Silkwood Casting Then and Now: 40 Years of Evolution

Key points:

• silk woodReleased in 1983, it is a powerful biographical drama about nuclear power plant worker and whistleblower Karen Silkwood.
• The film features an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Kurt Russelland Cher.
• Many actors went on to successful careers after Silkwood, some becoming Hollywood legends.
• Several actors, e.g. Craig T. Nelson and Bruce McGillhas become a well-known face on television.
• Sadly, several actors have passed away since the film’s release.

Silkwood (1983) – Movie Information

box office $35.6 million

Budget US$10 million

IMDb rating 7.2/10

criticism reception Acting and direction critically acclaimed 5 Academy Award nominations

silk woodReleased in 1983, it is a powerful biographical drama with a strong cast and complex characters. This article explores the principal actors, their ages at the time of filming, and their careers in the forty years since the film’s release.

Based on a true story

Karen Silkwood (1946-1974) was a chemical technician and union Activists at the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Plant in Oklahoma. she proposed Concerns about factory safety and alleged worker contamination. exist On November 13, 1974, on the way to meet reporters with evidence, She died in a mysterious car accident. The film tells her story, Explore the topics of nuclear safety and corporate responsibility.

Meryl Streep as Karen Silkwood

Age at the time of filming: 33-34 years old

The protagonist, Karen Thickwood, played by Meryl Streep, is a nuclear power plant worker and union activist. Streep’s performance captures Karen’s transformation from carefree person to passionate whistleblower, showcasing her growing anxiety and determination as she exposes the dangerous practices of the Kerr-McGee plutonium plant.

Now: By 2024, Meryl Streep Now 74 years old. postal-silk woodStreep’s career is legendary. She has won numerous awards, including three Academy Awards Sophie’s choice (1982), iron lady (2011), and August: Osage County (2013). Streep in e.g. the queen wearing prada, Suspectand Postcementing her status as one of the greatest actresses of all time.

Kurt Russell as Drew Stephens

Age at the time of filming: 31-32 years old

Kurt Russell plays Drew Stephens, Karen’s boyfriend and co-worker at the nuclear power plant.

Now: Kurt Russell Age 73 in 2024. silk woodRussell starred in cult classics such as Big trouble in little China and Fall into the water. Later he was involved in such tombstone and The Hateful Eight. Russell has also found success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Ego in “Ego.” Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Read more posts about Kurt Russelltombstone Profession

Cher as Dolly Pelliker

Age at the time of filming: 36-37 years old

Cher departed from her usual glamorous persona to play the role of Dolly Pelliker, Karen’s lesbian roommate and close friend.

Now: 2024, Cher Now 77 years old. The following silk woodCher’s acting career flourished, starring in the following roles mask (1985) and her Oscar-winning performance in Moonlight hits (1987). She continued to perform sporadically while maintaining a successful music career and becoming a pop culture icon.

Discover Cher’s Top 10 Movie Roles

Craig T. Nelson as Winston

Age at the time of filming: 39-40 years old

Craig T. Nelson plays Winston, the manager of the Kerr-McGee plant. Nelson’s performance embodies Winston’s authoritative demeanor and the pressure he faces to maintain the factory’s status quo.

Now: Craig T. Nelson 80 years old in 2024.silk woodNielsen found great success on television, starring in the long-running sitcom coach (1989-1997), for which he won an Emmy Award. He later had major roles in Poltergeist (1982) and the critically acclaimed series parenthood (2010-2015) and appeared in films such as The Incredibles and its sequel.

Diana Scarved as Angela

Age at the time of filming: 27-28 years old

Diana Scarwid plays Angela, a beautician and Dolly’s “special friend.”

Now: diana scavide Age 68 in 2024. silk woodScarwid continues to act in films and television, in crazy alabama (1999) and TV series prison Break (2005-2009). However, her appearances have become less and less frequent in recent years.

