Stand by Me Cast: Where Are They Now?

VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu WRITTEN BY: Garrett Alden
What happened to these actors down the tracks? For this list, we'll be looking at the most prominent cast members of the film “Stand by Me,” and discussing what they've all been up to since the release of the film in 1986. Our countdown includes John Cusack, Kiefer Sutherland, River Phoenix, and more! Script Written by Garrett Alden

“Stand by Me” cast: where are they now?

What happened to these actors down the tracks? Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be looking at the “Stand by Me” cast: where are they now?

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most prominent cast members of the film “Stand by Me,” and discussing what they’ve all been up to since the release of the film in 1986.

#10: John Cusack

Playing Gordie’s deceased brother Denny in flashbacks, John Cusack had a comparatively minor role in “Stand by Me”. But he’s had one of the most successful careers of any cast member. After his breakout role in “Say Anything…,” Cusack became one of Hollywood’s major leading men for several decades, appearing in movies like “Grosse Pointe Blank” and “High Fidelity.” Recently however, the actor has appeared in fewer major films, with many of his flicks going direct to video on demand. Cusack is set to star in an upcoming Amazon web series, “Utopia,” so here’s hoping a change to a smaller screen will be good for him.

#9: Frances Lee McCain

While it was tempting to discuss the career of Marshall Bell, who played Mr. Lachance, we’re electing to focus on what Frances Lee McCain has been up to instead. For those who don’t know her by name, she played Denny and Gordie’s mother. After “Stand By Me”, McCain appeared in a number of films throughout the ‘90s, including “Scream” and “Patch Adams,” before going back to school to get her Master’s degree in Psychology. The last few decades have primarily found McCain focusing on various theater projects. That being said, she has made a few smaller movie and tv appearances in the 2000s.

#8: Bradley Gregg

In “Stand by Me,” Bradley Gregg played Chris’ older brother Richard, better known as “Eyeball,” a member of Ace’s gang. Following the movie’s release, Gregg appeared in a number of recurring TV roles, as well as film franchises like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Indiana Jones.” Although most of his movie parts have been fairly minor for the last 20 years or so, Gregg has tried his hand at producing and directing several smaller films. Gregg has been married to his wife Dawn since 1987; the couple has five children. Their daughter, Jemima, and the process they went through to adopt her, is actually documented in a film that the couple co-wrote together, “Journey to Jemima”.

#7: Gary Riley

This California native played another member of Ace’s gang, Charlie. Although the actor appeared in small roles in a few films and television series after “Stand by Me,” including “Fear” and “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” Riley has effectively been retired from acting since 1996. Since then, Riley has claimed in an interview on the Adventure Club Podcast, of which he is a frequent guest, that he has been essentially lived on residual checks for the last several decades. Some child stars like to keep out of the limelight, after spending their early lives in it, and that’s perfectly fine.

#6: Casey Siemaszko

Billy, Vern’s older brother, was yet another member of the gang, and was played by Casey Siemaszko, has had a fairly prolific career since “Stand by Me.” The actor played a similar role in 1985’s “Back to the Future”, portraying 3-D, one of Biff’s lackeys. After “Stand By Me”, he returned to the role for the 1989 sequel, before going on to appear in the critically-acclaimed 1992 film, “Of Mice and Men.” His more recent notable roles include that of Harry Berman in the 2009 film, “Public Enemies,” as well as guest spots on TV series like “Billions.” He may not be a household name, but Siemaszko has certainly found steady work for the last 30 odd years.

#5: Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland made a convincing antagonist as the thuggish Ace in “Stand by Me,” but the actor has taken on more heroic roles in years since. Following early box office hits like “Young Guns”, Sutherland found his greatest success on the small screen, first in the role of Jack Bauer in the action thriller series “24,” and, most recently, as Tom Kirkman on the political thriller/drama, “Designated Survivor.” Sutherland has also branched out to other pursuits besides acting, even beginning a music career; he’s released several albums, one of which charted on Billboard’s Top Country Albums list. Sutherland is certainly a man of many talents!

#4: Jerry O’Connell

One of the more dramatic glow ups in the young cast, the actor who played Vern turned out to be the very handsome Jerry O’Connell. The actor is perhaps best known for his role on the TV crime drama “Crossing Jordan,” although he’s had plenty of appearances across the big and small screens since “Stand by Me,” even providing the voice of Superman for several DC animated films. In 2007, he married actress and model Rebecca Romijn, with whom he has two daughters. Currently, O’Connell is working on his own daytime talk show, titled “Jerry O’.’”

#3: Corey Feldman

As one of the most famous child stars in the world, Corey Feldman has had quite the colorful career as he grew into adulthood. After appearing as Teddy in “Stand by Me,” Feldman starred in movies like “The Lost Boys,” which co-starred Kiefer Sutherland, as well frequent future collaborator Corey Haim. Feldman’s movie career has primarily been in lower budget, Z-grade movies for the last few decades, while his work on TV has primarily been in reality shows, although he has provided voice work for one of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series. The former child actor has also been vocal in trying to expose the abuse suffered by children in the industry, having been reportedly victimized himself in his youth.

#2: River Phoenix

Another famous child actor, River Phoenix rose to fame in the ‘80s, his role as Chris in “Stand By Me” being one of the first in a string of notable performances. He starred in such critical darlings as “Running on Empty,” and “My Own Private Idaho.” Phoenix even landed roles in blockbusters like “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” playing the younger version of the title character. Though best known as an actor, Phoenix had a burgeoning music career too; he founded the band “Aleka’s Attic,” of which his sister Rain was also a member. Tragically, however, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose in 1993, cutting his promising life short.

#1: Wil Wheaton

The young lead of “Stand by Me,” Gordie, an aspiring storyteller, was played by Wil Wheaton. In the years since the film was released, Wheaton is perhaps best known for his role on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as Wesley Crusher. The actor has had many movie and TV parts paying homage to his status in geek culture, including appearing as a fictional version of himself on “The Big Bang Theory.” Wheaton has frequently been involved in a number of web series involving TableTop games, has written a number of books, and is an advocate for mental health. We think Gordie would approve.