Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in 1978’s ‘Halloween’.Photo:Allstar Picture Library Limited. / Alamy
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Allstar Picture Library Limited. / Alamy
Released on Oct. 25, 1978, just a few days before the actual holiday,John Carpenter’sHalloweenhorrified audiences and introduced one of the most terrifying villains of all time:Michael Myers. At the movie’s start, Michael is a young boy who kills his older sister onHalloweennight.
Carpenter landed on the titleHalloween, and Michael Myers — also known as “The Shape” — became a horror icon.Halloweenwas a smash hit, grossing over $47 million at the U.S. box office after being made for just a few hundred thousand dollars,according to Box Office Mojo.
Since then, theHalloweenfranchise hasexpanded to 13 films, including a reboot with its own sequel and even a spinoff anthology that had nothing to do with Myers. Thanks to the franchise’s long legacy, the original cast has had long-lasting, successful careers, with somesurprising famous faces joining the seriesover the years.
The fright-night classic that started it all, here’s what the cast of 1978’sHalloweenis up to now.
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Left: Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: Jamie Lee Curtis at the 2023 Producers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton on Feb. 25, 2023, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Allstar Picture Library Limited. / Alamy ; Taylor Hill/Getty
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Allstar Picture Library Limited. / Alamy ; Taylor Hill/Getty
Born in Los Angeles to actorsTony CurtisandJanet Leigh, Curtis landed her role inHalloweenwhen she was 19. The film was her first major project after playing Lt. Barbara Duran on the seriesOperation Petticoatfrom 1977 to 1978.
Halloween’s success turned Curtis into a star and led to other feature roles in horror movies likeThe Fog(1980),Prom Night(1980) andTerror Train(1980), as well as the 1981 sequelHalloween II. These credits earned her the nickname “Scream Queen.” Curtis also tried her hand at other genres, starring in TradingPlaces(1983),A Fish Called Wanda(1988),True Lies(1994) andFreaky Friday(2003).
She experienced a massive career resurgence from the late 2010s through the 2020s, starting with the new trilogy ofHalloweensequels —Halloween(2018),Halloween Kills(2021) andHalloween Ends(2022), which presumably concluded the franchise’s 44-year run.
In 2022, Curtis was cast in the critically acclaimed indieEverything Everywhere All at Once. The movie became a breakout hit and swept the 95th annualAcademy Awards, withCurtis winning Best Supporting Actress— her first Oscar win despite having a decades-long career.
Next up, Curtis will reprise her beloved role as Tess Coleman in theFreaky Fridaysequel,Freakier Friday, premiering on Aug. 8, 2025.Per Deadline, she will also appear in theJames L. Brooks-directed comedyElla McCayin2025.
02of 08Nick Castle as Michael MyersLeft: Nick Castle as Michael Meyers in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: Nick Castle at the Universal Pictures’ ‘Halloween’ premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct. 17, 2018, in Hollywood, Calif.Compass International Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty ; Steve Granitz/WireImageNick Castle scared audiences to death with his role as Myers, whose slow walk and towering stature made him a terrifying, almost supernatural killer.After donning the infamous white mask in the original film, Castle focused on his career as a writer and director. His projects include co-writingEscape from New York(1981) with Carpenter, directingDennis the Menace(1993) and writing the screenplay forAugust Rush(2007). Castle returned to the fictional Haddonfield, Ill., as the mute masked killer in 2018’sHalloween,Halloween KillsandHalloween Ends.In 2018, Castle discussed returning to theHalloweenset after 40 years, recalling how Curtis spotted him on their first day of filming. Hetold Bloody Disgustingthat she “ran over, gave me a big hug and said, ‘Is this nuts or what?’ "
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Left: Nick Castle as Michael Meyers in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: Nick Castle at the Universal Pictures’ ‘Halloween’ premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct. 17, 2018, in Hollywood, Calif.Compass International Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty ; Steve Granitz/WireImage
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Compass International Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty ; Steve Granitz/WireImage
Nick Castle scared audiences to death with his role as Myers, whose slow walk and towering stature made him a terrifying, almost supernatural killer.
After donning the infamous white mask in the original film, Castle focused on his career as a writer and director. His projects include co-writingEscape from New York(1981) with Carpenter, directingDennis the Menace(1993) and writing the screenplay forAugust Rush(2007). Castle returned to the fictional Haddonfield, Ill., as the mute masked killer in 2018’sHalloween,Halloween KillsandHalloween Ends.
