The Cast Of Stand By Me Then And Now

River Phoenix (Chris Chambers) Then

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Stand By Me is a late 80's movie, which is based on the Stephen King novella: 'The Body'. The story circulates around a group of friends, as they go on the search for a dead body (of a missing boy). One of the main characters, is Chris Chambers (played by River Phoenix). Chris is depicted as a headstrong, yet sensitive boy, who is one of Gordon's 'Gordie' best friends, and steals a pistol before their adventure.

River Phoenix (Chris Chambers) Now

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Following his role in Stand By Me, River went on to feature in a handful of other movies and television series (usually portraying more adult-oriented content and characters). Some of the movies and television shows, include: 'Little Nikita', 'I Love You To Death', 'My Own Private Idaho', 'It's Your Move' and 'Hotel'. Unfortunately, River passed away in October 1993 (at the age of 23).

Wil Wheaton (Gordie Lachance) Then

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Gordon 'Gordie' Lachance (played by Will Wheaton), is the main protagonist within the movie, and follows him as he reminisces about his adventure as a twelve year-old. Gordon is depicted as quiet, timid boy, who is constantly seeking his parent's love and approval (following the death of his brother, Denny). He aspires to be a writer, despite his father's disapproval, and it is revealed that he has successfully fulfilled that dream within his adulthood.

Wil Wheaton (Gordie Lachance) Now

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Since portraying 'Gordie', Wil has starred in a handful of movies, and some television programs, including: 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', 'Toy Soldiers', 'Flubber', 'Ben 10' and 'The Big Bang Theory'. He has also explored the world of narration, and gone on to provide his voice for a range of audiobooks e.g. 'Ready Player One' and 'The Martian'. Wil has also become well-known for his writing and blogging.

Jerry O' Connell (Vern Tessio) Then

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Vern Tessio (played by Jerry O' Connell) is another of Gordon's friends, and is the one that alerts the group of the dead body. Vern hears about the body, when he picks up on his brother (Billy) talking to one of his friends (Charlie) about it. After telling the rest of his friends about this, it sparks a sense of adventure between them, and gives them the idea of becoming local heroes.

Jerry O' Connell (Vern Tessio) Now

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Jerry has since gone on to feature in a handful of successful movies, television shows and video games, including: 'Scream 2', 'Kangaroo Jack', 'The Defenders', 'Star Trek: Lower Decks', 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' and 'Infinite Crisis'. He has also explored the worlds of music and podcasting, making some cameo appearances within music videos, and guest star spots on podcasts.

Corey Feldman (Teddy Duchamp) Then

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Teddy Duchamp (played by Corey Feldman) is the final part of the friendship group, and is depicted as a slightly obnoxious, yet sensitive boy. He is used as some form of comic relief, and provides a light-hearted dimension to the overall plot line. However, Teddy can be quite short-tempered, and this is shown when he (almost) gets into an altercation with another character, Milo Pressman (after he insults Teddy's veteran father).

Corey Feldman (Teddy Duchamp) Now

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Corey Feldman was an 80's idol, and his role within Stand By Me, added to his growing success as a young actor. Many audiences were introduced to Corey, when he played the role of 'Mouth' in the cult classic: 'The Goonies'. Since his early years in acting, he has had an open struggle with substance abuse, and has since made a full recovery and has stayed within the world of acting.

Kiefer Sutherland (Ace Merrill) Then

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Ace Merrill (played by Kiefer Sutherland) is the local troublemaker, who is well-known for his criminal activities and 'gang' of friends/followers. The young boys run into Ace, who goes on to threaten them with a cigarette, and steals Gordon's Yankees cap (which was a gift from his deceased brother, Denny). Ace comes across the boys later on in the movie, where another (more serious) altercation occurs.

