the end, Patric and Roberts’ relationship only lasted for a year. Fortunately, his friendship with Sutherland – whom he acted within a stage production in 2012 – seems to have been salvaged.
Most Dramatic Role
Jami Gertz Played Star
As the only female member of the pack, Star, portrayed by Jami Gertz, was the key in getting Michael to join the Lost Boys. Even before filming began, the actors’ influence on each other was fittingly similar, though their roles were reversed in real life. Gertz had worked together with Patric previously, and he was actually the one who encouraged her to audition for the movie. So, we have Patric to thank for that.
Jami Gertz Played Star
Great Screen Presence
Gertz’s screen presence also wowed Schumacher so much that he tweaked his original plans for Star to fit Gertz’s look. Even though the actress was impressed in The Lost Boys and other films such as Twister, she eventually decided to step back from the film industry. As a matter of fact, she started playing in a totally different court altogether. Everyone was surprised, for sure.
Great Screen Presence
Media Ambassador
So, what exactly did Gertz do after she left acting behind? She and her husband bought the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks in 2015, and the star currently serves as the media ambassador of the team. “If you’re thinking that this is an unusual career change, then don’t worry. You aren’t the only one!” Gertz told The Hollywood Reporter jokingly in 2018. She also commented, “It’s not your everyday Hollywood actress tale.”
Media Ambassador
Brooke McCarter Played Paul
One of the more frightening members of the Lost Boys was Blonde-maned Paul – even with the laughable moniker of “Twisted Sister.” However, Brooke McCarter himself wasn’t as terrifying as Schumacher wanted him to be. The director had to slap the actor so that McCarter could give a menacing performance during a pivotal scene in the movie. “It’s outrageous – he should have reported me…” Schumacher confessed to Empire.
Brooke McCarter Played Paul
Stopped Acting
Needless to say, McCarter didn’t press charges against Schumacher, but the experience likely made an impact, as McCarter didn’t pursue acting long after The Lost Boys. After a few later roles, including appearances on TV shows like Route 66 and The Twilight Zone, he focused on composing and music production. He also went into filmmaking and even ventured into management, overseeing the career of his co-star Corey Haim in the ’90s.
Stopped Acting
A Fan Favorite
McCarter eventually left Hollywood and moved to Tampa, Florida. He got a job in telecommunications and tried his best to balance work and being a single parent. Nevertheless, he still made time for appearing at conventions. He became a favorite with fans because of his approachable nature. That makes it much sadder to hear that he passed away in 2015 due to a liver condition. McCarter was only 52 at that time.
A Fan Favorite
Edward Hermann Played Max
All of the Lost Boys looked pretty young, except for their ringleader, who looked like a middle-aged man. It is easier to fool people this way, right? It is revealed that the nebbish video shop owner Max is actually the head vampire in a surprise twist. This one probably came as a surprise to many viewers. Max’s reign, however, is brought to an end suddenly and unexpectedly with a stake through the heart, of course.
Edward Hermann Played Max
Portrayed Real-Life Figures
Before he portrayed Max, Edward Hermann was mostly known for playing real-life historical figures on TV, like Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Lost Boys gave him a chance to play something different, and he apparently leaped at the opportunity. “I was approached with the script, and I read it and thought it was great. You know, anything to get out of a suit and stop playing historical characters,” the actor admitted in the documentary The Lost Boys: A Retrospective.
Portrayed Real-Life Figures
Great Acclaim
After The Lost Boys, Hermann continued to act both in film and TV and received great acclaim. In 1999, his performance on The Practice even earned him an Emmy. And, needless to say, he endeared himself to a lot of fans when he portrayed Richard Gilmore on The Gilmore Girls. However, this glittering career came to a sad end back in 2014. At 71 years old, Hermann died of brain cancer.
Great Acclaim
Jamison Newlander Played Alan Frog
Together with his brother Edgar, Alan is one of the crusaders fighting against the swarm of undead in Santa Carla. He also works as a shop assistant at the comic book store their family owns. However, did you know that Alan was initially written as a boy who is eight years old? Yes, you read that right! In the end, they decided to age Alan up a bit. This means the 17-year-old Jamison Newlander was a great fit for the role.
