The story ofLittle Shop of Horrorshas taken many forms.According toThe New York Times,in 1979, composerAlan Menkenand playwright Howard Ashman came together to create the story many of us are familiar with today, based on a 1960 film of the same name. That version started with an off-off-Broadway production, that turned into an off-Broadway production, before it became the 1986 film starringRick Moranis.The story continues to stand the test of time as there is currently an Off-Broadway revival ofLittle Shop of Horrorsrunning in New York City, starringCorbin BleuandConstance Wu.Now, more than 35 years after the 1986 film premiered, here’s a look back at the stacked cast of actors who stepped into the iconic roles.
The story ofLittle Shop of Horrorshas taken many forms.
According toThe New York Times,in 1979, composerAlan Menkenand playwright Howard Ashman came together to create the story many of us are familiar with today, based on a 1960 film of the same name. That version started with an off-off-Broadway production, that turned into an off-Broadway production, before it became the 1986 film starringRick Moranis.
The story continues to stand the test of time as there is currently an Off-Broadway revival ofLittle Shop of Horrorsrunning in New York City, starringCorbin BleuandConstance Wu.
Now, more than 35 years after the 1986 film premiered, here’s a look back at the stacked cast of actors who stepped into the iconic roles.
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Rick Moranis as Seymour
Rick Moranis.Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
After 1986’sLittle Shop, the roles kept coming for Moranis including iconic films likeSpaceballs,Ghostbusters II,Honey, I Shrunk the KidsandParenthood— all before the end of the decade. He appeared in a few more films in the ’90s including theHoneysequels,The FlintstonesandBig Bully.
In the late ’90s, though, Moranis decided to take a step back from his work as an actor following the tragic death of his wife Ann Belsky from breast cancer in 1991.
“I was working with really interesting people, wonderful people,” he said in 2015 of the decision to focus on being present for their two children. “I went from that to being at home with a couple of little kids, which is a very different lifestyle. But it was important to me.”
He added, “Ihave absolutely no regretswhatsoever. My life is wonderful.”
In 2020, it was announced that Moranis would be making his live-action film return after more than 25 years for an upcomingHoneyreboot titledShrunk, which isyet to be released. In the same year, Moranis also starred in a Mint Mobile ad alongside Ryan Reynolds and was featured on an episode of the Disney+ docuseriesProp Culture.
02of 11Ellen Greene as AudreyEllen Greene.Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Walter McBride/WireImageEllen Greene had appeared on the screen and on stage before she landed the on-screen role of Audrey in the 1986 film — including both the Off-Off and Off-Broadway productions.After the film, Greene continued to act, landing roles in Broadway’sThree Men on a Horsein 1993 and a 2015 production ofLittle ShopoppositeJake Gyllenhaal.On the big screen, she appeared in films likeTalk Radio,Pump Up the Volume,Stepping Out,Léon: The ProfessionalandThe Cooler. On television, Greene had one-off roles on shows likeThe Adventures of Pete & Pete, Law & OrderandThe X-Files,as well as recurring roles onOut of Jimmy’s Head,Pushing DaisiesandThe Young and the Restless.Most recently, Greene appeared in the 2019 filmThe Untold Story.
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Ellen Greene as Audrey
Ellen Greene.Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Walter McBride/WireImage
Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Walter McBride/WireImage
Ellen Greene had appeared on the screen and on stage before she landed the on-screen role of Audrey in the 1986 film — including both the Off-Off and Off-Broadway productions.
After the film, Greene continued to act, landing roles in Broadway’sThree Men on a Horsein 1993 and a 2015 production ofLittle ShopoppositeJake Gyllenhaal.
On the big screen, she appeared in films likeTalk Radio,Pump Up the Volume,Stepping Out,Léon: The ProfessionalandThe Cooler. On television, Greene had one-off roles on shows likeThe Adventures of Pete & Pete, Law & OrderandThe X-Files,as well as recurring roles onOut of Jimmy’s Head,Pushing DaisiesandThe Young and the Restless.
Most recently, Greene appeared in the 2019 filmThe Untold Story.
03of 11Vincent Gardenia as MushnikVincent Gardenia.Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyPrior to landing the role of Mushnik in the film, Vincent Gardenia had already won a Tony Award for his performance in 1972’sThe Prisoner of Second Avenueas well as an Oscar nod for 1973’sBang the Drum Slowly.AfterLittle Shop of Horrors,Gardenia landed another Oscar nomination for his performance in 1987’sMoonstruckand scored an Emmy Award for his role as Michael Aylott in HBO’sAge-Old Friends.The actor died in 1992 at the age of 71, perThe Washington Post,while he was slated to appear in the play,Breaking Legsin Philadelphia.
