There are certain movies that quintessentially represent the era in which they came out.Casper(1995) is one of them — a nostalgic favorite for '90s kids who wished they could befriend a good-hearted ghost like the titular specter.
The story of an afterlife psychiatrist father (Bill Pullman) and his teenage daughter (Christina Ricci) moving into a haunted mansion and meeting some friendly and not-so-friendly ghosts charmed families in 1995 and spawned prequel films and an animated series. Now,Casperis being revived with anew live-action Disney+ series in the works, so we're looking back at the original film's cast and revealing where they are now.
Christina Ricci (Kat Harvey)
Fresh off her role as Wednesday Addams in a pair of early-'90s Addams Family movies,Christina Ricciplayed Kat Harvey inCasper.
She's since built a celebrated body of work, with parts in cult faves (1998’sFear and Loathing in Las VegasandBuffalo ’66), Academy Award winners (Monster, 2003), animated fare (TheSmurfs 2, 2013), and a handful of genre hits (1999’sSleepy Hollow, 2021’sThe Matrix Resurrections).
Ricci has also appeared in pivotal roles on some of the most popular series of the decade thus far, includingYellowjackets(for which she earned an Emmy nomination) andWednesday. In March 2025, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During a 2022appearance on theWTF with Marc Maronpodcast, Ricci admitted she's not proud of herCasperperformance. "If you actually watchCasper, I'm terrible in it,” she said. "People get so upset when I say that. Because I'm like, 'No, it's a wonderful movie.' ... It's a childhood treasure to people, but I am terrible in it."
She continued, "I just don't think I tried very hard, to tell you the truth. Embarrassingly, I have to say, I don't think I tried as hard as maybe I should have."
Malachi Pearson (the voice of Casper)
Malachi Pearson voiced the titular friendly ghost inCasperand reprised the role in some video games and an animated TV spinoff,The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper. Other notable credits include guest roles onFull House,Kenan & Kel, andMalcolm in the Middle.
In recent years, Pearson has transitioned to music. He currently performs as one-half of the DJ duoMotel Club.
Devon Sawa (Casper)
Former teen heartthrobDevon Sawabriefly appeared at the end ofCasper, playing the titular ghost's human form.
In a2021 interview withEntertainment Weekly, Sawa said hisCasperrole "means a lot" to him. He recalled how his audition tape reached executive producer Steven Spielberg and how his grandmother went to set with him when he landed the part. "She could not care less about [Spielberg] because she was in this world where there was a roller coaster and a big house built in the stage. It was a magical time."
The actor went on to star in turn-of-the-century horror hitsIdle Hands(1999) andFinal Destination(2000), and has been busy in recent years withChucky,Hacks,Black Friday(2021), andHeart Eyes(2025). He will next star in a reboot ofReturn of the Living Dead(2026).
Bill Pullman (James Harvey)
Bill Pullmanplayed widowed dad and paranormal therapist Dr. James Harvey inCasper.
In a 2024interview withVariety, Pullman recalled Steven Spielberg warning him that — because of needed digital effects — one wrong move in his sword-fight scene could cost the studioa lotof money. "If I didn't do it right, if I moved [the toilet punger sword] through something where a ghost was supposed to be, it was $100,000," he said. "This is what Spielberg said, 'Be very careful, Bill, because you could bankrupt us.'"
FollowingCasper, he played the U.S. president in sci-fi blockbusterIndependence Day(1996) and reprised the role in its 2016 sequel. The agile and ever-fascinating actor went on to appear in a diverse range of projects, from David Lynch's bracingLost Highway(1997) and Denzel Washington'sThe Equalizerfranchise to TV series likeTorchwood: Miracle DayandThe Sinner.
Pullman has quite a few projects lined up, includingSpaceballs: The New One, where he'll reprise his role as Lone Starr and share the screen with his real-life son, Lewis Pullman.
Cathy Moriarty (Catherine "Carrigan" Crittenden)
Oscar nominee Cathy Moriarty brought big villain energy as Catherine "Carrigan" Crittenden inCasper.
During a2024 appearance onThe Potentialpodcast, Moriarty calledCasper"a little bit of its own masterpiece" and said she was "honored and privileged" to be part of the movie.
She returned to the franchise inCasper Meets Wendy(1998) and also appeared inBut I'm a Cheerleader(1999), theLaw & Orderfranchise,Patti Cake$(2017), andThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
Beyond acting, Moriarty co-owns the acclaimed Mulberry Street Pizzeria chain.
