What the cast of John Carpenter’s Christine has done since 1983

Many decades have passed since the 1983 release of John Carpenter’s book CristinaIt’s safe to say that the film’s cast has done a lot since then. Carpenter’s horror film was written by Bill Phillips, based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King. It follows a nerdy teenager named Arnie Cunningham who becomes obsessed with his new car, the titular Christine. Like the author’s other works, the story takes a dark turn, with Christine revealing herself to be one of Stephen King’s many killer cars, prevalent in his novels and short stories.

Given the focus on teenage characters, the film adaptation starred several young actors who were just beginning their careers, including Alexandra Paul, John Stockwell, and Kelly Preston. Although relatively unknown in 1983, most of them have had long careers in the many years since Cristinaupon debut, becoming much bigger names than when cast in the horror film. Two of the film’s main stars even changed careers to focus more on directing than acting.

Keith Gordon

Played Arnie Cunningham in Christine

After playing the main character Arnie Cunningham in CristinaKeith Gordon has starred in a few TV shows and movies, including Back to school​​​​​​, and appearing in single episodes of series such as Vice Miami and Dexter. Since he made his feature film directorial debut in 1988 with The Chocolate WarGordon has spent most of his time behind the camera, with credits on shows like The leftovers, Nurse Jackieand Better call Saul and the movies A clear midnight and Mother Night. More recently, he directed an episode of Shipments from elsewhere.

John Stockwell

Played Dennis Guilder in Christine

John Stockwell played former football player Dennis Guilder in Cristina. Like Keith Gordon, he also worked primarily as a director, continuing his acting career. Stockwell appeared most notably in 1986 Superior weapon as Cougar, with his most recent credited acting work in the 2018 limited series Escape at Dannemora. Films he has directed include Blue Crush and Into the blueand also directed episodes of the TV series The L word from 2007 to 2009. Most recently, he directed the 2017 action-horror film Armed Response.

Alexandra Paulo

Played Leigh Cabot in Christine

New student Leigh Cabot was pictured in Cristina by Alexandra Paul, whose most notable work after John Carpenter’s horror film was playing Stephanie Holden in Baywatch from 1992 to 1997. Paul reprized the role in Baywatch: Forbidden Paradise, Baywatch Nights, and Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. His other popular films included Fishnet and Hard Peeping. In recent years, she has mostly appeared in lesser-known shows and films, including her role as Abigail Muñoz in the 2023 film. Baby steps.

Roberto Prosky

Played Will Darnell in Christine

Played by Robert Prosky in the film adaptation of CristinaWill Darnell owns the garage where Arnie restores his car. The actor has appeared in many popular films, including his roles as Grandpa Fred in Gremlins 2: the new batchMr. Lundy in Mrs.Ernie Merriman in Broadcast newsNick in Ultimate Action HeroFather Cavanagh in RudyHilton Barber in Dead Man Walkingand Judge Harper in 1994 Miracle on 34th Street. Prosky died in 2008 and his final performance arrived posthumously in the 2009 film The skeptic.

Harry Dean Stanton

Played Detective Rudy Junkins in Christine

One of the greatest actors of all time, Harry Dean Stanton was already a Hollywood veteran when he played Detective Rudy Junkins in Cristina. After appearing in the Stephen King adaptation, Stanton appeared in the films Beautiful in pink, Repository man, Red Dawn, The green mile, Luckyand Marvel The Avengers. He was a regular collaborator of David Lynch, having co-starred in the film Wild at heart, The straight story, Inland Empireand Twin Peaks: Walk Through Fire with Me and later appeared in five episodes of Twin Peaks: The Return. Stanton died in 2017, although his final credit came posthumously in the 2020 film Frank and Ava.

Cristina Belford

Played Regina Cunningham in Christine

After her role as Arnie’s mother, Regina Cunningham, in CristinaChristine Belford acted regularly for two decades, mostly on television, but has slowed down since the 1990s. Although she mostly plays one-off characters in episodes of shows like Who is the boss and The golden girlsBelford had recurring roles on the sitcom Silver Spoonsthe soap opera All my childrenand teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210. His last acting credit came with the 2007 TV movie Ruffian.

Roberto Flor

Played George LeBay in Christine

Roberts Blossom played George LeBay in Cristina before continuing his acting career in the 80s and 90s. His most famous role came in 1990 as Kevin’s seemingly scary neighbor Marley in Alone at home. He also played Doc Wallace in the 1995 western film The Fast and the DeadJudge Evans in Doctor Hollywoodand Weasel Mayfield in the 1999 Disney TV movie Balloon Farmwhich was his final role. Blossom died in 2011.

William Ostrander

Played Clarence “Buddy” Repperton in Christine

William Ostrander played bully Clarence “Buddy” Repperton in Cristina. He has not acted in many popular shows or films since then, although he has appeared in episodes of the shows Angel, Touched by an angeland Landing of us. Ostrander also worked as second assistant director on David Lynch’s production Mulholland Road. In the 2000s, he left acting behind and started a contracting business. In 2016, he ran for a seat in the US House of Representatives, which he lost, and in 2018 he also ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the California State Assembly.