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Vincent Gardenia as Mushnik
Vincent Gardenia.Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Prior to landing the role of Mushnik in the film, Vincent Gardenia had already won a Tony Award for his performance in 1972’sThe Prisoner of Second Avenueas well as an Oscar nod for 1973’sBang the Drum Slowly.
AfterLittle Shop of Horrors,Gardenia landed another Oscar nomination for his performance in 1987’sMoonstruckand scored an Emmy Award for his role as Michael Aylott in HBO’sAge-Old Friends.
The actor died in 1992 at the age of 71, perThe Washington Post,while he was slated to appear in the play,Breaking Legsin Philadelphia.
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Levi Stubbs as Audrey II
Levi Stubbs.Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Raymond Boyd/Getty
Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty; Raymond Boyd/Getty
Many were already familiar with Levi Stubbs’ voice when he lent it to the film as the voice of Audrey II — the blood-thirsty plant — as he was the lead singer of The Four Tops starting in the 1950s. The original four men, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performed together into the 1990s, up until one of their members, Lawrence Payton, died in 1997, per theMotown Museum.
Stubbs died in 2008 at the age of 72 at home in Detroit, perThe New York Times. At the time of his death, he and his wife Clineice had been married for 48 years and he was a father of five and grandfather to 11, the outlet reported.
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Steve Martin as Orin Scrivello
Steve Martin.Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Warner Bros/The Geffen Company Presents A Frank Oz Film/Kobal/Shutterstock; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Steve Martinhas worn many hats over the course of his decades-long career. He first rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a television writer for shows likeThe Smothers Brothers Comedy HourandThe Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. He later became a successful stand-up comic and became a frequent host ofSNL. The same year he played dentist Orin Scrivello inLittle Shop, he also starred in and co-wroteThree Amigos!where he would meet his now longtime friend and currentOnly Murders in the BuildingcostarMartin Short.
The Hollywood legend has won numerous accolades over the years including five Grammy awards, an Emmy Award and an honorary Oscar in 2013. In 2005 he was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and in 2007 received the Kennedy Center Honors.
Martin married writerAnne Stringfieldin 2007 and in 2013,the couple welcomed a daughter, Mary Martin.
06of 11Jim Belushi as Patrick MartinJim Belushi.Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection; Donato Sardella/GettyJim Belushi’s career kicked off in the 1970s with roles on shows likeWorking Stiffs,Who’s Watching the Kidsand afterworking with Second City,he became aSaturday Night Livecast member in 1983. In addition toLittle Shop, Belushi appeared in multiple films in 1986, includingJumpin’ Jack FlashandAbout Last Night.In the years that followed, Belushi racked up roles includingRed Heat,K-9,Retroactiveand starred on the 1997 seriesTotal Security. After the turn of the new millennium, Belushi continued to appear on television and film including the titular role on all eight seasons ofAccording to Jimfrom 2001 to 2009.More recently, Belushi led a Discovery series titledGrowing Belushi, which was filmed in southern Oregon and chronicled discoveries in the medicinal cannabis industryas well as a look at Belushi’s own journey with his marijuana farm.In 2018, after almost 20 years of marriage, Belushi’s wife, Jennifer Sloan, filed for divorce from the actor though just over a year later, Belushirequested that the divorce be dismissed. Despite the back and forth, Belushi filed for divorce in 2021.The pair share two children together and Belushi is also a father to a son from his first marriage to Sandra Davenport.
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Jim Belushi as Patrick Martin
Jim Belushi.Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection; Donato Sardella/Getty
Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection; Donato Sardella/Getty
Jim Belushi’s career kicked off in the 1970s with roles on shows likeWorking Stiffs,Who’s Watching the Kidsand afterworking with Second City,he became aSaturday Night Livecast member in 1983. In addition toLittle Shop, Belushi appeared in multiple films in 1986, includingJumpin’ Jack FlashandAbout Last Night.
In the years that followed, Belushi racked up roles includingRed Heat,K-9,Retroactiveand starred on the 1997 seriesTotal Security. After the turn of the new millennium, Belushi continued to appear on television and film including the titular role on all eight seasons ofAccording to Jimfrom 2001 to 2009.
More recently, Belushi led a Discovery series titledGrowing Belushi, which was filmed in southern Oregon and chronicled discoveries in the medicinal cannabis industryas well as a look at Belushi’s own journey with his marijuana farm.
