From Spectral Scares to Stardom: Unveiling the Enigmatic 'Casper' Cast Today!
Discover the whereabouts of the beloved 'Casper' cast members, including Christina Ricci, Devon Sawa, and more, as we delve into their journey since the film's 1995 premiere
Casper was an immediate sensation when it first debuted in 1995, and it continues to be a beloved Halloween classic.
The film is based on the popular Harvey Comics character, also named Casper. It features Bill Pullman in the role of James Harvey, an expert in dealing with spirits. Following the passing of his wife, James and his daughter Kat (played by Christina Ricci) relocate to a haunted mansion in Maine.
The father-daughter duo soon discovers that they have four ghosts living with them - Casper, along with his three uncles. Casper develops feelings for Kat, but their relationship faces challenges due to the mischievous nature of his relatives, who will go to any lengths to keep control of the house.
Although Casper gained a cult following and catapulted Ricci to fame, the actress, who was 13 at the time of the film's release, looks back on her performance with dissatisfaction.
Continue scrolling to find out what the cast of Casper is up to these days.
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‘Casper’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Christina Ricci, Devon Sawa and More
Casper became an instant after its 1995 debut — and it still resonates as a spooky Halloween staple.
Casper, a film adaptation of the Harvey Comics character, features Bill Pullman as James Harvey, a spiritual expert. Following the loss of his wife, he relocates to a haunted mansion in Maine with his daughter Kat (played by Christina Ricci).
The father-daughter duo discovers that they are living with four ghosts, Casper and his three uncles. Casper develops feelings for Kat, but their relationship faces challenges due to his mischievous relatives, who are determined to keep ownership of the house.
Although Casper became a cult classic and launched Ricci into stardom, the actress, who was 13 at the time of the film's release, reflects on her performance with dissatisfaction.
"The Sleepy Hollow star admitted his own lackluster performance in the movie Casper during an interview on the "WTF With Marc Maron" podcast in August 2022. Despite recognizing the film's nostalgic value and being considered a childhood classic, he candidly stated, 'If you actually watch Casper, I'm terrible.'"
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Christina Ricci
In the same year, she played the role of Kat in the beloved spooky film, while also sharing the screen with her Casper co-star Sawa in the coming-of-age movie Now and Then. Although she mainly worked in independent productions afterwards, this California native has also made appearances in several blockbuster hits, including The Ice Storm (1997), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), and Sleepy Hollow (1999).
Ricci's fame extends beyond the big screen, as she has also made a mark in television. She took on leading roles in ABC's Pan Am and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles. Recently, in 2021, she joined the cast of Showtime's highly acclaimed series Yellowjackets, where she portrayed the character of Missy. This remarkable performance garnered her a 2022 Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
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Bill Pullman
Following his breakout role in "While You Were Sleeping," the actor went on to captivate audiences as President Thomas J. Whitmore in the highly successful 1996 film "Independence Day," which starred Will Smith. Subsequently, he ventured into the world of television movies, predominantly focusing on the genre. Notably, he portrayed Detective Harry Ambrose in the USA Network's anthology series "The Sinner" from 2017 to 2021, and he also made recurring appearances on the Netflix miniseries "Halston."
Aside from his screen career, the renowned actor has established a notable presence in the world of theater, taking on various roles on Broadway. One such production was the 2002 play "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia."
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Devon Sawa
Sawa, who hails from Canada, made his debut as Casper in the same year he appeared alongside Ricci in Now and Then. He quickly became a recognizable name in the horror genre, starring in Idle Hands (1999) and Final Destination (2000). The talented actor also had a notable role in Eminem’s music video for the song “Stan” and later secured the lead role in the CW’s spy drama Nikita in 2010.
In 2021, Sawa made a comeback to his horror origins by taking the lead in the film Black Friday. Shortly after, he joined the cast of SyFy's Chucky series. In 2022, he had the opportunity to showcase his talent in a guest role on the highly acclaimed HBO Max show Hacks, alongside the talented Jean Smart.
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Malachi Pearson
Having lent his voice to the amiable apparition, the individual from California has since maintained a rather secluded existence. Nevertheless, he did reprise his remarkable character in The Spooktacular Adventures of Casper, a television series that was broadcasted between 1996 and 1998.
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Cathy Moriarty
The Hollywood icon from New York has built a legendary career lasting more than four decades, garnering numerous Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations over the course of her life. After her notable performance as Carrigan Crittenden in the film Casper, Moriarty went on to make notable appearances in both film and television, showcasing her talent in Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order Criminal Intent, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
Moriarty also starred as Hilary Duff’s witch aunt in the direct-to-video film, Casper Meets Wendy, which premiered in 1998.
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Eric Idle
Idle gained recognition for his involvement in the renowned comedy group, Monty Python. Additionally, he is renowned as the composer and lyricist of the popular Broadway musical Spamalot, which was adapted from the classic Monty Python film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail released in 1975. In recognition of his work, Idle was honored with the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical in 2005.
Following a period of relative obscurity, Idle made a comeback in 2012 with a remarkable performance in a one-hour orchestral tribute to British music during the closing ceremony of the Olympic games.
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Amy Brenneman
After making a brief appearance as the spirit of Kat's mother in the film Casper, Brenneman skyrocketed to fame by taking on the lead role in the highly acclaimed television series Judging Amy on CBS. From 1999 to 2005, she mesmerized audiences with her exceptional performance, garnering a remarkable five Emmy nominations.
Over her career, the Connecticut native has played Violet Turner in the Shonda Rhimes series Private Practice and Laurie Grey HBO’s The Leftovers.
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Joe Alaskey, Brad Garrett, Joe Nipote
Alaskey, known for lending his voice to Stinkie in the movie, was a highly versatile voice actor who portrayed numerous Warner Brothers characters throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Tweety, and Speedy Gonzales. In addition, he provided the voice for Plucky Duck on Tiny Toon Adventures from 1990 to 1995 and Grandpa Lou Pickles on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats. Sadly, Alaskey passed away in February 2016 at the age of 63 due to cancer.
Garrett, who portrayed Fatso in the family-friendly Halloween film, gained recognition for his role on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. He received an Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of Jackie Gleason in the television film Gleason in 2002.
Garrett has lent his voice talents to several animated films such as A Bug’s Life, Stuart Little, Finding Nemo, Garfield, Ratatouille, and Tangled. He has received three Emmy awards for his voice work.
Apart from his role as Stretch in Casper, Nipote gained recognition for his portrayal of Frankie Waters in the television series Viper, which aired on NBC and UPN for five seasons. In 2014, he voiced Jean Lafoote, the pirate who searches for "crunch berries," in the animated web series Cap'n Crunch.