Jamison Newlander Played Alan Frog
Dreams Of Becoming A Doctor
Originally, Newlander had dreams of becoming a doctor. As a matter of fact, he took up acting to be able to pay his tuition fees. However, fate intervened. Schumacher came to Newlander’s acting class and gave a talk. This stood the young actor in good stead when auditioning for The Lost Boys. After he portrayed Frog on the big screen, Newlander made another major appearance in the 1988 film The Blob.
Dreams Of Becoming A Doctor
Offscreen Work
If you’re wondering if Newlander became a doctor, the answer is no. Instead of medicine, he went to New York University to obtain a bachelor’s in acting. From there, Newlander ventured into writing and directing and created WikisoapTM, an online user-created soap opera. However, Newlander eventually found himself in front of the camera again when he appeared in Lost Boys: The Thirst, where Alan Frog becomes part of the undead himself.
Offscreen Work
Barnard Hughes Played Grandpa
Back in 1935, Barnard Hughes debuted as an actor, which makes him the most distinguished cast member of The Lost Boys without a doubt. Maybe that’s why the star got the movie’s ice-cool closing line. In character as the root beer-loving grandpa of the Emerson brothers, he says, “One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach: all the damn vampires.” We bet you read that in “grandpa’s” voice.
Barnard Hughes Played Grandpa
A Prolific And Successful Career
Needless to say, The Lost Boys didn’t define Hughes’ vast career. Before his stint in the film, the star was already an incredibly hardworking actor, and his resume looks like it can compete with “War and Peace” in terms of length. It’s estimated that he appeared in roughly 400 films, TV, and stage productions during his career. He was awarded handsomely as well, winning an Emmy and a Tony.
A Prolific And Successful Career
Many Notable Roles
You may have caught Hughes demonstrating his talent in films like Midnight Cowboy and Tron, which were before his theater work. He may have already been in his 70s when The Lost Boys was released, but he continued to land parts long after that. Perhaps you remember him from the TV series Blossom or Sister Act 2? However, Hughes passed away in 2006. He was 90 years old at the time.
Many Notable Roles
Dianne Wiest Played Lucy Emerson
Many directors have their own fantasy cast for their films, and Schumacher was not an exception. He was determined to get Wiest for The Lost Boys though he wasn’t optimistic. The actress had won an Oscar for her performance in Hannah and Her Sisters the year before, so Schumacher assumed that a vampire movie wouldn’t really interest her. Nevertheless, it appears that Wiest was not totally averse to the idea.
Dianne Wiest Played Lucy Emerson
“Pipe Dream” To Reality
Much to the surprise of Schumacher, Wiest was actually receptive to the idea. Soon enough, the filmmaker’s “pipe dream” became a reality. The thespian signed up to play the role of Lucy, the Emerson boys’ mom. “I couldn’t believe [it] when she said ‘Yes.’ [Wiest] is one of my favorite actresses,” Schumacher revealed on The Lost Boys: A Retrospective. Wiest practically became everyone’s ’80s mom, so the director was not the only one who was happy with the casting.
“Pipe Dream” To Reality
More Acting Credits
The Lost Boys wasn’t the only dalliance Wiest had with the fantasy genre. Three years later, she starred in Edward Scissorhands, where she played a housewife who finds a strange robotic man that lives near her neighborhood. However, Wiest has since primarily stuck to prestige projects and has won another Academy Award. She took home an Oscar for her performance in the Woody Allen film Bullets Over Broadway (1994).
More Acting Credits
Corey Haim Played Sam Emerson
Corey Haim may have just been a teenager during that time, but he already had had several acting credits under his belt before he even auditioned for The Lost Boys. It seemed to like landing the part of Sam Emerson was a sure thing. According to Haim, the director Schumacher called the actor by his character’s name during their first meeting. That is truly a lucky break!
Corey Haim Played Sam Emerson
The Two Coreys
While filming The Lost Boys, Haim and Corey Feldman met, and the teen heartthrobs, who were affectionately called “the two Coreys” – became good friends and had a successful screen partnership. “Whether it be coincidence or some master plan from the studio system, we ended up doing three films back to back,” Feldman told PR.com in 2008. The other two movies are License to Drive (1988) and Dream a Little Dream (1989).
The Two Coreys
Waning Popularity
The duo’s popularity eventually waned in the following decade. Aside from the documentary The Two Coreys on A&E, Haim worked mainly outside the mainstream, and the roles he played were in shlocky B-movies. Also, he struggled with addiction issues. He started drinking and doing drugs in his early teens. Sadly, his life was cut short at the age of 38. Initially, it was reported that he died from an accidental overdose, but it was later chalked up to pneumonia.
