Cast of ‘Overboard’ Then and Now: Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and More

Goldie Hawn shines in the 1987 cast of the romantic comedy Overboard as snobby rich woman Joanna, who teases and cheats her carpenter Dean, played by real-life love Kurt Russell. When she is stricken with amnesia after a boating accident, he changes her name to Annie and tries to convince her that they are husband and wife, and have four sons to boot. Hijinks ensue.

It starts when he remodels her closet with oak instead of cedar.

“Well, the entire civilized world knows that all closets are made of cedar,” Hawn’s character Joanna Slayton says.

Russell’s character fires back, “Well up here in Elk Snout ma'am see we don't know 'bout them closets, nor bathrooms neither. S**woman, you're lucky I am house broke.”

When it comes to LOL comedies, this one is tops.

MUST-READ: 13 Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Facts About 'Overboard' 1987

The comedy was inspired by a real-life 1981 news story  of a woman, later identified as Cheryl Tomiczek, who was found in a park who didn’t know who she was. It also took inspiration from the 1958 family comedy Houseboat, starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren, which tells the tale of a widower and his three young children living with their nanny on a houseboat.

Garry Marshall directed the PG-rated flick, before going on to such blockbusters as Beaches (1988), Pretty Woman (1990), Runaway Bride (1999) and The Princess Diaries (2001).

Hawn and Russell’s son, Wyatt, who was born in 1986, had a small role in the film, in addition to Russell’s actor father, Bing Russell. That’s not all: Director Marshall’s son Scott also gets screen time, as does the director himself.

In addition, Rielle Hunter, who became scandalous for the daughter she had with then-married presidential candidate John Edwards, had a bit part in the film.

Word of a remake has gone viral, with Hawn’s daughter Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in the lead roles in a meme that places a July 2024 release date on the project. It’s not the first time: The 1992 Bollywood movie Ek Ladka Ek Ladki was inspired by the flick, and a gender-swapped version of the film hit theaters in 2018 with Anna Faris and Eugenio Derbez in the lead roles.

This one is fake, though, as it was posted on a satirical Facebook page.

However, Hawn is not on board with any revamped versions of her film.

”Overboard was really perfect just as it was,” she told Variety in 2023. “Very rarely does a remake match the actual original film. So I’m not a fan of remakes, period. I think that people have put their stamp on their movies, and if they’re classics, they should be left alone.”

But there was overlap between films. Not only was the same 130-foot yacht built by Kong & Halvorsen used in Indecent Proposal (1993), but the old pickup truck driven by Dean (Russell) was used in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989).

Let’s take a look back at what became of the actors who played the characters:

Goldie Hawn as Joanna/Annie in the cast of Overboard

After the box-office success of Overboard, Hawn went on to star megahits including Bird on a Wire (1990), Death Becomes Her (1992), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), The First Wives Club (1996) and The Banger Sisters (2002), in addition to countless smaller films.

Hawn got her start on the sitcom Good Morning World (1967-1968) and went on to Rowan & Martin’s  Laugh-In (1968-1970). Major films included Shampoo (1975) and Private Benjamin (1980).

She didn’t reteam with Russell until 2018’s Christmas Chronicles and 2020’s Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, where she plays Mrs. Claus to his Santa Claus.

Although they met on the 1968 set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, their romance didn’t begin at that time considering she was 21 and he was 16.

“He was much too young," the actress told Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4.

She next reunited with Russell on 1984 wartime romance drama Swing Shift, and their romance began.

Hawn is mom to Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson, whose father is her ex-husband Bill Hudson, and Wyatt Russell, whose father is longtime love Kurt, plus stepmom to Boston Russell, whose mom is  Kurt’s ex-wife Season Hubley.

What’s the secret to their romance?

“We have a great time together,” Kurt told reporters at Goldie Hawn’s Love In For Kids benefiting The Hawn Foundation's MindUp program in Beverly Hills in 2014. “We're like everyone else. We have arguments and disagree and then we get together and have big laughs. And we have four great kids to have a great and wonderful time with and five grandkids.”

Nowadays, Hawn and Kurt are up to 8+ grandchildren.

At the same event, Kate told reporters, “She's a tornado, and the kids feed on that and love it and she's the most loving and energetic grandmother.”

Kurt Russell as Dean Proffitt in the cast of Overboard

Russell is Dean, who tries to convince Joanna that she is the mother of four sons when she wakes up after a boating accident that triggered amnesia.

Post-Overboard, Russell appeared in Tequila Sunrise (1988), Tango & Cash (1989), Backdraft (1991), Unlawful Entry (1992), Tombstone (1993), Escape From L.A. (1996), 3000 Miles To Graceland (2001), Vanilla Sky (2001), Poseidon (2006), Grindhouse (2007), The Art of the Steal (2013), Furious 7 (2015), The Hateful Eight (2015), Deepwater Horizon (2016), The Fate of the Furious (2017), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood (2019) and F9: The Fast Saga (2021).

