Discovering The Stars: What The Cast Of Harry And The Hendersons Is Up To Now
Many folks fondly remember the charming, funny, and sometimes very touching story of the Henderson family and their bigfoot pal. That 1987 American fantasy-comedy film, "Harry and the Hendersons," truly captured hearts with its unique blend of laughter and warmth. It was, in a way, a movie that showed us a creature often thought of as scary could be something quite different. The idea of a friendly giant, far from being the ferocious monster some feared Harry to be, was a pretty cool twist, don't you think?
The movie, directed and produced by William Dear, brought to life a truly memorable group of characters. From the family who accidentally hits Harry with their station wagon to the big guy himself, the performers gave us something special. It's interesting to look back and see how the people who made these roles come alive have continued their journeys in entertainment and beyond. So, what are these talented individuals doing today, as of early 2024?
This article will take a closer look at the key people who helped create this beloved film. We'll explore the actors who portrayed the Henderson family and others, and even the folks behind Harry's sounds. It's always a good time to remember these performances and, in some respects, appreciate the lasting impact of such a fun movie.
Table of Contents
- The Henderson Family On Screen
- John Lithgow: George Henderson
- Melinda Dillon: Nancy Henderson
- The Henderson Children: Margaret Langrick and Joshua Rudoy
- Other Notable Performers
- The Voice of Harry
- The TV Series Cast
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast
The Henderson Family On Screen
The heart of "Harry and the Hendersons" was, naturally, the Henderson family. They were the ones who stumbled upon Harry, and their reactions, their worries, and their eventual affection for the bigfoot really drove the story. The actors playing George, Nancy, Sarah, and Ernie had to show a range of feelings, from fear to confusion to genuine care. It was quite a challenge, in a way, to make that believable.
John Lithgow: George Henderson
John Lithgow channeled his manic energy, as the text puts it, to play George Henderson. George is the one who, quite by accident, hits Harry with the station wagon. His character goes through a rather big change, from being scared and wanting to get rid of Harry to becoming quite attached to him. Lithgow, as many know, is a very versatile performer, and his work in this film is a good example of his skill. He has, you know, played so many different kinds of parts over the years, from serious dramas to outright comedies.
After "Harry and the Hendersons," Lithgow's career continued to be very, very busy. He's appeared in numerous films, like "Cliffhanger" and "Shrek," where he voiced Lord Farquaad. On television, he had a very well-known role in "3rd Rock from the Sun," which earned him multiple awards. More recently, he's been seen in "The Crown," playing Winston Churchill, and in the "Dexter" series, which was quite a different sort of role for him. He's also a talented stage performer, often appearing on Broadway. He really does seem to do it all, doesn't he?
John Lithgow at a Glance
| Role in Film | George Henderson |
| Known For | Versatile acting across film, TV, and stage; often plays quirky or intense characters. |
| Selected Recent Works | "The Old Man" (TV series), "Killers of the Flower Moon" (film), various stage productions. |
Melinda Dillon: Nancy Henderson
Melinda Dillon took on the part of Nancy Henderson, George's wife. She had to react to the whole situation with Harry, which was, naturally, a pretty big deal for a family. Her performance helped ground the story, showing the emotional side of dealing with such an unusual houseguest. She brought a very relatable sense of worry and eventual acceptance to the role. Melinda Dillon has had a distinguished career in Hollywood, appearing in many memorable films.
Before "Harry and the Hendersons," she was already well-known for her parts in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "A Christmas Story," where she played Ralphie's mom. Her work in "Close Encounters" even earned her an Academy Award nomination. After the bigfoot film, she continued to appear in movies and on television, taking on a variety of supporting roles. She's, like, someone who always added a certain warmth or a distinct presence to her scenes. She appeared in films such as "The Prince of Tides" and "Magnolia," showcasing her range as a performer. Her contributions to film have been quite significant, really.
The Henderson Children: Margaret Langrick and Joshua Rudoy
The Henderson children, Sarah and Ernie, were played by Margaret Langrick and Joshua Rudoy, respectively. They had the interesting task of reacting to Harry as kids would, with a mix of fear, wonder, and curiosity. Margaret Langrick, as Sarah, the older child, often showed a more cautious side but also a growing affection for Harry. Joshua Rudoy, as Ernie, often brought a younger, more immediate reaction to the bigfoot's presence.
