TheGladiatorCast: Where Are They Now?

Mar. 15, 2025

Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator.'.Photo:Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

It’s been nearly 25 years sinceGladiator’s epic run in theaters.The 2000 classic, which starredRussell Crowe,Joaquin PhoenixandConnie Nielsen, followed Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius as he fought his way to avenge a murdered emperor. Released on May 5, 2000, theRidley Scott-directed movie became the second-highest grossing film of the year and nabbed fiveAcademy Awards, including Best Actor for Crowe and Best Picture.On Nov. 22, the long-awaitedsecond installmentofGladiatorhit the silver screen, featuringPaul Mescal,Pedro Pascal,Denzel WashingtonandJoseph Quinnin leading roles. Nielsen and Derek Jacobi also reprise their characters from the original.On the heels of the sequel, look back at the stars of the firstGladiator— and where they are now!

It’s been nearly 25 years sinceGladiator’s epic run in theaters.

The 2000 classic, which starredRussell Crowe,Joaquin PhoenixandConnie Nielsen, followed Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius as he fought his way to avenge a murdered emperor. Released on May 5, 2000, theRidley Scott-directed movie became the second-highest grossing film of the year and nabbed fiveAcademy Awards, including Best Actor for Crowe and Best Picture.

On Nov. 22, the long-awaitedsecond installmentofGladiatorhit the silver screen, featuringPaul Mescal,Pedro Pascal,Denzel WashingtonandJoseph Quinnin leading roles. Nielsen and Derek Jacobi also reprise their characters from the original.

On the heels of the sequel, look back at the stars of the firstGladiator— and where they are now!

01of 10

Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius

Russell Crowe’sGladiatorrole launched him to another level of stardom. TheL.A. Confidentialstar, who played the vengeful general Maximus, won the Oscar for Best Actor in his second nomination for the category. He also delivered one of film’s most quoted lines, shouting to the crowd, “Are you not entertained?”

ForGladiator’s 20th anniversary, Crowe wrote a succinct tribute onTwitter, quoting Maximus’ recurring line: “Strength and Honour…”

The year afterGladiator, he landed another Oscar nomination forA Beautiful Mind. Crowe went on to have acclaimed performances in 2003’sMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World, 2005’sCinderella Manand 2014’sNoah. He also entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Zeus in 2022’sThor: Love and Thunder.

Crowe has four upcoming films, includingNuremberg, a World War II drama withRami Malek, andKraven the Hunter, starringAaron Taylor-JohnsonandAriana DeBose.

He married Australian singerDanielle Spencerin 2003, and the couple have twosons, Charles, born in 2003, and Tennyson, born in 2006. Spencer and Croweseparatedafter nine years of marriage in 2012 but did not officiallydivorceuntil April 2018.

02of 10

Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus

Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Gladiator’; in October 2024.Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Joaquin Phoenix’s villainous performance as the tyrannical emperor Commodus earned him an Academy Award nomination.

The actor is set to star inEddington, a Western black comedy, withPedro Pascal,Emma StoneandAustin Butler.

Phoenix became engaged to actressRooney Marain 2019, and they welcomed their first child, sonRiver— named after hislate brother— in 2020. In 2024, Mara gave birth to their second child, and in September, Phoenix referred to Mara as his“wife”for the first time on the podcastTalk Easy with Sam Fragoso.

03of 10

Connie Nielsen as Lucilla

Connie Nielsen in ‘Gladiator’; in November 2024.Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Maya Dehlin Spach/FilmMagic

Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Maya Dehlin Spach/FilmMagic

“It was a very emotional experience for me,” Nielsen toldEntertainment Weeklyof returning for the sequel. “I had so many wonderful memories from the time of doing it and it was kind of marvelous to look back and then all of a sudden be there again. It was frankly quite mind-boggling to have that experience."

Next year, Nielsen stars oppositeBob Odenkirkin a sequel to the 2021 action-thrillerNobody.

She was married to Danish musician Lars Ulrich from 2004 to 2012, and the pair share son Bryce Thadeus, born in 2007.

