When you think about who played in The Fly movie, your mind probably goes straight to a sweaty, twitching Jeff Goldblum. It’s hard not to. But depending on how old you are—or how much of a cinephile you claim to be—that answer actually changes. Most people are talking about David Cronenberg’s 1986 masterpiece, a film that basically redefined what "body horror" could be. It wasn't just a monster movie; it was a tragic romance where the lead actor slowly turns into a giant, vomiting insect.
Jeff Goldblum was Seth Brundle. That’s the definitive performance. However, if we’re being thorough, we have to look back to 1958, where the legendary Al Hedison (later David Hedison) took on the role of Andre Delambre. Different vibes, honestly. The 50s version had a guy with a giant prosthetic fly head that looked a bit like a fuzzy helmet, whereas Goldblum’s transformation was a wet, gooey, existential nightmare.
The Goldblum Factor: Why Seth Brundle Worked
Goldblum wasn't the first choice. Can you imagine? The studio apparently wanted someone more "traditionally" leading-man, but Cronenberg pushed for Goldblum because he had this eccentric, staccato way of talking that made Brundle feel like a real scientist. He’s awkward. He’s brilliant. He’s kind of a lot to handle.
- Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle: The brilliant physicist who teleports himself and accidentally splices his DNA with a common housefly.
- Geena Davis as Veronica "Ronnie" Quaife: The journalist who falls for him.
- John Getz as Stathis Borans: The editor (and Ronnie’s ex) who serves as the weirdly heroic, yet sleazy, third wheel.
The chemistry between Goldblum and Davis wasn't an accident. They were actually dating in real life at the time. You can feel it in the early scenes—the way they look at each other feels grounded. It makes the eventual "Brundlefly" transformation way more painful to watch because you actually liked them as a couple.
Geena Davis and the Emotional Core
Without Geena Davis, the movie fails. Period. If she’s just a "scream queen," the audience doesn't care about the tragedy. She plays Ronnie with this mix of ambition and genuine horror. When she realizes she’s carrying Brundle’s child—and has that iconic nightmare about giving birth to a giant maggot—it grounds the sci-fi in a very human fear of disease and biological betrayal.
📖 Related: Ashley Johnson: The Last of Us Voice Actress Who Changed Everything
The 1958 Original: A Different Breed of Horror
If you're asking who played in The Fly movie from the black-and-white era, you're looking at a very different ensemble.
- David Hedison played the scientist.
- Patricia Owens was the wife.
- Vincent Price played the brother, François Delambre.
Let’s talk about Vincent Price. He’s horror royalty. Even though he isn’t the one turning into a fly, his presence gives the 1958 version a gothic, prestige feel. The 1958 film focuses more on the mystery and the "help me!" squeal of the tiny human-headed fly caught in a spiderweb. It’s campy now, but back then? It terrified people.
Supporting Players You Might Forget
In the 1986 version, John Getz plays Stathis Borans. He’s a jerk for the first half of the movie. He’s the jealous ex-boyfriend who won’t go away. But by the end, he’s the one trying to save Ronnie, even after Brundle (now fully transformed) melts his hand and foot off with acidic "fly vomit." It’s a wild character arc. Getz plays it perfectly—from smug to terrified to weirdly brave.
Then there’s the "Fly" itself. We have to credit the makeup team led by Chris Walas. While they weren't "actors" in the traditional sense, the puppeteers and makeup artists who handled the various stages of the Brundlefly were essential. There were seven distinct stages of transformation. By the time Goldblum is in the final suit, he’s barely "acting" through layers of latex and slime, yet he still managed to convey sadness through the eyes.
👉 See also: Archie Bunker's Place Season 1: Why the All in the Family Spin-off Was Weirder Than You Remember
The Sequel: Who Took Over?
Most people ignore The Fly II (1989), but it’s part of the lore. Jeff Goldblum didn't return, except in archival footage.
- Eric Stoltz played Martin Brundle, Seth’s son.
- Daphne Zuniga played Beth Logan.
Stoltz does a decent job playing a "boy" who ages rapidly into a man, but the movie leans way harder into gore and away from the psychological depth of the first one. It’s a bit of a "revenge" flick. If you’re looking for the emotional weight of the 80s original, you won't find it here, but Stoltz is always a solid performer.
Why the Casting of the 1986 Version Changed Horror
Cronenberg’s film worked because it treated the actors like they were in a serious drama. Usually, in 80s creature features, the actors are secondary to the effects. Here, the effects are secondary to the tragedy of Seth Brundle losing his humanity.
Goldblum’s performance is often cited as one of the great "snubs" in Oscar history. He didn't get a Best Actor nomination, likely because the Academy had a bias against horror (and people turning into bugs). But his physical acting—the way he twitches, the way he loses his balance, the way he starts eating sugar—is a masterclass.
✨ Don't miss: Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises: What Most People Get Wrong
Key Takeaways for Fans of The Fly
- The Goldblum/Davis Connection: Their real-life relationship at the time added a layer of intimacy that most horror movies lack.
- Vincent Price’s Legacy: The 1958 version is worth watching just to see a legend in a "scientific" thriller before he became synonymous with purely macabre roles.
- The Stathis Redemption: Don't overlook John Getz. His character is the moral compass by the end of the 1986 film, despite starting as a villain.
- Practical Effects over CGI: If you’re studying the actors, also study the creature work. It’s a collaborative performance between the human and the prosthetic.
If you want to truly appreciate the performances, watch the 1986 version back-to-back with the 1958 original. Notice how David Hedison has to use his body to convey emotion when his head is covered, versus how Goldblum uses his voice as it slowly becomes raspy and inhuman. It’s a fascinating comparison in acting styles across thirty years of cinema history.
To dig deeper into the production, look for the "Fear of the Flesh" documentary. It features extensive interviews with the cast about the grueling makeup process. You can also track down the original short story by George Langelaan, published in Playboy in 1957, to see how the characters were originally envisioned versus how the actors eventually portrayed them on screen.
Check out the special features on the Criterion Collection or the Scream Factory releases for high-definition looks at the creature stages. Understanding the physical constraints the actors worked under—like Goldblum spending five hours in the makeup chair every morning—makes the performances even more impressive. You'll see that "playing the fly" was as much an athletic feat as it was an artistic one.