Kiefer Sutherland (Ace Merrill) Now

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Stand By Me provided Kiefer Sutherland with one of his breakthrough roles, and he has since gone on to have a varying and successful acting career. Another key movie Kiefer has starred in, is: 'The Lost Boys', which is another 80's cult classic. He has also gone on to star in television shows, video games and music videos, as well as exploring the world of singing/song-writing.

Richard Dreyfuss (Gordie Lachance) Then

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Adult Gordie Lachance (played by Richard Dreyfuss) provides the movie with its starting point, and gives the audience some context for the main protagonist, and his character development. This particular role, provides the movie with its underlying plot, narration, development and set start and end points. Gordon is depicted and credited as: 'The Writer', which shows his success in fulfilling his childhood dreams.

Richard Dreyfuss (Gordie Lachance) Now

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Richard Dreyfuss had a pretty established acting career before his role in Stand By Me, with one of his most notable films being: 'Jaws'. He is still active within the world of acting, and has gone on to feature within a huge selection of movies, television shows and stage productions. Richard is also known for his voice acting roles, and will often make cameo appearances.

John Cusack (Denny Lachance) Then

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Denny Lachance (played by John Cusack) is Gordon's older brother, who unfortunately passes away, leaving Gordon with their grieving parents. This particular role, is one of the smaller parts within this movie, and is used to provide context to certain elements of the movie e.g. character behaviour, plot lines, settings and general character development.

John Cusack (Denny Lachance) Now

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Since featuring in Stand By Me, John Cusack has gone on to feature in a range of movies and television shows. During his early career, he played smaller supporting roles, it want until the late 90's that he started being cast in leading roles. Some of the movie he has featured in, include: 'Grosse Pointe Blank', 'Con Air', 'Being John Malkovich' and 'Serendipity'.

Casey Siemaszko (Billy Tessio) Then

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Billy Tessio (played by Casey Siemaszko) is one of Ace's friends/gang members. He is also Vern's older brother, and unknowingly shares the information about the dead body with him, when Vern eavesdrops Billy's conversation. Billy is easily influenced, and has committed a handful of crimes whilst being involved with Ace e.g. stealing a car, petty theft, loitering etc.

Casey Siemaszko (Billy Tessio) Now

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Casey Siemaszko has since been featured in a plethora of movies, television shows and video games. Some of these, include: 'Back To The Future', 'Of Mice And Men', 'NYPD Blue', 'Law And Order', 'The Blacklist', 'Red Dead Revolver' and 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'. He is still active within the world of acting, and will often be cast in smaller supporting roles.

Bradley Gregg (Eyeball Chambers) Then

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Richard 'Eyeball' Chambers (played by Bradley Gregg), is another part of Ace's friendship group/gang, and is also Chris' older brother. The younger boys also run into Richard when they cross paths with Ace early in the movie, and interrogates them about where they're going. Richard very much falls into the Chambers family reputation, and is well-known for his delinquency and criminal activities.

Bradley Gregg (Eyeball Chambers) Now

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Bradley Gregg is well-known for his roles within 1980's movies, and has gone on to be cast in many supporting roles over the years. Some of his features, include: 'A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors', 'Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade', 'Toy Soldiers', 'Boonville Redemption' and 'Welcome To Acapulco'. Bradley has also explored the worlds of movie production, and directing.

Frances Lee McCain (Mrs. Lachance) Then

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Mrs. Lachance (played by Frances Lee McCain), is another smaller role within the movie, and is the mother to Denny and Gordon. She is depicted as quite distant, disconnected and cold towards Gordon, and it is heavily implied that this is due to Denny's passing. Gordon is constantly seeking her approval and love, which is an upsetting element of Gordon's backstory.

Frances Lee McCain (Mrs. Lachance) Now

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Before the release of Stand By Me, Frances Lee McCain was a well-established actress, featuring in a range of movies and television shows e.g. 'Footloose', 'Gremlins' and 'Back To The Future'. After the release of the movie, Francis starred in a handful of movies, including: 'Scream', 'Patch Adams' and 'The Comeback Trail'. She is still actively working, and tends to be cast in smaller roles.

