30 Years Later: What Happened to the Cast of ‘The Quick and the Dead’?
What To Know
- The Quick and the Dead (1995), directed by Sam Raimi and starring Sharon Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, and Gene Hackman, initially disappointed at the box office but later gained recognition for its bold style and cast.
- Sharon Stone remains active in Hollywood, while Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe both went on to become Oscar-winning actors with major film careers.
- Supporting cast members like Keith David and Gary Sinise have continued successful careers in film and television.
In 1995, Evil Dead and Spider-Man maestro Sam Raimi decided to put his unique stamp on the traditional Western by offering a stylish, revisionist cowboy saga of his very own. The Quick and the Dead follows a mysterious gunslinger (Sharon Stone) who enters a deadly quick-draw competition run by the town’s ruthless ruler, Herod (played by Gene Hackman)
A film that fuses spaghetti Western grit with pulp energy and a sharp feminist twist, The Quick and the Dead is packed with Raimi’s signature flair — from the fast, low, single-point-of-view “Raimi Cam” and whip pans to snap zooms, and exaggerated angles.
The film was a disappointment at the box office, as audiences weren’t sure what to make of its mix of stylized violence, comic-book flair, and feminist subversion of classic Western tropes. However, over time, the film received the recognition it rightfully deserved thanks to its bold direction, inventive cinematography, and most importantly, a stacked cast of film legends.
Here is a look at the phenomenal cast of The Quick and the Dead, and where they are today.
Sharon Stone (67)
TriStar/courtesy Everett Collection; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
As Ellen (a.ka. “The Lady”), Sharon Stone played a gunslinger seeking revenge for her father’s murder. Stone also served as a producer and handpicked both Sam Raimi to direct and Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe for their roles.
Stone is still active in Hollywood, recently starring in Nobody 2, and is involved in the third season of Euphoria.
Leonardo DiCaprio (50)
Tristar/Courtesy of Everett Collection; Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
In The Quick and the Dead, a 20-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio played “The Kid,” a cocky young gunslinger who enters a deadly quick-draw contest to prove himself and earn the respect of his tyrannical father, played by Gene Hackman.
The role showcased DiCaprio’s early charisma and helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents. Since then, he’s become an Oscar-winning actor and producer, starring in acclaimed films like Titanic, Inception, The Revenant (for which he won an acting Oscar), and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Russell Crowe (61)
Tristar/Courtesy of Everett Collection; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Thirty-one at the time, Russell Crowe made his American film debut as Cort, a former outlaw turned preacher forced to compete in Herod’s gunfighting contest.
The movie helped introduce Crowe to Hollywood audiences, paving the way for major roles in L.A. Confidential and Gladiator, who which he won an Oscar. His more recent roles include Anthony Miller in The Exorcism and Hermann Göring in Nuremberg.
Keith David (69)
Tristar; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Keith David played Sgt. Cantrell, a Civil War veteran turned gunfighter who joins the tournament. Known for his deep voice and commanding presence, he brought a quiet dignity to the role.
By the time of the film, David had already built a reputation in cult classics like The Thing and They Live. Since then, he’s enjoyed a prolific career across film, TV, and voice work, including Community, Greenleaf, The Princess and the Frog, Rick and Morty, Coraline, and countless animated projects. He was most recently seen in The Lowdown.
Gary Sinise (70)
Tristar; Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Capital Concerts
Gary Sinise, who was 40 at the time of filming, appeared in flashbacks as Marshal Herod, Helen’s father, who was killed by Hackman and leading to his daughter seeking revenge. His small but powerful role adds emotional weight to Sharon Stone’s quest for vengeance.
When Quick and the Dead came out, Sinise had already earned critical acclaim for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump and George in Of Mice and Men. He went on to star in Apollo 13, CSI: NY, and became a celebrated advocate for veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Lance Henriksen (84)
Tristar/Courtesy of Everett Collection; Rich Fury/Getty Images
Lance Henriksen portrayed Ace Hanlon, a flamboyant, self-promoting gunfighter obsessed with his reputation. Boasting a swagger, his character added both humor and danger to the competition.
Henriksen was already well-known for sci-fi and horror roles in Aliens and The Terminator. He’s continued to work steadily in film and television, often in genre projects that highlight his gritty charisma. He recently starred in the series Rabbit Hole, opposite Kiefer Sutherland.
Tobin Bell (83)
Tristar; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Tobin Bell appeared as Dog Kelly, one of the seasoned gunfighters in the tournament. His tough demeanor grounded the more theatrical elements of the film.
Bell has gone on to achieve cult fame a decade later as Jigsaw in the Saw horror franchise and has since become one of the most recognizable figures in modern horror cinema.
Sam Raimi (65)
TriStar Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Director Sam Raimi brought his signature visual flair and kinetic energy to The Quick and the Dead, transforming a traditional Western into a stylized, high-speed shootout.
The experience also helped Raimi transition into major studio filmmaking, paving the way for his work on A Simple Plan and the original blockbuster Spider-Man trilogy with Tobey Maguire. Since then, he’s remained a defining voice in genre cinema, returning to his horror roots by producing the films in the Evil Dead universe and directing the darkly-tinged Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Gene Hackman (d. 2025)
TriStar Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
Eugene Allen “Gene” Hackman, who was 65 during filming, played John Herod, the ruthless ruler of the town of Redemption and host of the deadly quick-draw tournament. His performance brought gravitas to the film, balancing menace with old-school Western swagger.
Already a two-time Oscar winner, Hackman was an established Hollywood legend by the time he joined the cast. He retired from acting in 2004 and passed away on February 18, 2025, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Pat Hingle (d. 2009)
TriStar Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
Pat Hingle, who was 70 at the time, played Horace the Bartender, the good-natured local who helps run the competition and provides commentary on the violence engulfing Redemption.
A veteran character actor, Hingle was already beloved for his role as Commissioner Gordon in the Batman films of the late ’80s and early ’90s. He continued to appear in film and television until his passing in 2009.
Remind