From Mighty Ducks to Mighty Success: Catching up with Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson, and the Rest of the OG Cast

The Mighty Ducks movie from 1992 holds a special place in the hearts of many movie buffs even after almost thirty years since its release. Starring Emilio Estevez as Coach Gordon Bombay, the movie managed to make hockey popular across the nation while also inspiring fans to quack in protest when things didn't go their way. The plot revolves around Gordon, who after getting into legal trouble, is tasked with coaching a peewee hockey team called the Ducks in a league facing off against his former childhood team, the Hawks.

Gordon enlists the help of Charlie Conway, a rising star in Minnesota hockey, to gather a diverse group of players for his team. Among them are Goldberg, a goalie with a tendency to fall, Fulton Reed, a talented player, and Adam Banks, a former Hawks player. Throughout the film, Coach Bombay provides support and guidance as the team bonds and grows. The success of the '90s film spawned two sequels, including D2: The Mighty Ducks, in which the Ducks represent Team USA in the Junior Goodwill Games and add new players like Portman, who joins forces with Fulton to become the Bash Brothers.

Following its 1996 release, the third film followed the teammates as they navigated prep school while attempting to outdo the varsity team. The cast of the trilogy has demonstrated their enduring popularity over the years through fan events and exciting reunions. In 2014, the stars of D2: Mighty Ducks gathered to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary and recreated the team's iconic "Flying V" formation on a tennis court. Among the group was Marguerite Moreau, who played Connie in all three films, and Garrett Henson, who portrayed her onscreen boyfriend, Guy Germaine. Photos of the hangout were shared by the gang.

The cast of The Mighty Ducks reunited once again, this time at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, home of NHL team the Anaheim Ducks. They donned their original movie jerseys and attended a hockey game, taking photos together and reminiscing about their time filming. Actress Marguerite Moreau shared her gratitude for the fans and the special bond they share, writing on Instagram in February 2019: "Spent the week reflecting on friendship and family. We came of age together under very special circumstances and are so appreciative of all the fans who have loved #TheMightyDucks #D2 and #D3. DUCKS FLY TOGETHER. Thank you @anaheimducks for having us. It was a great week."

Estevez made a triumphant return to the screen in 2021 with The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, treating fans to a long-awaited reunion with the beloved hockey team. Although the show introduces a new generation of peewee players, Estevez reprised his iconic role as coach Bombay, much to the delight of viewers. Elden, who spoke exclusively with We in April 2021, expressed his gratitude for Estevez and the positive impact he had on his life. Elden admired Estevez's unwavering kindness and individual attention to each player, and continues to hold him in high esteem.

Scroll down to see what the OG Ducks have been up to since the film’s 1992 release.

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‘The Mighty Ducks’ OG Cast: Where They Are Now? — Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson and More

The 1992 film, The Mighty Ducks, has stood the test of time and continues to have a devoted following. Emilio Estevez's portrayal of Coach Gordon Bombay made hockey popular across the country and even led some fans to quack in protest. Following a legal debacle, Gordon is compelled to train the peewee hockey team, the Ducks, to compete against his former team, the Hawks, from his childhood.

Gordon enlists the help of Charlie Conway, a promising player in Minnesota hockey, to assemble a diverse group of players for his team. The team, including Goldberg, a clumsy but determined goalie, Fulton Reed, a skilled player with a rough exterior, and Adam Banks, a former Hawks player, form a strong bond under Coach Bombay's guidance. The success of the '90s film led to two sequels, with the second installment featuring the Ducks representing Team USA in the Junior Goodwill Games and adding new players, such as Portman, who forms a formidable duo with Fulton as the Bash Brothers.

The third installment of the franchise was released in 1996 and depicted the protagonists attending prep school while attempting to outdo the varsity team. The enduring popularity of the trilogy has been evidenced by fan events and the excitement generated by the cast's reunions. In 2014, the stars of D2: Mighty Ducks commemorated the film's 20th anniversary by reenacting the team's iconic "Flying V" formation on a tennis court. A snapshot of Marguerite Moreau, who portrayed Connie throughout the trilogy, and Garrett Henson, who played her onscreen beau, Guy Germaine, was among the photos shared by the group during the gathering.

The cast of The Mighty Ducks reunited once again five years later, this time at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California - the home of NHL team, the Anaheim Ducks. Dressed in their original movie jerseys, they attended a hockey game and took photos together. Moreau reflected on their friendship and gratitude towards the fans who have loved the movie franchise, sharing a series of photos on Instagram in February 2019. The post ended with the iconic phrase, "DUCKS FLY TOGETHER" and a thank you to the Anaheim Ducks for having them.

