Acclaimed director John Carpenter’s “They Live” is one of the most beloved and iconic movies of the 1980s.
The sci-fi action horror film follows a working class drifter in Los Angeles, California, as he discovers that the ruling class are actually camouflaged aliens. The revelation propels him on a mission to expose the disguised extra-terrestrials to the rest of the world.
Professional wrestler Roddy Piper stars as Nada, the drifter, alongside the likes of Keith David and Meg Foster in key roles, with an able supporting cast.
It boasts an impressive 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has a cult following. Despite that, it was only a moderate financial success. Having cost $3 million to make, it grossed $13.4 million at the global box office (per Box Office Mojo).
Released on November 4, 1988, it will turn 38 this year. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the core cast now, compared to how they looked back when the film hit theaters.
Roddy Piper (Nada)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Roddy Piper in “They Live.”
Roddy Piper played Nada in “They Live.” Nada, the movie’s protagonist, is a drifter and construction worker who discovers a pair of strange sunglasses that reveal the shocking hidden truth about the world to him.
Age when “They Live” released: 34.
Selected movie credits before “They Live”: The One and Only (1978), Body Slam (1986), Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away aged 61 in 2015.
Selected movie credits after “They Live”: Back in Action (1994), Sci-Fighters (1996), Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies (2013).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Keith David (Frank Armitage)
Above is a social media post with two pictures of Keith David (L) alongside Roddy Piper in “They Live.”
Keith David played Frank Armitage in “They Live.” Armitage is Nada’s coworker and reluctant ally. After initially coming to blows with Nada, he becomes deeply involved in the fight against the aliens.
Age when “They Live” released: 32.
Selected movie credits before “They Live”: The Thing (1982), Platoon (1986), Hot Pursuit (1987).
GettyAge now: 69.
Selected movie credits after “They Live”: The Quick and the Dead (1995), Armageddon (1998), Cloud Atlas (2012).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Meg Foster (Holly Thompson)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Meg Foster in “They Live.”
Meg Foster played Holly Thompson in “They Live.” Thompson is the assistant director of a television station who crosses paths with Nada during the movie’s events.
Age when “They Live” released: 40.
Selected movie credits before “They Live”: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980), Ticket to Heaven (1981), Masters of the Universe (1987).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Meg Foster (R) in 2021.
Age now: 77.
Selected movie credits after “They Live”: 31 (2016), Jeepers Creepers 3 (2017), There’s No Such Thing as Vampires (2020).
Filmography per IMDb.
Raymond St. Jacques (Street Preacher)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Raymond St. Jacques in “They Live.”
Raymond St. Jacques played the Street Preacher in “They Live.” The Street Preacher is a passionate and paranoid figure who warns about the alien conspiracy early on in the movie.
Age when “They Live” released: 58.
Selected movie credits before “They Live”: Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972), The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977).
Above is a social media post with a picture of a toy version of Raymond St. Jacques’ Street Preacher character.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 1990 aged 60, less than two years after “They Live” released.
Selected movie credits after “They Live”: Glory (1989), Voodoo Dawn (1991), Timebomb (1991).
Filmography info per IMDb.
George ‘Buck’ Flower (Drifter)
Above is a social media post with five pictures of George “Buck” Flower, including one of him in “They Live” (top right).
George ‘Buck’ Flower played the Drifter in “They Live.” The Drifter is a formerly homeless and cynical man who decides to aid the aliens in exchange for personal gain, wealth, and a “good life.”
Age when “They Live” released: 51.
Selected movie credits before “They Live”: Starman (1984), Back to the Future (1985), Mac and Me (1988).
Above is a social media post with a picture of George ‘Buck’ Flower in 1997’s “Wishmaster.”
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2004 aged 66.
Selected movie credits after “They Live”: Puppet Master II (1990), Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992), Wishmaster (1997).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Peter Jason (Gilbert)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Peter Jason in “They Live.”
Peter Jason played Gilbert in “They Live.” Gilbert is member of the underground human resistance group that aids Nada and Frank against the aliens.
Age when “They Live” released: 44.
Selected movie credits before “They Live”: 48 Hrs. (1982), Brewster’s Millions (1985), Prince of Darkness (1987).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed way in 2025 aged 80.
Selected movie credits after “They Live”: Mortal Kombat (1995), Ghosts of Mars (2001), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).
Filmography info per IMDb.
It’s great to see Keith David and Meg Foster still alive and well. However, it’s sad to know Roddy Piper, Raymond St. Jacques, George ‘Buck’ Flower, and Peter Jason have all left us.
May the four of them rest in eternal peace.
