The Cast of Halloween (1978): Then and Now - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-01-2015, 02:06 AM

Jamie Lee Curtis: Then

The daughter of screen legends Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis made her feature film debut in Halloween as Laurie Strode, a babysitter terrorized by Michael Myers.

The part made her an instant star and one of the first "scream queens," with roles in The Fog, Prom Night, Terror Train and three Halloween sequels.

Jamie Lee Curtis: Now

Though the star of such hits as True Lies claimed she would retire from acting after Christmas With the Kranks (2004), she starred in the talking-dog family flick Beverly Hills Chihuahua in 2008.

After guest stints on "NCIS" and "New Girl" she currently stars on the Fox horror-comedy series "Scream Queens".

Donald Pleasance (1919-1995)

He was Dr. Sam Loomis, who had treated Michael Myers and recognized him as the face of evil. He tried to warn the townsfolk of the grave danger they faced, but no one would believe him.

Loomis' last line, "As a matter of fact, it was" (the boogeyman, that is), still gives us chills.

Pleasence died in 1995 at age 75 from complications after receiving heart valve replacement surgery.

A lauded stage and dramatic actor (he had four Tony nominations), he is best known to U.S. audiences as Bond baddie Ernst Blofield (You Only Live Twice) and, of course, as the tireless Dr. Sam Loomis -- he played the character in five Halloween movies.

His final film, Fatal Frames: Fotogrammi Mortali was released posthumously in 1996.

Nick Castle: Then

A good friend of John Carpenter's, Castle played the babysitter-slaying masked Michael Myers (credited as "The Shape") for almost the entire film ... except for the crucial final scene, in which Laurie Strode tore the mask off to reveal Michael's shockingly cherubic face.

Sorry, Nick, but you're no angel.

Nick Castle: Now

Castle's role in Halloween was his only big-screen acting gig, but he's had a fair amount of success behind the camera.

He directed The Last Starfighter, Dennis the Menace, Major Payne and Mr. Wrong, and wrote the screenplays for Hook and August Rush.

His most recently appeared onscreen in the straight-to-video film Connor's War in 2006.

Tony Moran: Then

Of the five people who wore Michael Myers' mask in the film, Moran was the only one whose face we saw: As he choked Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) in the climactic final scene, she lifted the mask for a few moments.

Hence, while Nick Castle had the most screen time, Moran was the one billed as "Michael Myers."

Tony Moran: Now

Moran, whose sister is Erin Moran (Joanie on "Happy Days"), left Hollywood after Halloween II; but he stays busy on the horror convention circuit, meeting fans and signing pictures and masks.

In recent years he has acted in several straight-to-video productions.

P.J. Soles: Then

As the "totally!" randy Linda van der Klok, she bared her breasts and had sex with her boyfriend, two extremely big horror movie no-nos (nudity and/or sex means you're about to get dead).

As a result, she ended up Michael's final victim of the night, strangled to death with a telephone cord.

P.J. Soles: Now

Soles still acts steadily, with roles in horror flicks like The Devil's Rejects and Alone in the Dark II.

But it's her '70s and '80s heyday -- turns in Carrie and Stripes, a brief marriage to Dennis Quaid -- that won her a cult following and prompted alt-rock band Local H to entitle its '04 album 'Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?'

She remains active in the horror convention circuit.

Kyle Richards: Then

Little Lindsey Wallace spent most of her evening with Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) after being abandoned by her irresponsible (later dead) sitter Annie (Nancy Loomis).

Richards, who was nine when Halloween came out, was already an acting pro, having played Alicia Edwards on "Little House on the Prairie".

Kyle Richards: Now

Aside from TV spots, Richards' steadiest acting gig to date has been as recurring character "Nurse Dori" on "E.R."

Today she is mostly known from the reality show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" along with her sister Kim.

Nancy Loomis: Then

She played slacker babysitter Annie Brackett, who was strangled by Michael Myers in her car.

Nancy Loomis: Now

Loomis had a cameo in Halloween II and appeared in Halloween III as an entirely different character (Linda Challis).

