From 'Beetlejuice' to stardom: Catching up with the original cast of the 1988 Tim Burton supernatural comedy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: When the cult classic film 'Beetlejuice' premiered in theaters 35 years ago, it instantly propelled its cast members, including Winona Ryder and Alec Baldwin, into stardom. Decades later, Ryder and Baldwin, alongside their co-stars Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, and Catherine O'Hara, continue to be prominent figures in Hollywood, achieving numerous successes in the world of film and television.
However, it is their iconic roles as the original stars in Tim Burton's 1988 supernatural comedy 'Beetlejuice' that many fans still cherish as their most memorable. Recently, there have been reports of Ryder's pictures being released from the set of 'Beetlejuice 2', adding further intrigue and excitement for the fans of the franchise.
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Michael Keaton
Keaton's breakout role as the undead troublemaker in 'Beetlejuice' catapulted him to fame, and he continued to thrive in Hollywood. He portrayed 'Batman' in Tim Burton's film adaptation and its sequel, 'Batman Returns'. Through the '90s, he appeared in notable films like 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Jackie Brown'. In recent years, Keaton has received critical acclaim for his roles in the films 'Spotlight' and 'Birdman', earning an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe. His son, Sean Douglas, is a Grammy-winning songwriter, who paid tribute to his father during Keaton's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony in 2016.
Winona Ryder
Following her role as the teen daughter in 'Beetlejuice', Ryder went on to star in notable films such as 'Heathers', 'Edward Scissorhands', also directed by Tim Burton, 'Reality Bites', 'The Age of Innocence', 'Little Women' (1994), and 'Girl, Interrupted'. In 2012, Ryder reunited with her 'Beetlejuice' co-star Catherine O'Hara to lend their voices to the animated film 'Frankenweenie', directed by Tim Burton. More recently, Ryder gained widespread recognition for her role in the popular Netflix series 'Stranger Things'. The show is set to conclude with a fifth season, scheduled to begin filming in June. Currently, Ryder is actively involved in the filming of 'Beetlejuice 2', and some pictures from the set have been released, generating excitement among fans.
Ryder has been known for keeping her love life private, although she gained public attention during her relationship with Johnny Depp in the '90s. Since 2011, she has been in a relationship with Scott Mackinlay Hahn.
Alec Baldwin
Baldwin's role as Adam in 'Beetlejuice' marked the beginning of his successful career in TV and film. He has since appeared in notable movies like 'Glengarry Glen Ross' and 'The Departed', while his portrayal of Jack Donaghy in '30 Rock' earned him back-to-back Emmys. Recently, he has faced legal issues following the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his upcoming film 'Rust'. Baldwin is married to Hilaria Baldwin and has seven children, including Ireland Baldwin, who is expecting her first child.
Geena Davis
Davis's portrayal of Barbara in 'Beetlejuice' marked the start of her impressive career. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 'The Accidental Tourist' and received an Oscar nomination for 'Thelma & Louise'. In 2020, she was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Davis's notable film roles include 'A League of Their Own' and 'Speechless', where she reunited with co-star Michael Keaton. On television, she portrayed the first female president in 'Commander in Chief,' earning award nominations and a Golden Globe win. During her time working on 'Beetlejuice', Davis was married to Jeff Goldblum, but they divorced the following year. She later had a daughter named Alizeh in 2002 with her fourth husband, Reza Jarrahy, with whom she shares twin sons Kaiis and Kian, born in 2004.
Catherine O'Hara
O'Hara, already known for her work on television, portrayed the role of Delia Deetz, the stepmother of Lydia, who moves into the haunted house. Director Tim Burton later collaborated with O'Hara on 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'Frankenweenie'. O'Hara is also recognized for her role as the forgetful mother in 'Home Alone' and its sequel. In recent years, she gained significant acclaim for her portrayal of Moira Rose in 'Schitt's Creek', earning multiple awards, such as the SAG Awards, an Emmy and a Golden Globe. O'Hara met her husband, Bo Welch, on the set of 'Beetlejuice', where he worked as a production designer. They married in 1992 and have two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Jeffrey Jones
Jones, known for his role as Charles Deetz in 'Beetlejuice', continued his acting career in the '90s and 2000s, including a role in Tim Burton's 'Sleepy Hollow'. However, in 2003, Jones faced legal issues after being accused of inappropriate behavior involving a minor. He pleaded no contest and later received a sentence of community service for failing to update his information on the sex offenders registry. Despite the controversy, Jones appeared in the series 'Deadwood' from 2004 to 2006 and reprised his role in the show's 2019 TV movie.
Warner Bros has officially confirmed that 'Beetlejuice 2' will release in theaters on September 6, 2024.