The late, great Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth” is one of the most memorable and beloved movies of the 1980s.
A dark musical fantasy film, its plot is as follows: “Teenage Sarah journeys through a maze to save her baby brother from the Goblin King” (per IMDb).
While the majority of the movie’s characters are puppets played by voice actors, it does have a small core cast of actors who actually appear on screen. They are Jennifer Connelly playing Sarah, Toby Froud as baby Toby, and David Bowie playing Jareth, the Goblin King. Shelley Thompson and Christopher Malcolm provide able support.
While the movie was, rather surprisingly, only a modest commercial success — it only grossed around $13 million worldwide, having cost almost double that to make (per Box Office Mojo) — it was and still is a massive critical hit. Today, it holds an impressive 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Released in the United States on June 27, 1986, “Labyrinth” will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be fun to see its on-screen cast now compared to how they looked when the film hit theaters? Let’s do that now…
Jennifer Connelly (Sarah Williams)
Above is a social media post with five pictures of Jennifer Connelly playing Sarah Williams.
Academy Award-winning actress and producer Jennifer Connelly played Sarah Williams in “Labyrinth.” Sarah is an imaginative but frustrated 16-year-old girl. She is thrust into a fantasy world to save her baby brother from the Goblin King after wishing him away due to his constant crying.
Age when the movie released: 15.
Selected movie credits before then: Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Phenomena (1985), Seven Minutes in Heaven (1985).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Jennifer Connelly with two recent pictures of her.
Age now: 55.
Selected movie credits since: Requiem for a Dream (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
Filmography info per IMDb.
David Bowie (Jareth)
Above is a social media post with ten pictures of David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King.
The inimitable English singer, songwriter, and actor David Bowie played Jareth, the Goblin King, in “Labyrinth.” Jareth is the powerful, seductive, flamboyant, mischievous, and charismatic ruler of the Goblin Kingdom. He gives Sarah 13 hours to save Toby before the baby is turned into a goblin forever.
Age when the movie released: 39.
Selected movie credits before then: The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Into the Night (1985).
Above is a social media post with the last two official pictures ever taken of David Bowie in 2015, four months before his death.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2016 aged 69.
Selected movie credits since: The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), The Prestige (2006).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Toby Froud (Toby Williams)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Toby Froud as Toby Williams.
English-American artist, special effects designer, puppeteer, filmmaker, and former actor Toby Froud played Toby Williams in “Labyrinth.” Toby is Sarah’s baby brother, who is abducted into the Goblin Kingdom after she regrettably wishes him away.
Age when the movie released: 2.
Selected movie credits before then: N/A.
Above is a 2023 social media post by Toby Froud with a more recent picture of him (he’s in the middle).
Age now: 41.
Selected movie credits since: N/A.
Filmography info per IMDb.
Shelley Thompson (Irene Williams)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Shelly Thompson as Irene Williams (the left image).
Canadian actress Shelley Thompson played Irene Williams in “Labyrinth.” Irene is Sarah’s stepmother and Toby’s mother. She only appears briefly at the beginning of the movie, leaving Toby in Sarah’s care as she and her husband head out for the evening.
Age when the movie released: 27.
Selected movie credits before then: Morons from Outer Space (1985), The Holcroft Covenant (1985).
Above is a social media post with a more recent picture of Shelley Thompson.
Age now: 67.
Selected movie credits since: There Are Monsters (2013), Halloween Party (2019), The Good House (2021).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Christopher Malcolm (Robert Williams)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Christopher Malcolm in 1986’s “Highlander.”
Scottish-Canadian actor, director, and producer Christopher Malcolm played Robert Williams in “Labyrinth.” Robert is Sarah and Toby’s father. Like his wife, he only appears briefly at the start of the film, leaving Toby in Sarah’s care as he heads out for the evening.
Age when the movie released: 39.
Selected movie credits before then: Force 10 from Navarone (1978), Superman III (1983), Highlander (1986).
Sadly, there aren’t many more recent pictures of Christopher Malcolm available. He only acted sporadically in relatively little-known movies and television shows after his appearance in “Labyrinth,” so usable images of him are hard to come by.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2014 aged 67.
Selected movie credits since: Eat the Rich (1987), Whoops Apocalypse (1988).
Filmography info per IMDb.
While it’s nice to see what some “Labyrinth” cast members look like today, it’s obviously sad that not all of them are still with us.
May David Bowie and Christopher Malcolm rest in eternal peace.
