Casper and Christina Ricci (right) as Kat Harvey in ‘Casper,’ 1995.Photo:Universal Pictures/Everett
Universal Pictures/Everett
Year after year, the friendly ghost’s story endures as fans rewatch the spooky classic.Casperhas even resonated with new generations, including Pullman’s son, actorLewis Pullman, who would eagerly step into his father’s role if given the opportunity to revisit the cherished movie.
“That’s sacred grounds to step on, especially something as beloved asCasper," Lewis told PEOPLE in October 2024. “I would [do] a prequel where I play him younger.”
In the meantime, let’s catch up with theCaspercastand see what they’re up to today.
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Christina Ricci as Kat Harvey in ‘Casper,’ 1995; Christina Ricci at the Kate Spade Spring 2024 Ready-to-Wear Runway Show at the High Line on Sept. 8, 2023, in New York.Universal/Everett; Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty
Universal/Everett; Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty
Playing Kat proved to be the perfect spooky follow-up to Christina Ricci’s iconic role as the eerie, pigtailed Addams family daughter, Wednesday, inThe Addams Family(1991). TheCasperalumna then made a name for herself as a grown-up actress, starring in films likeBuffalo ‘66andThe Opposite of Sexin 1998 and theOscar-winningMonster(2003).
Her career continued to flourish with big- and small-screen roles in the aughts and 2010s. She also made her Broadway debut alongside Laura Linney inTime Stands Stillin 2010. Then in 2021, Ricci earned critical acclaim and anEmmynomination forher role as Misty QuigleyonYellowjackets.
The former child star has since revisited the Addams family universe onTim Burton’s revival seriesWednesday, withJenna Ortegain the titular role. Ricci — who also worked with Burton in the horror flickSleepy Hollow(1999) —played one of Wednesday’s teacherson the Netflix show.
“If you actually watchCasper, I’m terrible,” Ricci said during her 2022 appearance onMarc Maron’sWTFpodcast. “People get so upset when I say that. And I’m like, ‘No, it’s a wonderful movie. It’s a childhood treasure. But I am terrible in it.’ "
As Deadline confirmed, Ricci has several small-screen projects booked, including thesci-fi actionerThe Dresden Sunand thetrue-crime seriesChop ShopalongsideMidnight Massactor Hamish Linklater. She will also star inGuns Up, an action comedy fromKevin James.
Ricci hastwo children: sonFreddiefrom her first marriage toJames Heerdegenand daughterCleopatrawith husbandMark Hampton, whomshe marriedin October 2021.
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Universal/Everett
Malachi Pearson has largely stepped away from the industry, save for appearing in bit parts on sitcoms likeKenan & KelandMalcolm in the Middlein 2000.
Beyond acting, Pearson has launched a music career and is currently one-half of the DJ duoMotel Clubwith fellow artist Matt Cash.
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Universal/Everett; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Bill Pullman had an established career as a leading man before playing widowed dad and paranormal therapist Dr. James Harvey inCasper, having starred inSpaceballs(1987),Sleepless in Seattle(1993) andWhile You Were Sleeping(1995) oppositeSandra Bullock.
The actorappeared as the U.S. presidentin the sci-fi filmIndependence Day(1996) and reprised the role in its sequel,Independence Day: Resurgence(2016). Pullman has also starred inseveral theatrical productions, and he tapped his intergalactic acting experience to write his own play,Expedition 6,in 2007.
On television, Pullman played the president once again on the comedy series1600 Penn. From 2017 to 2021, he ledThe Sinneras Det. Harry Ambrose. He also took on the part of convicted murdererAlex Murdaughin the 2023 Lifetime docuseries abouthis crimes,Murdaugh Murders: The Movie. Coming up, Pullman willstar on the Netflix seriesThe Boroughs, forthcoming from the Duffer brothers.
Pullman hasthree childrenwith his wife of more than 30 years,Tamara Hurwitz. His youngest son, Lewis, has followed in his Hollywood footsteps tobecome a rising actorin his own right, with credits likeTop Gun: Maverick(2022), the Hulu miniseriesCatch-22and Max’sSalem’s Lot(2024). Pullman and Hurwitz also share daughter Maesa — a singer, musician and songwriter — and son Jack, a puppet designer and mask maker.
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Universal/Everett; Kristina Bumphrey/Shutterstock
Cathy Moriarty, who portrays bitter heiress Carrigan Crittenden, already boasted an impressive résumé before her antagonist role inCasper.
The actress’ film debut inMartin Scorsese’sRaging Bull(1980)earned her nominations for an Oscar and aGolden Globe. She kicked off the ’90s with major roles inKindergarten Cop(1990) alongsideArnold SchwarzeneggerandSoapdish(1991), which featuredSally Field,Robert Downey Jr.,Kevin Kline,Carrie FisherandWhoopi Goldbergin its A-list ensemble cast.
Moriarty has been married to Joseph Gentile since 1999; the two share three children.
