The Craft was a 90s horror classic that launched the careers of its young stars, including Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True – here’s what they’re up to now
When The Craft premiered in cinemas back in May 1996, it was far from your typical teen horror movie. With its dark and edgy narrative infused with a touch of witchcraft, it quickly gained cult status.
The film starred Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True as high school misfits who form their own coven. The plot revolves around Sarah Bailey, a new student at a private Catholic school, who befriends three outcasts involved in witchcraft. Together, they use magic to better their lives, until things take a disastrous turn.
Fast forward nearly 30 years, and many of the cast members have traded in their teenage woes and spell-casting for unexpected new careers, ranging from directing award-winning series and voicing animated sitcoms to tarot reading. Here’s a look at where they are now, according to the Mirror US..
Robin Tunney (Sarah Bailey)
Robin Tunney took on the role of Sarah Bailey, the newcomer whose natural magical talents make her an ideal fit for the coven. Before The Craft, Robin had already made a name for herself with parts in Encino Man in 1992 and Empire Records in 1995. Her performance in Niagara, Niagara in 1997 earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.
After The Craft, Robin’s career continued to thrive with significant roles in films such as the 1999 action thriller End of Days, and Vertical Limit in 2000. She also found success on the small screen, starring as Veronica Donovan in Prison Break from 2005 to 2006, and as Teresa Lisbon in The Mentalist from 2008 to 2015.
More recently, she graced the screen in Netflix’s Horse Girl in 2020 and took the lead in ABC’s The Fix in 2019, although the latter was axed after just one season. Robin has been romantically involved with interior designer Nicky Marmet since 2012, and the pair have two children together.
Fairuza Balk (Nancy Downs)
Fairuza Balk’s depiction of Nancy Downs, the film’s main villain, brilliantly portrayed a troubled teenager’s spiral into insanity. Post-The Craft, Fairuza continued to gravitate towards unconventional roles, featuring in Almost Famous in 2000 as Sapphire, a role that bagged her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. She also contributed her voice to animated series like Family Guy and Justice League.
In addition to acting, Fairuza is heavily invested in the arts, dabbling in music and visual art projects. She keeps a low profile, often giving fans a glimpse into her creative pursuits via social media.
Neve Campbell (Bonnie Harper)
Neve Campbell brought to life Bonnie Harper, a timid girl whose transformation following a beauty spell results in vanity. While The Craft showcased her acting prowess, it was her portrayal of Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise that cemented her status as a scream queen.
Neve returned to her iconic role in several Scream sequels, including the fifth chapter that hit cinemas in January 2022. Her portrayal in 1997’s Scream 2 garnered her the MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance.
Beyond the realm of horror, she featured in the drama series Party of Five and movies such as The Company in 2003 and Skyscraper in 2018. In her private life, Neve is mum to two boys, one of whom she adopted with her partner, fellow actor JJ Feild.
Rachel True (Rochelle Zimmerman)
In The Craft, Rachel True portrayed Rochelle Zimmerman, a character who navigated the challenges of racism and bullying, making her storyline one of the most poignant in the film. Post-The Craft, Rachel graced television series like Dawson’s Creek and Better Things, while also exploring her interest in the esoteric world.
By 2017, she had embarked on a new path as a tarot card reader in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles. Speaking to Dazed Digital in 2019, Rachel opened up about the difficulties of being a black actress in Hollywood, which led her to establish her own tarot practice at House of Intuition in Los Angeles. She expressed how the industry typecast her, saying: “Hollywood made it clear I was not the leading lady but her quirky best friend.”
Now an author, Rachel penned True Heart Intuitive Tarot, a tarot guidebook that comes with a 78-card illustrated deck and 22 essays reflecting on her “mystic-minded Hollywood life.” She continues to act and secured a role in the second season of Harlem.
Skeet Ulrich (Chris Hooker)
Skeet Ulrich took on the role of Chris Hooker, a charming yet duplicitous love interest. That same year, he rose to fame as Billy Loomis in Scream, a character he reprised in 2022’s Scream and Scream VI the subsequent year.
Between 2017 and 2021, Skeet was cast as Forsythe Pendleton ‘F.P.’ Jones II in The CW’s Riverdale. His other notable TV roles include Johnston Jacob ‘Jake’ Green Jr. in Jericho, and LAPD Detective Rex Winters in the Law and Order series. Off-screen, Skeet is a father of two and continues to pursue acting in both film and television.
Christine Taylor (Laura Lizzie)
Christine Taylor portrayed Laura Lizzie, a racist bully who becomes the subject of Rochelle’s revenge spell. Christine is perhaps best known for her parts in The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel, as well as being the wife of actor and director Ben Stiller.
In 1998, Christine landed the role of Holly Sullivan in The Wedding Singer. A few years later, she starred alongside her husband in Zoolander. She has since appeared with her spouse in films such as Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Tropic Thunder, and Zoolander 2.
The couple, parents to two children, parted ways in 2017 after a 17-year marriage. However, Ben revealed in 2022 that they had rekindled their love during the pandemic, having moved back in together. He shared that the separation gave them a newfound appreciation for their union, while Christine echoed that the time apart allowed them to grow individually, ultimately fortifying their relationship.
Breckin Meyer (Mitt)
Breckin Meyer took on the role of Mitt, one of Chris Hooker’s friends who ridicules the coven. Following his breakout performance as Travis Birkenstock in Clueless in 1995, Breckin’s acting career has continued to thrive.
His notable filmography includes appearances in Road Trip, Rat Race, and Garfield: The Movie, with his most recent role in Unpregnant. Additionally, he has lent his voice to Robot Chicken since 2005.
Cliff DeYoung (Mr Bailey)
Cliff DeYoung brought to life the character of Sarah’s father, a doting yet clueless parent oblivious to his daughter’s magical powers. Cliff boasts an impressive resume with more than 80 film and television credits, including Harry and Tonto in 1974, The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case in 1976, Centennial and Blue Collar both in 1978, Shock Treatment in 1981, Glory in 1989, Suicide Kings in 1997, and Wild in 2014.
He has made guest appearances on popular shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The West Wing, and The Young and the Restless. Cliff has been happily married to his wife, Gypsy DeYoung, since 1970.
Assumpta Serna (Lirio Santana)
Assumpta Serna took on the role of Lirio Santana, a mystical shop owner who provides guidance to Sarah. With a career spanning 20 countries and six languages, Assumpta has been honoured with more than 20 international awards.
In addition to her acting career, Assumpta is also an accomplished educator and author, having penned two books on acting techniques and offering courses on communication and leadership. Together with her husband, actor Scott Cleverdon, she pioneered the first university Master’s course for actors focusing on Screenacting. Through their Fundación First Team, they have educated more than 4,000 students across six countries.
Helen Shaver (Grace Downs-Saunders)
Helen Shaver played the part of Grace Downs-Saunders, Nancy’s mother. Helen transitioned into television directing in the mid-1990s, helming more than 50 shows.
Her directorial prowess earned her three Directors Guild of Canada Awards, one Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film, two Canadian Screen Awards, and three Women’s Image Network Awards.
She received an Emmy nomination for directing the 1999 TV movie Summer’s End and made her big screen directorial debut in 2020 with the drama film Happy Place. In 2004, Helen was honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