Brad Garrett (Fatso)
After lending his deep baritone to Fatso inCasper,Brad Garrettwent on to win three Emmys for his performance as Robert Barone onEverybody Loves Raymond.
He continues to act in both comedy and drama projects, with credits likeTil Death,Fargo,Single Parents, andSaturday Night(2024) to his name.
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A frequent Pixar collaborator, Garrett's voice can be heard inA Bug's Life(1998),Finding Nemo(2004),Ratatouille(2007),Finding Dory(2016), andElio(2025).
As of 2026, he still performs stand-up regularly at his Las Vegas venue, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club.
Joe Nipote (Stretch)
Joe Nipote voiced Uncle Stretch, the rowdy leader of the Ghostly Trio, inCasper. Fans may also know him for starring as Frankie Waters on the sci-fi action seriesViper.
In a 2019interview with 8 News Now, Nipote recalled auditioning "five or six times" forCasper. During the final audition, which required ad-libbing and improv, he was paired with an actor who, according to Nipote, "was not a comedian" or an "improv guy."
As the actor rambled on, Nipote, in character as Stretch, became so frustrated that he told him to "shut the F up." The bold move not only won him the part but also earned praise from Spielberg himself, who told Nipote on set that he wanted Stretch played just like that.
Nipote later reprised Stretch on the animated TV spinoff,The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper. He also guested on shows likeCurb Your Enthusiasm,The Suite Life on Deck, andAdam Ruins Everything.
Joe Alaskey (Stinkie)
Veteran voice actor Joe Alaskey brought Ghostly Trio member Stinkie to life inCasperand returned to the role forThe Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper.
You may also recognize Alaskey as the voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles in theRugratsfranchise, not to mention his decades working onLooney Tunes. Along with a handful of other actors, Alaskey enjoyed stints voicing iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, and Tweety Bird, among others.
Alaskey died from cancer on Feb. 3, 2016, at the age of 63.
Eric Idle (Paul "Dibs" Plutzker)
Since playing Carrigan's attorney, Paul "Dibs" Plutzker, inCasper, formerMonty Pythonmember Eric Idle has focused primarily on voice work.
Credits includeSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut(1999),The Simpsons, andShrek the Third(2007). He also appeared in the eighth season ofThe Masked Singer, though he lasted just a single episode.
Idle also penned the book and lyrics for the Broadway hitSpamalot, in addition to co-writing the musical. Following the musical's 2005 debut, it took home three Tony awards and a Grammy.
In recent years, Idle revealed he survived pancreatic cancer and continues working in show business. "I don't know why people always assume we're loaded,"he wrote on X in 2024. "Pythonis a disaster.Spamalotmade money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age."
Amy Brenneman (Amelia Harvey)
Following her Emmy-nominated turn onNYPD Blue,Amy Brennemanmade a brief cameo inCasper,which was directed by her husband,as Kat's late mother.
She's remained a reliable player on TV, with leading roles on shows such asJudging Amy(for which she received three Emmy nominations),Private Practice,The Leftovers, andThe Old Man.
In 2024, she debutedOvercome, an autobiographical stage play.
Garette Ratliff Henson (Vic DePhillippi)
After playing Vic, Kat's crush and Amber's friend inCasper, Garette Henson reprised his role as Guy Germaine inD3: The Mighty Ducks(1996) and made guest appearances onMelrose Place(1997),NCIS(2004), andCold Case(2007).
Henson eventually stepped away from acting, and,according to his LinkedIn profile, earned an MFA from Columbia University in 2015. He's since worked as a director's assistant on Netflix shows likeIron Fist,The Punisher, andCurse of Bridge Hollow, and was an associate producer for the horror filmImaginary(2024). Now, he works as a creative executive for Tower of Babble Entertainment.
Henson briefly returned to the screen in 2021 to reprise hisMighty Ducksrole on the Disney+ seriesThe Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.
Jessica Wesson (Amber Whitmire)
Before landing the role of Amber, Kat's snarky rival inCasper, Jessica Alberti (née Wesson) made a name for herself onHome Improvement, playing the first girlfriend of Zachery Ty Bryan's Brad.
Since then, Wesson has appeared inFlipper(1996),Longshot(2001), and on the legal dramaJudging Amy. Her last known production credits were as a script supervisor on two short films in 2010.
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