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Tim Burton's 'Mars Attacks!' Cast 25+ Years Later

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Tim Burton's 1996 film Mars Attacks! assembled a star-studded ensemble of Hollywood's top talent. Based on the cult trading cards, the movie featured aliens with oversized brains, ray guns, and a weakness for country music. Decades later, the cast's careers have taken diverse paths - from Hollywood dominance to retirement, and from acclaimed TV revivals to surprising career changes. The film captured a unique moment when acting legends from multiple generations shared the screen in Burton's vision of martian mayhem.

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  • 1
    Jack Nicholson

    Jack Nicholson played two parts in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! Cast 25+ Years Later.Mars Attacks!Nicholson played President James Dale and sleazy Las Vegas developer Art Land. After the film, Nicholson kept his legendary career with Oscar-worthy work in Good As It Gets.As Good As It GetsNicholson earned his third Academy Award with this film, and he played Schmidt.About SchmidtNicholson played Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese's The Departed.The DepartedHis performance reminded audiences of his ability to dominate the screen.

    Since 2010's romantic comedy How Do You Know,How Do You KnowNicholson has mostly stopped acting, though he never officially quit. He has said he doesn't want to be in the public eye, even if he hasn't formally quit. The 12-time Oscar nominee now appears often at Los Angeles Lakers games instead of Hollywood sets.

  • 2
    Michael J. Fox

    Michael J. Fox played reporter Jason Stone in Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks!Fox played a role meant for Johnny Depp. Fox brought his energy to the part, but his time on screen was short.

    Shortly afterMars Attacks!Fox publicly shared his Parkinson's diagnosis. He battled it privately since 1991. Despite this, Fox kept acting in shows like Spin City.Spin Cityand appeared in guest spots on series like Scrubs.Scrubsand The Good Wife.The Good Wifeand Curb Your Enthusiasm.Curb Your Enthusiasm. Fox started The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, now the biggest nonprofit funding Parkinson's drug development globally. His 2023 documentary chronicles his life with the disease and his optimism.StillHe chronicles his life with the disease and his unwavering optimism.

  • 3
    Natalie Portman

    WhenMars Attacks! Natalie Portman started her career when Mars Attacks! came out. She appeared in only four prior films, including Léon: The Professional.Léon: The Professional. As Taffy Dale, the President's teenage daughter, Portman showed early talent that would shape her career.

    Portman's path has been remarkable since then—from the Star Wars prequel trilogy to her Oscar win in Black Swan.Black Swan. She balances big films like Thor with more thoughtful work in Jackie and Vox Lux.Thorand more contemplative work in JackieJackieand Vox LuxVox LuxPortman directed A Tale of Love and Darkness. She also became an outspoken advocate for social issues.A Tale of Love and DarknessShe became an outspoken advocate for various social causes.

  • 4
    Glenn Close

    As First Lady Marsha Dale in Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks!, Glenn Close gave dignity to the role amid the film's cartoonish mess. Close took the part, which others considered for Meryl Streep, Stockard Channing, and Diane Keaton, showing her range.

    Close has stayed a respected actress in Hollywood since Mars Attacks.Mars Attacks!. She earned praise for performances in Albert Nobbs and The Wife.Albert NobbsandThe Wife,the latter earned her a seventh Oscar nomination. On TV, she won awards as attorney Patty Hewes in the legal thriller Damages.Damages. Close still lacks an Oscar win despite her resume, making her one of the most nominated actors who has not won.

  • 5
    Martin Short

    Martin Short played sleazy presidential press secretary Jerry Ross in Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks!Martin Short brings comic energy to the role in 'Tim Burton's Mars Attacks!' Cast 25+ Years Later.Martin Short is an established comedic talent from Saturday Night Live.Martin Short appeared in films like Three Amigos.Martin Short was perfectly cast in Burton's alien invasion comedy.Short filled the role in Burton's alien invasion comedy.

    Since Mars Attacks!The film is Mars Attacks!Short shows great versatility in films, television, Broadway, and voice acting. He worked on projects like the Father of the Bride films, hosted his talk show, and did voice roles in animated features. He joined Steve Martin and Selena Gomez for the mystery-comedy series.Short appeared in the Father of the Bride films.Short hosted his own talk show and did various voice roles in animated features. He enjoyed a career renaissance with Steve Martin and Selena Gomez in the mystery-comedy series.Short appeared in Only Murders in the Building.Short earned Emmy nominations for his performance. Short stays energetic and in demand.

  • 6
    Danny DeVito

    Danny DeVito played the Rude Gambler inDanny DeVito played the Rude Gambler in Mars Attacks!DeVito's role in Mars Attacks! was small, much smaller than his earlier work with Burton as the Penguin in Batman Returns.DeVito played the Rude Gambler in Mars Attacks!The role was small compared to his earlier work with Burton as the Penguin in Batman Returns.

