The 'Forrest Gump' Cast Then and Now: See What the Beloved Stars Look Like Today
"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." Indeed, we can hardly believe that it's been three decades since the movie Forrest Gump hit theaters and instantly won our hearts. The 1994 film, starring Tom Hanks, was not only beloved by audiences, it also won 19 awards — including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role. Hanks was unforgettable as the titular character, but even the lesser-known actors in the Forrest Gump cast, like Hanna Hall, who played the younger version of Jenny and gave one of the most famous lines in the film ("Run, Forrest, run!"), made an indelible mark in our memories.
To our delight, we discovered that most of the Forest Gump cast is still working in Hollywood, so we decided to take a walk down memory lane to remember them as they were in the film and find out what they are doing today. Here, see the Forrest Gump cast then and now!
What is Forrest Gump about?
If Forrest Gump never made its way onto your radar, make it a part of your next at-home movie night (right now you can stream it on Prime Video or Paramount+). The film follows none other than Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks), an Alabama man with a low IQ but a kind heart, who inadvertently influences several significant events in American history over the course of several decades. An influential cast of characters make an impact on each of his life events.
The Forrest Gump cast then and now
See what the Forrest Gump cast as they looked in the 1994 movie and how they look today — wow! Plus, find out what they have been doing lately.
Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks went on to have one of the most successful careers out of this cast after his leading role in Forrest Gump. Some of his most notable films post-Gump include Toy Story, Saving Private Ryan, You've Got Mail, Cast Away, and more recently, Sully, Elvis and A Man Called Otto. Today he is dabbling a bit more as a producer and has multiple new movies and projects on the horizon for next year.
(Click through to see 27 photos of Tom Hanks through the years!)
Robin Wright as Jenny Curran
After her role as Forrest's love interest and eventual wife Jenny, Robin Wright made her name in The Princess Bride and went on to film Message in a Bottle. More recently, she's taken on roles in Wonder Woman 1984, House of Cards and Blade Runner 2049.
"That was one of the most incredible experiences of my career for sure," Wright told Bustle. "It’s such a beautiful movie without being overly sentimental. We had no idea that it would be the success that it became while we were shooting it. Just to be able to get to play a character over the course of almost 20 years — everything that Jenny went through with Forrest. Tom [Hanks] and I had such a great time laughing every day. And you walk away from that, years past now, and you’re like, 'I feel so blessed and honored to have been in such an iconic film.'"
Sally Field as Mrs. Gump
The 76-year-old actress has experienced great success in the subsequent years for films and shows like ER (for which she earned an Emmy), Brothers & Sisters, Lincoln, The Amazing Spiderman and most recently 80 for Brady.
"I was in the midst of shooting Mrs. Doubtfire when I got a call from my friend, Tom Hanks, who I had worked with before and we remained friends," Field told Glamour. "He said, 'I don’t want you to be insulted.' And I thought, Oh God, what’s he going to say? He said, 'I want you to play my mother.' And I said, 'Well, Tom, I wouldn’t be insulted.' I’m 10 years older than Tom, but I said, 'I want to do it, Tom.'" She continued, "'I don’t care what it is. I want to do it.' Then I read the screenplay, and of course it’s Forrest Gump, it’s wonderful. I got to play younger than myself and older than myself."
Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan Taylor
After his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump, Sinise acted in Apollo 13, The Green Mile, Truman, CSI: NY and many more. He also leads the Gary Sinise Foundation, whose mission is to "serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need," according to their site. "We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities."
Mykelti Williamson as Private Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue
Williamson played Forrest's army buddy Bubba and has also continued to act after his role in the film. Some of his most recent and significant credits include The Holiday Stocking, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Butter, Chicago P.D., Justified, 24 and many more.
Michael Conner Humphreys as Young Forrest Gump
Humphreys acted as young Forrest Gump in the film. He had very few acting roles after the movie, such as Pathfinders: In the Company of Strangers and Knight's End, and served in the Army from 2004 to 2008.
Hanna Hall as Young Jenny Curran
Young Jenny Curran was the character behind the famed line, "Run, Forrest, run!" She went on to appear in films such as The Virgin Suicides, Halloween and has done work as an intimacy coordinator in works including 1923 and Daisy Jones & the Six.
Haley Joel Osment as Forrest Junior
Haley Joel Osment was one of the most successful child stars of his time, even earning himself an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in The Sixth Sense. Some of his more recent roles have been in What We Do in the Shadows, Dragons: The Nine Realms, Dogs in Space, The Kominsky Method and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Click through for more about your favorite movies!
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