What Happened To The Cast Of Poltergeist? Know Poltergeist Cast, Overview, And More
by B Kishwar
Updated Jan 28, 2023
What Happened To The Cast Of Poltergeist?
The supernatural horror movie Poltergeist, that was released in 1982 in the U.S. under the direction of Tobe Hooper, was written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor from his own story. Spielberg and Frank Marshall produced the movie, which features JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, and Beatrice Straight in the lead roles. The main characters of the movie are a suburban family who has their home invaded by evil ghosts that kidnap their youngest daughter.
40 years later, the fans of this show are curious to know what had happened to the cast of a poltergeist. This article has all the information that is needed by his fans. Two actors from the movie died during the shooting of the movie. Dominique Dunne, a 22-year-old actress was killed by her ex-boyfriend. Also, another child actress Heather O'Rourke died at the age of 12 because of a health issue. Continue reading the article to know more information on what happened to this cast of poltergeists.
Poltergeist Actors Died
A few months after the movie's release, Dominique Dunne, who was 22 at the time, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in the fall of 1982. In addition, Heather O'Rourke, who was 12 years old when she tragically passed away in 1988, passed away when she was five years old. One of the most iconic horror movie quotes ever was uttered by Heather O'Rourke in 1982 as a sweet young blonde girl: "They're here." The film was a hugely successful Poltergeist. In the sequel, Heather would go on to play Carol Anne, saying, "They're back." But before Poltergeist III was released, in 1988, when Heather was just 12 years old, she passed away mysteriously. Continue reading the article to know about her death.
After Poltergeist's enormous success, Heather received offers for other roles. She appeared as a guest performer on the legendary 1980s television programs Webster and CHiPs and landed a recurring part in Happy Days as the daughter of Fonzie's fiancée. In 1986, Poltergeist II was released. In 1987, Heather first experienced illness. She was diagnosed with giardia after repeated visits to the doctor. After receiving treatment, she was subsequently told she had Crohn's disease and was put on cortisone.
Heather awoke on February 1st, 1988 feeling sick, but she maintained she wanted to go to school. Her signs grew worse. Her fingers and toes began to turn blue, and her breathing became heavy and rapid. She also couldn't swallow. Kathleen dialed 911 as soon as she fell to the ground. In septic shock, she was. In the ambulance, she experienced a heart attack. She was revived by hospital staff, but she had suffered brain damage. That afternoon, her death was confirmed.
Poltergeist Cast Now
Craig T. Nelson As Steve Freeling
The most well-known member of the cast is probably Craig T. Nelson, who has appeared in a number of hugely successful movies and television series, including Parenthood, All the Right Moves, The District, The Incredibles, and Coach, for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Show in 1992. Young Sheldon and Book Club 2: The Next Chapter is two of his most recent works.
Jobeth Williams As Diane Freeling
JoBeth Williams has acted in numerous shows since her role in Poltergeist, including Frasier, Private Practice, Dexter, Fever Pitch, and Sgt. Will Gardner. The 73-year-old Houston native also expanded into filmmaking, making her debut with the short film On Hope in 1994, which led to her being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
Beatrice Straight As Dr. Lesh
Beatrice Straight, who passed away, didn't appear in many movies. She did, however, receive an Academy Award for her supporting performance in the satirical movie Network from 1976. Beatrice chose to work on stage and television throughout her career; for her performance in the 1953 version of The Crucible, she was honored with the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Pneumonia claimed Beatrice's life on April 7, 2001. Age-wise, she was 86.
Dominique Dunne As Dana Freeling
Following her breakout performance in Poltergeist, Dominique Dunne went on to star in The Shadow Riders, a western film, and to appear in TV shows like CHiPS, The Quest, and Hill Street Blues. Dominique, a native of California, was tragically killed by her ex-boyfriend after an altercation on October 30, 1982, preventing her from expanding her professional options. After going into a coma, she passed away five days later. She had just turned 22.
Oliver Robins As Robbie Freeling
Oliver is most recognized for his work on the films Poltergeist and Poltergeist II: The Other Side from 1986. Since then, he has used his skills in the background to work as a writer and director; some of his most recent works are Celebrity Crush and Man Overboard. He is the only Poltergeist child actor still alive.
Poltergeist Overview
The 1982 American supernatural horror movie Poltergeist, which was based on a Spielberg story, was directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. An ordinary California family, the Freelings Steve, Diane, teenage Dana, eight-year-old Robbie, and five-year-old Carol Ann experience strange and spooky events when ghosts communicate with them through the television. When Carol Ann goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and finally an exorcist for assistance. The spirits, who were at first kind and fun, then abruptly became malevolent.
what happened to the cast of poltergeist - FAQs
Oliver Robins is alive and well
You might also hear other false or exaggerated Poltergeist myths, such as all three kids from the original film died, which is totally untrue. Robbie Freeling, played by Oliver Robins, is alive and well
A spokeswoman for Children's Hospital of San Diego identified the cause of death as intestinal stenosis--a severe bowel obstruction that the girl evidently had from birth. The obstruction caused an infection that, in turn, brought on septic shock
t's probably safe to assume that's the value before it imploded and sank into the ground. The house used for the exterior shots of the Freeling home is still standing in Simi Valley.
The film focuses on a suburban family whose home is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct their youngest daughter. As Spielberg was contractually unable to direct another film while he made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Hooper was selected based on his work on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Funhouse.
Julian Beck died from cancer in his mature years. Will Sampson passed away after receiving a heart and lung transplant. It's my understanding he had an environmental disease. And Dominique Dunne died at the hands of an extremely ill-directed, passionate boyfriend.