Waning Popularity
Kiefer Sutherland Played David
As Donald Sutherland’s son, Kiefer Sutherland had basically a free pass when he entered Hollywood. He even debuted onscreen alongside his father in the 1983 comedy Max Dugan Returns. However, the younger Sutherland soon stepped out of his father’s shadow and became a star in his own right. He portrayed the intimidating Ace in the 1986 coming-of-age movie Stand by Me and, of course, the iconic David in The Lost Boys.
Kiefer Sutherland Played David
Extraordinary Presence
As vampire ringleader David in The Lost Boys, Sutherland made a really menacing impression. The star’s on-screen look, inspired by rocker Billy Idol, gave an iconic physicality to the character – cool but at the same time creepy. “[Sutherland] has the least amount of dialogue of anyone in the movie, but his presence is extraordinary,” Schumacher said on The Lost Boys: An Introspective. Where’s the lie, though?
Extraordinary Presence
Immersed In Moviemaking
Sutherland’s presence also shone through in later films like Young Guns (1988), A Few Good Men (1992), and Dark City (1998). The actor teamed up with Schumacher several times. Aside from The Lost Boys, they did four more movies, including the 1990 film Flatliners. Sutherland found himself immersed in moviemaking the following decade, but a role on television truly brought his stardom to the next level.
Immersed In Moviemaking
Beloved By Millions
In 2001, 24 debuted on Fox and went on to become a game-changer for the actor. Like Jack Bauer, the hard-edged government agent, Sutherland was beloved by millions. In the process, he racked up plenty of Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. As if that weren’t enough, due to Jack Bauer frequently saying “Damn it!” on-screen, a drinking game was born. The game was popular among college kids, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, really.
Beloved By Millions
TV Mainstay
Even after the final episode of 24 in 2014, Sutherland remains a mainstay of TV, with shows like Designated Survivor and The Fugitive. However, perhaps you have no idea that the star has rebranded himself and is now a country music singer. This makes us wonder what his Lost Boys character David, who is as rock and roll as can be, would think about Sutherland’s career change…
TV Mainstay
Corey Feldman Played Edgar Frog
Apparently, his parents pushed Corey Feldman into acting. We assume that is what happened since he began working in the industry when he was only three years old. Despite that, during his teen years, Feldman became a household name with the hits Gremlins, The Goonies, and Stand by Me. Crucially, his work in The Goonies ended up in his getting cast in The Lost Boys.
Corey Feldman Played Edgar Frog
Following A Suggestion
At the suggestion of Richard Donner, The Goonies’ director, Feldman met with Schumacher. We all know how that turned out – the young actor became Edgar Frog, the gung-ho vampire killer that The Lost Boys fans love. It’s hard not to appreciate Feldman in the role as he delved into it at full throttle. In preparation for playing the merciless mini-Van Helsing, the actor watched action movies that starred Hollywood tough guys, such as Sylvester Stallone, for hours on end.
Following A Suggestion
Behind-The-Scenes Struggles
Feldman has fond memories filming The Lost Boys, but the production also had its downsides. For instance, then-14-year-old Feldman was routinely using drugs during filming. His on-set intoxication made Schumacher step in with some pretty stern advice. “He tried to prevent my descent.” Feldman explained on Twitter in 2020. Apparently, things got so bad that the director fired the actor, but the following day, Feldman apologized. The star also promised to be professional, so Schumacher rehired him.
Behind-The-Scenes Struggles
His Vices Hurt His Career
Sadly, Feldman’s vices ended up hurting his acting career. In recent times, he is probably better known for the strange rebranding he underwent, from being an actor to a pop star. His infamously strange performance on The Today Show in 2017 didn’t help things either. More alarmingly, he had made allegations that he was abused by older Hollywood figures when he was a child. He even said that his The Lost Boys co-star Corey Haim was also abused.
His Vices Hurt His Career
Mixed Feelings
To this day, Feldman still looks back at his experience filming The Lost Boys with mixed feelings. It certainly wasn’t all bad. The movie’s production may have coincided with a difficult period in his life, but the actor is still proud of what he had accomplished on screen. “Just because I had a hard time getting through it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t worth it,” the star shared on The Lost Boys: An Introspective.
