ONTD Original: stars of classic family friendly Halloween Movies THEN & NOW
Hi, ONTD. I haven't posted in a while, but I was scrolling through and thought, "This feed could use more Halloween posts."
And so, let the Halloween post commence!
Ever wondered what the stars of the nostalgic Halloween-themed movies look like now? The ones we secretly wished we could be (either in the movie, or just in real life as a working Disney/other type actor)? No? Just me? Great. Let's move along.
!!Warning: image heavy!!
[The Sanderson sisters were HANGED!]
First, who could forget the Disney channel movie, Don't Look Under the Bed? Erin Chambers is the actress who played Franny (aka Frances Bacon McCausland) in the 1999 Disney Original Movie. She was 20 years old when the movie came out (likely 19 during filming). She's 40 today, and has continued acting in television and movies.
Also, who could forget Larry Houdini from the same movie?! Ty Hodges is the actor who portrayed Larry Houdini, and he was 18 when the movie came out, and is 39 years old now. He was also on an episode of The Famous Jett Jackson, and later joined the cast of Even Stevens. He went on to working behind the camera as a director, and has been in sporadic movies since.
Next, who could forget the classic Disney channel movie (and it's two sequels), Halloweentown? Kimberly J. Brown is the actress who portrayed Marnie Piper, the eldest of three, and granddaughter to the character of our next star. Brown was 14 during the first movie, and is 35 today. She went on to act in several movies (including Halloweentown II and III)), and made multiple appearances in television shows. She also traveled to St. Helens, Oregon, where the movie was shot, to kick off the annual event, "The Spirit of Halloween."
From the same movie (and many others), the next star was arguably the main star of the Halloweentown franchise. Ms. Debbie Reynolds, ladies and gents. At the time of the original movie, Reynolds was 66 years old. Though I don't need to tell you, as we all mourned when the news broke, the incomparable Ms. Reynolds tragically passed away in 2016 at the age of 84, one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher. Debbie was a SAG lifetime achievement award winner who was nominated for several academy awards and golden globes, and finally won a well-deserved academy award for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2015. She would be 88 years old today.
Next, who could forget ANOTHER classic Disney channel movie (and it's sequel) Twitches? Tia and Tamera Mowry both starred in the movies as Alexandra Fielding and Camryn Barnes. At the time of the movie, Tia and Tamera were 27 in 2005 when the movie was released. Today, they are 42 years old. Following the movie, the sisters continued acting, had their own reality show called Tia & Tamera, and both sisters had independent success in their own rights relating to business ventures and solo TV/film projects. (This one's a two-for-one, y'all)
Finally, because I'm tired of copying/pasting links, we will wrap up with arguably one of the most classic Halloween family-friendly movies of all time: Hocus Pocus!
First up, Thora Birch, who portrayed Dani Dennison, the younger sister of character Max Dennison. Thora was 11 years old when the movie premiered in 1993, and is now 38 years old. She went on to star in several other movies as a child actress, and continues acting to this day, aside from a break she took from 2012 to 2016.
Second up, Omri Katz, who portrayed Max Dennison, the main character of the movie who was overshadowed by the witches, his sister, and almost everyone else (including a cat) after his awkward, pillow huggin' virgin ass stupidly lit the black flame candle, resurrecting the evil witches that wanted to murder every child in the world to stay alive and young forever. Omri was 17 when the movie was released, and is 44 years old today. Katz continued acting through 2002, before retiring. He apparently appeared in a 2006 'short' on YouTube, but according to his IMDb, he became a hairdresser likely inspired by Winifred and Mary Sanderson's gravity-defying, ahead of their time hairstyling.
Third up, Vinessa Shaw, who portrayed Allison Watts, possessor of yabbos and love interest of one Max Dennison. Vinessa was also 17 when the movie was released, and is also now 44 years old. Following the movie, Shaw continued acting, and has continued to present day. Notable movies for Shaw include the 2006 remake of The Hills Have Eyes, Eyes Wide Shut, and 3:10 to Yuma.
Fourth up, Kathy Najimy, who portrayed Mary Sanderson, the witch who sniffed out children, didn't like candy, loved TV commercials, and rode a flying vacuum at the end of the film. Najimy was 36 when the movie was released, and is now 63 years old. Following the movie, Najimy continued acting, voicing Peggy Hill on King of the Hill, and has been in or done voice acting in movies or television shows pretty consistently up to this year.
Fifth up, Sarah Jessica Parker, who portrayed Sarah Sanderson, the boy-obsessed witch who spat on boundaries (unless they're made of salt!) by flirting with her sister's lover, and whose voice could lure children to their deaths. Parker was 28 when the movie was released, and is 55 years old now. Following the movie, Parker continued acting and most notably starred in the HBO series and consecutive movies Sex and the City, as well as other movies, television shows, and designing her own line with GAP, a ready-to-wear bridal line, and her own shoe line SJP.
Finally... last, but certainly not least...
What list would ever be complete without Bette Midler, who portrayed Winifred Sanderson, the worst, most vicious witch to ever put a spell on you? (cover your ears!) So, let's jump into this wench-y, trollop-y, buck toothed, mop riding firefly from hell!
Midler was 48 when the movie was released, and is 74 years old today. Since (and long before) the movie, Midler has starred in countless movies, released several albums, been in television shows, broadway productions, and toured the world. She also had a Las Vegas residency from 2008-2010. She is currently still active, and is one letter away from being an EGOT (missing the Oscar).
So, ONTD, what is your favorite non-horror Halloween movie of all time? (Also, I know I missed several classics here, but I'll admit: I started out with the best of intentions, and then realized how much work this is, so...yep!)
Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15