Brett Leonard’s “The Lawnmower Man” epitomizes the term “cult classic.” The sci-fi horror movie received mixed-to-poor reviews upon its release and was only a moderate mainstream commercial success (per The Numbers, it made just over $32 million from a $10 million production budget).
These days, however, despite its badly-aged special effects and lowly 35% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it’s looked back upon fondly by its loyal cult following.
“The Lawnmower Man” was very loosely (and equally controversially) based on a 1975 short story of the same name by Stephen King. The movie follows an intellectually challenged gardener who gets experimented on by a scientist, in an attempt to make him more intelligent, by stimulating his brain using nootropic drugs and virtual reality computer simulations.
It stars Jeff Fahey as Jobe Smith, the gardener, and Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Lawrence Angelo, the scientist. The film also boasts a talented supporting cast.
“The Lawnmower Man” was released in the United States on March 6, 1992, meaning it will turn 34 this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to see the cast now compared to how they looked back in the day? Let’s dive in…
Jeff Fahey (Jobe Smith)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jeff Fahey in “The Lawnmower Man.”
American actor Jeff Fahey played Jobe Smith in “The Lawnmower Man.” Jobe is a kind-hearted but intellectually challenged gardener who’s mocked and abused by many. He becomes the subject of experimental virtual reality and drug treatments that massively boost his intelligence, grant him psychic powers, and eventually turn him aggressive and megalomaniacal.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 39.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: Silverado (1985), Psycho III (1986), White Hunter Black Heart (1990).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Jeff Fahey with several recent pictures of him.
Age now: 73.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: Wyatt Earp (1994), Darkman III: Die Darkman Die (1996), Planet Terror (2007).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Pierce Brosnan (Dr. Lawrence Angelo)
GettyIrish actor and former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan played Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Angelo in “The Lawnmower Man.” Angelo is a brilliant but ethically compromised scientist working on increasing human intelligence for military purporses. After a laboratory accident, he quits and secretly continues his research using Jobe.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 38.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: The Long Good Friday (1980), The Fourth Protocol (1987), Mister Johnson (1990).
GettyAge now: 72.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), GoldenEye (1995), Black Adam (2022).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jenny Wright (Marnie Burke)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jenny Wright in “The Lawnmower Man.”
Retired actress Jenny Wright played Marnie Burke in “The Lawnmower Man.” Marnie is a woman who shows Jobe genuine kindness when most look down on him, and becomes his girlfriend as his intelligence grows thanks to Angelo’s experiments.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 29.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Near Dark (1987), Young Guns II (1990).
Above is another social media post with a picture of Jenny Wright in “The Lawnmower Man.” Unfortunately, she stepped away from acting and the public eye in the 1990s, and the most recent occasion we’ve seen her was on a 2021 episode of the “Inappropriate Earl Podcast.”
Age now: 63.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: N/A.
Filmography info per IMDb.
Geoffrey Lewis (Terry McKeen)
Above is a social media post with three pictures of Geoffrey Lewis with Jean-Claude Van Damme in “Double Impact” (1991).
Regular Clint Eastwood co-star Geoffrey Lewis played Terry McKeen in “The Lawnmower Man.” Terry is Jobe’s supportive, loyal friend and fellow gardener who believes in him and offers grounded companionship when the majority of other people look down on him.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 56.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), Every Which Way but Loose (1978), Double Impact (1991).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2015 aged 79.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: Maverick (1994), Five Aces (1999), The Devil’s Rejects (2005).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jeremy Slate (Father Francis McKeen)
GettyActor and songwriter Jeremy Slate played Father Francis McKeen in “The Lawnmower Man.” Father McKeen is an abusive and domineering Catholic priest who exploits and physically punishes Jobe, keeping him uneducated and dependent while profiting from his labor.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 66.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), True Grit (1969), The Curse of the Moon Child (1972).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2006 aged 80.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: N/A.
Filmography info per IMDb.
Austin O’Brien (Peter Parkette)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Austin O’Brien (R) with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1993.
Child actor Austin O’Brien played Peter Parkette in “The Lawnmower Man.” Peter is a young boy who befriends Jobe and looks up to him. It’s Peter’s innocence that truly highlights the tragedy of Jobe’s corruption and transformation.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 10.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: N/A.
Above is a picture of Austin O’Brien (who retired from acting and the limelight around a decade ago) as an adult.
Age now: 44.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: Last Action Hero (1993), My Girl 2 (1994), The Baby-Sitters Club (1995).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Dean Norris (The Director)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Dean Norris in “Total Recall” (1990).
“Breaking Bad” star Dean Norris played the man known as the Director in “The Lawnmower Man.” The Director is a stern authority figure tied to the shadowy organization behind the failed experiments that Dr. Angelo ultimately continues carrying out on Jobe.
Age when “The Lawnmower Man” released: 28.
Selected movie credits before “The Lawnmower Man”: Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Total Recall (1990), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
GettyAge now: 62.
Selected movie credits after “The Lawnmower Man”: Starship Troopers (1997), The Cell (2000), Death Wish (2018).
Filmography info per IMDb.
It’s great to see most of the stars of “The Lawnmower Man” doing so well, but sad to see not all of them are still with us.
May Geoffrey Lewis and Jeremy Slate rest in eternal peace.
