The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (2024)

Great Scott! On July 3, the iconic 1980s movie Back to the Future turns 38 years old, and our only wish is that we could go back in time to watch it again and again.

In celebration of the film's legacy, catch up with stars including Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and more.

01of 07

Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (1)

Disgruntled California teen Marty McFly accidentally heads back in time, altering the course of his parents' life (and his own future) in the process.

Star Michael J. Fox was already famous thanks to his three-time Emmy-winning role as Alex P. Keaton on the TV show Family Ties. Following the success of Back to the Future (and its two sequels), Fox starred in a slew of movies and on series like Spin City, The Good Wife and The Michael J. Fox Show, earning his fourth Emmy in 1999 for his performance on Spin City. He would win his fifth Emmy 10 years later for his guest appearance on Rescue Me.

In 1991, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and opened up about it seven years later when he started a foundation to raise money for research. Fox was awarded an honorary Oscar at the 13th annual Governors Awards for his Parkinson's advocacy in November 2022 ahead of the 95th Academy Awards.

Fox married Tracy Pollan in 1988, and the two have four children.

Christopher Lloyd as Emmett "Doc" Brown

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (2)

Already well established in Hollywood thanks to his Emmy-winning role on Taxi, Christopher Lloyd played Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, the scientist who helps guide Marty safely through (and from) the past. He returned for both sequels and short-lived TV series.

The actor has kept busy since the release of Back to the Future, starring as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993). In addition to family favorites like Dennis the Menace (1993), Angels in the Outfield (1994) and Baby Geniuses (1999), Lloyd also voiced Hacker on the PBS Kids' animated series Cyberchase from 2002 to 2022. Other film credits include The Tender Bar (2021), Spirit Halloween (2022) and Self Reliance (2023).

Lloyd has been married five times; he wed Lisa Loiacono in 2016.

03of 07

Lea Thompson as Lorraine Baines-McFly

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (3)

A relative newcomer at the time of the film's release, Lea Thompson played Marty's mom, who finds herself unknowingly crushing on her son when he goes back in time.

Thompson landed her own acclaimed mid-'90s series, Caroline in the City, and went on to secure more projects, including Hallmark's Jane Doe film series and ABC Family's (now Freeform) Switched at Birth. She was also featured in 1993's Dennis the Menace with her Back to the Future costar Lloyd.

Rounding out Thompson's impressive career on the big screen are her appearances in J. Edgar (2011), The Trouble with the Truth (2012), Left Behind (2014), Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018), Little Women (2018) and Unplugging (2022). Since 2023, Thompson has starred on the CTV procedural series The Spencer Sisters.

Thompson has been married to director Howard Deutch since 1989, after the two met on the set of 1987's Some Kind of Wonderful. Their two daughters — Madelyn and Zoey Deutch — are also writers and actors, with Madelyn writing 2017's The Year of Incredible Men costarring her mom and sister.

04of 07

Crispin Glover as George McFly

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (4)

As Marty's dad George, Crispin Glover eventually made it to where he was supposed to be in the altered past — and turned out even stronger in the future. Glover did not return for the Back to the Future sequels.

He is known for his eclectic role choices, including reuniting with Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis for the performance-capture movie Beowulf (2007). His other film credits include The Doors (1991), What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Alice in Wonderland (2010), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and The Bag Man (2014). From 2017 to 2021, Glover appeared as Mr. World on the Starz series American Gods.

Glover is the son of Chinatown (1974) actor Bruce Glover.

05of 07

Claudia Wells as Jennifer Parker

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (5)

Claudia Wells played Jennifer Parker, Marty's present-day girlfriend who bookended the film, supporting him in early scenes and reuniting with him after the climax. Like Glover, she didn't appear in the sequels and was replaced by another actress in the role, Elisabeth Shue, best known at the time for 1987's Adventures in Babysitting.

After Back to the Future, Wells was a recurring cast member on Off the Rack and Fast Times before taking a break from acting in 1986. However, she would make her return in 2008 in the film Still Waters Burn. Most notably, she reprised her role as Jennifer in the 2011 video game Back to the Future: The Game.

Aside from acting, Wells opened a high-end menswear shop, Armani Wells, in Studio City, Calif. She and her husband share one son, Sebastian.

06of 07

Thomas F. Wilson as Biff Tannen

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (6)

Thomas F. Wilson, as George's bully Biff, was eventually put in his place thanks to Marty's past antics.

Wilson played Biff and other members of the Tannen family in the two sequels and the Back to the Future animated TV series. In addition, he has appeared on several TV shows (including Freaks and Geeks and Ghost Whisperer) and voiced different animated characters in the SpongeBob SquarePants film franchise and on The Spectacular Spider-Man series. The actor also appeared in the 2013 buddy-cop comedy The Heat, starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.

Wilson married wife Caroline in 1985; together, they have four children.

07of 07

Marc McClure as Dave McFly

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (7)

Previously known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, Marc McClure played Dave McFly, one of Marty's two obnoxious siblings, along with the late Wendie Jo Sperber as Linda McFly.

Like many of his Back to the Future costars, McClure has steadily worked in Hollywood since the film's release in 1985, including appearances in Apollo 13 (1995), That Thing You Do! (1996), Daybreak (2000), Freaky Friday (2003), Coach Carter (2005) and Frost/ Nixon (2008). In a nod to his past work in Superman, McClure appeared in 2017's Justice League and 2021's Zack Snyder's Justice League.

McClure has been married to Carol Courson Cowley since 1985, with whom he shares one child.

The Cast of Back to the Future: Where Are They Now? (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6326

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.