Hocus Pocus Actors Now: What Most People Get Wrong

It has been over thirty years since a "virgin" lit the Black Flame Candle and we are still obsessed. Seriously. Every October, the Sanderson sisters take over our feeds, and naturally, everyone starts wondering about the hocus pocus actors now. Some of them became icons. Others? They basically vanished into thin air like a burst of purple smoke.

If you think you know where the cast ended up, you might be surprised. Most people assume the original kids just stayed in Hollywood, but the truth is way weirder. We're talking about a cannabis mogul, a career-long NCIS agent, and a director who’s making serious waves.

The Sanderson Sisters: Still Running the Show

Let’s be real. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are the reason we’re even talking about this.

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Bette Midler is 80 years old now. Can you believe that? She’s still Winifred through and through. Since the 1993 original, she’s won Tonys, released albums, and basically became a legend. Recently, in late 2025, she dropped a bombshell on Watch What Happens Live: she actually has the script for Hocus Pocus 3. She called it "brilliant." Rumor has it we might see the third movie as soon as Halloween 2026.

Then there’s Sarah Jessica Parker. Most people associate her with Cosmopolitans and New York City fashion. After playing Sarah Sanderson, she became Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, which changed her life forever. She’s still playing Carrie in the revival And Just Like That..., but she’s also a massive entrepreneur with her own shoe line, SJP Collection. Honestly, she’s probably the most "famous" of the bunch today.

Kathy Najimy didn't slow down either. She was a staple in the Veep cast and has done a ton of voice work, including King of the Hill. But what a lot of fans don't realize is how much she does behind the scenes. She’s a huge activist for human rights and women's rights. She’s often the one pushing for the reunions and keeping the sisterly bond alive off-camera.

The Kids: Where Did Max, Dani, and Allison Go?

This is where things get interesting. The "mortal" cast had a very different path than the witches.

1. Omri Katz (Max Dennison): He basically quit. After 2002, he left acting behind. He told Bloody Disgusting that he wanted to try new things, like snowboarding and traveling. Today, at 48, he runs a cannabis company called The Mary Danksters. He wasn't in the 2022 sequel—apparently, he wasn't even invited—but he says he’d be down for a third movie if Disney calls.
2. Thora Birch (Dani Dennison): She became an indie darling. You probably saw her in American Beauty or Ghost World. But lately, she’s been behind the camera. She directed The Gabby Petito Story for Lifetime. She was supposed to be in Hocus Pocus 2, but scheduling conflicts with The Addams Family spin-off Wednesday (which she eventually had to leave anyway for personal reasons) kept her out of Salem.
3. Vinessa Shaw (Allison): She’s still working steadily. You might remember her from the horror remake The Hills Have Eyes or the show Ray Donovan. She’s also a mom now and stays very active in the fan convention circuit.

The Secret Success of Thackery Binx and Billy Butcherson

Wait, did you know Thackery Binx is actually a TV superstar?

Sean Murray, who played the human version of Binx, has been playing Timothy McGee on NCIS for over twenty years. Since 2003! It’s one of those "hidden in plain sight" situations. He barely looks like the teenager from the movie anymore, mostly because he’s 48 and has been on a procedural drama for two decades.

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And then there’s Doug Jones. He played Billy Butcherson, the "good" zombie. Doug is arguably the most successful actor you’d never recognize on the street. He’s the go-to guy for creatures. He was the fish-man in the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water, the Faun in Pan's Labyrinth, and Saru in Star Trek: Discovery.

Doug is 65 now, and he’s still wearing prosthetics. He actually wore the original wig from 1993 in the 2022 sequel. Disney had kept it on a mannequin for 29 years! He’s been very vocal about wanting to return for Hocus Pocus 3, though he's waiting for the "three ladies" to sign their contracts first.

What about the bullies?

You remember "Ice" and "Jay"?
Larry Bagby (Ice) went on to appear in Walk the Line and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He’s also a country singer.
Tobias Jelinek (Jay) has actually popped up in some big shows lately, like Stranger Things and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. They are actually reuniting with the original kids at 90s Con in Connecticut in March 2026.

Hocus Pocus Actors Now: The Reality of the "Comeback"

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about why the original kids weren't in the second movie. Fans were pretty mad about it. The reality? The writers wanted to focus on a new coven of girls to keep the franchise alive for a younger generation.

But with Hocus Pocus 3 in development, the tide is turning. Jen D'Angelo, the writer, has hinted that they are looking at ways to bring back the legacy characters. Even Bette Midler has joked that if they wait much longer, they'll be "flying with walkers."

It’s rare for a cast to stay this close. Most of them are on a group text together. They do the conventions. They embrace the cult status. It’s not just a paycheck for them; it’s basically their retirement plan and their favorite memory all rolled into one.

Next Steps for Fans

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If you want to keep up with the hocus pocus actors now, your best bet is following the 2026 convention circuit. The "original five" (Omri, Vinessa, Thora, Larry, and Tobias) are scheduled for a massive reunion in March 2026. Also, keep a close eye on Disney+ announcements this summer; if Bette Midler’s "brilliant script" is moving forward, we should see casting confirmations for the third film by July.