04of 10

Oliver Reed as Antonius Proximo

Legendary British actor Oliver Reed’s last role was as the gladiator-turned-slaveowner Antonius Proximo, who owned Maximus and other gladiators to exhibit them in the Colosseum.

During a break from filmingGladiatorin Malta, Reed died of a heart attack on May 2, 1999, at age 61. At the time of his death, Reed had not finished filming all his scenes as Proximo, so the crew used body doubles, special effects and editing to wrap up his character arc.Gladiatorcontained a dedication to Reed in the end credits.

05of 10Djimon Hounsou as JubaDjimon Hounsou in ‘Gladiator’; in June 2024.Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagicDjimon Hounsouplayed Maximus’ right-hand man and closest ally, a Black Numidian man taken from his home as an enslaved gladiator.After a moving performance in the 2000 film, Hounsou went on to receive acclaim and Academy Award nominations for 2002’sIn Americaand 2006’sBlood Diamond. He also joined several superhero films across the DC and Marvel cinematic universes, playing characters in 2005’sConstantine, 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy, 2018’sAquaman, 2019’sShazam!and 2022’sBlack Adam.On BroBible’sPost-Credit Podcast, Hounsou revealed that he was initially slated to return forGladiator II, but plans fell through.“This was a pure accident in the way it unfolded. I was going to be part of it. Circumstances dictated it to be something different,” theGran Turismoactor explained.Hounsou was in a relationship with modelKimora Lee Simmonsfrom 2007 to 2012, and the couple have oneson, Kenzo, born in 2009. They announced their separation in 2012.

05of 10

Djimon Hounsou as Juba

Djimon Hounsou in ‘Gladiator’; in June 2024.Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Djimon Hounsouplayed Maximus’ right-hand man and closest ally, a Black Numidian man taken from his home as an enslaved gladiator.

After a moving performance in the 2000 film, Hounsou went on to receive acclaim and Academy Award nominations for 2002’sIn Americaand 2006’sBlood Diamond. He also joined several superhero films across the DC and Marvel cinematic universes, playing characters in 2005’sConstantine, 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy, 2018’sAquaman, 2019’sShazam!and 2022’sBlack Adam.

On BroBible’sPost-Credit Podcast, Hounsou revealed that he was initially slated to return forGladiator II, but plans fell through.

“This was a pure accident in the way it unfolded. I was going to be part of it. Circumstances dictated it to be something different,” theGran Turismoactor explained.

Hounsou was in a relationship with modelKimora Lee Simmonsfrom 2007 to 2012, and the couple have oneson, Kenzo, born in 2009. They announced their separation in 2012.

06of 10Derek Jacobi as Senator GracchusDerek Jacobi in ‘Gladiator’; in November 2024.Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo; Karwai Tang/WireImageBritish screen and stage star Derek Jacobi portrayed Maximus and Lucilla’s ally, an influential senator named Gracchus.“I was there for about three months and it was joyous,” Jacobi toldThe Colliderof his experience on set. “It was a lovely part and a very exciting set up, working in the Colosseum every day with tigers and gladiators and sword fighting.”Among theTonyandEmmy Awardwinner’s many projects over his 65 years in the industry are 2005’sNanny McPhee, 2015’s live-actionCinderellaand 2017’sMurder on the Orient Express. Jacobi returns to play Gracchus inGladiator II.In 2006, Jacobi and theater director Richard Clifford registered their civil partnership in the United Kingdom after three decades together.

06of 10

Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus

Derek Jacobi in ‘Gladiator’; in November 2024.Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo; Karwai Tang/WireImage

British screen and stage star Derek Jacobi portrayed Maximus and Lucilla’s ally, an influential senator named Gracchus.

“I was there for about three months and it was joyous,” Jacobi toldThe Colliderof his experience on set. “It was a lovely part and a very exciting set up, working in the Colosseum every day with tigers and gladiators and sword fighting.”

Among theTonyandEmmy Awardwinner’s many projects over his 65 years in the industry are 2005’sNanny McPhee, 2015’s live-actionCinderellaand 2017’sMurder on the Orient Express. Jacobi returns to play Gracchus inGladiator II.