Mixed Feelings
Where Are They Now?
The Harry Potter films may have come out long after The Lost Boys, but the movie franchise did turn 20 in 2021. The new Fantastic Beasts movies carry the torch for Potter fans now, but let’s take a look back at where it all started. Here are some of the original cast members of the Harry Potter movie series then and now. Prepare yourself. Some of these may surprise you.
Where Are They Now?
Chris Rankin
Percy Weasley in the Potter movies is probably the biggest role that Chris Rankin has played in front of the camera, but he’s tried his hand at running things behind the scenes. He was a production coordinator for seven episodes of Downton Abbey and eight episodes of the British series A Discovery of Witches. He has also acted on stage and in several TV shows, including an appearance on The Rotter’s Club.
Chris Rankin
Luke Youngblood
In the first two Potter films, Luke Youngblood portrayed Quidditch commentator Lee Jordan. Just like Lee, Youngblood used his voice so he could reach a larger audience. Since leaving the Harry Potter set, Youngblood has voiced various animated TV series and video games, lending his dulcet tones. It sounds like the star has found his calling. He has also appeared in other films and TV series, including NBC’s Community and ABC’s Galavant.
Luke Youngblood
Tom Felton
Tom Felton won awards for playing villain Draco Malfoy, the bully that everyone loves to hate. He has been quoted to have said, “If young children boo me, that makes my day.” In reality, though, the star is very different from Draco. “Do you wanna hear a secret? I’m nice in real life. It’s only Draco that’s mean,” he told a young fan in 2017. It’s safe to say Felton is great at acting.
Tom Felton
James And Oliver Phelps
In true-to-character fashion, twins James and Oliver Phelps chose to skip school to audition for their parts in the Harry Potter films. Needless to say, they got the job and played Fred and George Weasley. Their most memorable scene is probably the one where Fred died. Understandably, Oliver felt heartbroken watching his real-life brother die on screen. The actor said, “I took one look at James on the stretcher and burst into tears.” He added, “I can’t even imagine how it would feel to lose him.”
James And Oliver Phelps
Josh Herdman
While Draco’s goon Gregory Goyle, played by Josh Herdman, is certainly fearsome, he would be even scarier if he had the actor’s fighting skills. In 2016, Herdman took up mixed martial arts, though you can still see him on screen today. His most notable roles after leaving the Potter franchise include Righteous in Robin Hood (2018) and Stan on the British TV show Alex Rider, which happens to be an adaptation of another book series.
Josh Herdman
Alfie Enoch
Dean Thomas may not have been part of Harry’s inner circle, but he still appeared in most films. Alfie Enoch spoke to Entertainment Weekly in 2016 and mentioned that he appreciated the grounding presence of Dean. “I always felt Dean was quite funny. He’s like an ordinary guy,” the actor said. Enoch’s other memorable performances include playing Wes on the series How to Get Away with Murder. Perhaps you’ve heard of the show?
Alfie Enoch
Jamie Waylett
In many of the Harry Potter films, one of Draco’s goons was Vincent Crabbe. Sadly, a drug charge cost his actor, Jamie Waylett, his role in the 2011 installment The Deathly Hallows – Part 2. It seems like the charge ended his career, as well, since he hasn’t acted since. In addition, in 2012, he went to prison for two years for taking part in the England riots in 2011.
Jamie Waylett
Frank Dillane
For Fear the Walking Dead fans, this one may be surprising. The actor who plays Nick, Frank Dillane, also portrayed teen Tom Riddle in The Half-Blood Prince. Both those characters may be screen history now, but you can watch Dillane on The Girlfriend Experience in 2021. You can also choose to rewatch his past works to get your Dillane fix. He has several acting credits both in film and on TV.
Frank Dillane
Harry Melling
Coincidentally, Dudley, Harry Potter’s mean cousin, was portrayed by a Harry – Harry Melling. The actor lost so much weight while filming that he almost lost the role. Thankfully, special effects helped him out. Melling also portrayed Harry Beltik on the popular Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, in case you missed it. Also, not many people know that Melling’s maternal grandfather starred on Doctor Who as the Second Doctor.
Harry Melling
Miranda Richardson
The manipulative Rita Skeeter made her mark in a couple of Harry Potter films: The Goblet of Fire (2005) and The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010). After Miranda Richardson played the character in the movie series, she mentioned to Behind the Lens that the films are timeless. In 2011, Richardson explained, “I think it’s a great thing to be part of. I think it’s something that’s gonna last, even though special effects move on at pace.”
