Future' Stars: Where Are They?
'Back to the Future' I & II Cast: Where Are They Now?
It's been more than 20 years since Marty McFly and Dr. Brown (we're not talkin' the cream soda here) first burnt rubber in the doc's souped-up DeLorean, in 1985's 'Back to the Future.'
Chalk it all up as a gesture for love. They had to make the time travel trip to ensure that Marty's misfit parents met and married -- and that he'd be born! Two sequels later, the wacky, effects-laden franchise continues to delight. Who sez you can't go home again ... and again. -- By Tom Johnson
Everett (4)
Michael J. Fox
Played: Marty McFly, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Then: Fox owned the 1980s when he morphed from self-confident, Republican yuppie Alex P. Keaton in TV's 'Family Ties' straight into bullied, less-than-supremely confident slacker Marty McFly. In the process, he christened a classic franchise full of slap-schtick physical comedy (always a Fox specialty) and gonzo special effects that delighted audiences not once, but thrice.
Everett
Michael J. Fox
Played: Marty McFly, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Now: After middling success in films like 'Bright Lights Big City' and 'Casualties of War', Fox again struck TV series gold as New York City Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty in 'Spin City.' But during the show's run, Fox's Parkinson's disease (diagnosed in 1991) worsened. In 2001, he semi-retired from acting and has since become a staunch advocate for a cure. He's done some acting along the way, including a guest arc on 'Boston Legal' and an upcoming stint on 'Rescue Me.'
George Pimentel/ WireImage
Lea Thompson
Played: Lorraine McFly, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Then: From a kick-ass freedom fighter battling the Russkies in 'Red Dawn' to (a year later) portraying Lorraine, horndog (future) mom of Marty McFly, Lea Thompson ran the acting gamut from A to at least B. Arguably, Thompson's best movie years were her early ones, culminating in a memorably comic performance as a lovelorn single in 'Casual Sex.'
Everett
Lea Thompson
Played: Lorraine McFly, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Now: After a sabbatical to raise her two daughters with director hubby Howard Deutch, Thompson starred in the sitcom 'Caroline in the City' followed by a slew of mostly forgettable features. She has three films in the can awaiting release, including a starring turn opposite Jeremy London. Fun Fact: Thompson was engaged to Dennis Quaid for three years after meeting him on the set of her first flick, 'Jaws 3-D.'
Jesse Grant/ Getty Images
Christopher Lloyd
Played: Dr. Emmett Brown, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Then: Lloyd's Looney toon persona was first seen in a small role in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but the actor gained TV immortality as the perpetually burnt Reverend Jim in 'Taxi.' It was during the show's phenomenally successful run that he was tapped to play Dr. Brown, cracked scientific genius and Marty's best bud and confidant.
Everett
Christopher Lloyd
Played: Dr. Emmett Brown,'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Now: Averaging four or five movie and TV appearances a year, Lloyd's career has been on the same kind of hyper-drive as his prized DeLorean. He has eight projects in various states of completion, including a role in 'Jack in the Beanstalk' opposite Chevy Chase, and a guest spot on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' this year. Fun Fact: Lloyd received his first screen smooch (after 15 years in the biz) in 'Back to the Future 3.'
Lester Cohen/ WireImage
Crispin Glover
Played: George McFly, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Then: Proto-dweeb George McFly has nothing but his pocket protector for armor against the bullying Biff and his crew. Glover himself immerses entirely in memorable character roles with tweaked-out dorks like George a specialty. Case in point: his turns as Lane, the well-meaning stoner in 'River's Edge,' and as Andy Warhol in 'The Doors.'
Everett
Crispin Glover
Played: George McFly, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Now: Glover hit a type-casting peak (of sorts) as rat-centric 'Willard' in the titular film. Up next, voice work in the straight-to-video 'Open Season 2' and a, um, part in a movie about the ill-fated cannibalistic Donner Party. Did you know that Crispin's dad Bruce was the homicidal Mr. Wint in the James Bond movie 'Diamonds Are Forever'? And that Crispin was the "voice" of the monstrous Grendel in the motion-capture 'Beowulf'? He's also made several self-released experimental films. 'Nuff said.
Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
Robert Zemeckis
Writer/Director, 'Back to the Future' I, II and III
Then: Special effects "whiz-kid" Zemeckis seemed "joined at the hip" on many projects with producing partner Steven Spielberg. Zemeckis wrote and directed each film of the 'Future' trilogy and was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for the first movie but would have to wait 10 years before picking up his Oscar -- for directing 'Forrest Gump.'
Ron Galella/WireImage
Reader Comments (23)
Rob at 9:37PM on Sep 25th 2008
Lea's in a great film entitled COME AWAY HOME.
Amanda at 9:37PM on Sep 25th 2008
so... Like, I'm thirteen and I am in love with the back to the future movies. Even though they are far from my time. :) I also watch Family Ties, I own the DVD's. I love Michael J. Fox! I think that the back to the future movies are amazing.... and just a thought to toss out, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to do a fourth movie, like they did with indiana Jones: kingdom of the crystal skull (great movie for those who haven't seen it) But, it might be kinda hard since everyone has moved on... And MJ Fox with parkinson's disease... But just a thought. Also thought it was pretty cool the guy from lord of the rings was in this! lol. :0)
thanks everyone!
Holly at 9:37PM on Sep 25th 2008
I have to say those were a set of my favorite movies of all time. I Live MJF and LT. I could watch them over and over and over!!
http://www.thecouponcupboard.com
http://www.grocerypricebooks.com
Holly at 9:36PM on Sep 25th 2008
I am a hugr BTTF fan! I mean that in a sense that I could watch them over and over again. They were without a doubt one of the best set of movies to come out in a long time.
http://www.thecouponcupboard.com
http://www.grocerypricebooks.com
doug at 9:33PM on Sep 25th 2008
wow, though not a student of film by any means......
THAT DISPLAY OF THEN N NOW WAS EYE CATCHIN' TO SAY THE LEAST!!!
Frank at 10:38PM on Sep 25th 2008
Leah THompson still hot as all hell
Ellen at 10:28PM on Sep 25th 2008
Fan of the BTTF movies, but there is a discrepency with this list. Crispin Glover (George McFly) only appeared in the first installment. In the sequels it was another actor made up to look like him. Glover ended up filing a law suit against the production company for unauthorized use of his likeness. He ended up getting a settlement after the court refused to dismiss the complaint...i say good for him!
Jacqueline at 10:30PM on Sep 25th 2008
So moviefone, maybe you should actually watch the movies, or check your stats, before you write articles. First, Crispin Glover does NOT appear in BTF 2 or 3. It's another actor playing the same character in 2, and BTF 3 just uses a shot from the first movie. Glover wanted more money and the producers said no, so he refused to reprise his role. Second, neither of Marty's siblings appear in the second movie at all. Wendy, the actress who played his sister, had a baby at the time and couldn't do it. Spielberg thought it didn't make sense to keep Marty's brother in and not show his sister, so the characters were only mentioned in the movie, but never appeared.
luke at 11:32PM on Sep 25th 2008
nope
cody freeman at 7:02AM on Sep 26th 2008
wow i love bttf and its great cause where they filmed the vw chaseing the delorean through the mall parking lot is like 2 minutes from my house the puente hills mall i love being close to a historic event hahahah
Miracle at 7:01AM on Sep 26th 2008
I loved the BTTFs. I've been a devoted Michael J Fox (heart throb) fan, so as well as seeing the trilogy countless times, I collected interviews during 2 and 3 and learned a lot about the makings. So I notice more than one flaw from moviefone. The biggest that Glover did not do any new acting in part 2 and 3. I know I wasn't the only one to notice this. Since he wasn't satisfied with the money offered Zemeckis wrote the plot of number two around his death and glover's image appears in pictures in newspaper clippings in 2 and 3. And action clips from part 1 are integrated in part 2. Any new acting is from a stand in who hides behind a screen door and sun glasses in part 3 and is fipped upside down so you can't see his features in part 2. And I don't recall the name whitey, but I do recognize Jason Scott Lee as playing older Marty's boss Mr. Jitzsu who fires him after the line "I can't, Needles. It's illegal. What if the Jitz is monitoring?" Then moviefone also forgets to credit the character Needles played by Flea as appearing at the end of part 3 goading teenage Marty into the drag race that would've ruined his life. I had held out hope of a sequel where doc visits an older Marty for a long time, but aside from Michael's Parkinsons disease, we are also at a time now where we should be seeing hover cars, hover boards, and remarkable predictions to the weather. So since we're nowhere near that, the illusion is broke, so the movies would lose a lot of their charm. Part of what made BTTF was the fact I was leaving high school in 1985, so it reflected a part of my life, and I'm sure a lot of older people identified with the fifties. A sequel now would lack that, as well as the physical comedy that became Michael's trade Mark. Micheal only did two drama's without physicality, both did poorly. If Michael doesn't think we would enjoy him in an unphysical role, he won't do it. Integrity was the reason they ended Family Ties while it was still hot. The kid's where at an age where they should be leaving home, so rather than milking it by making over the plot and setting like so many greats have done until the shows fell as stupid, they decided it was time. If not something on Parkinson's we're more likely to see sequels to Homeward bound, Stewart Little, or a new voice over. Atlantis 2 wasn't Michael. Could be interesting if he joined Christopher Lloyd on the cartoon Cyber Chase, looks like moviefone chose not to include Lloyd's voice over as Hacker. Using these mediums, Michael can remain in active roles without actually exerting himself. Hopefully Sam and his twin girls aren't too old to enjoy animated or animal voice overs. They could be the swing vote on what he does next.
