The ensemble cast ofThe Lost Boysplayed a group of now-iconic characters thanks to director Joel Schumacher’s vampire comedy-horror becoming a cult classic. Released in 1987,The Lost Boyswas an instant hit at the box office and cemented itself a legacy by redefining the vampire movie subgenre. Smart, slick, and stylish in a way that now oozes 1980s nostalgia, appearing inThe Lost Boysdefined the careers of many of its stars.
In the decades since, many ofThe Lost Boyscast have risen to prominence in their own right, especially the likes of Kiefer Sutherland and Corey Feldman. Sadly though, notevery actor who appeared inThe Lost Boysis still around. Seeing whereThe Lost Boyscast are now reveals a fascinating mix of different career paths, as well as some tragic losses.
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Kiefer Sutherland
From David Powers To Jack Bauer
In The Lost Boys:Kiefer Sutherland, the son ofHollywood legend Donald Sutherland, was 20 when he played David Powers, the leader of the gang of Vampires, inThe Lost Boys.The 1987 movie came early in his career, though as his 7th feature-film appearance.His debut was as Bill Costello in 1983’sMax Dugan Returns,and notably appeared in the 1986 Stephen King adaptationStand By Me.Sutherland was also nominated for a Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role forThe Bay Boytwo years beforeThe Lost Boysreleased.
Where Kiefer Sutherland Is Now:The Lost Boyswas one of many well-known appearances from Kiefer Sutherland, who went on to win a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance as Jack Bauer in24.He’s also had a highly successful movie career too, appearing in the likes of 1990’sFlatliners,1993’sThe Three Musketeers,1998’sDark City,andThe Caine Mutiny Court-Martialin 2023. Kiefer Sutherland remains active in the 2020s on both the big and small screens.
Jason Patric
Playing Michael In The Lost Boys Kickstarted A Career
In The Lost Boys:Jason Patric was 21 when he played Michael inThe Lost Boys,and it washis second feature-film appearance following the 1986 sci-fi movieSolarbabies.He’d done some work on the small screen before this too, with his debut being in the 1985 TV movieToughlove.Like Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric also comes from a Hollywood dynasty, as he’s the grandson of Silver Age legend Jackie Gleason.
Where Jason Patric Is Now:Jason Patric has had a steady career in the decades since he played Michael inThe Lost Boys.As he grew older he began to take leading roles in gritty dramas and thrillers, notably 1991’sRushand 1996’sSleepers,which saw him appear alongside Robert DeNiro, and later also movies like 2009’sMy Sister’s Keeper.He remains active in the 2020s, most recentlyappearing in 2024’sTerrifier 3as Michael Shaw.
Edward Herrmann
A Respected Actor With An Untouchable Legacy
In The Lost Boys:Edward Herrmann played Max inThe Lost Boys,the video store owner who has a keen eye for Michael’s mom and, in secret, is the head vampire in Santa Cruz.Herrmann was already a well-established actor by the timeThe Lost Boysreleased in 1987, having made his debut in 1971’sLady Libertyand appearing in over a dozen movies before taking on the role of Max. He’d also been nominated for multiple Primetime Emmys due to his outstanding performance as Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1976 miniseriesEleanor and Franklin.
Where Edward Hermann Is Now:Edward Herrmann sadly passed away aged 71 in 2014 due to brain cancer. He passed away with a long and celebrated legacy, known for many roles beyondThe Lost Boys.Perhaps most notably, he became a fan-favorite character in the 2000-2007 comedy-dramaGilmore Girlsdue to playingLorelai’s father, Richard Gilmore, and he also won a Primetime Emmy for his guest role in the legal dramaThe Practicein 1999.
Corey Haim
A Tragic Loss
In The Lost Boys: Corey Haim was 16 when he starred inThe Lost Boysas Sam Emerson.Despite his youth, he was already an experienced presence by 1987, withThe Lost Boysbeing his 6th movie role following his big-screen debut in 1984’sFirstborn.He also had considerable TV show credentials thanks to playing Larry in the 1984-1985 Canadian kids seriesThe Edison Twins.
Where Corey Haim Is Now:Corey spent much of the 1980s enjoying a career as a star of romance movies and TV shows, and in his later career, he notably worked alongsideThe Lost Boysco-star Corey Feldman in the reality showThe Two Coreys.Sadly, Corey Haim passed away in 2010, aged 38. He passed away due to natural causes, which followed decades of struggling with substance abuse.
Every Movie Starring Both Corey Haim & Corey Feldman, Ranked
Discover the films featuring Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, showcasing their remarkable on-screen chemistry.
