1996’s “Jingle All the Way” is a truly underrated Christmas classic. The festive family comedy, directed by Brian Levant, starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as Howard Langston, a workaholic mattress salesman who, despite loving his family, rarely finds the time to focus on them.
In the movie, Langston leaves his Christmas shopping until the last minute and, on Christmas Eve, desperately searches for the superhero action figure he promised his son. It brings him into conflict with another father, played by comedian Sinbad, who’s looking for the same toy.
The film drew inspiration from the many in-demand toys that parents struggled to find in the real world during the 1980s and 1990s, such as Cabbage Patch Kids, Beanie Babies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Every parent could relate to it.
As well as Schwarzenegger and Sinbad, “Jingle All the Way’s” memorable cast included Rita Wilson, Phil Hartman, and Jim Belushi. So what’s happened to them all nearly 30 years later?
Here are the “Jingle All the Way” cast then and now…
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Howard Langston)
Known primarily as an action star, “Jingle All the Way” was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fourth appearance and the lead in a comedy movie after 1988’s “Twins,” 1990’s “Kindergarten Cop,” and 1994’s “Junior” (per IMDb). He was 49 when the film released.
GettyNow 78, Schwarzenegger is still acting, having ventured into the world of politics between “Jingle All the Way’s” release and the present day.
His most recent credits include the Netflix action-comedy series “FUBAR” and movies like 2019’s sci-fi action sequel “Terminator: Dark Fate.”
GettySinbad (Myron Larabee)
Comedian Sinbad, whose real name is David Adkins, played Myron Larabee in “Jingle All the Way.” He was 40 when the film was released in theaters.
At the time, Sinbad was far better known for his stand-up comedy, but he had appeared in a handful of movies. Prior to this festive classic, his most recent credit was the slapstick comedy “First Kid” just a few months earlier (per IMDb).
GettyNow 69, Sinbad is still acting, and most recently appeared in 2025’s psychological crime drama “Straw.”
In November 2020, Sinbad’s family announced that the comedian had suffered recent stroke, which has slightly altered his appearance. Thankfully, however, he has recovered well.
GettyRita Wilson (Liz Langston)
Actress, singer, and producer Rita Wilson was 40 when “Jingle All the Way” hit theaters. She played Liz Langston, the wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Howard Langston.
By no means a prolific movie actress at the time, most of Wilson’s credits had come on the small screen. However, notable films she had appeared in included 1993’s romantic comedy-drama “Sleepless in Seattle” and comedy-drama “That Thing You Do!” earlier in 1996 — both alongside her husband, Tom Hanks (per IMDb).
GettyWilson is now 69 and hasn’t acted on screen for a couple of years. Her most recent credit was Wes Anderson’s 2023 sci-fi comedy-drama “Asteroid City.”
GettyPhil Hartman (Ted Maltin)
Phil Hartman played the Langston’s neighbor, Ted Maltin, in “Jingle All the Way.” Ted is a divorcee who has feelings for Liz Langston that aren’t reciprocated.
Hartman was 48 when the movie was released and had been acting for two decades. He was arguably best known for his appearances on the NBC sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” and for voicing multiple characters on animated sitcom “The Simpsons.” His most recent previous movie credit was the military comedy “Sgt. Bilko” earlier in 1996 (per IMDb).
GettyTragically, the beloved Hartman was shot and kill by his wife, Brynn, on May 28, 1998. The couple had been arguing. Brynn entered her husband’s room in the early hours and shot him three times while under the influence of Zoloft, alcohol, and cocaine.
That year, his movie credits included the animated fantasy film “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and the posthumously released action comedy “Small Soldiers.”
May he rest in peace.
GettyRobert Conrad (Officer Alexander Hummell)
Experienced actor, singer, and stuntman Robert Conrad was 61 when he played Officer Alexander Hummell in “Jingle All the Way.” Hummell was the police officer who kept bumping into Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Howard Langston and ended up chasing him, believing him to be a criminal.
Conrad had almost 40 years of screen credits to his name in 1996, most of which were on television. His most recent movie role before “Jingle All the Way” came in 1994’s Western drama “Samurai Cowboy” (per IMDb).
Conrad sadly passed away at the age of 84 on February 8, 2020. The cause of death was heart failure.
He had quit acting in the early 2000’s, with his most recent movie credit being 2002’s little-known slasher horror “Dead Above Ground.”
GettyJim Belushi (Mall Santa)
Jim Belushi played a sleazy, corrupt Santa Claus who ran a black-market operation selling hard-to-find toys out of a warehouse in “Jingle All the Way.” He was 42 when the film released.
The actor and comedian was arguably best known for his 1980s performances on “Saturday Night Live,” but he also had many movie appearances to his name. Notable credits before this festive classic included 1988’s buddy cop action comedy “Red Heat” (alongside Schwarzenegger) and, earlier in 1996, the comedy-drama “Race the Sun” (per IMDb).
GettyBelushi is now 71. He has remained active as an actor since “Jingle All the Way” and has two movie credits to his name in 2025. They are the biographical psychological drama “The Chronology of Water” and the biographical musical drama “Song Sung Blue.”
GettyJake Lloyd (Jamie Langston)
Jake Lloyd was only seven when he played Jamie Langston, Howard and Liz Langston’s young son, in “Jingle All the Way.”
It was only Lloyd’s second movie credit, after his role in the drama film “Unhook the Stars” earlier in 1996. He had also appeared in an episode of medical drama “ER” that same year (per IMDb).
Lloyd is now 36 and retired from acting in 2001 when he was only 12. His most famous role post-“Jingle All the Way” came in 1999 when he played Anakin Skywalker — the character who would grow up to become the iconic villain Darth Vader — in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.”
When you’re compiling your festive watchlist this year, make sure “Jingle All the Way” is on it. It’s essential Christmas viewing!
