THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Halloween,' 43 years later
Debanjali Bose
- The first "Halloween" film was released in 1978, introducing dreaded serial killer Michael Myers.
- Some of the cast, like Jamie Lee Curtis, reprised their roles in the new sequel, "Halloween Kills."
Forty-three years ago, a masked Michael Myers escaped from his psychiatric ward and stalked the town of Haddonfield in the 1978 classic "Halloween."
John Carpenter's slasher quickly helped define the horror genre — all on a shoestring budget estimated at $300,000.
After making nearly $50 million worldwide, the franchise continued, with 11 more films, including the 2018 film "Halloween" which served as a direct sequel to the original film released 40 years prior and ignored the storylines of all the other films in the franchise.
The latest film of the franchise, titled "Halloween Kills," picks up where the 2018 sequel left off, with a mob trying to hunt down Michael once and for all.
Some of the original movie's actors continued on with the franchise, while others moved on with their careers.
From television shows to ministry, take a look at where the stars of the original "Halloween" are today.
Jamie Lee Curtis played high school student and main character, Laurie Strode.
Curtis has since become a huge name in Hollywood. The actress has also established a notable writing career.
Curtis went on to star in many films, including "Freaky Friday," "A Fish Called Wanda," and the award-winning "True Lies."
More recently, she reprised her role as Laurie Strode in "Halloween" (2018) and "Halloween Kills."
Curtis has also written books, and her 1998 novel "Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day" made it to the New York Times bestseller list.
Donald Pleasence played Michael Myers' psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis.
Pleasence died in 1995 after amassing more than 200 film credits, writing a children's book, and receiving four Tony Award nominations.
In 1994, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Pleasence Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to the acting profession.
Pleasence died a year later.
Nancy Kyes played babysitter Annie Brackett.
After appearing on a few more TV and movie projects after "Halloween," Kyes left acting in 1992. She is currently a professor in California.
Nancy Kyes later acted in "The Fog," "Halloween III: Season of the Witch," and the 1985 revival of "The Twilight Zone." She was also married to Tommy Lee Wallace, director of "Halloween III," although the two have since divorced.
As of October 2021, Kyes is working as a sculptor and an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona's College of Theatre and New Dance.
P.J. Soles played high school student Lynda Van der Klok.
Soles is still active in television and film, with roles in movies like "Private Benjamin" and "The Devil's Rejects."
Sole had a cameo in the 2018 "Halloween" film as a school teacher.
The same year that the original "Halloween" movie was released, Soles married actor Dennis Quaid. The two were divorced five years later.
John Michael Graham played Lynda's boyfriend Bob.
Child actress Kyle Richards played a timid Lindsey Wallace, who Annie babysat.
Richards has continued acting, and is known for starring in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
After "Halloween," Richards appeared on "Little House On the Prairie," "ER" and in children's horror film, "The Watcher in the Woods."
More recently, Richards has starred on the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" since 2010. She also reprised her role as Lindsey in 2021's "Halloween Kills."
Charles Cyphers played Sheriff Leigh Brackett, the father of Annie.
Cyphers is back as Sheriff Brackett in "Halloween Kills" after stints on TV shows like "ER" and "Seinfeld."
Cyphers reunited with his "Halloween" costars Curtis and Kyes in John Carpenter's 1980 film "The Fog."
Nick Castle played Michael Myers as "The Shape."
Castle has since switched to writing and directing films, penning the 2007 movie "August Rush" and co-writing "Escape from New York."
Castle is back as "The Shape" in both "Halloween" (2018) and "Halloween Kills."
He's also expected to make an appearance in "Halloween Ends," which is slated for a 2022 release.
Tony Moran played Michael Myers without the mask.
Moran was under the radar for a while after the release of 1978's "Halloween," eventually appearing at conventions to support the movie.
Moran starred in and produced his own horror movie, "Beg," in 2011.
More recently, according to IMDb, he's set to appear in other upcoming horror films, including "Clown Motel 2," "Smile," and "Dawn of 5 Evils." He also appeared uncredited as Michael Myers in archival footage in "Halloween Kills."
Brian Andrews played Tommy Doyle, the curious 8-year-old who Laurie was babysitting.
Andrews' last credited acting role was in the 2015 film "Sky Harbor."
He also appeared in movie and TV projects like "Three O'Clock High" and "The Bronx Zoo."
Anthony Michael Hall appeared as an older version of Andrews' character Tommy in "Halloween Kills."
Nancy Stephens played Marion Chambers, who was a nurse and colleague of Dr. Sam Loomis.
Stephens had brief appearances in TV shows "All in the Family" and "Cheers."
She is also back as Nurse Chambers in "Halloween Kills."
Sandy Johnson played Michael's sister, Judith Margaret Myers.
"Halloween" (2018) used archival footage of Johnson as Judith from the 1978 movie, but she hasn't been back to the franchise since.
Johnson's last credited acting role was in the 1979 comedy "Gas Pump Girls." After a long hiatus, she's set to appear in three horror projects currently in development, according to her IMDb page — "Creeps at the Gym," "Executioner!," and "Barry the Hatchett."
David Kyle Foster played Judith's boyfriend.
Arthur Malet played the graveyard keeper.
Malet died in 2013. One of his final roles was in Alfonso Cuaron's 1995 film "A Little Princess."
He also had roles in iconic TV series like "Days of Our Lives" and "MacGyver" and memorably played Tootles in the 1991 Robin Williams film "Hook," in addition to voice-acting in animated movies including 1997's "Anastasia" and 1998's "The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue."
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