90s cult film The Craft cast now from very different career to huge role in Netflix show
When The Craft hit the big screen in May 1996, it was far from your average teen horror movie. With its dark and edgy narrative laced with a touch of witchcraft, it quickly gained cult status.
The film starred Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True as high school misfits who form a coven. The plot revolves around Sarah Bailey, a new student at a private Catholic high school, who befriends three outcasts involved in witchcraft. Together, they use magic to enhance their lives, but things soon spiral out of control.
Fast forward nearly 30 years, and many of the cast members have transitioned from teenage turmoil and spell-casting to unexpected new careers, including directing award-winning shows, lending their voices to animated sitcoms, and even tarot reading. Here's a look at where they are now, according to the Mirror US.
Robin Tunney (Sarah Bailey)
(Image: Publicity Picture)
Robin Tunney portrayed Sarah Bailey, the newcomer whose inherent magical abilities make her an ideal fit for the coven. Before The Craft, Robin had already made an impression with roles in Encino Man in 1992 and Empire Records in 1995. Her performance in 1997's Niagara, Niagara bagged her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.
After The Craft, Robin's career took off with significant roles in films like the 1999 action thriller End of Days, and 2000's Vertical Limit. She also made a name for herself on the small screen, starring as Veronica Donovan in Prison Break from 2005 until 2006, and as Teresa Lisbon in The Mentalist from 2008 until 2015.
More recently, she graced the screen in Netflix's Horse Girl in 2020 and took the lead in the ABC series The Fix in 2019, although the latter was axed after just one season. Robin has been in a committed relationship with interior designer Nicky Marmet since 2012, and they share two children.
Fairuza Balk (Nancy Downs)
Fairuza Balk's depiction of Nancy Downs, the film's main antagonist, perfectly captured the downward spiral of a troubled teenager into insanity. Post-The Craft, Fairuza continued to take on unconventional roles, featuring in Almost Famous in 2000 as Sapphire, a role that earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. She also contributed her voice to animated series like Family Guy and Justice League.
Beyond her acting career, Fairuza is heavily involved in the arts, participating in music and visual art projects. She keeps a low profile, often sharing her artistic pursuits with fans via social media.
Neve Campbell (Bonnie Harper)
Neve Campbell portrayed Bonnie Harper, a timid girl whose transformation following a beauty spell leads to vanity. While The Craft showcased her talent to audiences, it was her portrayal of Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise that cemented her status as a scream queen.
Neve returned to her role in several Scream sequels, including the fifth instalment which hit screens in January 2022. Her performance in 1997's Scream 2 bagged her the MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance.
Beyond the horror genre, she featured in the drama series Party of Five and films such as The Company in 2003 and Skyscraper in 2018. Off-screen, Neve is a mother to two boys, one of whom she adopted with her partner, actor JJ Feild.
Rachel True (Rochelle Zimmerman)
Rachel True's portrayal of Rochelle Zimmerman addressed issues of racism and bullying, making her character's journey particularly poignant. Post-The Craft, Rachel made appearances in shows like Dawson's Creek and Better Things, while also exploring her interest in mystical arts.
In 2017, she started working as a tarot card reader in Los Angeles' Echo Park area. Speaking to Dazed Digital in 2019, Rachel shared her struggles as a black actress in Hollywood, which led her to establish her own tarot business at House of Intuition in Los Angeles. "Hollywood made it clear I was not the leading lady but her quirky best friend," she said.
Rachel has since authored True Heart Intuitive Tarot, a guidebook to tarot that comes with a 78-card illustrated tarot deck and 22 memoir essays about her "mystic-minded Hollywood life." She continues to act and was cast in the second season of Harlem.
Skeet Ulrich (Chris Hooker)
Skeet Ulrich took on the role of Chris Hooker, a charming but deceptive love interest. That same year, he gained fame for his portrayal of Billy Loomis in Scream, a role he reprised in Scream in 2022, and again in Scream VI the following year.
From 2017 to 2021, Skeet was a regular on The CW's Riverdale as Forsythe Pendleton 'F.P.' Jones II. His other television roles include Johnston Jacob 'Jake' Green Jr. in Jericho, and LAPD Detective Rex Winters in the Law and Order series. Off-screen, Skeet is a father of two and continues to pursue acting roles in both film and television.
Christine Taylor (Laura Lizzie)
Christine Taylor brought to life Laura Lizzie, a racist bully who becomes the target of Rochelle's revenge spell. Christine is perhaps best known for her parts in The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel, as well as being the wife of actor and director Ben Stiller.
In 1998, Christine landed the role of Holly Sullivan in The Wedding Singer. A few years later, she starred alongside her husband in Zoolander. She has since appeared with her husband in films such as Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Tropic Thunder, and Zoolander 2.
The couple, parents to two children, parted ways in 2017 after a 17-year marriage. However, Ben revealed in 2022 that they had reconnected during the pandemic, having moved back in together. He shared that their separation allowed them to value their marriage more, while Christine expressed that their time apart facilitated personal growth and ultimately fortified their relationship.
Breckin Meyer (Mitt)
Breckin Meyer portrayed Mitt, one of Chris Hooker's friends who mocks the coven. Following his breakout role as Travis Birkenstock in Clueless in 1995, Breckin's acting career has continued to thrive.
His notable film credits include roles in Road Trip, Rat Race, and Garfield: The Movie, and most recently, Unpregnant. He has also lent his voice to Robot Chicken since 2005.
Cliff DeYoung (Mr Bailey)
Cliff DeYoung played Sarah's father, a caring but clueless parent oblivious to his daughter's magical powers. Cliff has featured in more than 80 films and television series, including Harry and Tonto in 1974, The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case in 1976, Centennial and Blue Collar in 1978, Shock Treatment in 1981, Glory in 1989, Suicide Kings in 1997, and Wild in 2014.
He has made guest appearances on shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The West Wing, and The Young and the Restless. Cliff has been married to Gypsy DeYoung since 1970.
Assumpta Serna (Lirio Santana)
Assumpta Serna portrayed Lirio Santana, the proprietor of an occult shop who provides guidance to Sarah. Assumpta has acted in 20 countries and six languages, earning over 20 international awards.
In addition to acting, Assumpta is also an educator and author. She has penned two books on acting techniques and offers courses on communication and leadership.
Together with her husband, actor Scott Cleverdon, she created the first university Master's course for actors focusing on Screenacting. Through their Fundación First Team, they have taught more than 4,000 students across six countries.
Helen Shaver (Grace Downs-Saunders)
Helen Shaver played Grace Downs-Saunders, Nancy's mother. In the mid-1990s, Helen transitioned into television directing, having directed over 50 shows.
She has won three Directors Guild of Canada Awards, one Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing - Miniseries or TV Film, two Canadian Screen Awards, and three Women's Image Network Awards.
She was nominated for an Emmy Award for directing the 1999 television movie Summer's End and made her big screen debut with the drama film Happy Place in 2020. In 2004, Helen was honoured with a place on Canada's Walk of Fame.
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