    DeVito kept a steady film career since Mars Attacks!DeVito's most important role after 1996 was on television. Since 2006, he has played the outrageous Frank Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.DeVito's most significant post-1996 role came on television. Since 2006, he has played the outrageous Frank Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, introducing him to a new generation of fans. The long-running comedy series is a cultural touchstone; DeVito's unhinged character became very popular. He also worked with Burton, voicing the ringmaster in Dumbo.DeVito played Frank Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.DeVito introduced a new generation of fans with his role on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The long-running comedy series became a cultural touchstone; DeVito's unhinged character became beloved. He continued working with Burton, voicing the ringmaster in Dumbo.DeVito voiced the ringmaster in Dumbo.DeVito appeared in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.DeVito appeared in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

  • 7
    Pierce Brosnan

    When he played Professor Donald Kessler in Mars Attacks!Pierce Brosnan played Professor Donald Kessler in Mars Attacks!Pierce Brosnan entered his James Bond tenure, having debuted as 007 in GoldenEye the previous year.Pierce Brosnan played Professor Donald Kessler in Mars Attacks! after debuting as 007 in GoldenEye the previous year.His portrayal of the peace-seeking scientist showed his skill balancing charm and comedy.

    Brosnan starred in three more Bond films before giving up the role in 2002.Brosnan starred in three more Bond films.Pierce Brosnan transitioned to diverse roles in films likeBrosnan played diverse roles in films like The Thomas Crown Affair.Brosnan played diverse roles in films like The Matador.Brosnan played diverse roles in films like The Matador.Brosnan played diverse roles in films like The Matador and the musical Mamma Mia!.Brosnan played diverse roles in films like The Matador and the musical Mamma Mia!.Brosnan kept working in mainstream and independent productions, appearing in Cinderella and Black Adam.Brosnan kept working in mainstream and independent productions, appearing in Cinderella and Black Adam.Brosnan kept working in mainstream and independent productions, appearing in Cinderella and Black Adam.Brosnan kept working in mainstream and independent productions, appearing in Cinderella and Black Adam.Brosnan maintains a steady career; he shows no signs of slowing down.

  • 8
    Sarah Jessica Parker

    Sarah Jessica Parker played tabloid reporter Natalie Lake in Mars Attacks!Sarah Jessica Parker played tabloid reporter Natalie Lake in Mars Attacks!Parker's character, Natalie Lake, had her head transplanted onto her chihuahua by the aliens. This odd role came at an interesting time, just before her life-changing casting as Carrie Bradshaw.

    Just two years after Mars Attacks!Two years after Mars Attacks!Parker began her iconic role on HBO's Sex and the City.Parker began her iconic role on HBO's Sex and the City.Sex and the City transformed Parker into a cultural phenomenon and fashion icon. The series created two feature films and the revival And Just Like That... Sex and the City created two feature films and the revival And Just Like That... Her post-Sex and the City career largely featured this character, though she appeared in films like The Family Stone.Her post-Sex and the City career largely featured this character, though she appeared in films like The Family Stone and I Don't Know How She Does It.Her post-Sex and the City career largely featured this character, though she appeared in films like The Family Stone and I Don't Know How She Does It.The Family StoneParker used her fame for business ventures, including a shoe line and a wine brand.I Don't Know How She Does ItSarah Jessica Parker built successful ventures, including a shoe line and a wine brand.

  • 9
    Annette Bening

    Annette Bening gave charm to her role as Barbara Land in 'Mars Attacks!'. Barbara Land was modeled after Ann-Margret's performance in Viva Las Vegas. The role, originally for Susan Sarandon, let Bening stand out in the large cast.

    Post-Mars Attacks!, Bening's career hit new heights with acclaimed performances inAmerican Beauty, The Kids Are All Right, and , earning multiple Academy Award nominations. Bening blends vulnerability and strength, making her one of the generation's most respected actresses. She also acted in , earning multiple Academy Award nominations. Bening blends vulnerability and strength, making her one of the generation's most respected actresses. She also appeared in Captain Marveland Death on the Nile, continuing to pick diverse, tough roles.

  • 10
    Lisa Marie

    Lisa Marie's portrayal of the Martian Girl inMars Attacks! Lisa Marie's portrayal of the Martian Girl in 'Mars Attacks!' became a memorable film element. Her fluid movements and deadpan expression perfectly showed the aliens' strange nature.

    FollowingMars Attacks!, Marie kept her professional and personal relationship with director Tim Burton. She appeared in his films Sleepy Hollowand Planet of the Apes. Marie ended her relationship with Burton in 2001 after nearly ten years together. Marie later appeared in Rob Zombie's horror films The Lords of Salemand 31. Lisa Marie's acting career is limited, but her presence in Burton's films from that time leaves a lasting mark.

  • 11
    Lukas Haas

    As Richie Norris, the Kansas teenager who finds the Martians' weakness, Lukas Haas had a major role in Mars Attacks!. The former child actor (known forWitnessand Lady in White) was in his early twenties when the film came out.

    SinceMars Attacks!, Haas stays in supporting roles. He often appears in Leonardo DiCaprio films, including Inception, The Revenant, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Other projects include First Man, Widows, and The Violent Heart. Lukas Haas never became a leading man, but he built a reputation as a reliable character actor in major productions.

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