Miranda Richardson
Hugh Mitchell
If you have seen The Chamber of Secrets, you probably remember little Colin Creevey with his camera. Needless to say, his actor, Hugh Mitchell, is all grown up! After Colin’s untimely demise, Mitchell went on to play young Silas in The Da Vinci Code. He has also popped up in different TV shows, with his life beginning to imitate art. Similar to his Harry Potter counterpart, Mitchell, a keen photographer. He has shared his work on Instagram.
Hugh Mitchell
Jamie Yeates
You may remember Marcus Flint from The Chamber of Secrets, where he portrayed the Slytherin Quidditch player who has prominent teeth. His actor, Jamie Yeates, needed to wear dentures for the role. Yeates acting credits include an appearance on Mr. Bean back in 1990 and in the 1997 TV movie Mirad. These days, he is busy being a successful model. He actually started as a model before venturing into show business.
Jamie Yeates
Katie Leung
Since playing Cho Chang, one of Harry Potter’s romantic interests, Katie Leung has branched out. More recently, she has taken the roles that have mainly honored her Chinese heritage, including a part in the 2017 film The Foreigner starring Jackie Chan, among many others. The star has made her appearances memorable and complex. In 2016, Leung told the BBC, “Just because they have been race-specific doesn’t mean that I’m playing this one-dimensional character.”
Katie Leung
Clémence Poésy
While Clémence Poésy appearance in the Potter films as Fleur Delacour was brief, she definitely made an impression. The quarter-Veela, or fairy, captivated not just audiences but talent scouts as well. She is now a successful French television actor, and her fans can watch her on the dark British-French drama The Tunnel and the series En thérapie. If you’re wondering whether you have seen her in a Christopher Nolan film, you have. She played the scientist Laura in Tenet.
Clémence Poésy
Maggie Smith
We all agree that Maggie Smith can only play Professor McGonagall. It’s hard to imagine someone else in the role, but in 2019, the star revealed to the Evening Standard that the role “wasn’t what you’d call satisfying,” and didn’t exactly stretch her. Although that sounds damning, the veteran actress is still grateful for the opportunity. She’s also charmingly claimed that she got even closer to her five grandkids because of the Harry Potter films. Aww.
Maggie Smith
Afshan Azad And Shefali Chowdhury
Harry Potter regulars Afshan Azad and Shefali Chowdhury played the witchy twins Parvati and Padma Patil, respectively. While Azad is still active in front of the camera, nowadays, she’s likely to strike a pose at modeling shoots. On the other hand, Chowdhury has been in several short films, including –the film adaptation of the Stephen King’s I Am the Doorway and Odilo Fabian, which stars Hugh Bonneville Downton Abbey.
Afshan Azad And Shefali Chowdhury
Bonnie Wright
The importance of Ginny Weasley in the Potterverse increased as the film series went on. Spoiler alert! She even became Harry Potter’s wife in the end. Since leaving those movies behind, Bonnie Wright has proved herself to be quite the Renaissance woman. Aside from acting, she has done some modeling, directing, and producing. She has even started her own production company. Her first directorial project was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and received critical acclaim.
Bonnie Wright
Domhnall Gleeson
The Harry Potter films were a family affair for Domhnall Gleeson, who played Bill Weasley. It was his dad, Brendan, who portrayed Mad-Eye Moody! Just like his pop, Domhnall has been on a roll ever since. Perhaps you recognized the Irish actor in Star Wars: Episode VIII ‒ The Last Jedi, where he played General Hux’s character. He reprised the role in the follow-up film The Rise of Skywalker.
Domhnall Gleeson
Jason Isaacs
Even before the Harry Potter films, Jason Isaacs had already played several unforgettable roles. Portraying the detestable Lucius Malfoy simply added to the magic. After his audition, the star got so into the books that he finished reading four of them consecutively. He called them “crack.” With that much passion, it’s not a surprise that he is such a convincing villain. Isaacs continues to act, with a long list of acting credits in film, TV, and stage.
Jason Isaacs
Jessie Cave
Jessie Cave played Lavender Brown, Harry’s fellow Gryffindor student who appeared in the last three films. More than 7000 girls had auditioned for the role. Cave has since branched out after the Potter movies. Besides acting on different TV shows like making an appearance on Call the Midwife, she’s become a pretty successful stand-up comedian. She’s also lending her voice to the character Belinda Potter in an animation called The Potters.
