Whatever Happened to the Cast of ‘Silence of the Lambs’?
What To Know
- The Silence of the Lambs became a critically acclaimed classic, sweeping major Academy Awards and leaving a lasting impact on film history.
- Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, and other principal cast members leveraged their roles into continued success, with Foster and Hopkins earning further accolades and expanding their careers in acting and other creative fields.
- Supporting actors like Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, and Brooke Smith maintained steady careers in film and television, often taking on diverse roles beyond their iconic performances in the film.
The Silence of the Lambs had its premiere on January 30, 1991, opened in theaters across the country on February 14, and changed the face of cinema, becoming the only horror movie ever to win a Best Picture Oscar.
Audiences were captivated by the tense psychological dance between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter, and it quickly became one of those rare films that remains popular and terrifying over the years. The film swept the Academy Awards — in addition to winning Best Picture, it picked up Best Director, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins (his first Oscar), Best Actress for Jodie Foster (her second Oscar), and Best Adapted Screenplay, a feat few films have ever matched.
As we hit its 35th anniversary, it still holds its power. So, whatever happened to the actors who brought this iconic story to life?
Jodie Foster (63)
Clarice Starling
Orion/Everett Collection; Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
Foster was already a respected actor—she had worked in the industry since she was a child, and had won a Best Actress Oscar in 1989 for The Accused. But when she stepped into the role of FBI trainee Clarice Starling, The Silence of the Lambs elevated her into a new tier of critical acclaim and public visibility.
Foster followed up on the success with films such as Contact, Panic Room and Inside Man. She also expanded her career behind the camera, directing features including The Beaver and episodes of television series such as Orange Is the New Black and Black Mirror. In recent years, Foster has become more selective with her acting work, with her most recent roles being in True Detective and A Private Life.
Anthony Hopkins (88)
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Orion/Everett Collection; Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival
Famously, Hopkins was on screen for less than 25 minutes of the film, but his fearsome performance was still enough to earn him the Academy Award for Best Actor. Hopkins reprised the role in Hannibal and Red Dragon.
His career has remained remarkably active well into his 80s, with acclaimed performances including The Father, which brought him a second Oscar, and high-profile franchise work in the Thor films. Outside of acting, Hopkins has pursued music, painting, and writing, and has released a memoir titled We Did OK, Kid.
Scott Glenn (87)
Jack Crawford
Everett Collection; Fabio Lovino/HBO/Everett Collection
Glenn was already well established through films such as The Right Stuff and Urban Cowboy, and he continued to build a steady, character-driven career after The Silence of the Lambs. Later film work included appearances in Training Day, while television audiences came to know him through his role as Stick on Daredevil. He recently gained renewed attention for playing a pivotal role in the most recent season of the popular series The White Lotus.
Ted Levine (68)
Jame Gumb, “Buffalo Bill”
Orion Pictures Corp/Everett Collection; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Buffalo Bill was one of the most terrifying serial killers in cinematic history, and the intensity of the role initially led to concerns about typecasting, with Levine frequently being offered darker roles in its aftermath. He successfully shifted gears by playing Captain Leland Stottlemeyer on Monk, a long-running role that showcased his comedic timing and broadened his audience. Since then, Levine has continued working steadily in both film and television, with credits including Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, The Alienist and Big Sky.
Anthony Heald (81)
Dr. Frederick Chilton
Everett Collection; Ben Gabbe/Getty Images
Heald later reprised the role in Red Dragon, reinforcing the character’s place within the franchise. Beyond the Lecter universe, Heald built an extensive television career, including a regular role on Boston Public and dozens of guest appearances across network series. His most recent role was in four episodes of A Man in Full.
Brooke Smith (58)
Catherine Martin
Everett Collection; Cate Cameron/aA&E/Everett Collection
The role of the kidnapped senator’s daughter whom Clarice Starling must save opened doors to steady television and film work throughout the following decades. Many viewers later recognized her as Dr. Erica Hahn on Grey’s Anatomy and as Sheriff Jane Greene on Bates Motel. Smith has continued acting into the 2020s, with guest appearances on series such as Big Sky and Them. In addition to acting, she has pursued photography and writing.
Diane Baker (87)
Senator Ruth Martin
Columbia TriStore/Everett Collection
Baker’s career began in the studio era, with film roles in Journey to the Center of the Earth and Alfred Hitchcock‘s Marnie, followed by decades of television appearances. In later years, she became known for teaching and mentoring actors alongside her screen work. Baker retired from acting in the early 2010s with her final role in the TV movie The Surrogate.
Where to Watch The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is widely available to rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. It appears to air occasionally on BBC America but doesn’t seem to be on any streaming services as of now.
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