Cast of The Paper (1994) Then and Now: 30 Years Later!
As someone who's spent the last decade diving deep into cinema's past and present, I've got a treat for you today. Today, we're turning back the clock to 1994—a year of Friends, Forrest Gump, and fax machines. But we're zooming in on a gem that captured the frenetic world of print journalism: The Paper. I'm Richard, and this is a Rewind Zone nostalgic catch-up.
Remember the thrill of hot off-the-press headlines? The clatter of typewriters (okay, maybe just keyboards by '94)? Well, buckle up as we hit rewind and fast forward with the cast of this Ron Howard classic!
Quick Film Facts
Extra! Extra! Read All About Our Star-Studded Lineup!
Michael Keaton as Henry Hackett
Let's kick things off with our leading man, shall we? In 1994, Michael Keaton was fresh off his Batman cape, trading Gotham's shadows for the glaring fluorescents of a newsroom. At 43, Keaton brought a manic energy to Henry Hackett that had us all reaching for a coffee refill.
Fast forward to today, and Keaton's still making headlines at 73. From Birdman to Spotlight, he's proved he's got more lives than a cat with a press pass. Anyone else think he could still pull an all-nighter at the The New York Sun?
Glenn Close as Alicia Clark
Talk about star power! Glenn Close was already a Hollywood heavyweight when she took on the role of Alicia Clark. At 47, she was serving boss-lady realness before it was cool.
Now at 77, Close is still closing deals and breaking hearts. From 101 Dalmatians to Hillbilly Elegy, she's shown more range than a global newspaper.
Robert Duvall as Bernie White
Oh, Bernie. Robert Duvall brought such gravitas to this role at 63, didn't he? Fresh from his Falling Down fame, Duvall was the seasoned pro we all wished we had as a mentor.
Today, at the grand age of 93, Duvall's still got that twinkle in his eye. From Open Range to The Judge, he's been keeping busy. I can't help but wonder: what would Bernie make of today's 24/7 news cycle?
Fancy watching The Paper?
Marisa Tomei as Martha Hackett
Ah, Marisa Tomei. She waltzed into this role at 30, fresh from her Oscar win for My Cousin Vinny. As the very pregnant Martha Hackett, she brought a grounding presence to the chaotic newsroom.
Now 60 (can you believe it? ), Tomei's still lighting up our screens. From The Wrestler to the Spider-Man franchise, she's proven she's got staying power. How do you think Martha and Henry's relationship would've fared in today's world?
Randy Quaid as Michael McDougal
Randy Quaid brought his unique brand of quirkiness to Michael McDougal at 44. Remember him from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
At 74 now, Quaid's career has taken some... interesting turns. But hey, that's showbiz, right? What's your favourite Randy Quaid role?
Jason Robards as Graham Keighley
The late, great Jason Robards was already a legend when he graced The Paper at 72. Fresh from Philadelphia, he brought a touch of old-school class to the newsroom.
Sadly, Robards left us in 2000 at the age of 78. But what a legacy he left behind! From All the President's Men to Magnolia, he was the definition of a character actor.
Jason Alexander as Marion Sandusky
Well, hello, Jason Alexander! At 35, he was riding high on Seinfeld fame when he popped into The Paper.
Now 65, Alexander's kept busy with voice acting and stage work. From George Costanza to Duckman, he's got range, folks! Did you spot him in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?
Recommended Reads:
- The Cowboys: Cast Then and Now
- Silverado Cast Then and Now
- A Time To Kill: Then and Now
- Apocalypse Now: Cast Then and Now
- White Men Can't Jump: Then and Now
- Tender Mercies: Then and Now
Spalding Gray as Paul Bladden
Spalding Gray brought his unique, cerebral energy to Paul Bladden at 53. Known more for his monologues than his acting, he was a breath of fresh air in the cast.
Tragically, Gray passed away in 2004 at 62. His legacy lives on in works like Swimming to Cambodia and The Killing Fields. Have you ever seen one of his famous monologues?
Catherine O'Hara as Susan
Last but not least, Catherine O'Hara! At 40, she was already a comedy icon thanks to SCTV and Home Alone.
Now 70, O'Hara's enjoyed a career renaissance with Schitt's Creek and is soon to reprise her role as Delia in 2024's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Stop the Presses! It's Trivia Time!
Did you know? Paul Newman was offered the role of Bernie White but turned it down. Can you imagine how different the film might have been?
Here's some more juicy tidbits:
- The Paper is hailed as one of the most accurate portrayals of newspaper offices globally. Who knew?
- Mike Sheehan, who played Detective Ritchie, was a real-life detective involved in the infamous 1989 Central Park case. Talk about method acting!
- Co-screenwriter Stephen Koepp was the editor-in-chief of TIME Magazine. No wonder the dialogue felt so authentic!
- The opening credits originally featured a segment from Don Imus' "Imus in the Morning." A snippet still remains - can you spot it?
- The Paper was Michael Keaton and Ron Howard's third collaboration. Name the other two without Googling. I dare you!
Extra! Extra! FAQ Time!
Q: Is The Paper based on a true story?
A: While not based on a specific true story, The Paper draws heavily from real-life experiences in newspaper offices, making it feel incredibly authentic.
Q: Who else was considered for the role of Henry Hackett?
A: Hold onto your hats! Alec Baldwin, Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kurt Russell, John Travolta, and Robin Williams were all in the running. Can you imagine any of them in the role?
Q: How accurate is the film's portrayal of newspaper life in the '90s?
A: According to many in the press, it's spot on! Despite being filmed during a time of decline for print media, the film captures the essence of newspaper offices perfectly.
Q: Are any of the actors from The Paper still active in Hollywood?
A: Absolutely! Many of them, including Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Marisa Tomei, and Catherine O'Hara, are still very active and successful in the industry.
Q: How has the newspaper industry changed since The Paper was released?
A: Dramatically! Digital media has largely replaced print, with circulation numbers dropping significantly. For example, in 2020, The Wall Street Journal had the highest average daily circulation at 994,600 - a far cry from the numbers in the '90s.
Well, folks, that's a wrap on our journey through time with the cast of The Paper. From Pulitzer dreams to digital streams, a lot has changed since 1994. But one thing remains the same - great storytelling never goes out of style.
So, what do you think? Does The Paper still hold up today? Would you want to see a modern remake? Let me know in the comments below! And remember, in the words of Henry Hackett, "We run it, and we stand by it!" Until next time, this is Richard Wells, signing off from RewindZone. Keep it reel, movie lovers!
Thanks for your time!