Jessie Cave
Gary Oldman
Oscar-winning Hollywood veteran Gary Oldman brought his outstanding acting chops when he played the character of Sirius Black, Harry’s tragically doomed godfather. Some may think that the actor thought the films were beneath him, but it was quite the contrary. In fact, Oldman told Balitang America in 2016, “Being part of Harry Potter is a great thing. It’s a cinematic phenomena, and no one will ever do anything quite like it again or come close to it.”
Gary Oldman
Devon Murray
Do you Remember Seamus Finnigan, the Irish wizard who exploded every so often? He was played by Devon Murray, who has since acted in only one film, with an uncredited role in Damo & Ivor The Movie in 2018. However, he seems content enough, judging by his Instagram page. In February 2021, he took to the social media site to write this about his newborn son. “You have made me the happiest person in the world.”
Devon Murray
Robbie Coltrane
Arguably, Hagrid’s popularity goes beyond the Potter books. The kindly half-giant was portrayed perfectly on-screen by Robbie Coltrane. However, in 2009, the British star revealed that he could hardly recognize himself after he transformed into the big wizard with the help of the makeup team. “Good God, who’s that?” was his reaction when he saw his reflection for the first time. Coltrane has a long list of acting and writing credits to his name.
Robbie Coltrane
Pam Ferris
Although Aunt Marge wasn’t really a major character in the Potterverse, fans will remember her as the woman who insulted Harry and was turned into a balloon. Since the films, actress Pam Ferris has been busy with various TV shows – most notably Call the Midwife, where she played Sister Evangelina. Her other link to fantasy was portraying Mrs. Faulkner in the 2019 film Tolkien, about the author of Lord of the Rings.
Pam Ferris
David Bradley
We love to hate Argus Filch, David Bradley’s character, but we’re glad his cat Mrs. Norris didn’t become a permanent statue. As for the actor himself, he has barely stopped acting since the Harry Potter films left theaters. For instance, he’s appeared in the horror series The Strain and the blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger. He was also on Game of Thrones as Walder Frey. Bradley has done some voice acting, so you might have heard his vocal abilities without even realizing it.
David Bradley
Imelda Staunton
Few villains inspire the same amount of hate as Dolores Umbridge, the one-time teacher of defense against the dark arts. It seems her actress loathes her, as well. Entertainment Weekly, “I think [Dolores is] a monster and [should] be played as such,” Imelda Staunton said to Entertainment Weekly in 2016. Well, she’s not mincing words. Staunton will probably find it light relief to play the Queen in the fifth season of The Crown.
Imelda Staunton
Sean Biggerstaff
Doesn’t Sean Biggerstaff’s last name sound like a possible name for a Potterverse wand? Perhaps it was his destiny to play Oliver Wood, the young Gryffindor Quidditch captain in The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. Since his Potter days, the actor has been in quite a several TV shorts. His performance in the 2007 television film Consenting Adults as Jeremy Wolfenden earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award.
Sean Biggerstaff
Shirley Henderson
Moaning Myrtle is the 14-year-old ghost girl that hung around the restrooms in Hogwarts. Did you know that Shirley Henderson, the actress who played the character, was in her mid-30s when filming The Chamber of Secrets? However, Henderson has played more age-appropriate roles, including Jude in the 2016 film Bridget Jones’s Baby. Also, she voiced Babu Frik in the 2019 blockbuster Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Shirley Henderson
Ralph Fiennes
Fans are not the only ones whom the evil Lord Voldemort left a lasting impression on. He also made an impact on the established actor Ralph Fiennes. In 2019, the star lightheartedly told BBC Newsnight, “I feel a kind of affection for Voldemort.” He added, “So, if there was a world in which Voldemort came back, I would be very possessive about wanting to reprise that.” It seems the Oscar nominee doesn’t want anyone else playing the role.
Ralph Fiennes
Ian Hart
Professor Quirrell is quite an important character in the first Potter film. He is the host body of Lord Voldemort, and actor Ian Hart played the character. Aside from films, he has appeared on British TV as well. He was on the acclaimed alternate-history show Noughts + Crosses and the crime drama Tin Star. However, you probably know him best from the Netflix Viking drama The Last Kingdom.
