Toby Froud is likely a name that few people will know. In fact, even if you saw his face, there’s a very good chance that you wouldn’t recognize him. That’s because he is most famous for portraying the baby in the 1986 fantasy film “Labyrinth” who is stolen away by the Goblin King.
Now all grown up, Froud looks completely different as an adult. Speaking in an interview with People, he provided some insight into what he took from working in the film and some of the projects he has been involved in over the intervening years.
Toby Froud Looks Back at ‘Labyrinth’ Almost 40 Years Later
Froud was little more than a baby when he first appeared in “Labyrinth” alongside the likes of David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, and Shelley Thompson at the age of 18 months. Directed by Jim Henson and written by former Monty Python member Terry Jones, the film follows teenager Sarah as she travels through a maze in a bid to rescue him from the Goblin King Jareth.
Now 41-years-old, Froud can’t remember much about the filming of the movie due to his young age. But his connection with “Labyrinth” and the fact that his parents worked on the film means he has a sense of familiarity with him.
“I have grown up with the knowledge that I was in that movie and that I was a part of something since I can remember,” Froud revealed before answering the question about whether he can remember being on set. “The truth is, no, not necessarily, but I do have visions of goblins surrounding me and being a part of my life.”
“People will come up to me and go, are you baby Toby?” he continued. “Or they find out who I am, and then they’re amazed at the fact that I’m now older. It’s a wonderful thing because it shows that [Labyrinth] stood the test of time.”
GettyWhy ‘Labyrinth’ Felt Normal For Toby Froud
The association that Froud has with the fantasy film is something that does not feel unusual to him, despite the magical and mysterious setting. He credits this to the fact that both his parents were involved in that world throughout his early life. His father Brian Froud was a fantasy illustrator while his mother Wendy Froud worked as both a sculptor and puppet maker.
“I grew up with goblins and fairies surrounding me my whole life,” he said. “’Labyrinth’ feels normal to me. The rest of the world is weird.”
Froud also believes that this is part of the reason why he appears so calm in the film and isn’t daunted by the fantastical elements around him. He explained, “I was born and I grew up in the workshop. I grew up around the creatives and puppets…so I was very at ease with them.”
Meanwhile, Froud has moved away from acting and now works as an animator. “I am currently Puppet Art Director at Shadowmachine working on several projects in development at this time,” Froud revealed. He has worked on the likes of “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” and Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of “Pinocchio.”
1 thought on “Sweet Baby Toby From ‘Labyrinth’ Is All Grown Up: See Him Today”