You probably remember that specific feeling of 90s direct-to-video magic. It was a time when movies didn’t need a $200 million budget to make you cry. Angels in the Attic, released in 1998, is one of those quintessential family films that feels like a warm blanket. It's got the classic trope: two boys find a stash of cash and decide to play Robin Hood. But honestly, the reason the movie stuck with us wasn't just the plot. It was the chemistry. The Angels in the Attic cast brought a level of sincerity to a low-budget production that you just don't see much anymore.
Movies like this often fall through the cracks of digital streaming services. You won't always find it on the Netflix front page. Yet, for those who grew up watching it on a grainy VHS or a late-night cable broadcast, the faces of the lead actors are burned into memory. Let's get into who these people actually were and where life took them after the "attic" was cleaned out.
The Faces Behind the Attic: Breaking Down the Core Cast
At the heart of the story are the two boys, and if you don't recognize them, you probably weren't watching much TV in the late 90s.
Clayton Taylor, who played Peter, was the soulful center of the film. He wasn't some polished Hollywood brat. He felt like a kid you’d actually know. Clayton had a decent run around that time, appearing in The Adventures of Ragtime and The Buttercream Gang. But like a lot of child actors who find success in the niche world of family-friendly features, he didn't transition into the "A-list" adult circuit. That’s okay. Sometimes a role is exactly what it needs to be for a specific moment in time.
Then you have Steven Losak as Joey. He was the perfect foil to Peter. Every duo needs that balance.
Wait. We have to talk about the veteran presence. This is where the movie gets its "indie cred."
💡 You might also like: Brother May I Have Some Oats Script: Why This Bizarre Pig Meme Refuses to Die
The Heavy Hitters: Howard Hesseman and Philip Abbott
It’s kinda wild to see Howard Hesseman in a movie like this. If you’re a fan of classic sitcoms, you know him as the legendary Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP in Cincinnati. He plays Taylor in Angels in the Attic. Hesseman brought a weight to the film that kept it from feeling too saccharine. He was a counter-culture icon in real life, a member of the improv group The Committee, and his presence here adds a layer of professionalism that elevates the whole project. Sadly, Hesseman passed away in 2022 due to complications from colon surgery. He left behind a massive legacy that spans from Police Academy to Head of the Class.
Philip Abbott is another name that fans of "Old Hollywood" or classic TV will recognize immediately. He played Trawley. Abbott was a staple of the industry for decades, most famously known for his role as Arthur Ward in The FBI. This was actually one of his final roles; he passed away shortly after the film's release period in 1998. Seeing him in the Angels in the Attic cast feels like a passing of the torch from the golden age of television to the new era of family media.
Why This Specific Ensemble Worked
Most family movies fail because the kids are annoying. Or the adults are cartoons.
Angels in the Attic avoided that trap by grounding the stakes. The boys find money. They want to help people. But the shadow of the "bad guys" is always there. The supporting cast, including actors like Brenda Price and Scott Christopher, filled out the world of the neighborhood. Scott Christopher, in particular, became a bit of a legend in the world of regional filmmaking and family dramas. He’s one of those "I know that guy" actors you see in everything from Granite Flats to various holiday movies.
Honestly, the chemistry worked because the stakes felt real. When Peter and Joey are navigating the ethics of their newfound wealth, the actors don't play it for laughs. They play it with the gravity that only a twelve-year-old can possess.
📖 Related: Brokeback Mountain Gay Scene: What Most People Get Wrong
A Quick Look at the Directing and Production
The film was directed by Gary Amiot. He wasn't a household name, but he understood the rhythm of a "moral lesson" story. It was produced by Excel Entertainment, a company known for distributing films that appealed to the "values-based" market. This is an important distinction. The Angels in the Attic cast wasn't trying to win Oscars. They were trying to tell a story about kindness in a world that often lacks it.
Where Are They Now? The Legacy of the Performers
Tracing the careers of child actors from 1998 is like going down a rabbit hole of nostalgia and "oh, that's right!" moments.
- Clayton Taylor: After a string of roles in the late 90s and early 2000s, Clayton largely stepped away from the spotlight. This is a common story in the industry. The transition from child star to adult actor is a minefield.
- Steven Losak: Similar to Taylor, Losak’s filmography is very much a capsule of that specific era.
- Scott Christopher: Unlike the younger stars, Christopher kept the momentum going. He’s still active, often working in production and writing as well. He actually wrote a book called The Levity Effect, which is all about using humor in the workplace. It's a pretty successful pivot from 90s actor to corporate speaker.
The reality of the Angels in the Attic cast is that many of them were "working actors." They weren't chasing fame; they were doing a job. And they did it well enough that people are still searching for them nearly thirty years later.
The "Mandela Effect" and Casting Confusion
Sometimes people get this movie confused with other "Angel" titles from the 90s. No, it’s not Angels in the Outfield. No, it’s not Angels in the Endzone.
This movie occupies a very specific niche. It’s part of that "found money" subgenre. Think Millions (2004), but with a lower budget and more 90s denim. Because it was a direct-to-video or limited release, the information on the cast can sometimes be spotty on sites like IMDb. You’ll see fans in forums trying to track down what the kids look like now, often with little success. That anonymity is actually kind of refreshing in our current era of "over-sharing."
👉 See also: British TV Show in Department Store: What Most People Get Wrong
Deep Nuance: The Moral Complexity of the Roles
Let's get serious for a second. The role of the "villains" in this movie is often overlooked. To make a story about "angels" work, you need a convincing "devil." The antagonists in the film provided the necessary tension that allowed the Angels in the Attic cast to shine. Without the threat of the money being taken back, the boys' altruism wouldn't have meant as much. It's the classic "innocence vs. experience" trope.
The actors playing the neighbors also deserve a shout-out. They had to represent the "need" that the boys were trying to fill. If those performances were too melodramatic, the movie would have felt manipulative. Instead, they felt like people struggling with the mundane realities of poverty and bad luck.
Why We Still Care About These Actors
We care because of the "why."
We don't look up the Angels in the Attic cast because they are superstars. We look them up because they represent a piece of our childhood. For many, this movie was a staple of Sunday afternoons. Seeing Howard Hesseman—a man who was once the epitome of "cool" on radio-themed TV—interact with these kids was a bridge between generations.
Practical Steps for Fans of the Movie
If you’re looking to revisit the work of these actors or the movie itself, you have a few options. It’s not always easy to find, but it’s out there if you know where to look.
- Check the Bargain Bins and Thrift Stores: Seriously. The VHS and DVD copies of Angels in the Attic are often sitting in the $1 section of Goodwill. It’s the most authentic way to watch it.
- Digital Archives: Some niche streaming services that focus on family-friendly or faith-based content occasionally carry the film.
- Follow the Character Actors: If you liked Howard Hesseman, go back and watch WKRP in Cincinnati. It’s a masterclass in comedic timing. If you liked Scott Christopher, look into his more recent work in the Utah filmmaking scene; he’s a staple there.
- Preserve the Media: If you own a copy, digitize it. These mid-range family films are often the first to disappear as physical media dies out.
The Angels in the Attic cast gave us a story that was simple, heart-wrenching, and ultimately hopeful. In a world of cynical reboots and massive cinematic universes, there’s something deeply satisfying about a movie where the biggest plot point is two kids trying to do the right thing with a box of cash they found in the ceiling.
Keep an eye on the credits next time you watch a 90s throwback. You might find a legendary actor like Hesseman or a future author like Christopher hiding in plain sight. These actors helped define a specific era of family entertainment that focused on the small, quiet moments of human goodness. That's worth remembering.