Gary Riley (Charlie Hogan) Then

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Charlie Hogan (played by Gary Riley), is another gang member/friend of Ace, and is Billy's best friend. Despite being part of the gang, Charlie is somewhat of an outcast, and is often ridiculed within the group of 'friends'. He is quite self-conscious, but puts up a tough facade in an attempt to hide his insecurities, and feel included within the group.

Gary Riley (Charlie Hogan) Now

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Since his role in Stand By Me, Gary Riley has only starred in a handful of movies, including: 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles', 'Ruthless People', 'Airwolf' and 'Fear'. His last role, was actually in 'Fear', and he has since retired from acting altogether. Despite his retirement, it has been reported that he is living a relatively comfortable life within Los Angeles.

Andy Lindberg (Lardass Hogan) Then

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Lardass Hogan (played by Andy Limberg) is a sub-character within Stand By Me, and is actually the protagonist within Gordon's campfire story. Lardass is a young boy, who is bullied for his size. In order to have revenge on all his bullies, he enters a pie-eating contests, and purposely vomits (which causes everyone else to start vomiting on each other).

Andy Lindberg (Lardass Hogan) Now

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Since starring in Stand By Me, Andy Lindberg has only featured in two other movies, which are: 'God's Clowns' and 'Happy Ending' (which is in its post-production stage). He has stepped away from the world of acting, and has become well-known for his musical talent. Andy is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the rock band: 'Captain Bogg and Salty'.

Scott Beach (Mayor Grundy) Then

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Mayor Grundy (played by Scott Beach) is another sub-character within Gordon's campfire story. He is the mayor of the fictional town within the story, and presents the pie-eating contest (and its contestants) to the local townspeople. He provides a comical element to the story, as he highlights Hogan's size, and the fact there is sure winner for the contest.

Scott Beach (Mayor Grundy) Now

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After his role of Mayor Grundy, Scott Beach featured in three movies, two television shows and one video game. These features were the following: 'Tucker: The Man And His Dream', 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'Getting Even With Dad', 'Blacke's Magic', 'Midnight Caller' and 'Physic Detective'. Unfortunately, Scott Beach passed away in February 1996, at the age of 65.

Art Burke (Principal Wiggins) Then

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Principal Wiggins (played by Art Burke) is yet another sub-character within Gordon's campfire story, and is the Principal of the fictional town's high-school (the same one that Hogan attends). He is one of the contestants in the pie-eating contest, and is depicted as a jolly middle-aged man (dressed in a blue suit). Principal Wiggins seems pretty confident of his ability to win, until Hogan shows up.

Art Burke (Principal Wiggins) Now

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Leading up to, and following the release of, Stand By Me, Art Burke starred in six movies (some of which were television films). These features were: 'Street Girls', 'Hot Lead And Cold Feet', 'The Dream Chasers', 'Promise', 'Fifteen And Pregnant' and 'Ricochet River'. After starring in these movies, Art retired from acting altogether. Unfortunately, he passed away in March 2007.

Marshall Bell (Mr. Lachance) Then

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Mr. Lachance (played by Marshall Bell) is Gordon and Denny's father, and id depicted as cold, closed-off and emotionally distant with Gordon. Again, this is heavily implied that this is due to Denny's passing, and it has a hugely negative impact on Gordon's relationship with his father. Similarly to his mother, Gordon is just trying to win his father's approval, love and acceptance.

Marshall Bell (Mr. Lachance) Now

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Following his role in Stand By Me, Marshall Bell has starred in a wide variety of television shows and movies. These features, include: 'Cherry 2000', 'Tucker: The Man And His Dream', 'Total Recall', 'Serving Sara', 'Stargate Atlantis' and 'Outer Banks'. Marshall is still active within the acting world, and is often featured in smaller and/or cameo roles.