The cast of the original Beetlejuice: Where are they now?

Beetlejuice (1988) is a classic. It was unlike anything else that had come before it, and it helped to establish Tim Burton as one of the most distinct directorial voices of his generation. His design is crucial the film's lasting impact. Another crucial aspect, however, is the cast.

Beetlejuice features an embarrassment of riches in terms of acting talent. There were actors who were established legends in 1988, actors who were on the cusp of superstardom, and those who achieved superstardom thanks to the film's success.

With these points in mind, we decided to rundown the surviving cast members of the original film, and catch up on what they've been doing ahead of the sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Catherine O'Hara

Beetlejuice character: Delia Deetz
Returning for the sequel?: Yes!

Catherine O'Hara was a relative unknown when she landed the role of the eccentric Delia Deetz in the original Beetlejuice. Her performance, however, especially during the famous dinner table scene, was a career booster. She went on to star in the first two Home Alone films and several mockumentaries made by Christopher Guest.

The last decade, however, has been defined by Schitt's Creek. O'Hara become a household name to a new generation thanks to her batty turn as an out-of-touch matriarch (sound familiar?). Schitt's Creek ran from 2015 to 2020, and O'Hara took home a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe.

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Alec Baldwin

Beetlejuice character: Adam Maitland
Returning for the sequel?: No

Alec Baldwin had even less of an established career than O'Hara in 1988. The actor was still two years away from his breakout performance in The Hunt for Red October, and his uncharacteristically nervy role in Beetlejuice makes it easy to forget it's him.

Baldwin has had a legendary career since Beetlejuice was released. He's landed roles in dozens of classic films, and like O'Hara, mounted a second act as a supporting character on a sitcom, 30 Rock (2006-13). Baldwin's legacy has been complicated by recent legal troubles, which may be part of the reason why he isn't returning for the sequel.

Geena Davis

Beetlejuice character: Barbara Maitland
Returning for the sequel?: No

Geena Davis was, like Baldwin, on the cusp of superstardom. She went on an absolute tear in the late 80s and early 90s, winning an Oscar for The Accidental Tourist and spearheading beloved films like A League of Their Own and Thelma and Louise.

Davis' film output has slowed in recent years, but she has continued to be a steady presence on the small screen. She had a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy, and gave an acclaimed lead performance in the 2016-17 adaptation of The Exorcist. Davis may not be coming back for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but she does play a crucial role in a current release: the horror-thriller Blink Twice.

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Jeffrey Jones

Beetlejuice character: Charles Deetz
Returning for the sequel?: No

Jeffrey Jones was a seminal "that guy" in the 1980s and 90s. He may not have been a household name, but he was somebody that we all knew. He was the crabby principal from Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Emperor Joseph II in Amadeus.

Unfortunately, Jones' personal life derailed his career. In 2003, the actor was charged with soliciting a minor to pose for nude photographs. He's been arrested multiple times since for failing to update his sex offender status. His last screen role was the 2019 TV movie Deadwood.

Winona Ryder

Beetlejuice character: Lydia Deetz
Returning for the sequel?: Yes

Winona Ryder was a huge part of what made the original Beetlejuice so magical. She had the rare ability to play both the outcast and the baffled straight woman to all of the insanity going on around her. Her career exploded after the film's release, and she went on to become one of the defining "It" girls of the 1990s.

Ryder's career experienced a lull in the 2000s, but she mounted a spectacular comeback with her leading role in the Netflix series Stranger Things (2014-). She really knows how to play a mother with an eccentric streak, so we feel like her turn in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be a breeze.

Michael Keaton

Beetlejuice character: Well, Beetlejuice
Returning for the sequel?: Absolutely

Michael Keaton is the secret sauce of the Beetlejuice franchise. His screen time in the original film is limited, but the impression he makes on both viewers and the other characters cannot be overstated. It was a star-making turn, and proved that Keaton had a madcap versatility that few of his peers could match.

Keaton, like Ryder, hit a bit of a lull in the 2000s, but his career rebounded in the 2010s thanks to a string of exceptional performances. He starred in back-to-back Best Picture winners, Birdman and Spotlight, then stole the show in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

More recently, Keaton reprised his other iconic role, Batman, in The Flash. We have the feeling Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be a better use of his talents.