The brilliant Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” is one of the finest movies of the 1990s. The psychological black comedy-drama was Mendes’ feature directorial debut, and it won him the Academy Award for Best Director.
But that wasn’t “American Beauty’s” only Oscar. The film was nominated for eight and came away with five; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.
It’s about a middle-aged man — Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey in a Best Actor-winning performance — an unhappily married marketing executive who goes through a midlife crisis after becoming obsessed with his teenage daughter’s best friend.
In addition to Spacey, the movie’s excellent cast includes Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, and several other major Hollywood talents.
It was released in the United States on October 1, 1999, meaning it turns 27 this year (can you believe that?). With that in mind, wouldn’t it be great to see how the cast look today, compared to how they looked when it hit theaters? Let’s do precisely that…
Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham)
GettyAcademy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey played Lester Burnham in “American Beauty.” Lester is a middle-aged marketing executive trapped in a joyless suburban life and a loveless marriage. His dramatic midlife crisis sees him becoming infatuated with his daughter’s teenage friend and sparks a rebellion against his own mundane existence.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 40.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: The Usual Suspects (1995), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Negotiator (1998).
GettyAge now: 66.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: K-PAX (2001), The Life of David Gale (2003), Horrible Bosses (2011).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Annette Bening (Carolyn Burnham)
GettyAcademy Award-nominated actress Annette Bening played Carolyn Burnham in “American Beauty.” Carolyn is Lester’s neurotic, status-obsessed wife and a competitive real estate agent, whose unhappiness and frustration leads to her having an affair.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 41.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: Regarding Henry (1991), Bugsy (1991), Mars Attacks! (1996).
GettyAge now: 67.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: Being Julia (2004), The Kids Are All Right (2010), Captain Marvel (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Thora Birch (Jane Burnham)
GettyA then-teenage Thora Birch played Jane Burnham in “American Beauty.” Jane is the sullen and resentful 16-year-old daughter of Lester and Carolyn. She feels invisible and unimportant to her parents, embarrassed by her dysfunctional family life, and struggles badly with low self-esteem.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 17
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: Patriot Games (1992), Hocus Pocus (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994).
GettyAge now: 43.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: The Hole (2001), Ghost World (2001), The Chronology of Water (2025).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Mena Suvari (Angela Hayes)
GettyActress, producer, fashion designer, and model Mena Suvari played Angela Hayes in “American Beauty.” Angela is Jane’s confident and flirtatious high-school cheerleader best friend. She projects an image of sexual experience and worldliness in a thin-veiled attempt to hide her true insecurities and a chronic fear of being “ordinary.”
Age when “American Beauty” released: 20.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: Kiss the Girls (1997), Snide and Prejudice (1997), American Pie (1999).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Mena Suvari with several recent pictures of her.
Age now: 46.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: American Virgin (2000), Day of the Dead (2008), Reagan (2024).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Wes Bentley (Ricky Fitts)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Wes Bentley in “American Beauty.”
“Yellowstone” star Wes Bentley played Ricky Fitts in “American Beauty.” Ricky is the enigmatic teenage son of the Burnham’s neighbors, and Jane’s love interest. He’s a quiet and artistic outsider who deals marijuana to fund his passion for filming everyday beauty and seeing the profound in the mundane.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 21.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: Three Below Zero (1998), Beloved (1998).
GettyAge now: 47.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: Ghost Rider (2007), Jonah Hex (2010), The Hunger Games (2012).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Chris Cooper (Colonel Frank Fitts)
GettyAcademy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper played Colonel Frank Fitts in “American Beauty.” Frank is Ricky’s authoritarian father and a retired Marine who imposes strict discipline on his family. He’s both outwardly homophobic and a closet homosexual whose repressed feelings contribute to his harsh nature.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 48.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: Lone Star (1996), Great Expectations (1998), The Horse Whisperer (1998).
GettyAge now: 74.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Adaptation (2002), Seabiscuit (2003).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Allison Janney (Barbara Fitts)
GettyAcademy Award-winning actress Allison Janney played Barbara Fitts in “American Beauty.” Barbara is Ricky’s mother and Frank’s wife. Frank’s treatment of her has left her largely silent, near-catatonic, and emotionally withdrawn, to the extent that her presence is almost ghostly.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 39.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: Private Parts (1997), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Allison Janney with several recent pictures of her.
Age now: 66.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: Hairspray (2007), I, Tonya (2017), Bombshell (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Peter Gallagher (Buddy Kane)
GettyStage and screen actor Peter Gallagher played Buddy Kane in “American Beauty.” Buddy is the successful and charismatic “king” of real estate and a rival of Carolyn’s with whom she embarks on an affair. He represents the polished, superficial, and successful image Carolyn aspires to project.
Age when “American Beauty” released: 44.
Selected movie credits before “American Beauty”: The Player (1992), Short Cuts (1993), While You Were Sleeping (1995).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Peter Gallagher with several recent pictures of him.
Age now: 70.
Selected movie credits after “American Beauty”: Mr. Deeds (2002), Burlesque (2010), Palm Springs (2020).
Filmography info per IMDb.
It’s great to see the cast of “American Beauty” doing so well.
It’s a truly spectacular movie that’s brilliantly acted. It cleverly explores themes like suburban disillusionment, repression and suppression, beauty, and personal awakening. There’s really never a bad time to watch it.
