The Truman Show Cast Then And Now

Truman Burbank  - THEN

Image source: Movie Vault

Truman Burbank, is the individual who is chosen from six unwanted pregnancies and he is adopted by a corporation.  He is to have a reality show built around him and his life, to be filmed 24 hours a day for public consumption, without Truman being aware.  He is surrounded by actors and situations are manipulated to keep him at Seahaven.  As time goes on, Burbank notices inconsistencies and strange things happening in his life.

Jim Carey - NOW

Image source: Reddit

The great Jim Carrey went on to portray the comedian Andy Kaufman in "Man on the Moon" and he was in the romantic drama "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."  He starred with Ewan McGregor in "I Love You Phillip Morris", about two gay lovers.  Comedy followed with "Bruce Almighty", "Yes Man" and "Dumb and Dumber."  Never one to slow down, Jim Carey is as busy as ever.  With talent like his, this is music to our ears.

Hannah Gill Acting As Meryl Burbank , Truman's Wife - THEN

Image source: That Moment In

Hannah is asked to come on board and play the character of Meryl Burbank, Truman's wife.  Her task is to keep up the illusion of a typical suburban life and she must maintain this at all times. Meryl often promotes various services and products during her conversations with Truman and this highlights the manipulative and commercial nature of reality television.

Laura Linney - NOW

Image source: Deadline

Laura Linney has since appeared i "Love Actually", "Mystic River", "The Squid and the Whale" and "The Savages."  Laura also starred in the bit hit Showtime series "The Big C" and more recently appeared in "Hyde Park on Hudson."  Linney has received many awards over the years including two Golden Globes and four Primetime Emmys.  She has been nominated for no less than five Tony Awards.

Christof - THEN

Image source: Insider

Christof is an enigmatic character but has a complex personality.  He is so dedicated to the success of the show that he treats it as a matter of life or death!  He created the show and is the director, controlling Truman's life in every aspect.  He makes sure he manipulates events and the people involved in them all in the act of entertainment.  Utterly confident, Christof sees himself as a Godlike figure.

Ed Harris - NOW

Image source: Semana

Ed Harris has been a busy actor, both on the big and small screens since the Truman Show.  "Top Gun: Maverick" and" Beautiful Mind" are two of the standouts.  He won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for the series "Game Change". He starred as the "Man in Black" in the series "Westworld" from 2016 to 2022.  Harris is now working on other projects due to be released next year.

Louis Coltrane Acting As Marlon, Truman's Best Friend - THEN

Image source: Mayer

Louis Coltrane is brought into the mix to play Marlon, Truman's best buddy.  Marlon feels really guilty for the deceit he has to administer.  At the end of the movie we find out that Marlon has had a drug addiction and been in in and out of rehab.  When he spots Truman trying to escape he purposely says and does nothing.  He struggles with keeping up the pretence.

Noah Emmerich - NOW

Image source: Deadline

Noah Emmerich previously had supporting roles in the movies "Beautiful Girls" and "Cop Land."  You will likely remember him from the films "Frequency", "Little Children" and "Super 8."  There were also recurring roles on the shows "The Walking Dead" and "White Collar."  He enjoyed success more recently in "Jane Got a Gun" with Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman.

Sylvia Acting As Lauren Garland, Truman's College Friend - THEN

Image source: Charactour

Sylvia is an actress hired to play Lauren Garland, Truman's lost love and the girl he met at college.  She sneakily tries to tell Truman the truth about the show and when she starts revealing aspects of it, she is removed by the producers.   Truman and Lauren attempt to escape Seahaven together but fail. Truman is then told in no uncertain terms that he should never try it again.

Natascha McElhone - NOW

Image source: The Sun

Since The Truman Show, Natascha has starred in "Ronin", "Solaris" and "Big Nothing."  She appeared with David Duchovny in the hit show "Californication" and in the 2013 version of "Romeo and Juliet" where she played Lady Capulet.  She has been in the science fiction series "The First" and was Penelope Knatchbull in season 5 of the extremely popular series "The Crown."

Alanis Montclair Acting As Angela Montclair, Truman's mother - THEN

Image source: Terri Roake

Alanis Montclair, much like the other characters in the show, is paid by the producers to play a role in Truman's life, her part being as Angela Montclair, Truman's mom.  She has to provide the illusion of a close and loving family, adding to the surreal nature of Burbank's world.  This highlights how much his life has been manipulated and everyone except Truman is in on it.

Holland Taylor - NOW

Image source: Pinterest

One of Holland Taylor's most notable roles has to be in "Two and a Half Men" where she appeared as Charlie's domineering mom.  Taylor has earned widespread recognition and been nominated for many awards.  Taylor starred in "Legally Blonde" and the sequel as well as other tv parts.  These include "Monk", "Bosch" and "Mr Mercedes."  She received critical acclaim for her role in "The Practice."

Walter Moore Acting As Truman's Father Kirk Burbank - THEN

Image source: Stack Exchange

The character Walter Moore is scripted to play Kirk Burbank, Truman's father.  His untimely death from a boating accident when Truman was small, is a major event that gives Truman his perception of the world.  For example, Truman is frightened of water, because of his dad's accident and negative experiences from his past leave him fearful for the future.

Brian Delate - NOW

Image source: Santa Valley

After The Truman Show, Brian Delate played five supporting roles - five different characters in tv's "Law and Order."  Despite the success of The Truman Show, the actor did not manage to land any major roles although his appearance as Ron Weeson in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" gained him great respect from young and old alike.  They loved his character!