She quit acting in 1992 and has appeared in several Halloween documentaries.

She is currently a sculptor in L.A. under her given name, Nancy Kyes

JamesG · 11-01-2015, 02:08 AM

Brian Andrews: Then

Brian Andrews played little Tommy Doyle whom Jamie Lee Curtis had to babysit on that horrible Halloween night.

Brian Andrews: Now

Brian Andrews decided to leave show business in 1987 after the film Three O'Clock High and he remains active in the horror convention circuit.

He then recently returned for roles in Lazarus: Apocalypse (2014) and Sky Harbor (2015)

Back in 1995 his character, Tommy Doyle, was due to come back for the 6th Halloween film and the studio was looking for him to get him to come back for the part. Brian Andrews did not have an agent so he couldn't be found on time.

He has said that he regrets what happened as he would have loved the opportunity to come back. His role went to a then upcoming Paul Rudd.

John Michael Graham: Then

Halloween was John Michael Graham's only movie. He played Bob, P.J. Soles' boyfriend, who gets impaled my Michael's knife against the wall.

John Michael Graham: Now

John Michael Graham loves his cult status among Halloween fans and he remains active in the horror convention circuit, as well as participating in Halloween documentaries.

He has been employed by Disney since 1989 and he works at Disney's Animal Kingdom today.

Charles Cyphers: Then

As Sheriff Leigh Brackett, he hunted down serial killer Michael Myers, little realizing that his daughter Annie (Nancy Loomis) was one of the victims.

He probably didn't realize she was ditching babysitting to have sex with her boyfriend, either. Parents are so out of it.

Charles Cyphers: Now

Cyphers was in three more John Carpenter films: The Fog, Halloween II and Escape from New York.

He also played GM Charlie Donovan in Major League but has mostly stuck to TV and horror movies.

His most recent role was in the straight-to-video horror flick Methodic in 2007.

John Carpenter: Then

Carpenter directed, wrote, produced and composed the music for his horror classic -- oh, and he was the voice of Paul, Annie's boyfriend (you never see the guy, and then he's dead).

He made Halloween for a mere $325,000; it went on to gross around $56 million, making it the biggest indie hit of its era.

John Carpenter: Now

Halloween launched Carpenter's career as a horror master (The Fog, The Thing, Christine), but he also had his share of action hits (Escape From New York, Big Trouble in Little China).

After a ten year break from directing, John Carpenter returned to the director's chair for the horror film The Ward in 2010. It had a limited run in the U.S.

Debra Hill (1950-2005)

Debra Hill is considered a pioneer among women working for the entertainment industry.

She befriended John Carpenter and they first worked together on Assault on Prescient 13 (1975).

She also was a writer / producer on Halloween and made history with that film. John Carpenter said that he "didn't know how to write for girls" so Debra Hill wrote all of the chit-chat between Jamie Lee Curtis and her friends.

She also wore the Michael Myers' mask on screen a couple of times and it is her hand that we see grabbing the kitchen knife at the very beginning of the film.

Debra Hill died from cancer at 54 in 2005. She was working on the Oliver Stone film World Trade Center at the time of her death.

John Carpenter made a statement after she passed saying, "working with her was one of the greatest experiences of my life - she had a passion for not just movies about women or women's ideas but films for everybody."

Moustapha Akkad (1930-2005)

Moustapha Akkad made movie history when he was convinced to help finance a low-budget independent horror film, Halloween, back in 1978.

Moustapha stayed on-board for all of the Halloween films up to the last of the original franchise, Resurrection, in 2002.

Tragedy struck in 2005 when Moustapha and his daughter Rima were killed in a suicide bombing over in Jordan at a wedding reception.

Shortly before his death, plans were being considered for a 9th Halloween sequel that were ultimately scrapped.

His son, Malek Akkad, had taken over the reigns of the Halloween franchise and has worked closely with Rob Zombie on the reboot franchise.

Torgo · 11-02-2015, 08:00 PM

I always liked this one of Nick Castle...

