Who’s Still Alive From ‘Jaws’?
When Jaws premiered in 1975, it didn’t just terrify beachgoers; it reshaped the film industry. Steven Spielberg‘s breakthrough thriller launched the summer blockbuster, forever transforming how we go to the movies. In the wake of Jaws, losing an afternoon in an air-conditioned movie theater became as essential a part of the summer experience as a dip in the pool or a Saturday afternoon barbecue.
Nearly 50 years later, many of the film’s cast and crew have passed away, but a handful of the cast members are still alive and well. Here’s who remains and what they’ve been up to, in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary this week:
Richard Dreyfuss (77)
Matt Hooper
Everett Collection; Presley Ann/Getty Images for TCM
Richard Dreyfuss played Matt Hooper, the enthusiastic marine biologist who joins Chief Brody and Quint on their dangerous shark hunt. His chemistry with Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw helped carry the film’s tense second half, and his performance remains one of the movie’s standouts.
After Jaws, Dreyfuss quickly became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, earning an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1978 for The Goodbye Girl. Dreyfuss continued working steadily for decades, appearing in hits like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Stand By Me and The American President.
While he has stepped back from leading man roles in recent years, Dreyfuss still takes on occasional projects and appears at fan conventions. He has also spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and has used his platform to advocate for civics education. His most recent role was in 2024’s Marlon Brando biopic called Waltzing with Brando.
Lorraine Gary (87)
Ellen Brody
Everett Collection; Jesse Grant/Getty Images for TCM
As Ellen Brody, the supportive wife of Chief Brody, Lorraine Gary brought warmth to Jaws. Although her role wasn’t one of the leads, she remained a familiar face throughout the franchise, reprising her role in Jaws 2 and Jaws: The Revenge.
Gary’s film career was relatively brief, with just a handful of credits outside the Jaws series, including Just You and Me, Kid and Spielberg’s 1941.
Following her final appearance in Jaws: The Revenge, Gary retired from acting and turned her attention to activism. Under her married name, Lorraine Sheinberg, she has been involved with the Feminist Majority Foundation and other organizations supporting women’s rights and human rights. While she no longer appears on screen, Gary remains connected to the film world through her late husband Sidney Sheinberg’s legacy, as he was a longtime executive at Universal Pictures. Along with some of the other surviving cast members, she appears in the upcoming film Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story.
Carl Gottlieb (87)
Ben Meadows
Everett Collection; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Carl Gottlieb may have had a small role on screen as local reporter Ben Meadows, but his biggest contribution to Jaws was behind the scenes. As one of the film’s co-writers, Gottlieb helped reshape Peter Benchley‘s novel into the famous film. He returned to co-write Jaws 2 and Jaws 3-D, and also co-wrote the comedy classic The Jerk with Steve Martin and Michael Elias.
Gottlieb has remained active in the entertainment industry in recent years, though largely behind the camera. His most enduring contribution to Jaws fans might be his book The Jaws Log, which offers a detailed and often humorous inside look at the film’s famously challenging production. Today, Gottlieb still participates in interviews and retrospectives, sharing his firsthand stories about one of the most iconic films ever made.
Jeffrey Kramer (79)
Deputy Lenny Hendricks
Everett Collection; Darren McCollester/Getty Images
Jeffrey Kramer played Deputy Lenny Hendricks, Chief Brody’s loyal but squeamish deputy. Kramer reprised his role in Jaws 2, where his character stepped up to lead the police department after Brody’s departure. Though he never became a household name, Kramer continued acting into the 1980s with roles in films like Halloween II and Clue.
Eventually, Kramer shifted his focus behind the scenes, finding success as a television producer. He worked on hit shows like Ally McBeal, The Practice and Chicago Hope, holding executive roles in development. Even today, Kramer remains proud of his Jaws connection and occasionally appears at fan events to share his memories from the set.
Jeffrey Voorhees (62)
Alex Kintner
Jeffrey Voorhees played Alex Kintner, the young boy whose tragic death becomes one of the film’s most chilling moments. Only 12 years old at the time, Voorhees was a Martha’s Vineyard local who landed the part through open casting calls. His acting career never extended beyond a few minor roles, and he eventually returned to life on the island. Today, Voorhees still lives on Martha’s Vineyard, where he manages The Wharf, a popular local pub in Edgartown.
Jay Mello (57)
Sean Brody
Everett Collection
Jay Mello played Sean Brody, Chief Brody’s youngest son. Like Voorhees, Mello was also a Martha’s Vineyard local and did not pursue a long-term acting career after the film. In adulthood, Mello worked in public relations for a while, representing boxer Marvin Hagler. Later, he transitioned into furniture design and currently resides in Vermont. In 2009, Mello faced legal issues related to lewd conduct with a minor, for which he received probation.
In Memoriam
Sadly, many of the cast members who brought Jaws to life have since passed away. Robert Shaw, who delivered one of the film’s most unforgettable performances as Quint, died on August 28, 1978, at only 51, from a heart attack. Roy Scheider, who played the determined Chief Brody, passed away on February 10, 2008, at age 75 after battling multiple myeloma and complications from a staph infection.
Everett Collection
Peter Benchley, whose novel inspired the film and who co-wrote the screenplay, became an advocate for shark conservation in his later years. He passed away on February 11, 2006, at age 65. Murray Hamilton, who played the stubborn Mayor Larry Vaughn, died on September 1, 1986, from cancer at 63. Lee Fierro, who played grieving mother Mrs. Kintner, passed away on April 5, 2020, at age 91 from COVID-19 complications. Chris Rebello, who played Michael Brody, sadly died young, passing away on November 30, 2000, at only 37, from a heart attack. Marc Gilpin, who took over the role of Sean Brody in Jaws 2, passed away on July 29, 2023, at 56, after a battle with cancer. Susan Backlinie, the former stuntwoman and actress who played Chrissie Watkins, a beautiful young woman who gets chased along the beach by a guy she meets at a bonfire in the opening scene, died on May 12, 2024.
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