Estevez's return as Coach Bombay in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers brought fans the ultimate reunion in 2021. Although the show focuses on a new group of peewee hockey players, Estevez's iconic character remains a central figure. Elden, who worked with Estevez on the original film, expressed his appreciation for the actor in an exclusive interview with We in April 2021, noting that he had a positive impact on his life and was always kind and engaged with each individual on set.

Scroll down to see what the OG Ducks have been up to since the film’s 1992 release.

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Emilio Estevez

Emilio Estevez has had a successful career in both acting and directing. He played the role of PeeWee hockey coach Gordon Bombay in all three Mighty Ducks films and reprised the role in the 2021 spinoff series, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. Estevez has also appeared in several other films, including The War at Home, Sand, Bobby, The Way, and The Public. In addition to his acting career, Estevez is also a director and has worked on projects such as The Guardian and Cold Case. He even wrote and directed the upcoming film Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid. Estevez has also produced and written for The Mighty Ducks TV series and The Way. Despite his success in his professional life, Estevez has also experienced some personal struggles. He divorced Paula Abdul in 1994 after two years of marriage, but he has two children from a previous relationship with model Carey Salley.

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Joshua Jackson

After his breakthrough role as Captain Charlie Conway in the Mighty Ducks franchise, Joshua Jackson has continued to establish himself as a versatile actor. He has starred in various films and TV shows such as Andre, Urban Legend, Cruel Intentions, Lone Star State of Mind, Cursed, Bobby, Inescapable, and Sky. Jackson also gained recognition for his performances as Pacey Witter in Dawson's Creek, Peter Bishop in Fringe, Cole Lockhart in The Affair, and Bill Richardson in Little Fires Everywhere. Recently, he has taken on the challenging role of Christopher Duntsch in Dr. Death.

Jackson married actress Jodie Turner-Smith in December 2019. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in April 2020.

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Elden Henson

Fulton Reed, portrayed by Henson, was the go-to player for slapshots on the Ducks' team. Henson has since appeared in various films including She's All That, Manic, Cheats, Under the Tuscan Sun, The Butterfly Effect, and Spivak. He also played Pollux in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2 and portrayed Marvel comics character Foggy Nelson in three seasons of Daredevil and The Defenders. Henson returned as Fulton in the sixth episode of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. In 2016, Henson ended his two-year marriage to actress Kira Sternbach, with whom he shares a son named Dodger.

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Shaun Weiss

Jeffrey Weiss, a native of New Jersey, rose to fame with his portrayal of Goldberg, the goaltender of the Ducks in the hit movie franchise, The Mighty Ducks. He went on to showcase his acting skills in various other movies such as Heavyweights, Pumpkin, Four Dogs, Mad, and the short film, Netflix & Chill. The talented actor also had recurring roles in popular TV shows like Here and Now, Mr. Rhodes, The Tony Danza Show, and Freaks and Geeks. Additionally, he played himself in the show, Why Not Weiss? Apart from his acting career, Weiss has also made a name for himself as a writer and producer with credits that include Encounters and What About Weiss.

Weiss has had a series of run-ins with the law, including a 150-day jail sentence in 2017 for his second petty theft offense. In 2018, he was arrested for public intoxication in California, and in January 2020, he was found by police inside someone's car in their garage, exhibiting symptoms of methamphetamine use. However, in a positive turn of events, Weiss recently displayed a new smile after receiving dental implants and moving into a sober living facility, where he has been sober for 200 days, according to TMZ.

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Matt Doherty

Doherty is most recognized for playing Les Averman, the comedic relief of the Mighty Ducks franchise, known for his quick-witted responses to Coach Bombay's inquiries. In addition to his role in the film series, the Illinois-born actor has also appeared in notable productions such as So I Married an Axe Murderer, Graduation Night, Hollows Grove, and South of Sunset. Doherty has also made guest appearances on popular television shows such as Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, Franklin & Bash, and Rosewood. He is set to make a return in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. Aside from acting, Doherty has also written and directed his own short film, First Stone, and is actively involved in the theater community. He runs a private workshop for writers in Los Angeles, where he also moderates on the playwright's panel for Antaeus Playwrights' lab. Doherty also released his debut album, Dignity, in 2018. Recently, he reunited with his former castmates for a cameo appearance in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers in 2021.

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Brandon Quintin Adams

Adams played the role of the tough and rugged Jesse Hall in the first two films, and his performance was widely praised. He then went on to appear in a number of other movies such as The Sandlot, Ghost in the Machine, Beyond Desire, MacArthur Park, and Stuck in the Corners. Adams, who hails from Kansas, also had recurring roles in Sister, Sister and Moesha. Moreover, he made several appearances in Michael Jackson's music videos, including the iconic "Smooth Criminal."