JamesG · 08-20-2018, 12:55 PM

^ I thought of you when I saw this.

Nick Castle recreated the photo on the new Halloween set.

11-01-2015, 02:06 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,159	The Cast of Halloween (1978): Then and Now Jamie Lee Curtis: Then The daughter of screen legends Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis made her feature film debut in Halloween as Laurie Strode, a babysitter terrorized by Michael Myers. The part made her an instant star and one of the first "scream queens," with roles in The Fog, Prom Night, Terror Train and three Halloween sequels. Jamie Lee Curtis: Now Though the star of such hits as True Lies claimed she would retire from acting after Christmas With the Kranks (2004), she starred in the talking-dog family flick Beverly Hills Chihuahua in 2008. After guest stints on "NCIS" and "New Girl" she currently stars on the Fox horror-comedy series "Scream Queens". Donald Pleasance (1919-1995) He was Dr. Sam Loomis, who had treated Michael Myers and recognized him as the face of evil. He tried to warn the townsfolk of the grave danger they faced, but no one would believe him. Loomis' last line, "As a matter of fact, it was" (the boogeyman, that is), still gives us chills. Pleasence died in 1995 at age 75 from complications after receiving heart valve replacement surgery. A lauded stage and dramatic actor (he had four Tony nominations), he is best known to U.S. audiences as Bond baddie Ernst Blofield (You Only Live Twice) and, of course, as the tireless Dr. Sam Loomis -- he played the character in five Halloween movies. His final film, Fatal Frames: Fotogrammi Mortali was released posthumously in 1996. Nick Castle: Then A good friend of John Carpenter's, Castle played the babysitter-slaying masked Michael Myers (credited as "The Shape") for almost the entire film ... except for the crucial final scene, in which Laurie Strode tore the mask off to reveal Michael's shockingly cherubic face. Sorry, Nick, but you're no angel. Nick Castle: Now Castle's role in Halloween was his only big-screen acting gig, but he's had a fair amount of success behind the camera. He directed The Last Starfighter, Dennis the Menace, Major Payne and Mr. Wrong, and wrote the screenplays for Hook and August Rush. His most recently appeared onscreen in the straight-to-video film Connor's War in 2006. Tony Moran: Then Of the five people who wore Michael Myers' mask in the film, Moran was the only one whose face we saw: As he choked Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) in the climactic final scene, she lifted the mask for a few moments. Hence, while Nick Castle had the most screen time, Moran was the one billed as "Michael Myers." Tony Moran: Now Moran, whose sister is Erin Moran (Joanie on "Happy Days"), left Hollywood after Halloween II; but he stays busy on the horror convention circuit, meeting fans and signing pictures and masks. In recent years he has acted in several straight-to-video productions. P.J. Soles: Then As the "totally!" randy Linda van der Klok, she bared her breasts and had sex with her boyfriend, two extremely big horror movie no-nos (nudity and/or sex means you're about to get dead). As a result, she ended up Michael's final victim of the night, strangled to death with a telephone cord. P.J. Soles: Now Soles still acts steadily, with roles in horror flicks like The Devil's Rejects and Alone in the Dark II. But it's her '70s and '80s heyday -- turns in Carrie and Stripes, a brief marriage to Dennis Quaid -- that won her a cult following and prompted alt-rock band Local H to entitle its '04 album 'Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?' She remains active in the horror convention circuit. Kyle Richards: Then Little Lindsey Wallace spent most of her evening with Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) after being abandoned by her irresponsible (later dead) sitter Annie (Nancy Loomis). Richards, who was nine when Halloween came out, was already an acting pro, having played Alicia Edwards on "Little House on the Prairie". Kyle Richards: Now Aside from TV spots, Richards' steadiest acting gig to date has been as recurring character "Nurse Dori" on "E.R." Today she is mostly known from the reality show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" along with her sister Kim. Nancy Loomis: Then She played slacker babysitter Annie Brackett, who was strangled by Michael Myers in her car. Nancy Loomis: Now Loomis had a cameo in Halloween II and appeared in Halloween III as an entirely different character (Linda Challis). She quit acting in 1992 and has appeared in several Halloween documentaries. She is currently a sculptor in L.A. under her given name, Nancy Kyes

