David Fincher’s “Seven” is one of the most brilliant movies of the 1990s.
The crime thriller follows a disenchanted and almost retired detective and his newly transferred partner as they attempt to stop a serial killer whose murders are based on the seven deadly sins.
It stars Morgan Freeman as Detective Lieutenant William Somerset and Brad Pitt as his younger partner David Mills. Kevin Spacey plays the murderous John Doe. A brilliant cast of actors provide the trio with able support.
“Seven” holds an impressive 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also a commercial success, grossing almost $330 million worldwide, having cost just $30 million to produce (per The Numbers).
Released on September 22, 1995, “Seven” celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. After over three decades, wouldn’t it be cool to see the core cast today, compared to how they looked back when the film hit theaters? Let’s do that now…
Morgan Freeman (William Somerset)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Morgan Freeman (R) on the set of “Seven” with Brad Pitt.
Academy Award-winning actor, producer, and narrator Morgan Freeman played William Somerset in “Seven.” Somerset is a Detective Lieutenant in the unspecified city the movie is set in. He’s just one week from retirement and, despite being world-weary, is intent on catching John Doe by being thoughtful and methodical.
Age when “Seven” released: 58.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Morgan Freeman with three recent pictures of him.
Age now: 88.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: Million Dollar Baby (2004), Invictus (2009), The Lego Movie (2014).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Brad Pitt (David Mills)
GettyTwo-time Academy Award-winning actor and producer Brad Pitt played David Mills in “Seven.” Mills is a young, hot-headed, and idealistic rookie homicide detective newly transferred to partner Somerset. He’s impulsive, passionate, and determined to catch John Doe, but his inexperience and temper are something of a hindrance.
Age when “Seven” released: 31.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: Thelma & Louise (1991), Interview with the Vampire (1994), Legends of the Fall (1994).
GettyAge now: 62.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: Fight Club (1999), Snatch (2000), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Kevin Spacey (John Doe)
GettyTwo-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey played John Doe in “Seven.” Doe is the movie’s main antagonist. He’s an intelligent and methodical serial killer who orchestrates his murders based on the seven deadly sins.
Age when “Seven” released: 36.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989), Henry & June (1990), The Usual Suspects (1995).
GettyAge now: 66.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: L.A. Confidential (1997), American Beauty (1999), Fred Claus (2007).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Gwyneth Paltrow (Tracy Mills)
GettyAcademy Award-winning actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow played Tracy Mills in “Seven.” Tracy is David Mills’ wife who, it’s implied, is killed by John Doe while pregnant.
Age when “Seven” released: 22.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: Hook (1991), Flesh and Bone (1993), Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Gwyneth Paltrow featuring several recent pictures and videos of her.
Age now: 53.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: Shakespeare in Love (1998), Iron Man (2008), Marty Supreme (2025).
Filmography info per IMDb.
R. Lee Ermey (Police Captain)
Above is a social media post with a picture of R. Lee Ermey in “Seven.”
Actor and United States Marine drill instructor R. Lee Ermey played the unnamed police captain in “Seven.” Ermey’s character is Somerset and Mills’ grizzled superior in the police force.
Age when “Seven” released: 51.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: Full Metal Jacket (1987), Mississippi Burning (1988), Fletch Lives (1989).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2018 aged 74.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: Toy Story (1995), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), The Watch (2012).
Filmography info per IMDb.
John C. McGinley (California)
GettyTelevision and movie actor John C. McGinley played California in “Seven.” California is the leader of a SWAT team sent to John Doe’s crime scenes.
Age when “Seven” released: 36.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: Platoon (1986), Point Break (1991), Wagons East (1994).
GettyAge now: 66.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: The Rock (1996), Office Space (1999), The Belko Experiment (2016).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Richard Roundtree (Martin Talbot)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Richard Roundtree in “Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored” (1996).
Television and movie actor Richard Roundtree played Martin Talbot in “Seven.” Talbot is a district attorney who interacts with Somerset and Mills regarding the investigation into John Doe’s murder spree.
Age when “Seven” released: 53.
Selected movie credits before “Seven”: Shaft (1971), Earthquake (1974), Maniac Cop (1988).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2023 aged 81.
Selected movie credits after “Seven”: Steel (1997), Shaft (2000), Thelma (2024).
Filmography info per IMDb.
That “Seven” only received one Academy Award nomination (for Best Film Editing, which it lost to “Apollo 13”) is a travesty.
It’s a fantastic story, brilliantly acted, has a tremendous film noir atmosphere, and features one of the most shocking and unforgettable plot twists in movie history.
While it’s undoubtedly nice to see the majority of its core cast doing well, it’s extremely sad to know two of them are no longer with us.
May R. Lee Ermey and Richard Roundtree rest in eternal peace.