Corey Feldman
A Former Child Star Turned Musician And Advocate
In The Lost Boys: Like co-star Corey Haim, Corey Feldman was 16 whenhe was cast inThe Lost Boysas Edgar Frog.It was his 8th feature film appearance, with Feldman notably having already appeared in the likes ofFriday the 13th: The Finale ChapterandGremlinsin 1984,The Gooniesin 1985, andStand By Mein 1986. He made his acting debut in the late 1970s in shows likeEight is EnoughandAlice.
Where Corey Feldman Is Now:AfterThe Lost Boys,Corey Feldman enjoyed fame for several projects, especially the reality showThe Two Coreysalongside co-star Corey Haim. He’s less active on screen as an adult, although he is more focused on his music career. He’s also outspoken about the sexual abuse of child stars in Hollywood and is an advocate for better practices in the industry to protect young actors both from predators and substance abuse.
Jami Gertz
The Lost Boys Cast Member Who Co-Owns The Atlanta Hawks
In The Lost Boys: Jami Gertz was 21 inThe Lost Boys,playing Star, the young vampire who, like Michael, refuses to kill. Like many members ofThe Lost Boyscast, Jami Gertz was already an established presence by 1987 despite her young age. She notably appeared in 1987’sSixteen Candlesas Robin, and starred alongside Jamie Patric in 1986’sSolar Babies.
Where Jami Gertz Is Now:Jami Gertz continued acting afterThe Lost Boys,though not as regularly as during her early years. Sheappeared in 1996’sTwisterand, most recently, 2022’sI Want You Back.She is, however, known to NBA fans as the co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, and has represented the team at the NBA draft lottery on several occasions. She co-owns the team with her husband, Tony Ressler.
Alex Winter
A Movie Star Turned Documentary Maker
In The Lost Boys: Playing Marko inThe Lost Boyswas one of the earliest notable roles for Alex Winter, who was 21 when the movie was released in 1987.Before this, he’d only appeared in 3 films, two of them shorts, with the only feature-length project being 1985’sDeath Wish 3.
Where Alex Winter Is Now:After playing Marko inThe Lost BoysAlex Winters went on to appear as Bill S. Preston Esq. in1989’sBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,a role he reprized in the sequels and defined his career. He has still made the odd acting appearance, though in recent decades he has been more dedicated to directing. He’s especially known for his work as a documentary filmmaker, creating films like 2015’sDeep Web,which delved into the dark side of the internet.
Jamison Newlander
Alan Frog Defines The Career Of The Lost Boys Cast Member
In The Lost Boys:The Lost Boyswas only the third movie Jamison Newlander appeared in, and the first where he wasn’t credited as Jamie Jamison.He was 17 when he played Alan Frog, a role he’d later reprise in the sequels. His career started with appearances in commercials.
Where Jamison Newlander Is Now:Jamison Newlander has made a handful of movie and TV show appearances in the decades sinceThe Lost Boys,including returning to play Alan Frog in 2010’sLost Boys: The Thirst.He also appeared as the Mayor in the 2015 horrorBone Tomahawk.However, it’sThe Lost Boysthat continues to define his career, and he’s incredibly active on the horror festival circuit, where he happily engages with fans. He’s also found some success as a podcast host.
Brooke McCarter
Another Tragic Loss In The Lost Boys Cast
In The Lost Boys:Brooke McCarter played Paul inThe Lost Boys,and was 24 at the time. He first found his way in front of cameras working as a model, doing prominent campaigns for the likes of Levi’s and JCPenney through the Ford modeling agency. He made his acting debut in the1986 skateboarding movieThrashin’,withThe Lost Boysbeing his second role.
Where Brooke McCarter Is Now:Brooke McCarter didn’t spend long working as an actor, retiring from the industry in 1998 to focus on his family. His only real notable appearance followingThe Lost Boyswas in the 1987 remake ofThe Twilight Zone.He was actively engaged withThe Lost Boysfandom at conventions though, and also had some success as a drummer touring with various bands. McCarter sadly passed away in 2015 at age 52 due to a genetic liver disorder.
Billy Wirth
The Lost Boys Cast Member Who Became An Indie Movie Director
In The Lost Boys: Billy Wirth was 25 when he appeared inThe Lost Boysas Dwayne.Like Brooke McCarter, Wirth’s career started in modeling before he made the switch to acting.The Lost Boyswas his 5th appearance on screen, having made his debut as Zoo in 1985’sSeven Minutes in Heaven.
Where Billy Wirth Is Now:While he continued acting for several decades following the release ofThe Lost Boys,Billy Wirth never really rose to prominence in the same way as co-stars like Kiefer Sutherland. He had some minor roles in many notable shows, includingSex and the CityandCharmed,and also appeared onAmerican Gladiators.However, he has enjoyed some success as an indie filmmaker, directing movies like 2001’sMacArthur Park.