11-02-2015, 08:00 PM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	I always liked this one of Nick Castle...
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

11-01-2015, 02:08 AM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,159	Brian Andrews: Then Brian Andrews played little Tommy Doyle whom Jamie Lee Curtis had to babysit on that horrible Halloween night. Brian Andrews: Now Brian Andrews decided to leave show business in 1987 after the film Three O'Clock High and he remains active in the horror convention circuit. He then recently returned for roles in Lazarus: Apocalypse (2014) and Sky Harbor (2015) Back in 1995 his character, Tommy Doyle, was due to come back for the 6th Halloween film and the studio was looking for him to get him to come back for the part. Brian Andrews did not have an agent so he couldn't be found on time. He has said that he regrets what happened as he would have loved the opportunity to come back. His role went to a then upcoming Paul Rudd. John Michael Graham: Then Halloween was John Michael Graham's only movie. He played Bob, P.J. Soles' boyfriend, who gets impaled my Michael's knife against the wall. John Michael Graham: Now John Michael Graham loves his cult status among Halloween fans and he remains active in the horror convention circuit, as well as participating in Halloween documentaries. He has been employed by Disney since 1989 and he works at Disney's Animal Kingdom today. Charles Cyphers: Then As Sheriff Leigh Brackett, he hunted down serial killer Michael Myers, little realizing that his daughter Annie (Nancy Loomis) was one of the victims. He probably didn't realize she was ditching babysitting to have sex with her boyfriend, either. Parents are so out of it. Charles Cyphers: Now Cyphers was in three more John Carpenter films: The Fog, Halloween II and Escape from New York. He also played GM Charlie Donovan in Major League but has mostly stuck to TV and horror movies. His most recent role was in the straight-to-video horror flick Methodic in 2007. John Carpenter: Then Carpenter directed, wrote, produced and composed the music for his horror classic -- oh, and he was the voice of Paul, Annie's boyfriend (you never see the guy, and then he's dead). He made Halloween for a mere $325,000; it went on to gross around $56 million, making it the biggest indie hit of its era. John Carpenter: Now Halloween launched Carpenter's career as a horror master (The Fog, The Thing, Christine), but he also had his share of action hits (Escape From New York, Big Trouble in Little China). After a ten year break from directing, John Carpenter returned to the director's chair for the horror film The Ward in 2010. It had a limited run in the U.S. Debra Hill (1950-2005) Debra Hill is considered a pioneer among women working for the entertainment industry. She befriended John Carpenter and they first worked together on Assault on Prescient 13 (1975). She also was a writer / producer on Halloween and made history with that film. John Carpenter said that he "didn't know how to write for girls" so Debra Hill wrote all of the chit-chat between Jamie Lee Curtis and her friends. She also wore the Michael Myers' mask on screen a couple of times and it is her hand that we see grabbing the kitchen knife at the very beginning of the film. Debra Hill died from cancer at 54 in 2005. She was working on the Oliver Stone film World Trade Center at the time of her death. John Carpenter made a statement after she passed saying, "working with her was one of the greatest experiences of my life - she had a passion for not just movies about women or women's ideas but films for everybody." Moustapha Akkad (1930-2005) Moustapha Akkad made movie history when he was convinced to help finance a low-budget independent horror film, Halloween, back in 1978. Moustapha stayed on-board for all of the Halloween films up to the last of the original franchise, Resurrection, in 2002. Tragedy struck in 2005 when Moustapha and his daughter Rima were killed in a suicide bombing over in Jordan at a wedding reception. Shortly before his death, plans were being considered for a 9th Halloween sequel that were ultimately scrapped. His son, Malek Akkad, had taken over the reigns of the Halloween franchise and has worked closely with Rob Zombie on the reboot franchise.

08-20-2018, 12:55 PM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,159	^ I thought of you when I saw this. Nick Castle recreated the photo on the new Halloween set.