Margaret Langrick's acting credits before and after "Harry and the Hendersons" include other films and TV appearances, though she seems to have stepped away from the spotlight in recent years. Joshua Rudoy also had a few roles in the late 80s and early 90s, appearing in films like "Flatliners" and on television shows. It's fairly common for child performers to pursue other paths as they get older, and these two, it seems, did just that after their time with Harry. Their performances, in any case, helped make the family feel complete and real.
Other Notable Performers
The film also featured a strong supporting cast that added much to the story. Don Ameche played Dr. Wallace Wrightwood, a bigfoot expert, who, in a way, provides a different perspective on Harry. Ameche was a very respected actor with a long career, known for films like "Trading Places" and "Cocoon," which earned him an Oscar. His presence in "Harry and the Hendersons" added a touch of classic Hollywood charm, really. He was, honestly, quite a legend.
David Suchet also appeared in the film as Jacques LaFleur, a big game hunter who is after Harry. Suchet, of course, is widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the long-running British television series "Agatha Christie's Poirot." His role in "Harry and the Hendersons" showed a different side of his acting, playing a rather determined and somewhat villainous character. He's been consistently busy with stage, film, and television work, maintaining a very high profile in the UK and beyond. He is, you know, a very distinguished performer.
There were, too, other actors who filled out the world of the Hendersons, creating the small town and the various people George and Nancy encountered. These supporting roles, though smaller, were important for making the film feel like a complete story. It's like, every piece mattered.
The Voice of Harry
Harry himself, the friendly giant, was brought to life not just by the amazing creature suit and physical performance, but also by his vocal effects. The text mentions that Harry's vocal effects in the film were provided by Patrick Pinney. Interestingly, it also notes that Fred Newman had previously provided vocal effects for Harry in the film, which might suggest some changes during production or perhaps for different versions. Pinney is a voice actor known for various roles in animation and video games, bringing a unique sound to characters. It's quite a specialized skill, in fact, to create creature sounds that feel real and expressive.
The TV Series Cast
After the success of the movie, "Harry and the Hendersons" was adapted into a television series that ran from 1991 to 1993. The series continued the story of the Henderson family living with Harry, though with a different cast for the human characters. In the series, George and Nancy were an upwardly mobile couple, which was a slight change from the film's portrayal. Bruce Davison took over the role of George Henderson, and Carol Ann Susi played Nancy. Kevin Peter Hall, who physically played Harry in the film, also reprised his role for the series, keeping that visual consistency. The series, you know, explored more of their daily lives and the challenges of keeping a bigfoot a secret.
The TV show allowed for more episodic adventures and further development of the family's relationship with Harry. It's pretty cool how they kept the spirit of the movie going for a longer period. The series cast, naturally, put their own spin on the characters, bringing the Henderson family and Harry into living rooms each week. It's a testament to the original film's appeal that it spun off a show like that, honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast
People often have questions about the performers who brought this beloved story to life. Here are a few common inquiries:
Who played George Henderson in the movie?
John Lithgow played George Henderson in the 1987 film. He was the family patriarch who accidentally hit Harry with his car. He, you know, really brought a lot of energy to that part.
Who was the voice of Harry in the film?
Harry's vocal effects were provided by Patrick Pinney in the film. The text also mentions that Fred Newman previously provided vocal effects, perhaps during earlier stages of the movie's making. It's kind of interesting how that works.
Did the original cast return for the "Harry and the Hendersons" TV series?
No, the main human cast members from the film, such as John Lithgow and Melinda Dillon, did not return for the TV series. Bruce Davison and Carol Ann Susi took on the roles of George and Nancy Henderson for the show. Kevin Peter Hall, however, did continue to play Harry physically. It's a common thing with movie-to-TV adaptations, actually.
It's quite something to look back at the people who made "Harry and the Hendersons" such a memorable experience. Their performances, you know, truly made us believe in a friendly bigfoot and a family willing to take him in. If you're feeling a bit nostalgic, perhaps it's time to revisit the film or even check out the TV series. You can learn more about the film's details at a well-known official movie database. For more details about the film and its impact, learn more about Harry and the Hendersons on our site, and perhaps explore this page for more insights into classic family films. It's really fun to see what the cast of "Harry and the Hendersons" is up to today, isn't it?
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