The iconic Tim Burton classic “Beetlejuice” is one of the most memorable, quirkiest, and outright best movies of the 1980s. A gothic comedy horror flick, “Beetlejuice” is genuinely completely unlike anything that came before or after it.
The film follows a recently deceased couple who attempt to scare the new residents of their former home by contacting a sleazy “bio-exorcist” called Betelgeuse (spelt correctly, as opposed to the phonetic spelling of the movie’s title) to do the job for them.
“Beetlejuice” starred Michael Keaton in the eponymous role, alongside a fantastic supporting cast that included Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder.
A moderate box office success (it grossed around $78 million worldwide, from its $15 million production budget, per The Numbers), “Beetlejuice” was a huge critical hit, and still boasts an impressive 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Keaton is fabulously manic as the lead and the film is both entertaining and wildly bizarre.
Released on March 30, 1988, “Beetlejuice” will celebrate its 38th anniversary this year. Bearing that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to compare the cast as they were back then to how they are now? Let’s do exactly that…
Michael Keaton (Betelgeuse)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Michael Keaton (L) on the set of “Beetlejuice.”
Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Keaton played Betelgeuse in “Beetlejuice.” Betelgeuse is a wild, crude, rude, and highly mischievous “ghost for hire.” He’s the movie’s eponymous character and its chaotic and hugely entertaining centerpiece.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 36.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Mr. Mom (1983), Johnny Dangerously (1984), The Squeeze (1987).
GettyAge now: 74.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: Batman (1989), Jack Frost (1998), Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Alec Baldwin (Adam Maitland)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Alec Baldwin (R) in “Beetlejuice.”
Academy Award-nominated actor Alec Baldwin played Adam Maitland in “Beetlejuice.” Adam is a kind and mild-mannered man who, after dying in a car accident alongside his wife, attempts to politely navigate their complex afterlife.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 29.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Forever, Lulu (1987), She’s Having a Baby (1988).
GettyAge now: 67.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Departed (2006), The Boss Baby (2017).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Geena Davis (Barbara Maitland)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Geena Davis (L) in “Beetlejuice.”
Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis played Barbara Maitland in “Beetlejuice.” Barbara is Adam’s sweet and well-meaning wife who dies alongside him in a car accident. She is the more proactive of the ghostly couple in dealing with their situation in the afterlife.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 32.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Fletch (1985), Transylvania 6-5000 (1985), The Fly (1986).
GettyAge now: 70.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: Accidental Tourist (1988), Thelma & Louise (1991), A League of Their Own (1992).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Winona Ryder (Lydia Deetz)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Winona Ryder in “Beetlejuice.”
Academy Award-nominated actress Winona Ryder played Lydia Deetz in “Beetlejuice.” Lydia is the moody, goth, teenage daughter of the family who move into the Maitland’s home. She’s spiritually sensitive and can see the Maitlands’ ghosts, resulting in her forming a connection with them.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 16.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Lucas (1986), Square Dance (1987).
GettyAge now: 54.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Mermaids (1990), Frankenweenie (2012).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Catherine O’Hara (Delia Deetz)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Catherine O’Hara in “Beetlejuice.”
Canadian-American actress, comedian, and screenwriter Catherine O’Hara played Delia Deetz in “Beetlejuice.” Delia is Lydia’s eccentric and pretentious stepmother. She’s an aspiring sculptor obsessed with avant-garde art and interior design and, when she moves into the Maitland’s house, is intent on transforming it completely.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 34.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Deadly Companion (1980), After Hours (1985), Heartburn (1986).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2026 aged 71.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: Home Alone (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), The Wild Robot (2024).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jeffrey Jones (Charles Deetz)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jeffrey Jones in “Beetlejuice.”
Actor Jeffrey Jones played Charles Deetz in “Beetlejuice.” Charles is Lydia’s father and Delia’s husband. He’s a stressed urban businessman who just wants to live in peace after moving into the Maitland’s country home.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 41.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Amadeus (1984), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Howard the Duck (1986).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jeffrey Jones (R) in 2025.
Age now: 79.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Devil’s Advocate (1997), Sleepy Hollow (1999).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Glenn Shadix (Otho Fenlock)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Glenn Shadix in “Beetlejuice.”
Actor and comedian Glenn Shadix played Otho in “Beetlejuice.” Otho is Delia’s flamboyant interior designer friend who helps her to give the Maitland’s home a makeover.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 35.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981).
Above is a social media post with pictures of Glenn Shadix in and out of makeup on the set of 2001’s “Planet of the Apes” remake.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2010 aged 58.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: Demolition Man (1993), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Planet of the Apes (2001).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Sylvia Sidney (Juno)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Sylvia Sidney in “Beetlejuice.”
Academy Award-nominated stage and screen actress Sylvia Sidney played Juno in “Beetlejuice.” Juno is a chain-smoking deceased caseworker who helps the Maitlands navigate the afterlife’s complex bureaucracy.
Age when “Beetlejuice” released: 77.
Selected movie credits before “Beetlejuice”: Les Misérables (1952), Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973), Damien – Omen II (1978).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 1999 aged 88.
Selected movie credits after “Beetlejuice”: Used People (1992), Mars Attacks! (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Beetlejuice” remains as popular today as it ever was. In 2024, a sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” hit theaters. While it wasn’t quite as well received as its predecessor, it’s still a fun movie that was welcomed by fans of the original. It successfully maintained the quirky tone, and the bulk of the original cast returned.
While it’s great to see so many of “Beetlejuice’s” cast members doing well, it’s terribly said that we’ve lost some of them.
May Catherine O’Hara, Glenn Shadix, and Sylvia Sidney rest in eternal peace.