Ian Hart
Scarlett Byrne
In the last three Potter films, Scarlett Hefner, née Byrne, portrayed Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin witch. She starved on the TNT sci-fi series about alien invasion called Falling Skies and also played Nora Hildegard on The CW series The Vampire Diaries. If you wonder why her new last name sounds familiar, that’s because it is a well-known surname, especially because of the late Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner. She actually married his son in 2019.
Scarlett Byrne
Michael Gambon
After Richard Harris passed away, Sir Michael Gambon took over the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. In 2015 the veteran actor was asked by Future Movies how he eased back into the role for Fantastic Beasts. It was apparently no biggie. Gambon revealed, “Well, I don’t have to play anyone, really. I just stick on a beard and play me, so it’s no great feat.” Now, that’s talent.
Michael Gambon
Natalia Tena
With a talent for portraying a much-loved character, Natalia Tena has played characters who have become firm fan favorites, including the metamorphosing witch Tonks in Harry Potter and the wildling Osha on Game of Thrones. Will she repeat the process and have the same success on her mysterious series Wolfe in 2021? Only time will tell. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if she does because Tena definitely has great chameleonic acting skills.
Natalia Tena
Evanna Lynch
The charming performance of Evanna Lynch when she played the eccentric Luna Lovegood has won over many, including youngsters with autism. In 2020, Lynch told Insider, “I always get a lot of letters from people with autism who relate to Luna a lot.” She added, “Obviously, everyone’s very different, and every case of autism is different. But I think that they see that Luna is somebody who doesn’t quite fit in.”
Evanna Lynch
Stanislav Yanevski
Anyone who has seen Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire likely remembers Viktor Krum or Stanislav Yanevski in real life. The actor has bulked up plenty since his Potter days. Aside from pumping iron at the gym, he continued to act and was in the 2011 British movie Resistance. In addition to acting, Yanevski has also been producing some projects and occasionally post on Instagram about Potter-related things. What a dude.
Stanislav Yanevski
Christian Coulson
Perhaps this one will surprise you. Do you remember the child actor that played the young Tom Riddle in the second installment of the Harry Potter series? Well, his name is Christian Coulson, and he is, of course, all grown up. After his stint in the film, Coulson landed regular TV work in the U.K. and America. However, you probably recognize him for portraying the music video director Damien George in Nashville.
Christian Coulson
Matthew Lewis
Fans were stunned when Matthew Lewis appeared topless in Attitude magazine. Because of his amazing transformation, from an unassuming teenager to a muscular stud, Neville Longbottoming was coined. It basically means becoming hot. Remaining modest about this feat, Lewis told HelloGiggles, “I never thought in my wildest dreams that one day I would have coined a phrase.” When he left the Harry Potter films, the heartthrob started to appear regularly on British TV screens. He appeared on All Creatures Great and Small and the gory drama Ripper Street.
Matthew Lewis
Rupert Grint
It seems that Rupert Grint still loves Ron Weasley. “The truth is that Ron is my hero. He’s always there for his friends ‒ sometimes belligerently, but there nevertheless. He’s also the comic relief in stressful situations,” he said about his on-screen alter ego. Like Ron, Grint also has arachnophobia, which means that the actor has issues watching the scenes with Aragog in The Chamber of Secrets! After working on the Harry Potter franchise, Grint did several acting projects. He was even in an Ed Sheeran music video.
Rupert Grint
Emma Watson
Hermione Granger may have been a wallflower, but actress Emma Watson is definitely not. Both are well-educated, though, and campaign for equal rights. Watson’s cause is more on women’s issues instead of freeing house-elves. Since the Potter films ended, Watson has been busy with many things, including starring in several films. In the 2012 coming-of-age drama The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring in 2013, she played Belle in the live-action of Beauty and the Beast (2017). One of her recent works is co-starring in the 2019 film The Little Women.
Emma Watson
Daniel Radcliffe
This Harry Potter star definitely needs no introduction. Daniel Radcliffe, of course, played the young wizard in the film series. He practically grows up before our eyes, from being a young boy to a young adult throughout the original movies. It’s safe to say that he and his career have matured together. After his time on the massive Harry Potter franchise, he starved in several movies of different types, including horror films, a biopic, and a rom-com. He was even in a controversial stage show which saw him appear naked.
Daniel Radcliffe