TriStar Pictures knew they had a goldmine in 1989. You remember the vibe—a talking baby with the cynical, street-wise voice of Bruce Willis. It was weird. It was a massive hit. Naturally, Hollywood did what it does best and rushed a sequel into theaters just fourteen months later. When looking back at the Look Who’s Talking Too cast, you realize the producers didn't just try to recreate the magic; they doubled down on the celebrity voice-over gimmick while keeping the central live-action chemistry of John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.
It’s easy to dismiss these movies now as 90s fluff. But honestly? The casting was sort of brilliant in its absurdity. You had a comeback-era Travolta, a peak-fame Kirstie Alley, and a vocal booth filled with some of the biggest personalities of the decade.
The Core Duo: Travolta and Alley’s Underrated Spark
Before Pulp Fiction saved his career, John Travolta was James Ubriacco. He was the charming, slightly struggling pilot who just wanted to be a good dad. People forget that at this point in his career, Travolta was mostly known for dancing and older hits. This franchise made him a relatable leading man again. Beside him, Kirstie Alley as Mollie brought that frantic, high-energy neuroticism she perfected on Cheers.
Their chemistry felt real. It wasn't that glossy, perfect movie romance. It was messy. They argued about finances, parenting, and career sacrifices. That grounded reality is the only reason the movie works when you have a literal talking toddler narrating the scenes. Without their genuine connection, the whole thing would have collapsed under its own silliness.
The Voices in the Crib: Bruce Willis and Roseanne Barr
The real hook of the Look Who’s Talking Too cast was the internal monologue of the kids. Bruce Willis returned as Mikey, the toddler now dealing with the ultimate childhood trauma: a new sibling. Willis kept that "Die Hard" grit but channeled it into a kid who just wanted his juice and his dad's attention.
Then came the sibling rivalry.
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Enter Roseanne Barr. In 1990, Roseanne was the biggest name in television. Casting her as the voice of Julie, the new baby sister, was a massive flex by the studio. She brought a raspiness and a "don't mess with me" attitude that countered Willis perfectly. While Mikey was contemplative and observant, Julie was demanding and loud.
"I want out, and I want out now!"
The banter between these two off-screen actors defined the film's humor. It’s wild to think about now, but you had two of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood recording lines in a booth while child actors—specifically Lorne Sussman and Megan Milner—did the physical heavy lifting on set.
Mel Brooks and the Supporting Players
If you haven't seen the movie in a while, you might have forgotten the bathroom scene. It’s legendary for all the wrong (and right) reasons. To voice "Mr. Toilet," the terrifying personification of potty training, the production landed comedy icon Mel Brooks.
Yes, the man behind Blazing Saddles played a talking toilet.
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It’s this kind of chaotic casting that makes the Look Who’s Talking Too cast so representative of that era of filmmaking. They weren't afraid to be low-brow if it meant a laugh. Along with Brooks, the movie featured:
- Elias Koteas as Stuart, Mollie's brother. Koteas is now a serious dramatic actor (Chicago P.D., The Thin Red Line), but here he was the goofy, slightly annoying uncle.
- Twink Caplan as Rona, Mollie's best friend. Caplan also served as an associate producer and was a staple of Amy Heckerling’s films (including Clueless later on).
- Gilbert Gottfried as Joey, the hyperactive gym instructor. If you need someone to turn the volume up to eleven, you hire Gilbert. His energy in the "gymnastics for babies" scene is exactly what you'd expect.
- Damon Wayans as the voice of Eddie. Wayans brought a different comedic texture to the mix, representing Mikey’s friend from the playground.
The Amy Heckerling Connection
You can't talk about the cast without mentioning the woman who put them there. Amy Heckerling wrote and directed the film (co-written with Neal Israel). Heckerling has an uncanny ability to capture specific cultural moments. Just as she did with Fast Times at Ridgemont High and later with Clueless, she understood that the "adult" problems of the parents needed to feel as high-stakes as the "baby" problems of the kids.
She pushed the cast to lean into the physical comedy. Travolta’s dance sequences weren't just filler; they were a nod to his history and a way to liven up the domestic setting. The film actually struggled a bit with critics who felt it was too crass compared to the first one, but the box office told a different story. People wanted more of this specific family.
Why the Casting Matters Thirty Years Later
Looking back at the Look Who’s Talking Too cast provides a snapshot of 1990 celebrity culture. It was a time when a voice-over role for a baby was considered a major career move. It paved the way for the "celebrity-led animated film" trend that dominates Disney and Dreamworks today. Before Shrek or Toy Story, we had Bruce Willis as a toddler.
There’s a certain nostalgia in seeing Kirstie Alley and John Travolta together. Following Alley's passing in 2022, many fans revisited these films, noting how she was often the funniest person in the room. She could pivot from a tender mothering moment to a slapstick disaster in seconds.
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Practical Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive back into the world of the Ubriaccos, here’s how to do it right. Don't just stream it; look for the context.
- Watch the "Physical" Acting: Pay attention to Lorne Sussman (Mikey) and Megan Milner (Julie). They had to hit marks and react to things that wouldn't be "voiced" until months later in post-production. It’s a massive task for kids that young.
- The Soundtrack Factor: The movie uses music as a cast member. From Elvis Presley to George Harrison, the tracks are timed to the "thoughts" of the babies. It's a clever way to bridge the gap between the internal and external worlds.
- Check the Cameos: Keep an eye out for a young Don S. Davis (later of Stargate SG-1) as Dr. Fleischer.
- Director’s Cut Rumors: While a legendary "Heckerling Cut" doesn't officially exist, there were several scenes involving more of the "baby's world" that were trimmed for pacing.
The movie is a time capsule. It captures a moment where John Travolta was finding his footing again, Kirstie Alley was the queen of the sitcom world, and the idea of a talking baby was the peak of cinematic technology. It’s not "high art," but the Look Who’s Talking Too cast delivered exactly what was promised: a loud, messy, and surprisingly heartfelt look at the chaos of expanding a family.
To truly appreciate the film today, watch it alongside the first one as a double feature. You’ll notice the shift in tone—the sequel is much more frantic and leans harder into the "surreal" elements (like the Mel Brooks toilet). But at its heart, it’s still about two people trying to figure out how to be parents without losing their minds.
If you’re hunting for the physical media, the Blu-ray releases often bundle the entire trilogy (yes, including the one where the dogs talk). Seeing the progression from Bruce Willis's voice-over to the dog-centric third film is a masterclass in how Hollywood handles a successful franchise until the wheels fall off. But for the 1990 sequel, the wheels were still very much on, and the cast was firing on all cylinders.