In 2018, Castle discussed returning to theHalloweenset after 40 years, recalling how Curtis spotted him on their first day of filming. Hetold Bloody Disgustingthat she “ran over, gave me a big hug and said, ‘Is this nuts or what?’ "
03of 08Donald Pleasence as Dr. LoomisLeft: Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: Donald Pleasance at the Festival of Cognac in Cognac, France, on April 1, 1993.Compass International Pictures ; Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via GettyThe late Donald Pleasence portrayed Dr. Loomis, Myers’ psychiatrist, who tried to track him down after his escape.BeforeHalloween, the British actor was already an accomplished star. He was in hit films such asThe Great Escape(1963),You Only Live Twice(1967) andGeorge Lucas’ first major film,THX 1138(1971).Pleasence reprised his role as Dr. Loomis four more times, starring inHalloween II(1981),Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers(1988),Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers(1989) andHalloween: The Curse of Michael Myers(1995), released a few months after his death.Pleasence also appeared in other Carpenter classics, likeEscape from New Yorkand 1987’sPrince of Darkness, thanks to his relationship with the filmmaker.The actor was married four times and had five children, including daughter Angela Pleasence, who has had roles on several British series, includingMidsomer Murdersin 1998 andDoctor Whoin 2007. Pleasence died on Feb. 2, 1995, at age 75, after complications from heart surgery.
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Left: Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: Donald Pleasance at the Festival of Cognac in Cognac, France, on April 1, 1993.Compass International Pictures ; Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
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Compass International Pictures ; Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
The late Donald Pleasence portrayed Dr. Loomis, Myers’ psychiatrist, who tried to track him down after his escape.
BeforeHalloween, the British actor was already an accomplished star. He was in hit films such asThe Great Escape(1963),You Only Live Twice(1967) andGeorge Lucas' first major film,THX 1138(1971).
Pleasence reprised his role as Dr. Loomis four more times, starring inHalloween II(1981),Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers(1988),Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers(1989) andHalloween: The Curse of Michael Myers(1995), released a few months after his death.
Pleasence also appeared in other Carpenter classics, likeEscape from New Yorkand 1987’sPrince of Darkness, thanks to his relationship with the filmmaker.
The actor was married four times and had five children, including daughter Angela Pleasence, who has had roles on several British series, includingMidsomer Murdersin 1998 andDoctor Whoin 2007. Pleasence died on Feb. 2, 1995, at age 75, after complications from heart surgery.
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Left: Kyle Richards as Lindsey Wallace in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: Kyle Richards hosting ‘A Night of Music’ in support of NAMI at The Fleur Room on April 18, 2023, in L.A.Compass International Pictures ; Ella Hovsepian/Getty
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Compass International Pictures ; Ella Hovsepian/Getty
Since appearing inHalloween, Richards has had a long career in Hollywood. She starred on the seriesDown to Earthfrom 1984 to 1987 and had a recurring role onERfrom 1998 to 2006. Besides her acting work, Richards is most known for starring on Bravo’sReal Housewives of Beverly Hillssince 2010.
After reprising her role as grown-up Lindsey inHalloween KillsandHalloween Ends, Richards told PEOPLE in 2022 that she would “absolutely” return to star in anotherHalloweenfilm despite its presumed conclusion.
“To be able to be in these movies from the very beginning, since I was 8 years old, and to know thatI’d be going till the very end, meant a lot to me,” she said.
From 1988 to 1992, Richards was married toGuraish Aldjufrie, with whom she welcomed daughterFarrah Aldjufrie, a real estate agent. She later marriedMauricio Umanskyin 1996, and they hadthree daughters: Alexia Umansky, Sophia Umansky and Portia Umansky. In 2023, Richards and Umanskyseparated after 27 years of marriage; however, according to a source close to the couple, they’ve sinceremained “amicable.”
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Left: Nancy Stephens as Marion Chambers in 1981’s ‘Halloween II.'; Right: Nancy Stephens at the costume party premiere of ‘Halloween Kills’ at TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct. 12, 2021, in Hollywood, Calif.Compass International Pictures ; Kevin Winter/Getty
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Compass International Pictures ; Kevin Winter/Getty
Nancy Stephens portrayed nurse Marion Chambers, who worked at the hospital where Myers escaped.
Marion appeared at the beginning of the first movie while driving with Dr. Loomis to the hospital, only to discover that Myers had fled. The character later returned forHalloween IIand revealed the big secret that Laurie was Myers’ sister. Stephens reprised the role again for 1998’sHalloween H20: 20 Years Later, during which Marion is murdered at the beginning of the film.
Stephens met her husband, Rick Rosenthal, on the set ofHalloween II,which he directed along with 2002’sHalloween:Resurrection. The pair have produced several docufilms, including 2018’sDark Moneyand 2023’sInvisible Beauty.