David Spielberg

Played Mr. Casey in Christine

David Spielberg played high school teacher Mr. Casey in Cristina. As Alexandra Paul, he later appeared in Baywatchalthough he only played a number of different one-off roles throughout a few episodes of the show. He also had a brief recurring role on Emergency Room and appeared in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Law and Order. His last credited role was in the 2007 horror film Flight of the Living Dead. Spielberg died in 2016.

Malcolm Danare

Played Peter “Moochie” Welch in Christine

From everyone in Cristina cast member Malcolm Danare, who played Buddy’s friend Peter “Moochie” Welch, is one of the actors who has worked most consistently over the years. He has appeared in films such as National Lampoon’s European Vacation, Heaven help us, Independence Dayand 1998 Godzilla where he played a role that he reprized in voice form for a Godzilla animated series. In 2012, he voiced the character Kipling in the animated film Monster High: Escape from Skull Shoresand during the 2010s, he voiced Tiny on High Monster series Always after the highbased on the doll line of the same name.

Steven Tash

Played Richie Trelawney in Christine

After playing Richie Trelawney in CristinaSteven Tash landed a role in one of the most popular films of the 80s. Tash is credited as “male student” in 1984 Ghostbusters. He hasn’t acted in anything since the 1988 film beach balls but participated in events linked to both Cristina and Ghostbusters in recent years.

Stuart Charno

Played Don Vandenberg in Christine

Another of Buddy’s friends in Christine is Don Vandenberg, played by Stuart Charno. The actor worked in several genres after Cristinaplaying Reptile in the teen comedy Just one of the guysBennie in an episode of the fantasy drama series Beauty and the beastand The Puppet in an episode of The X-Files. He returned to the horror genre in 2011 Terror. Charno also wrote three episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation but has not done any credited work in Hollywood since 2011.

Kelly Preston

Played Roseanne in Christine

Kelly Preston played Roseanne in Cristina and became one of the film’s best-known actors. His career grew in the 80s with leading roles in Mischief, Secret Admirer, Twinsand EspaçoCamp. She later co-starred Jerry Maguire, Earth’s Battlefield, What does a girl want, The cat in the hat, Very high, For the love of the game​​​​​​, and The last song. Preston also memorably played a socialite in the music video for Maroon 5’s 2004 single “She Will Be Loved.” During filming in 1987 The expertsPreston met John Travolta, whom she married in 1991 and had three children. She died in 2020.

Robert Darnell

Played Michael Cunningham in Christine

Robert Darnell played Arnie’s father, Michael Cunningham, in Cristina. In the decade after co-starring in the horror film, the actor appeared in the film Malibu Express and TV programs Los Angeles Law, The Bold and the Beautifuland The A team. He died in 1991.

Christine’s Legacy by John Carpenter

The 1983 film Cristina, despite not having any contemporary celebrities or big names in the cast, it has become something of a cult classic over the years. However, it should also be noted that the film is something of an unsung gem when it comes to 1980s horror, although there are several valid reasons for that. Specifically, Cristina is often overshadowed by other projects associated with the two creative powerhouses behind its story – Stephen King and John Carpenter.

As an adaptation of a Stephen King novel (published the same year as John Carpenter’s film), Cristina it received immediate attention when it was released – a trend that continues today with films based on the prolific horror author’s work. However, as the decades passed, Cristina was constantly in the shadow of high-profile films based on Stephen King’s books. Already having to face names like 1976 Carrie, 1980s The Enlightened, and Whose in the same year, a few years after the launch of Cristina the public was treated to 1984 Children of the Corn, 1986 Stay by my side, and Misery in 1990.

The decades that followed also saw even more prominent works based on Stephen King’s novels, such as 1994 The Shawshank Redemption and 1999 The Green Mile. Modern Stephen King Movies Like 2017 THIS and Geraldo’s game only served to push Cristina deeper into obscurity. Cristina has become something of a niche for fans of the auteur delving into the Stephen King adaptation’s back catalog – a solid film in its own right, but one that has to fight for recognition against some of the greatest films of the 20th and 21st century, horror or not.

CristinaLegacy also faces the same problem with its director. Director John Carpenter is himself a renowned name in the horror genre, responsible for films such as 1978 Halloween, 1981 Escape from New York, and of course 1982 The thing. When many critics and viewers rate his best John Carpenter films, Cristina it rarely appears as the best example of the director’s work. As with its place among Stephen King adaptations, it’s not because Cristina whether it’s a bad or unpleasant film, it’s just that Carpenter’s other projects are much better known and have had a more notable impact on pop culture.

However, when considered on its own, Cristina still has a place in the hearts of many horror film fans, especially those who have a soft spot for the genre films of the 1980s (which have a distinct style and aesthetic). What’s more, although it may not be as well known as King’s The Shining or Carpenter The thing, Cristina still stands out for the uniqueness of its premise. A movie about a killer car is definitely an attention-grabbing story, and that led to Cristina being parodied in numerous shows over the years, ensuring that it never completely fades into obscurity.