Joe Johnston’s sci-fi comedy “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” is undoubtedly one of the most memorable movies of the 1980s.
It was Johnson’s directorial debut and focuses on a struggling inventor who creates an energy-projecting machine that inadvertently shrinks his and his neighbors’ kids to microscopic size. When the children accidentally get thrown out with the trash, they’re forced work together to navigate their way home through a backyard wilderness filled with giant-sized hazards that wouldn’t normally faze them in the slightest.
“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” stars Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski, the inventor, along with a talented supporting cast of experienced adult actors and child stars alike.
A huge commercial success, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” is also fondly thought of from a critical perspective (it has a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes).
The film was released on June 23, 1989, meaning it will turn 37 this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to see the cast now compared to how they were back when it hit theaters? Let’s do that…
Rick Moranis (Wayne Szalinski)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Rick Moranis in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
Canadian actor, comedian, musician, producer, songwriter and writer Rick Moranis played Wayne Szalinski in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Wayne is the clumsy and absent-minded, but well-meaning and enthusiastic inventor and father, whose shrinking ray causes all the trouble.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 36.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Ghostbusters (1984), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Spaceballs (1987).
Above is a 2024 social media post with a recent picture of Rick Moranis.
Age now: 72.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: The Flintstones (1994), Little Giants (1994), Big Bully (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Marcia Strassman (Diane Szalinski)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Marcia Strassman in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
Actress and singer Marcia Strassman played Diane Szalinski in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Diane is Wayne’s practical, level-headed wife, and a real estate agent.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 41.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Changes (1969), Soup for One (1982), The Aviator (1985).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2014 aged 66.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Fast Getaway (1991), Another Stakeout (1993), The Movie Hero (2003).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Amy O’Neill (Amy Szalinski)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Amy O’Neill in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
Retired actress Amy O’Neill played Amy Szalinski in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Amy is the Szalinskis’ teenage daughter and a typical popular high school girl. She steps up as a leader in the shrunken group.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 17.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Desperate for Love (1989).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Amy O’Neill with a recent picture of her (R) next to WWE superstar JBL.
Age now: 54.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: White Wolves: A Cry in the Wild II (1993), Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 In. Women (1994).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Robert Oliveri (Nick Szalinski)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Robert Oliveri in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
Retired actor Robert Oliveri played Nick Szalinski in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Nick is the younger Szalinski son, and a bright, curious kid who idolizes his dad’s inventions. He’s inventive and brave during the backyard survival adventure.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 11.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: N/A.
Above is a social media post with a dubious picture of someone who is potentially Robert Oliveri as an adult (R). Oliveri retired from acting in 1994 and has intentionally kept his life completely private. Unfortunately, it is, therefore, widely accepted that his whereabouts and identity are largely unknown.
Age now: 47.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Edward Scissorhands (1990).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Matt Frewer (Russell “Big Russ” Thompson Sr.)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Matt Frewer in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
American-Canadian actor and comedian Matt Frewer played Russell “Big Russ” Thompson Sr. in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Big Russ is the Szalinskis’ boisterous, sports-obsessed neighbor. Although he’s initially dismissive of the Szalinskis, he teams up with them to search for their children.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 41.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: The Lords of Discipline (1983), Supergirl (1984), The Fourth Protocol (1987).
Above is a 2025 social media post with a recent picture of Matt Frewer (R).
Age now: 68.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996), Dawn of the Dead (2004), The BFG (2016).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Kristine Sutherland (Mae Thompson)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Kristine Sutherland. The middle picture in the right column (blue shirt, purple hairband) is her in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Kristine Sutherland played Mae Thompson in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Mae is Big Russ’ wife and the Thompson kids’ concerned mother.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 34.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Legal Eagles (1986).
Above is a 2023 social media post with a recent picture of Kristine Sutherland (R).
Age now: 70.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: The Cat Returns (2005), The Perfect Wedding (2012), Russian Doll (2016).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Thomas Wilson Brown (Russell “Little Russ” Thompson Jr.)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Thomas Wilson Brown in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
Actor Thomas Wilson Brown (credited as Thomas Wilson) played Russell “Little Russ” Thompson Jr. in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Little Russ is Big Russ and Mae’s athletic and confident older son. He has a crush on Amy Szalinski, which adds some light teen drama to the shrunken kids’ group.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 16.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Silverado (1985), Louis L’Amour’s Down the Long Hills (1986), Family Sins (1987).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Thomas Wilson Brown with a recent picture of him.
Age now: 53.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Welcome Home (1989), Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990), Pearl Harbor (2001).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jared Rushton (Ronald “Ron” Thompson)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jared Rushton (L) in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
Retired actor Jared Rushton played Ronald “Ron” Thompson in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Ron is Big Russ and Mae’s more timid and paranoid younger son. He’s often comically screaming or panicking in the face of the backyard’s giant dangers.
Age when “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” released: 15.
Selected movie credits before “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: Overboard (1987), Lady in White (1988), Big (1988).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Jared Rushton with a recent picture of him.
Age now: 51.
Selected movie credits after “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”: A Cry in the Wild (1990), Pet Sematary Two (1992).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids'” success led to two sequels — 1992’s “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” and 1997’s “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves” — as well as a television series and several attractions at Disney theme parks.
It’s great to see that most of the cast are still doing well, but equally sad that not all of them are still around.
May Marcia Strassman rest in eternal peace.