In 2018, after almost 20 years of marriage, Belushi’s wife, Jennifer Sloan, filed for divorce from the actor though just over a year later, Belushirequested that the divorce be dismissed. Despite the back and forth, Belushi filed for divorce in 2021.
The pair share two children together and Belushi is also a father to a son from his first marriage to Sandra Davenport.
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John Candy as Wink Wilkinson
John Candy.PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo; Darlene Hammond/Hulton Archive/Getty
PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo; Darlene Hammond/Hulton Archive/Getty
He later landed roles in films likeUncle Buck, Home Alone, Nothing But TroubleandDelirious.Candy died in 1994 at the age of 43 of a heart attack while filmingWagons Eastin Durango, Mexico. His last billed role, per IMDB, was 1995’sCanadian Bacon.
In 2022, it was announced thatRyan ReynoldsandColin Hanks(whose dad,Tom, worked with Candy in the 1980s)were working on a documentary about the actorwith the blessing of his two children, Christopher and Jennifer, whom he shared with wife, Rosemary.
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Bill Murray as Arthur Denton
Bill Murrayfirst appeared onSaturday Night Livein 1977 after being featured on theNational Lampoon Radio Hourin 1975, perBritannica. The iconic comedic actor went on to star in films likeMeatballs,Caddyshack,TootsieandGhostbustersbefore landing the role of Arthur Dent inLittle Shop. The roles didn’t stop coming for Murray who later directed and starred in 1990’sQuick Change, appeared inGroundhog Day,Ed WoodandWes Anderson’sRushmore— all before the turn of the century.
In 2001, he reunited with Anderson for the first of many times forThe Royal Tenenbaumsbefore his performance in 2003’sLost in Translationearned him an Oscar nod and a Golden Globe Award. In 2016, Murray was awardedthe Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
In recent years, Murray has made cameos in both the 2016 and 2021Ghostbustersremakes. He also appeared inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaearlier this year.
Murrayis dad to six sons: two of whom he welcomed with his first wife, Margaret Kelly, and four whom he shares with his second wife, Jennifer Butler — though the couple split in 2008 after 10 years of marriage.
09of 11Tichina Arnold as CrystalTichina Arnold.Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection; Leon Bennett/STA 2020/GettyTichina Arnold’s role inLittle Shopmarked the actress’ first big screen credit after amassing a few credits in the early ’80s on the silver screen. After her role as one of the three narrators in the 1986 flick, Arnold booked numerous roles including recurring characters onRyan’s Hopefrom 1987 to 1989,All My Childrenfrom 1990 to 1991, before landing her breakout role as Pamela James onMartinfrom 1992 to 1997.She would once again showcase her comedy prowess as Rochelle inEverybody Hates Chris, before snagging roles inHappily Divorced,Survivor’s Remorseand most recently,The Neighborhood, where she’s played Tina Butler since 2018.In 2022,Arnold filed for divorce from Rico Hines, six years after the pair first separated following their 2012 nuptials. Before her marriage to Hines, Arnold was married to heavyweight boxing Lamon Brewster. She shares an adult daughter,Alijah Kai, with music producer Carvin Haggins.
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Tichina Arnold as Crystal
Tichina Arnold.Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection; Leon Bennett/STA 2020/Getty
Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection; Leon Bennett/STA 2020/Getty
Tichina Arnold’s role inLittle Shopmarked the actress’ first big screen credit after amassing a few credits in the early ’80s on the silver screen. After her role as one of the three narrators in the 1986 flick, Arnold booked numerous roles including recurring characters onRyan’s Hopefrom 1987 to 1989,All My Childrenfrom 1990 to 1991, before landing her breakout role as Pamela James onMartinfrom 1992 to 1997.
She would once again showcase her comedy prowess as Rochelle inEverybody Hates Chris, before snagging roles inHappily Divorced,Survivor’s Remorseand most recently,The Neighborhood, where she’s played Tina Butler since 2018.
In 2022,Arnold filed for divorce from Rico Hines, six years after the pair first separated following their 2012 nuptials. Before her marriage to Hines, Arnold was married to heavyweight boxing Lamon Brewster. She shares an adult daughter,Alijah Kai, with music producer Carvin Haggins.
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Tisha Campbell as Chiffon
Tisha Campbell.Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Campbell wed Duane Martin in 1996 and welcomed two sons, Xen Whaheed, andEzekiel Czar, before splitting up in 2018.
“I was married for over 20 years and out of that I was blessed with two AMAZING kids. Beyond that, l’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” Campbell said in a statementprovided to PEOPLE in 2020when the couple’s divorce was finalized.
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Michelle Weeks as Ronette
Michelle Weeks.Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection
Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection
source: people.com
