You remember the feeling. That distinct, mid-90s VHS hum as the tape settled into the player, followed by the sight of a plastic Iroquois warrior coming to life in a small wooden cabinet. For a whole generation, The Indian in the Cupboard wasn't just another kids' movie. It was a meditation on responsibility, friendship, and the ethical weight of literally "owning" another person. But looking back, the Indian in the Cupboard cast carried a heavy load. They weren't just playing roles; they were navigating a story that, while beloved, feels remarkably complex through a modern lens.
Frankly, most people forget how stacked this cast actually was. You had a future Oscar nominee, a legendary character actor, and two child stars who basically vanished from the Hollywood spotlight shortly after the credits rolled.
The Face of Omri: Hal Scardino’s Disappearance from Hollywood
Hal Scardino was only nine or ten when he played Omri. He had this wide-eyed, slightly frantic energy that made you believe a kid would actually keep a tiny man in a box. Usually, when a kid anchors a Frank Oz film—yes, the guy who voiced Yoda directed this—they become the "next big thing."
But Scardino didn't.
After a small role in Marvin's Room alongside Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio, he kind of just... left. He moved back to the UK, went to school, and lived a normal life. Honestly, it’s refreshing. Most child stars from that era ended up in the tabloid meat grinder, but Scardino chose the theater and indie projects later in life. He’s lived in London for years now, occasionally popping up in small roles, but mostly he’s a guy who just happened to be the lead in a movie that defined a decade for millions of kids.
He once mentioned in a rare interview that he didn't even realize how big the movie was until he was much older. To him, it was just a summer spent playing with giant oversized props to make him look small.
Litefoot: More Than Just an Actor
The most important member of the Indian in the Cupboard cast was undoubtedly Litefoot. He played Little Bear. Unlike most Native American depictions in 90s cinema, Litefoot brought a genuine dignity to the role that moved beyond the "stoic warrior" trope. He was actually a member of the Cherokee Nation and a pioneering Native American rapper before he ever stepped onto a film set.
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If you look at what he’s done since 1995, it’s arguably more impressive than his acting career.
He didn't just stay in the "actor" box. Litefoot—born Gary Paul Davis—became a major advocate for Indigenous business and economic development. He served as the President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. He traveled the country, hosted a podcast, and essentially dedicated his life to empowering Native communities.
When you watch the film now, his performance holds up. It feels grounded. That’s because he wasn't just reading lines; he was very conscious of how his culture was being portrayed to a global audience. He fought to make Little Bear feel like a real person, not a toy.
Steve Coogan and the Tiny Cowboy
Then there’s Boone. The crybaby, drunk, surprisingly sensitive cowboy.
Most American audiences in 1995 had no idea who Steve Coogan was. To us, he was just the "cowboy guy." Little did we know he was already a comedy titan in the UK, well on his way to becoming Alan Partridge. Coogan’s performance is the secret sauce of the movie. He provides the levity. Without Boone’s constant bickering with Little Bear, the movie would have been way too heavy.
Coogan is obviously the biggest success story of the Indian in the Cupboard cast. He’s been nominated for Oscars for Philomena, worked with everyone from Wes Anderson to Michael Winterbottom, and remains one of the sharpest satirists in the business. It’s wild to see him now and realize that his introduction to many of us was him sobbing over a drawing of a "saloon."
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The Supporting Players You Definitely Forgot
Wait, was David Keith in this? Yes. He played Boone’s larger-than-life counterpart.
And then there’s Rishi Bhat, who played Omri’s best friend, Patrick. Bhat’s story is probably the most "non-Hollywood" of the bunch. He was a brilliant kid in real life, too. After the movie, he didn't stick with acting for long. Instead, he went to the University of Chicago, became a math whiz, and eventually a successful entrepreneur and software developer. He basically followed the exact opposite path of a typical child star. Instead of chasing fame, he chased a career in technology and finance.
He sold a startup to a major firm while he was still practically a teenager. Imagine being Omri’s friend one year and a tech mogul the next.
The Frank Oz Factor
You can't talk about the cast without talking about the man behind the camera. Frank Oz is a legend for a reason. He treated the kids like adults and the actors like collaborators. There was a lot of technical wizardry involved—blue screens, giant animatronic hands, and split-screen filming that was incredibly tedious for the actors.
Litefoot and Scardino often had to act against nothing. No one was there. They were looking at a piece of tape or a static object while their co-star was filmed on a completely different day on a scaled-up set. The chemistry you see on screen is a testament to their skill because, in reality, they were often isolated.
Why the Casting Matters Today
Looking at the Indian in the Cupboard cast today highlights a shift in how we tell stories. The movie tried—really tried—to be respectful to the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) culture. They hired a consultant. They used the Mohawk language.
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However, looking back, there’s a nuance that fans discuss now regarding the "magical" nature of the minority character. While Little Bear has agency, he’s still a product of Omri’s cupboard. The cast dealt with these themes before "representation" was a buzzword. Litefoot, specifically, has spoken about the importance of being a role model through that character. He wasn't just an "Indian" in a cupboard; he was a leader, a husband, and a man out of time.
Tracking the Legacy
So, where does that leave us?
- Hal Scardino is mostly private, living in the UK.
- Litefoot is a business leader and advocate for Indigenous rights.
- Steve Coogan is a global star and multi-award winner.
- Rishi Bhat is a successful tech entrepreneur.
- Vincent Kartheiser (who played Omri's older brother Gillon) went on to play Pete Campbell in Mad Men. Talk about a glow-up.
It’s a strange, disjointed legacy. Most casts from 90s hits stay in the "actor" lane. This group scattered into the wind. They became entrepreneurs, advocates, and quiet expats.
Moving Forward with the Classics
If you’re revisiting the film or introducing it to a new generation, keep these things in mind. The performances are subtle. They aren't the over-the-top "acting" you usually see in kids' movies from that era.
- Watch the chemistry. Pay attention to how Litefoot and Scardino interact. Knowing they were often filming separately makes the emotional connection much more impressive.
- Research the culture. Take a moment to look into the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The movie uses the term Iroquois, but the real-world history is much deeper than what fits in a 90-minute family film.
- Appreciate the practical effects. In an age of CGI everything, the puppetry and oversized sets used by this cast are a lost art form.
- Follow the careers. Look up Steve Coogan’s more recent work like The Lost King to see just how far the "cowboy" has come.
The magic of the movie wasn't just the cupboard. It was the fact that the actors involved treated the ridiculous premise with absolute sincerity. They didn't wink at the camera. They didn't play it for laughs. They played it like it was life and death, and that’s why we still talk about them thirty years later.