mistermac at 7:00AM on Sep 26th 2008
Lea Thompson was hot in her tv series Caroline in the City but has become a truly beautiful woman in later years.Like kinda takes your breath away!!
K Paula at 7:00AM on Sep 26th 2008
The BTTF movies are my favorite of all time! I can't believe how time flies...I was 12 when the first one came out in 85. And MJF was always my favorite actor (still is when looking at those who became legends.....)
teksazsyz at 8:38AM on Sep 27th 2008
Crispin Glover doesn't look bad. He looks like Denis Leary.
jeanannesooter at 10:40AM on Sep 27th 2008
Wolfman Jack omg what a loss ... I saw this I cryed he was the best I sat up every friday and saterday nights. ...it was the best..it was not like today were your kids think they can just do what they want...sad thing is I was a hippy then but as I had kid things just feel in to place... I was home at 17 teen not out running the streets ... burt if I would have been ..then we just out to have fun ... not to ever disrespect no one... I'm 50 years old I Love life And My Old BUDDY THE WOLFMAN...
NewEnglandBonnie at 8:54AM on Sep 27th 2008
I remember the Letterman episode ( you can probably youtube it) when C.G. came on the show rambling, making NO sense, and behaving erratically. Dave seemed pretty concerned and had no control of the direction of the program BEFORE Glover barely missed kicking him in the face. When they came back from Commercial, Dave announced "Our Guest Crispin Glover had to leave very suddenly, ladies and gentle men..." and ever the professional that he is, the show went on w/o incident.
Glover was clearly on something, and in need of an intervention. It's good to see him looking healthy and to know that he went on to resume his profession as an actor.
bonnie P at 10:28AM on Sep 27th 2008
I remember the Letterman episode ( you can probably youtube it) when
C.G. came on the show rambling, making NO sense, and behaving
erratically. Dave seemed pretty concerned and had no control of the
direction of the program BEFORE Glover barely missed kicking him in
the face. When they came back from Commercial, Dave announced "Our
Guest Crispin Glover had to leave very suddenly, ladies and gentle
men..." and ever the professional that he is, the show went on w/o
incident.
Glover was clearly on something, and in need of an intervention. It's
good to see him looking healthy and to know that he went on to resume
his profession as an actor.
Gerry Dalakian at 10:23AM on Sep 27th 2008
I guess you forgot that Lea Thompson stares on Jane Doe on TV - It's on cable so perhaps that's the reason you chose not to mention it????
what the... at 10:53AM on Sep 27th 2008
Why do some big accomplishments for some of the actors not get mentioned and things we never heard of do. Jason Hervey played Wayne on Wonder Years. That was a great show. And Crispin Glover had a pretty noticable role in Charlies Angels with Drew, Lucy and Cameron. He was creepy thin man. Also of note he appears to have an ageless quality about him. Has anyone noticed he looked as young in Charlies Angels as he did in Back to the Future?
Juan at 12:11PM on Sep 27th 2008
Each time i see the movie I still laugh and laugh and also always discovering new details that's makes the movie even more fascinating. It will be always my favorite :-)