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Universal/Everett; Tommaso Boddi/Getty
AfterCasper, Nipote continued to voice Stretch, including on the animated spinoff seriesThe Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, and also made guest appearances on shows likeCurb Your EnthusiasmandThe Suite Life on Deck.
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Universal/Everett; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Joe Alaskey — whodied at the age of 63in 2016 — was best known for his voice acting, including his portrayal of Ghostly Trio member Stinkie inCasper. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Alaskey voiced severalLooney Tunescharacters, Grandpa Lou Pickles onRugratsand Sylvester the Cat onThe Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries.
In the last few years of his life and career, the talented impersonator lent his voice to both theTom and JerryandGarfieldfranchises.
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Universal/Everett; Roy Rochlin/Getty
Brad Garrett soared to fame as the first comic winner ofStar Searchin 1984, nearly a decade before he voiced Fatso, a member of the Ghostly Trio inCasper. He went on to play several other animated characters, with roles in iconic Pixar movies likeA Bug’s Life(1998),Finding Nemo(2003)andRatatouille(2007).
His other acting credits include shows likeSingle ParentsandNot Dead Yetand the filmSaturday Night(2024), based on the first broadcast ofSaturday Night Livein 1975. Up next, Garrett will expand on his voice-acting résumé with Pixar’sElio(2025), voicing the character Lord Grigon.
Apart from acting, the comedian has also continued to maintain his stand-up career and still regularly performs at his own comedy club in Las Vegas.
Garrett shares two children — son Max and daughter Hope — with ex-wifeJill Diven, whom he married in 1999 and later divorced in 2007. In 2021, the actor marriedIsaBeall Quella, whom he’d been dating since 2008.
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Eric Idle as Paul ‘Dibs’ Plutzker in ‘Casper,’ 1995; Eric Idle at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Awards at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 5, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif.Universal/Everett; Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
Universal/Everett; Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty
In 2004, the comic created the hit stage musicalSpamalot, based onMonty Python and the Holy Grail, which won the coveted best musicalTony Award.
Idle beat the odds after he wasdiagnosed with pancreatic cancerin 2019 and survived. He’s sincejoined forces with Stand Up to Cancerto create the Bright Side Fund in support of cancer research and the early detection that saved his life.
From 1969 to 1975, Idle was married to actress Lyn Ashley, with whom he shares a son, Carey. He married his second wife, Tania Kosevich, in 1981, and the couple share a daughter, Lily.
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Devon Sawa as Casper’s human form in ‘Casper,’ 1995; Devon Sawa at the screening of ‘Who Are You People’ at Arena Cinelounge Sunset on Feb. 24, 2023, in Los Angeles.Universal Pictures; Paul Archuleta/Getty
Universal Pictures; Paul Archuleta/Getty
Devon Sawaonly made a brief appearance as Casper in his human form at the end of the film, but he’s still grateful for the role that launched his career. On the 25th anniversary ofCasperin 2020, Sawa credited Ricci as a reason for his industry success.
“Christina Ricci is a HUGE talentand played a big part in me getting the role and then went on to recommend me for Now And Then. I owe her the world,“Sawa tweeted, referencing the 1995 movie he and Ricci costarred in.
With another nod to director Brad Silberling,he continued: “I was in Casper for 30 secs. Malachi Pearson did the hard work. When they decided last minute to bring Casper to life, he was too young. So I landed the role. And I’m very fortunate @BSilberling chose me, cause I’d be lying if I said it didn’t start a 30-year job that I love. Thnx.”
Sawa gained more recognition for his starring role on Syfy’s horror seriesChuckyfrom 2021 to 2024. Looking ahead, the actorwill appear in Spyglass’ horror rom-comHeart Eyes(2025) oppositeFast & FuriousstarJordana Brewster. Hewill also featurein Cecil Chambers’ upcoming survival thrillerBunker.
Sawa has been married toDawni Sahanovitchsince 2013. They share two children: sonHudsonand daughterScarlett Heleena.
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Amy Brenneman as Amelia Harvey in ‘Casper,’ 1995; Amy Brenneman at FX’s ‘The Old Man’ season 1 FYC event at DGA Theater Complex on June 8, 2023, in Los Angeles.Universal Pictures; Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
Universal Pictures; Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
After her part in the family-friendly film, Brenneman landed two roles in 1996, starring oppositeSylvester Stallonein the action flickDaylightand appearing in the thrillerFearwithMark WahlbergandReese Witherspoon.
As the century turned, Brenneman starred on her own series,Judging Amy, from 1999 to 2005. She was also spotted on theGrey’s AnatomyspinoffPrivate Practiceas Dr. Violet Turner from 2007 to 2013. Her other notable acting credits include series likeThe Leftovers,Shining Girlsand FX’sThe Old Man, on which she’s costarred withJeff Bridgessince 2022.
Beyond the screen, the actress has also explored stage work,premiering her autobiographical play,Overcome, in early 2024 at the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Barnstable, Mass.
Brenneman and Silberling have been married since 1995. They share a daughter, Charlotte Tucker, and a son, Bodhi Russell.
Paris C.
source: people.com