Stripes -- The Most Influential Non-Recruiting Film of My Youth
By Jeremy Stein and Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (39)
Bill Murray as John.
Where Is He Now? Oscar nominated actor and star of a string of successful comedies (Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, What About Bob?), though lately, he’s been a stand-out in smaller independent films (Rushmore, Get Low, Lost in Translation).
Harold Ramis as Russell.
Where is He Now? After an early acting career (Ghostbusters), Ramis has turned to taking the occasional smaller acting role (Groundhog Day, Knocked Up) while focusing mostly on writing and directing films, something he used to do successfully (Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, Analyze This), but not so much anymore (Year One).
John Candy as Ox.
Where is He Now? After become perhaps Canada’s most liked and successful comedic film actor of the 80s (Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck) and even gaining some small dramatic respect (JFK), Mr. Candy passed away in 1994.
John Larroquette as Captain Stillman.
Where is He Now?: After a incredibly successful run as a defense attorney on the legal sitcom “Night Court,” and a couple of other mostly forgettable sitcoms, Larroquette has settled into a nice run as a recurring character on a variety of television shows like “The Practice” and “Boston Legal,” where he earned Emmy Awards for both.
Warren Oates as Sgt. Hulka.
Where is He Now? Oates was a successful and prolific character actor throughout the 1960s and 70s, and Stripes — the role he will likely be most remembered for — was one of his final parts before he passed away in 1982.
Sean Young as Louise.
Where is She Now? Stripes was only Young’s second big screen role, which led to a couple of major projects, Blade Runner and Dune, before she inexplicably faded out. She starred in a series of television movies, but most recently, Young has been seen as a recurring character on “The Young & the Restless.” She also spent some time in rehab after, infamously, heckling Julian Schnabel during his Oscar acceptance speech at the 2008 Academy Awards.
P.J. Soles as Stella.
Where is She Now? She had a military comedy twofer in 1980 and 1981, with Stripes and Private Benjamin, after being better known for roles in Halloween, Rock n’ Roll High School and Carrie in the 1970s. Stripes, however, was her last major role, as she’s been relegated to smaller films no one has ever heard of, though she can be spotted in Jawbreak and The Devil’s Rejects.
John Diehl as Cruiser.
Where is he Now? Stripes essentially launched Diehl’s career as a successful character actor, a career that is still going strong. He’s definitely one of “those guys,” who excels at playing psychos. You might recognize from roles in Jurassic Park III, Stargate, Falling Down, Nixon or A Time to Kill. He also played Det. Larry Zito in the television series, “Miami Vice.”
Judge Reinhold as Elmo.
Where is He Now? Stripes led to a brief, but very successful movie career in films like Gremlins, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and the Beverly Hills Cop series, but that movie career was crippled by, what I can only guess, was the body-change flick, Vice Versa. He has since been taking small roles in movies and television, most recognizably, perhaps, in Kevin Costner’s 2008 Swing Vote.
Dennis Quaid and Bill Paxton as soliders
Where Are they Know? Quaid was an uncredited extra in Stripes, while Paxton was only credited as a solider. The two of them had very successful careers in their heyday, and are sometimes confused for one another. More recently, Quaid could be seen playing Bill Clinton in the HBO movie, A Special Relationship, as well as in G.I. Joe, while Paxton is the lead in the HBO polygamy drama, “Big Love.”
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Comments
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 12, 2010 3:01 PM
Anyone who confuses Quaid with Paxton (who will always be Chet to me)is an idiot.
Excellent write-up on an outstanding film. It was absolute comedic perfection and it holds up even now which makes it timeless. It had a perfect balance and you just have to give credit to Warren Oates for bringing a perfect tone to the Hulka role. He didn't overplay it, he didn't underplay it. Had it been R Lee Ermey, Gossett or the other black dude that played drill instructor in Private Benjamin it would have been a different movie, so props to him. And it's a shame what happened to Sean Young, but from many accounts she just went off the deep end. Drugs?