Prior to Overboard, Russell was a child star who got his start on Dennis The Menace (1962) before moving on to The Man From UNCLE (1964), Gilligan’s Island (1965), The Legend of Jesse James (1966) and Lost In Space (1966). As an adult, he appeared in Love, American Style (1970), Love Story (1973) and Hawaii Five-O (1977).

He played Elvis in the made-for-TV movie Elvis (1979).

Movie roles include Escape From New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Swing Shift, The Mean Season (1985), and Big Trouble In Little China (1986).

MUST READ: ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Cast: Surprising Facts About the Stars of the Beloved Castaway Comedy

Katherine Helmond as Edith Mintz in the cast of Overboard

Edith is Joanna’s mom, who tells her, “But darling, if you have a baby, you won't be the baby anymore.”

After Overboard: Already famous for playing the matriarchs on TV sitcoms Who’s The Boss? (1984-1992) and Soap (1977-1981), Helmond took on roles on Coach (1995-1997) and Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2004), and in movies Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) and Collaborator (2011).  She made many TV movies, including playing Hedda Hopper in Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995) and The Elvira Show (1993).

She could be seen in short stints on Providence (1999), Strong Medicine (2000), Melissa and Joey (2010) and True Blood (2011).

She voiced Lizzy in the Cars (2006-2017) franchise.

Previous TV appearances included Gunsmoke (1972), The Bob Newhart Show (1973), Barnaby Jones (1975), The Six Million Dollar Man (1975), The Bionic Woman (1977), Benson (1979-1983) and The Love Boat (1981-1986).

She played George Clooney’s grandmother, Frances Clooney, in TV movie Rosie: Rosemary Clooney Story (1982).

Her final role was playing Betty Burns in Frank and Ava (2020).

In 2019, she died of Alzheimer’s Disease at age 89.

MUST READ: ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Cast: Catch Up With the Hilarious Stars Today.

Edward Herrmann as Grant Stayton III

Grant (Edward Herrmann) is Hawn’s husband, who leaves her.

That same year, the 6’5” actor appeared in The Lost Boys before going on to (1993), My Boyfriend’s Back (1993), Richie Rich (1994), Nixon (1995), The Shaft (2001), The Practice (1997-2001), The Aviator (2004), Wedding Daze (2006) and Factory Girl (2006).

Best known as Lorelai (Lauren Graham)’s dad and Rory (Alexis Bledel)’s grandfather on Gilmore Girls (2000-2007), he also appeared on St. Elsewhere (1984-1986), Law & Order (1995-2009), The Practice (1997-2001), Oz (2000-2003), Grey’s Anatomy (2007), Harry’s Law (2012) and The Good Wife (2010-2013).

He won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his work Mrs. Warren’s Profession in 1976.

He died at age 71 in 2014. His final project was voicing the old man councilman on American Dad! (2012-2016). His Connecticut home sold for nearly $1.9 million almost nine years after his death.

MUST READ: ‘Gilmore Girls’ Cast Then and Now: “It’s A Show; It’s A Lifestyle; It’s A Religion”

Michael Hagerty as Billy Pratt in the cast of Overboard

Hagerty plays Uncle Billy in the film.

After Overboard, Hagerty went on to appear in Dick Tracy (1990), Wayne’s World (1992), Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997), I Woke Up Early The Day I Died (1998), Best Laid Plans (1999), Inspector Gadget (1999) and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999).

Notable TV stints included five episodes of Friends from 1995-2001, and he was a main character on Louis CK’s Lucky Louie from 2006-2007. Additional stints included The Building (1993), The George Carlin Show (1994-1995), The Home Court (19950-1996), Nikki (2001-2002), Life With Bonnie (2003-2004), Mob City (2013) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2017).

He also popped up on shows including Married … With Children (1987), Family Ties (1988), Murphy Brown (1989), Drexell’s Class (1991), The Wonder Years (1992), Martin (1992), Seinfeld (1994), The Wayans Bros. (1995), Kirk (1995), Sisters (1996),  The Drew Carey Show (1996), Grace Under Fire (1997), Ally McBeal (1998), Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000), ER (2002), Deadwood (2004), Desperate Housewives (2006), Boston Legal (2007), Entourage (2007), Ghost Whisperer (2007), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2008), Monk (2009), ‘Til Death (2010), Medium (2010), Glee (2010), The Mindy Project (2012), Community (2013), Grey’s Anatomy (2013), The Goldbergs (2014) and Shameless (2016).

His final project was HBO Max’s Somebody Somewhere in 2022.

In 2022, he died at age 67 after a short illness.

MUST READ: ‘The Wonder Years’ Cast Then and Now — Find Out What the Arnolds Are Doing Today!

Roddy McDowall as Andrew

McDowall plays long-suffering butler Andrew in the film, and was also an executive producer on the film .

After Overboard, McDowall appeared in the films Doin’ Time on Planet Earth (1988), Cutting Class (1989), The Big Picture (1989), The Color of Evening (1990), Going Under (1991), The Naked Target (1992) and Double Trouble (1992).