Fred Ward as Morgan

Age at the time of filming: 40-41 years old

Fred Ward stars as Morgan, a co-worker at the Cole McGee plant who is involved in Karen’s effort to expose safety violations at the plant.

Now: Fred Ward Died on May 8, 2022, at the age of 79.silk woodWard has had a successful career in film and television, the right thing (1983), tremor (1990), and shortcut (1993). He continued his acting career until shortly before his death.

Learn more about the cast tremor

Ron Silver as Paul Stone

Then: Ron Silver He was 36-37 years old when he played the role of Paul Stone, a union representative who works with Karen.

Now: Ron Silver Died on March 15, 2009, at the age of 62. silk woodSilver had a distinguished career as an actor, director and political activist. He won a Tony Award for his performance in David Mamet’s play Accelerate plow and had recurring roles in popular TV series, e.g. west wing and Veronica’s Wardrobe.

Charles Hallahan as Earl Lapin

Then: Charles Hallahan He was 39-40 years old when he played Dr. Earl Rabin in Nuclear Power Plant.

Now: Charles Hallahan Died on November 25, 1997, at the age of 54. silk woodHallahan has had a successful career in both film and television, thing (1982), pale knight (1985) and TV series hunter (1986-1991).

Joseph Sommer as Max Richter

Then: Joseph Sommer He was 48-49 years old when he played Max Richter, a character involved in the management or supervision of nuclear facilities.

Now: Joseph Sommer Age 89 in 2024. silk woodAfter that, Sommer continued to develop steadily in the field of film and television, starring in ” witness (1985), the sum of all fears (2002) and TV series damages (2007-2012).

Suedie Bond as Thelma Rice

Then: suddybond She was 54-55 years old when she took on the role of Thelma Rice in Thelma Rice. silk wood.

Now: suddybond Died on November 14, 1984, at the age of 56, just one year later silk woodof release. Her last film role was The Muppets Take Over Manhattan (1984).

E. Katherine Kerr as Gilda Schultz

Then: E. Catherine Kerr She was 45-46 years old when she played Gilda Schulz in the film Gilda Schulz silk wood.

Now: E. Catherine Kerr Passed away on July 1, 2019, at the age of 82.silk woodAfterwards, Kerr focused more on theater, both as an actor and a playwright. She won an Obie Award for her performance in the film Cloud 9 and taught acting at Yale University.

Bruce McGill as Mace Hurley

Then: Bruce McGill He was 32-33 years old when he played Mace Hurley in the film.

Now: Bruce McGill Age 73 in 2024. silk woodMcGill has had an extensive career in both film and television. He’s because of things like insider (1999) and law abiding citizen (2009), as well as his long-running TV series role as detective Vince Korsak Rizzoli and Islands (2010-2016).

David Strathairn as Wesley

Then: David Strathairn He was 33-34 years old when he played Wesley silk wood.

Now: David Strathairn 75 years old in 2024. silk woodStrathairn had a distinguished career in film, television and theatre. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Edward R. Murrow in the film good night and good luck (2005) and in studies such as L.A. Confidential (1997) and Lincoln (2012).

other famous names

Will BartonHe later gained recognition for his intense performance after a small role in Silkwood. He later starred in such memorable films as Remember the Titans (2000) and Armageddon (1998).

Anthony HealdAlthough not yet a household name in Silkwood’s time, he later became famous for his chilling portrayal of Dr. Frederic Chilton in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Bill CobbsWith his unique voice and commanding presence, he landed a small role in Silkwood that foreshadowed his future as a respected character actor. He subsequently appeared in such notable films as “The Hardducker Agent” (1994) and “Night at the Museum” (2006), often bringing a sense of gravitas to his roles.

M. Emmett WalshBy 1983, he was already an established character actor and continued to build his reputation after Silkwood. His versatility was showcased in films such as Blood Simple (1984) and Blade Runner (1982), cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most reliable supporting actors.