Whatever Happened To The Original Cast Of Jumanji?

In 1995, the world was introduced to the movie "Jumanji," a modern classic that became one of the top ten grossing films of the year and spawned an entire franchise of sequels, spin-offs, board games, video games, and even an animated TV series. Originally, many critics panned the film, believing it to be too "traumatic" for children, as Roger Ebert believed, or criticized the special effects, as we see in the Washington Post (an odd criticism, since "Jumanji" would go on to win a Saturn Award for best special effects). But the film's enduring legacy, popularity, (and, of course, its box office results) tell a very different story. In fact, families are still buying copies today for their home collections. "Jumanji" is often considered one of the top 100 family films of all time.

The film's plot is deceptively straightforward: In 1969, young Alan Parrish is sucked into a board game. Decades later, siblings Judy and Peter Shepherd discover the game and begin to play, releasing Alan and a whole host of natural disasters, angry wildlife, and even a vengeful hunter. With its relatively small cast, many of the actors have gone on to become familiar silver screen faces, while others have become Hollywood legends. Here's a look at what the beloved cast is up to today.

Kirsten Dunst might only have been 13 years old when she played Judy Shepherd on "Jumanji," but she was already a seasoned actress, having starred in 1994's "Interview with the Vampire" at the age of 10. Funnily enough, Scarlet Johansson actually auditioned for the role of Judy, but the part went to Dunst instead. According to Bebe Neuwirth in an interview with the New York Times, on the set of "Jumanji" Dunst had "a depth. Even as a child, she was a very interesting actress who had something unusual about her." It's no surprise then that Dunst was nominated for a Saturn Award for best performance by a young actor for her portrayal of Judy Shepherd in "Jumanji."

These days, she's as big a star as ever. She recently married her long-time partner Jesse Plemons, who she met while playing his wife in Season 2 of "Fargo," and who was also her co-star in the Oscar award-winning "The Power of the Dog." "Fargo" and "The Power of the Dog" have garnered the actress an Emmy nomination and an Academy Award nomination, respectively.

Fans can also watch her on the 2019 Showtime series, "On Becoming a God in Central Florida," for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe award. She's also been attached to the new Alex Garland film, "Civil War," which isn't a period drama, but instead a sci-fi action film set in near-future America.

True "Jumanji" fans are probably already aware that Jonathan Hyde plays both Alan's father, Samuel Parrish, and the unhinged hunter, Van Pelt, in "Jumanji." In retrospect, having Alan's fear of letting down his intimidating father take the form of a vengeful hunter makes a surprising amount of emotional sense for a children's movie.

Audiences should also recognize this great character actor, who was a member of The Royal Shakespeare Company, from 1997's "Titanic," and 1999's "The Mummy." These days, fans are more likely to see him on the stage, acting in 2021's "Hamlet" at the Theatre Royal Windsor alongside Ian McKellen.

However, those looking for Hyde at the movies won't have to wait long, as he's currently attached, alongside Eddie Izzard, to the new "Doctor Jekyll” film, which looks to be a fantastic new take on the famous novella (the movie poster alone is enough to impress us with its gothic mystery vibes). Children might also recognize his voice as Mr. Strickler in the "Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia" and "Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans."

Who could forget the loveable, overwhelmed cop Carl Bentley from "Jumanji"? Hopefully, no one — his hilarious screams have earned him a place in the "Jumanji" hall of fame. Although the main kids and Robin Williams get the lion's share of screentime, David Alan Grier as Carl Bentley steals the show every time he makes an appearance.

This great comedic actor has starred in dozens of TV series over the years — seriously, he's got over 125 acting credits to his name. Viewers might remember him from the 2015 live TV musical revival of "The Wiz" as the Cowardly Lion (he's got some serious musical talent, as shown in this video from the Cadillac Hotel). And those who are in the mood for some light comedy can watch him guest star on the always delightful, "At Home with Amy Sedaris" (2020). However, be on the watch for him in more dramatic roles in the next year, as his two upcoming series, "The Patient" and "The Color Purple," deal with some heavy subject matter.

James Handy had a small, but important role in "Jumanji." He plays the exterminator called in for some invasive African bats, who also ends up sharing the grisly rumors of Alan Parrish's death. This classic actor has played more than a few detectives, police chiefs, and oddly enough, religious clerics in his time. After his service in the Vietnam War, he established a career as an actor, primarily working in television on "Castle," "Criminal Minds," "Alias," "The West Wing," "X-Files," "CSI: NY," and literally dozens of other popular shows from the past 30 years.

Just a few short years before "Jumanji," James Handy dealt with a creature infestation of a different kind: He played Milton Briggs, the town coroner, in the horror comedy "Arachnophobia." Fans of "X-Men" might recognize him as the doctor in "Logan," however, audiences would have seen him on the big screen most recently as Jimmy the bartender in the 2022 summer blockbuster, "Top Gun: Maverick."

Laura Bell Bundy played young Sarah Parrish in "Jumanji," who understandably becomes traumatized after watching her best friend magically pulled into a board game, disappearing without a trace and leaving no one to believe her fantastical story. Laura Bell Bundy should be familiar to audiences, as she's become a popular TV and voice actress, playing Becky in the 2022 spin-off "How I Met Your Father," and in "Call Me Kat" as Nicole.

But what's the best place to find Bell Bundy? On the stage! Laura Bell Bundy originated the Broadway roles of Amber Von Tussle in "Hairspray" and Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde," the role for which she received a best actress Tony nomination in 2007.

She's also a country music singer who released her debut album, "Longing for a Place Already Gone," in 2007 and toured with Rascal Flatts in 2013. Fans can find her on the "Women of Tomorrow" podcast with Shea Carter, which discusses Broadway news, famous women in history, and of course, modern women trying to make a difference.

Finally, there's no way to tell the story of "Jumanji" without acknowledging the great Robin Williams. For millions of people around the world, Willam's death was devastating. There have been many tributes to his comedy, his talent, and his kindness. While it's difficult to imagine "Jumanji" without him, Williams originally passed on the film because he wasn't a fan of the script. Director Joe Johnston and a few of the writers stayed up all night reworking the script, after which Williams agreed to the part.

During a New York Times interview with some of the "Jumanji" cast and crew, many remembered his thoughtfulness on set. According to Bradley Pierce, who played Peter Shepherd, Robin Williams sat with him during the three hours of make-up it would take for his monkey transformation, keeping him company. In fact, William's son was a similar age to Pierce so when William's family would visit Vancouver (where "Jumanji" was being filmed), Williams would invite the young actor to join them on family excursions to the zoo or aquarium.

While William went on to become an Oscar-winning actor for his work in "Good Will Hunting," he is also remembered for his beloved family films, such as "Aladdin," "Dead Poets Society," and "Mrs. Doubtfire." In fact, one of his final roles was Teddy Roosevelt in "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb." For those wishing to learn more about the life of this legendary actor, his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, has produced a documentary, "Robin's Wish," that deals with his illness and the final months before his death.

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