It’s been almost 25 years since the world was given its first ever, live-action “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie.
This weekend will shed some light on whether the Steve Barron film of 1990 will continue to stand as the definitive turtle-take. Audiences get their first glimpse of Michael Bay and Jonathan Liebseman’s CG turtles, but even if technology and bigger budgets win the day for best TMNT adaptation, turtle fans still owe a tip of their hats to the original.
So, in honor of the 90s classic, let’s take a look at where five of the original cast members are today.
Judith Hoag (April O’Neil)
Though Hoag wouldn’t return for the sequels, she’s probably the face most people think of when remembering famous crime reporter April O’Neil.
After “Turtles,” Hoag maintained a steady career in television while also appearing in films like “Armageddon,” “I Am Number Four,” and “Hitchcock.” Disney fans may know her best from the “Halloweentown” series and today she can be seen regularly on the ABC drama, “Nashville.”
Elias Koteas (Casey Jones)
Koteas played everyone’s favorite hockey-mask wearing vigilante Casey Jones in both the original and third installment of the TMNT series.
When not protecting the city with a hockey stick, the Canadian actor has spent a lot of time portraying villains including a serial killer in the Denzel Washington film, “Fallen,” and Jack Moriarty, a man who shoots Dr. Gregory House in the TV series, “House.”
Koteas has been seen in a long list of film and television projects including “Zodiac,” “CSI: NY,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and “Shutter Island.” Koteas will soon be seen as a regular cast member on the “Chicago Fire” spin-off, “Chicago P.D.”
Corey Feldman (Donatello)
Child star Corey Feldman lent his voice to the nerdy, bo staff-wielding turtle Donatello.
Enjoying one of the most iconic childhood careers ever, Feldman has also been a favorite headline for gossip magazines as he was granted emancipation from his parents; subpoenaed to testify against Michael Jackson; and had M.C. Hammer co-officiate his short-lived wedding to actress Susie Sprague.
Despite a colorful off-camera life, Feldman has taken up several straight-to-video projects since his days as a turtle, including the “Lost Boy” sequels. Feldman has also been seen in small roles on TV shows like “Psych,” and even starred in a Katy Perry music video, “Last Friday Night.”
Michael Turney (Danny Pennington)
Known famously as the misguided youth Danny Pennington, Michael Turney chose to leave Hollywood after TMNT. Seven years after joining the Foot Clan, Turney turned up in a small role in “The Cost of Living,” and then disappeared again until last year, when he directed two shorts, “Killer,” and “The Portal.”
Turney also produced a radio show called, “The Action Room.”
Sam Rockwell (head thug)
Sure, fans know him best as the head thug in the original TMNT movie, but it turns out Sam Rockwell has enjoyed a relatively successful career after 1990.
Who are we kidding? This guy is everywhere and we’re all better off for it. Whether he’s doing small indie films like “Moon,” “Gentlemen Broncos,” or “Frost/Nixon,” or megablockbusters like “Iron Man 2” and “Cowboys and Aliens,” even when fans don’t love the movie he’s in, they tend to love the fact he was in it.
Rockwell is not only a sought-after Hollywood actor, but he’s enjoyed other artistic avenues such as performing the “Dudes of Steel Theme” from “Glory Daze.”
You can contact Travis at tspoppleton@gmail.com.