He got into showbiz at age 10 and worked steadily ever since. Early credits include How Green Was My Valley (1941), My Friend Flicka (1943), Lassie Come Home (1943). As an adult, he appeared in MacBeth (1948), Cleopatra (1963), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), That Darn Cat! (1965), Planet of The Apes (1968), Escape From Planet of the Apes (1971), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), Miracle on 34Th Street (1973), The Cat From Outer Space (1978), Fright Night (1985) and Fright Night Part 2 (1988).

He was friends with fellow child star Elizabeth Taylor.

In addition to making TV appearances on shows including Police Woman (1975), Wonder Woman (1977-1978), The Love Boat (1979), Hart To Hart (1979), Mork and Mindy (1979), Fantasy Island (1979-1982), Murder She Wrote (1985-1989), The New Lassie (1900-1992), Jumanji (1997), he voiced video games, including A Bug’s Life and cartoons, including Superman: The Animated Series (1998).

In 1998, McDowall died of lung cancer at age 70. His final role was the narrator of The Return of Captain Sinbad (2001).

MUST READ: Young Elizabeth Taylor: 16 Must-See Photos of the Stunning Hollywood Starlet

Jared Rushton as Charlie

Rushton is one of the four sons in the movie.

After Overboard, Rushton went onto silver screen success with Big; Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, and Pet Semetary II. He also appeared on three episodes of Roseanne (1988-1989) and Dead Man’s Walk (1996). He could be seen on single-episode stints of Murder, She Wrote (1988), Midnight Caller (1990), Life Goes On (1992), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993), Northern Exposure (1993), ER (1994), Cracker: Mind Over Murder (1999) and Cover Me: Based on The True Life of an FBI Family (2000).

Before Rushton landed the role in Overboard, he appeared in the TV movie Top Kids, in addition to TV’s Cagney and Lacey (1986) and Tales From The Darkside (1986).

MUST READ: ‘Roseanne’ Cast Then and Now: A Look Back at the Stars of the Groundbreaking Comedy

Jeffrey Wiseman as Joey

Wiseman is Joey, who is one of the sons, and does his best Pee Wee Herman impression in the film. It was ad-libbed after director Marshall encouraged the boys to improvise.

“I love Pee-Wee Herman,” he said, enacting his legendary laugh.

Following the success of Overboard, Wiseman joined the cast of Home Alone (1990) and The Babe (1992).

Brian Price as Travis

Price is Travis, who is one of the sons.

After Overboard wrapped, Price appeared on TV miniseries Laurel Avenue (1993) and in the film Shadow Warriors (1995).

Jamie Wild as Greg

Wild is Greg, one of the sons.

Overboard was the end of acting for Wild, whose previous credits included the TV movies The Dollmaker (1984) and Scandal Sheet (1985).

Frank Campanella as Captain Karl

After Overboard, Campanella went on to more silver-screen success with Beaches (1988),  Pretty Woman (1990), Dick Tracy (1990), Exit To Eden (1994), Raising Helen (2004) and Seven Days of Grace (2006). Additional film roles included Blood Red (1989), Frankie and Johnny (1991) and The Other Sister (1991).

He also appeared on TV’s Hunter (1986-1989), Night Stand (1995) and Celebrity Deathmatch (1999).

Campanella got his start on the TV series Captain Video and His Video Rangers (1949-1955), and was a prolific actor in TV and film. On the TV side, he appeared on Car 54, Where Are You? (1954), Route 66 (1961-1964), Mannix (1967-1969), Room 222 (1969), Mission: Impossible (1968), Love, American Style (1969), Nanny and the Professor (1971), Good Times (1974), Rhoda (1975), Chico and The Man (1975), Kojak (1975), All In The Family (1972-1975), Maude (1972-1977), Barnaby Jones (1979), The Love Boat (1980), Trapper John, M.D. (1981), Bosom Buddies (1982), Hardcastle and McCormick (1983) and The Fall Guy (1984).

Films include Four Boys and a Gun (1957), Who Killed Teddy Bear (1965), Seconds (1966), The Producers (1967),  What’s So Bad About Feeling Good (1968), Out of It (1969),  The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971), The Stone Killer (1973), Capone (1975), Chesty Anderson U.S. Navy (1976), High Anxiety (1977), Heaven Can Wait (1978), The North Avenue Irregulars (1979), Death Wish II (1982), The Flamingo Kid (1984), Free Ride (1986) and Nothing in Common (1986)

He died in 2006 at age 87.

MUST READ: ‘All in the Family’ Cast: A Look Back at the Bunkers and How They Changed Television

Harvey Miller as Dr. Norman Korman

Prior to Overboard, Harvey Miller was best-known as an Oscar-nominated screenwriter for Private Benjamin (1980). He also wrote and directed  Taxi (1980).

He appeared on The Odd Couple (1971-1972), Taxi and Laverne & Shirley (1981), and in films Big (1988), Beaches (1988) and Awakenings (1990).

He died of heart failure in 1999 at age 63.

MUST READ: Cast of ‘Taxi’: Where Are the Stars 45 Years After the Iconic Show Debuted?

For all things 1980's click here!