The inimitable John Waters’ “Cry-Baby” is one of the 1990s’ foremost underrated cinematic gems. The teen musical romantic comedy stars a wonderfully eclectic cast that includes Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, and Ricki Lake. It went tragically underappreciated (in terms of commercial success) when it was released.
The movie focuses on a group of delinquent youngsters who refer to themselves as “drapes.” It chronicles their interactions with the other townsfolk — a subculture the drapes refer to as “squares” — in 1950s Baltimore, Maryland.
Depp plays the eponymous character, Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, known for his ability to shed a single dramatic tear on command, or whenever deep emotions hit him. It’s a trait that makes girls swoon and highlights his sensitive, vulnerable side beneath his tough, greaser exterior.
It hit theaters in the United States on April 6, 1990, meaning it will turn 36 this year. Wouldn’t it be fun to compare how the core cast of the film looked back then compared to now? Let’s do exactly that…
Johnny Depp (Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker)
GettyThe iconic Johnny Depp played Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker in “Cry-Baby.” Wade is the eponymous character and the leader of a group of drapes. He has the ability to cry a single tear on command, or when emotionally moved, which makes girls swoon, believing him to be sensitive.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 26.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Private Resort (1985), Platoon (1986).
GettyAge now: 62.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Amy Locane (Allison Vernon-Williams)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Amy Locane in “Cry-Baby.”
Film and television actress Amy Locane played Allison Vernon-Williams in “Cry-Baby.” Allison is a beautiful upper-class girl who’s tired of being a “square” and falls in love with Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 18.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: Lost Angels (1989).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Amy Locane with a recent picture of her.
Age now: 54.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Airheads (1994), Bram Stoker’s Legend of the Mummy (1998), Secretary (2002).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Susan Tyrrell (Ramona Rickettes)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Susan Tyrrell (L) with Traci Lords on the set of “Cry-Baby.”
Character actress Susan Tyrrell played Ramona Rickettes in “Cry-Baby.” Ramona is Wade’s tough, eccentric, and delightfully shady grandmother, and the matriarch of the drapes.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 45.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: Fat City (1972), Andy Warhol’s Bad (1977), Islands in the Stream (1977).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Susan Tyrrell in a 1995 episode of “Tales from the Crypt.”
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2012 aged 67.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: The Demolitionist (1995), Powder (1995), Masked and Anonymous (2003).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Polly Bergen (Mrs. Vernon-Williams)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Polly Bergen (L) with Susan Tyrrell on the set of “Cry-Baby.”
Actress, singer, television host, writer, and entrepreneur Polly Bergen played Mrs. Vernon-Williams in “Cry-Baby.” Mrs. Vernon-Williams is the strict, upper-class grandmother of Allison Vernon-Williams.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 59.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: Cape Fear (1962), The Caretakers (1963), Making Mr. Right (1987).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2014 aged 84.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde (1995), Paradise, Texas (2005), A Very Serious Person (2006).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Iggy Pop (Belvedere Rickettes)
GettySinger, songwriter, musician, and actor Iggy Pop played Belvedere Rickettes in “Cry-Baby.” Belvedere is Wade’s eccentric, hillbilly-style maternal uncle.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 42.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: Rock & Rule (1983), Sid and Nancy (1986), The Color of Money (1986).
GettyAge now: 78.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Hardware (1990), Tank Girl (1995), The Crow: City of Angels (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Ricki Lake (Pepper Walker)
GettyTelevision host and actress Ricki Lake played Pepper Walker in “Cry-Baby.” Pepper is Wade’s tough, sassy, and fiercely loyal older sister.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 21.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: Hairspray (1988), Working Girl (1988), Baby Cakes (1989).
GettyAge now: 57.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Where the Day Takes You (1992), Serial Mom (1994), Hairspray (2007).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Traci Lords (Wanda Woodward)
GettyActress, singer, and former adult star Traci Lords played Wanda Woodward in “Cry-Baby.” Wanda is one of the coolest drapes, and a sexually precocious, rebellious bad girl with no time for squares.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 21.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: Not of this Earth (1988), Fast Food (1989).
GettyAge now: 57.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Serial Mom (1994), Blade (1998), Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Kim McGuire (Mona “Hatchet-Face” Malnorowski)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Kim McGuire playing Hatchet-Face in “Cry-Baby” (1990).
Actress turned lawyer and author Kim McGuire played Mona “Hatchet-Face” Malnorowski in “Cry-Baby.” Hatchet Face is a bold, loud-mouthed, and facially disfigured tough girl member of the drapes.
Age when “Cry-Baby” released: 35.
Selected movie credits before “Cry-Baby”: N/A.
Above is a 2015 social media post showing Kim McGuire in 2015, the year before she passed away.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2016 aged 60.
Selected movie credits after “Cry-Baby”: Disturbed (1990), Acting on Impulse (1993), Serial Mom (1994).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Cry-Baby” is packed with catchy musical numbers and is gleefully camp, to say the least. It’s weird, to the point of near-absurdity, but lots of fun. If you’re looking for a movie you don’t plan on taking too seriously, you could do a lot worse than watch John Waters’ quirky ode to juvenile delinquency and the teen rebel genre.
May Susan Tyrell, Polly Bergen, and Kim McGuire rest in eternal peace.
They should try and figure a way to show them now in a sequel