06of 08P.J. Soles as Lynda van der KlokLeft: P.J. Soles as Lynda van der Klok in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: P.J. Soles at the Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror convention in Long Beach, Calif., on July 31, 2022.Compass International Pictures ; Michael Tullberg/GettyP.J. Soles played Lynda van der Klok, who had one of the most iconic deaths inHalloween. After Myers killed her boyfriend, he slowly entered Lynda’s room covered in a bedsheet while she called Laurie before strangling her with the telephone cord.Soles’ first significant role was in the 1976Stephen Kingadaptation ofCarriealongsideSissy Spacek. AfterHalloween, Soles appeared oppositeBill MurrayinStripes(1981);Jawbreaker(1999) withRose McGowan; and Rob Zombie’s hitThe Devil’s Rejects(2005). She even returned for a secret voice cameo in 2018’sHalloween.The actress has also had numerous high-profile marriages throughout her life. She wed musician and songwriter Steven Soles in the early ’70s before marrying actorDennis Quaidin 1978. She and Quaid divorced in 1983, and later that same year, Soles exchanged wedding vows with stunt pilot Skip Holm. She and Holm were married until 1998 and welcomed two children, son Sky and daughter Ashley.
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Left: P.J. Soles as Lynda van der Klok in 1978’s ‘Halloween.'; Right: P.J. Soles at the Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror convention in Long Beach, Calif., on July 31, 2022.Compass International Pictures ; Michael Tullberg/Getty
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Compass International Pictures ; Michael Tullberg/Getty
P.J. Soles played Lynda van der Klok, who had one of the most iconic deaths inHalloween. After Myers killed her boyfriend, he slowly entered Lynda’s room covered in a bedsheet while she called Laurie before strangling her with the telephone cord.
Soles’ first significant role was in the 1976Stephen Kingadaptation ofCarriealongsideSissy Spacek. AfterHalloween, Soles appeared oppositeBill MurrayinStripes(1981);Jawbreaker(1999) withRose McGowan; and Rob Zombie’s hitThe Devil’s Rejects(2005). She even returned for a secret voice cameo in 2018’sHalloween.
The actress has also had numerous high-profile marriages throughout her life. She wed musician and songwriter Steven Soles in the early ’70s before marrying actorDennis Quaidin 1978. She and Quaid divorced in 1983, and later that same year, Soles exchanged wedding vows with stunt pilot Skip Holm. She and Holm were married until 1998 and welcomed two children, son Sky and daughter Ashley.
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She also returned for 1982’sHalloween III: Season of the Witch, an anthology film with a different plot. The movie initially received negative reviews but has since gained a cult following.
Since then, she has worked as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona,according to the college’s official website. Just before the 2018Halloweenfilm was released, Cal Poly’s student paper,The Poly Post, interviewed Kyes about her time in the franchise. She admitted she never imaginedHalloweenwould become the phenomenon it is today.
“You don’t think you’re making great works of art that are somehow going to last through the ages,” Kyes saidviaDaily Mail. “In 1978, when the movie was made, the whole sequel thing was just taking off, so we were making jokes about ‘Oh yeah, there’ll be a sequel.’ "
08of 08Charles Cyphers as Leigh BrackettCharles Cyphers as Leigh Brackett in 1978’ ‘Halloween.'; Charles Cyphers at Halloween Con: 40 Years of Terror in 2018.Compass International Pictures ; Albert L. Ortega/GettyCharles Cyphersportrayed Leigh Brackett, Haddonfield’s sheriff and Annie’s dad.Like much of theHalloweencast, Cyphers worked with Carpenter on films likeAssault on Precinct 13,The FogandEscape from New York. In addition to his work with Carpenter, Cyphers starred in blockbuster hits like 1989’sMajor League.Cyphers later returned to theHalloweenfranchise with a prominent role inHalloween IIand a cameo inHalloween Kills, his last acting credit. On Aug. 4, 2024, the actor died following a “brief illness” at the age of 85.
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Charles Cyphers as Leigh Brackett in 1978’ ‘Halloween.'; Charles Cyphers at Halloween Con: 40 Years of Terror in 2018.Compass International Pictures ; Albert L. Ortega/Getty
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Compass International Pictures ; Albert L. Ortega/Getty
Charles Cyphersportrayed Leigh Brackett, Haddonfield’s sheriff and Annie’s dad.
Like much of theHalloweencast, Cyphers worked with Carpenter on films likeAssault on Precinct 13,The FogandEscape from New York. In addition to his work with Carpenter, Cyphers starred in blockbuster hits like 1989’sMajor League.
Cyphers later returned to theHalloweenfranchise with a prominent role inHalloween IIand a cameo inHalloween Kills, his last acting credit. On Aug. 4, 2024, the actor died following a “brief illness” at the age of 85.
source: people.com