In 2006, Jacobi and theater director Richard Clifford registered their civil partnership in the United Kingdom after three decades together.

07of 10

Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius

Richard Harris in ‘Gladiator’; in 2001.Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Evan Agostini/ImageDirect/Getty

Jaap Buitendijk/Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Evan Agostini/ImageDirect/Getty

Today, theGrammyand Emmy winner is known across generations for his role as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first twoHarry Potterfilms, with the second installment being his final on-screen movie role.

08of 10

Ralf Moeller as Hagen

Conan the Adventurer’s Ralf Moeller, known for assuming the mantle of Conan the Barbarian fromArnold Schwarzeneggerin the ‘90s adventure series, took on the part of another muscle man inGladiatoras Germanic warrior Hagen.

“When we grow up as kids, there are certain kinds of films you watch over and over again, even if you’ve seen them. [Gladiator] is also that kind of film," Moeller toldMuscle & Fitnessin 2020. “I watch it and suddenly I appear and I say to myself, ‘You were in that kind of movie.’ “

Over the years, Moeller appeared in various German and English-language films like the 2006 comedyBeerfestand 2014’sSabotagewith Schwarzenegger. He will reunite with theTerminatorstar in the upcoming filmKung Fury 2, which wrapped production in April 2024.

The actor split from ex-wife Annette Moeller in 2013 after 23 years of marriage, and they share two daughters.

09of 10

Tommy Flanagan as Cicero

Tommy Flanagan in ‘Gladiator’; in November 2024.DreamWorks; Carlo Paloni/BAFTA via Getty

DreamWorks; Carlo Paloni/BAFTA via Getty

The actor went on to star in the long-running FX seriesSons of Anarchyas Filip “Chibs” Telford. Most recently, he had a recurring role in the Netflix miniseriesThe Perfect CouplewithNicole KidmanandLiev Schreiber. He also reunited withGladiatorcostar Crowe for the crime thrillerSleeping Dogs.

He has been married to his wife, Dina Flanagan, since 2010, and the couple have one child together.

10of 10Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius VerusSpencer Treat Clark in ‘Gladiator’; in November 2022.DreamWorks-Universal / DR; Slaven Vlasic/GettyA then-12-year-old Spencer Treat Clark played the son of Maximus and Lucilla, Lucius — but he won’t be returning for the sequel.Speaking to PEOPLEfor his 2024 filmSalem’s Lot, Clark addressed Mescal taking over the character forGladiator II, saying that “Paul’s going to do such a great job.”“I’m really excited to see the movie and to see what Paul brings to it,” Clark said.SinceGladiator, Clark has landed roles inJoss Whedon’s 2012 take on Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing, the crime dramaAnimal Kingdomand the 2019 thrillerGlasswithJames McAvoy,Bruce Willis,Samuel L. Jackson,Anya Taylor-JoyandSarah Paulson.The actor, now 37, is married and welcomed a child with his wife in 2023.

10of 10

Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius Verus

Spencer Treat Clark in ‘Gladiator’; in November 2022.DreamWorks-Universal / DR; Slaven Vlasic/Getty

DreamWorks-Universal / DR; Slaven Vlasic/Getty

A then-12-year-old Spencer Treat Clark played the son of Maximus and Lucilla, Lucius — but he won’t be returning for the sequel.

Speaking to PEOPLEfor his 2024 filmSalem’s Lot, Clark addressed Mescal taking over the character forGladiator II, saying that “Paul’s going to do such a great job.”

“I’m really excited to see the movie and to see what Paul brings to it," Clark said.

SinceGladiator, Clark has landed roles inJoss Whedon’s 2012 take on Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing, the crime dramaAnimal Kingdomand the 2019 thrillerGlasswithJames McAvoy,Bruce Willis,Samuel L. Jackson,Anya Taylor-JoyandSarah Paulson.

The actor, now 37, is married and welcomed a child with his wife in 2023.

source: people.com