Simeon, Control Room Director - THEN

Image source Avaleyman

The control room and what went on in it are not shown in much detail during the movie but it is still an integral part of the story.  Christof's assistant Simeon has to make sure that all Truman's emotions and actions are captured and more importantly, it has to appear real.  It's not an easy job monitoring Truman as every move he makes, 24.7, is shown to everyone watching.

Paul Giamatti - NOW

Image source: Ew.com

Paul Giamatti has appeared in an abundance of movies and tv shows since The Truman Show.  He received his second Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in "Barney's Version", a 2010 film.  He starred as the lead in "Win Win", very well received by the critics.  Small roles followed and these days Giamatti makes a good living from voice overs for commercials.

Lawrence, Truman's Boss - THEN

Image source: YouTube

An actor was called in to play Lawrence, one of Truman Burbank's close college friends.  Lawrence is part of the group of friends that Truman is meant to interact with in this artificial world.  All these "friends" have to make sure that Truman buys into them.  If it's unrealistic that puts pressure on the show as the viewers who are watching it will detract from the experiment that's taking place.

Peter Krause - NOW

Image source: The Today Show

Peter Krause was in a relationship with Lauren Graham of the Gilmore Girls fr over 11 years before they split 2 years ago.  Krause played lead roles in multiple tv shows.  He was Benjamin Jones in "The Catch" and he played Bobby Nash in "9-1-1.  Krause was nominated for three Emmys, two Golden Globes and seven Screen Actors Guild Awards, winning twice for "Six Feet Under."

Mike Michaelson, TV Talk Show Host - THEN

Image source: Noticias de Ayer

Mike Michaelson works in the control room and and is responsible for managing the production of the Truman Show.  The camera angles have to be spot on and set changes need to look totally authentic.  Everything is meticulously presented to change an artificial world into a real one, even though we all know it isn't real!  Besides this, Michaelson is the tv talk show host.

Harry Shearer - NOW

Image source: Getty Images

Harry Shearer is best known these days for his voice rather than being in front of the camera.  He provides voice for "The Simpsons" - that's so cool!  He does several characters, Mr Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers and Reverend. Lovejoy.  Shearer is a political activist and written articles and books on topics such as media, politics and entertainment.

Network Executive - THEN

Image source: Ew.com

The Network Executive carries a huge responsibility on his shoulders.  He has the huge task of creating an illusion to make everyone feel it is real.  Even when audience members know the premise of the experiment, as they continue to watch it, they start to believe it's fact.  The characters become real and this represents the power that the entertainment industry can have over people's actual lives.

Philip Baker Hall - NOW

Image source: WhatToWatch

Philip Baker Hall passed away last year at the age of 90.  He had starred in the tv show "The Loop" and guest starred in "The Life & Times of Tim."  He played a really funny part of the physician in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and appeared in "Modern Family."  Hall won a best actor award at the Barcelona Film Festival for the short film "Dear Chickens."  He loved live stage work and tread the boards in Los Angeles.

Bar Waitress - THEN

Image source: Aveleyman

The Bar Waitress is yet another cog in the wheel of the big fat lie that defines the life of Truman Burbank, a kind hearted insurance salesman.  The picturesque neighborhood and perfect residents are all part of the plan to make a television set turn into real life.  The waitress is friendly and good at her job, just as she would be if she really was a server.

O-Lan Jones - NOW

Image source: IMDb

Besides her acting resume, which includes "Attention Shoppers", "Syrup" and "Community", Jones is an alumna of New Dramatists.  The talented lady is also a musician, writer and composer as well as a lyricist. She founded "Overtone Industries" and was the artistic director.  She was dedicated to developing new works for musical theater and opera.  Jones married her long term partner in 2017.

Chloe - THEN

Image source: IMDb

Chloe is Truman's colleague and friend at work at the insurance company in Seahaven, the made up place where they all supposedly live!  She comes across as friendly and caring, spending time with Truman. She is approachable and helpful - just what you would want in a work colleague - except she is part of the illusion  and only acting as this character.

Heidi Schanz - NOW

Image source: XING

American Heidi Schanz is a retired actress and model.  Besides The Truman Show she appeared in films and television, starting in 1995 up to 2001.  After this movie, where she played Chloe, she starred as the lead in "Universal Soldier: The Return" in 1999. Her last role was "When Billy Beat Bobby" where she played a stewardess in this television film.

Travel Agent - THEN

Image source: IMDb

In order to keep this artificial world as real as possible for the characters who, remember, are acting as other people themselves, no stone can remain unturned.  Besides the usual grocery store etc., there is also a travel agency.  This could be a issue because Truman isn't allowed to leave the "set."  We see him visiting one, with his suitcase in hand and he's full of excitement.  He asks to go to Fiji and the assistant has to lie and say all flights are full for at least a month as it's the busy season!

Judi Clayton - NOW

Image source: Aveleyman

Judy Clayton had been in a few television shows and films before she was cast in The Truman Show as the travel agent.  You many remember her from the hilarious "Ace Ventura."  She also appeared in "Bully" in 2001.  Clayton retired from the acting profession shortly afterwards and became an author.  She sadly passed away in October 2015 in Miami, Florida.

Teacher - THEN

Image source: IMDb

Of course there has to be a school in The Truman Show during the three decades Truman Burbank is centre stage.  We see him during his school years.  The lesson in the image is geography which may be a little weird as Truman isn't allowed to leave Seahaven, never mind explore a different country.  The school has been carefully orchestrated for its realism.

Muriel Moore - NOW

Image source: IMDb

Actress Muriel Moore had already starred in a number of movies and television films before her minor role as the teacher in The Truman Show.  She was already semi-retired but wanted to work alongside Jim Carey so accepted the part.  Moore was nominated for an Oscar for "The Big Chill" in 1983 and actually won an Oscar for "Driving Miss Daisy" in 1989.