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Garette Ratliff Henson

Henson portrayed Guy Germaine, Connie's (Moreau) boyfriend and Ducks' teammate. Alongside his elder sibling and co-star Elden Henson, he starred in Casper, Three Wishes, The Mannsfield 12, and Babes. Additionally, he made guest appearances on NCIS, Melrose Place, and Close to Home. In 2021, he featured in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. Henson has also worked behind the scenes as a gaffer and assistant cameraman on three projects. He is multi-talented, working as a writer, producer, and director with credits on shorts such as The Run, Green Eggs, and Shades of Yellow. In November 2020, he launched an Indie Gogo page to raise funds for his latest project, Last Time in This Place, which he co-wrote and is directing.

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Marguerite Moreau

Connie, who played forward and dated Guy throughout all three films, continued her acting career with roles in various movies and television shows. She appeared in Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, Wag the Dog, Wet Hot American Summer, Easy, The Uninvited, Wake, Caroline and Jackie, A Night to Regret, and Monuments. Connie also had guest roles on Amazing Grace, Life as We Know It, The O.C., Shameless, and Grey’s Anatomy. She reprised her role as Katie in both Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. Additionally, Connie played main characters on The Unsettling and The Birch, and returned as Connie in the Disney+ series Mighty Ducks. In 2013, the California native made her debut as a producer with Stress Position, which she also wrote additional dialogue for. Connie married Canadian actor Christopher Redman in 2010 and they share a son named Casper.

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Jussie Smollett

Smollett's acting career began with his portrayal of Terry Hall, Jesse's younger brother in the original film. He has since gone on to star in various television shows, including Cro and On Our Own, as well as feature films such as The Skinny, Alien: Covenant, and Marshall. Notably, Smollett played Jamal Lyon on the hit television series Empire from 2015 to 2019 and has also produced several projects, including Giants and America Divided. In addition, the multi-talented actor has written, directed, and produced the upcoming film B-Boy Blues. Outside of acting, Smollett is also a musician, having released an EP in 2012 and his debut album, Sum of My Music, in 2018.

He gained widespread attention again in January 2019, alleging that he was a victim of a racist and homophobic attack. However, the following month, he faced accusations that he had fabricated the entire incident and was charged with felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. The star was taken into custody and faced 16 felony charges, which were eventually dismissed in March 2019. His legal troubles persisted, as he faced six counts of disorderly conduct in February 2020, to which he pleaded not guilty.

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Vincent LaRusso

After his debut as Adam Banks in The Mighty Ducks, LaRusso went on to appear in sequels and other films, including Superhero Movie and George and Sofia. Despite retiring from acting, he remains connected to his Mighty Ducks roots, regularly participating in reunions and fan events. Recently, LaRusso made a cameo appearance on the Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers in 2021. In his personal life, LaRusso separated from his wife Kathryn Elizabeth Everard in 2018 following three years of marriage.

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Jane Plank

Following her role as ice skater turned hockey player Tammy in the 1992 film, Plank made an appearance as a Christmas caroler in Jingle All the Way. However, her passion for music led her to leave acting in 1996 and pursue a career as a singer, songwriter, and composer.

The Minnesota native also cofounded Plank Books with her wife, Katelyn Plank, which are a series of stories that help spread the importance of sharing with those in need.

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Danny Tamberelli

After his role as Tammy's younger brother Tommy in the original Mighty Ducks movie, Tamberelli went on to star as Little Pete Wringley in The Adventures of Pete & Pete. He also appeared on popular shows such as The Magic School Bus, All That, 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd and Filmore! In 2013, Tamberelli and former costar Michael C. Maronna started the "Adventures of Danny & Mike" podcast. Additionally, he is a founding member of the sketch comedy group Manboobs and the lead singer of Jounce. Tamberelli married Katelyn Detweiler in 2018 and they welcomed their first child, son Alfred, a year later.

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Joss Ackland

In all three films, Ackland played the role of Hans, Gordon's mentor who also owned a hockey supply store. This talented English actor has also appeared in numerous other films such as Giorgino, A Kid in King Arthur's Court, Surviving Picasso, Milk, No Good Deed, Asylum, Moscow Zero, Flawless, Lethal Weapon 2 and Decline of an Empire. Additionally, he has lent his voice to narrate The Stain and The Boy With Chocolate Fingers.

The BAFTA nominee enjoyed a long and fruitful marriage with actress Rosemary Kirkcaldy, lasting an impressive 51 years until her passing in 2002. Throughout their time together, they were blessed with a large and loving family, which included seven children, 30 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

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Heidi Kling

Kling portrayed the role of Casey, Charlie's mother, in both The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks. She also played Gordon's romantic interest in the films. After her stint in the franchise, the Wright State University graduate went on to act in Turbulence and made a guest appearance in an episode of Murder, She Wrote and Brimstone, before eventually retiring from acting in 1999. Kling tied the knot with fellow actor David Berón in 1994 and the couple has a child together.