Everybody loved watching little Dennis cause havoc and irritate Mr. Wilson in the hit ’90s family-comedy film, Dennis the Menace. The film, directed by Nick Castle, was adapted from a comic series of the same name by Hank Ketcham. The film went up to blow up in the global box office, bringing in more than $117 million. Dennis the Menace also featured a wide range of cast members who held a special place in people’s hearts. It has almost been 30 years since the movie was released so let’s see where the cast is today.
Mason Gamble
Warner Bros. Pictures
Mason Gamble was only seven years old when he played the mischievous Dennis Mitchell. After his role as Dennis, he took part in multiple films and TV shows like Rushmore (1998) and Arlington Road (1999). However, his Hollywood career ended as his childhood came to an end, and he focused more on his education. He graduated from UCLA in 2008, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Marine Biology.
Joan Plowright
Joan Plowright played the loving grandmother-like figure, Martha Wilson, to Dennis, even though her husband was hostile and tired of his actions. After Dennis the Menace, Joan Plowright has probably had the busiest career out of the whole cast. She started acting at the age of 22 in 1951, and went on to act until 2009. Sadly, her career ended due to her losing her eyesight at the age of 89. Her most recent appearance was in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame, alongside Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, and Eileen Atkins.
Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau played the grumpy Mr. Wilson, who was always tired of Dennis’ antics. The actor sadly passed away in 2000 at the age of 79. Walter Matthau was a veteran actor who had won two Tony Awards, a Grammy, and an Oscar throughout his career. Before his death, Matthau participated in the 1993 comedy Grumpy Old Men and its sequel in 1995, Grumpier Old Men. He was also a part of The Old Couple II, released in 1998, almost 30 years after the first film.
Lea Thompson
The Back to the Future star, Lea Thompson, played Alice Mitchell in Dennis the Menace, who was constantly on the hunt for a good babysitter, as she and her husband worked far away. Since the movie, Lea Thompson has had a steady career in both TV and film, including Beverly Hillbillies and the sitcom, Caroline in the City. She also directed her own projects like Young Sheldon and Stargirl.
Kellen Hathaway
Kellen Hathaway played the role of Joey McDonald, Dennis’ best friend in the film. After the film, he went onto play minor roles in shows including The Nanny and more main roles in the 1995 Mark Twain adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry and Fin. Since then, Kellen Hathaway has been out of the public’s eye and has kept a low profile since 2000.
Christopher Lloyd
The two-time Emmy Award winner actor played the role of Switchblade Sam, a criminal who has not showered for three years in the movie. After Dennis the Menace, Christopher Lloyd kept busy with work starring in multiple other movies and TV shows, like Granite Flats and Cold Moon. The actor also guest-starred in an episode of The Big Bang Theory and is still going strong with his career. Lloyd, however, lost his house in the 2008 Tea Fire that took over the Montecito area of California. Lloyd has been confirmed to star in the Salvador Litvak western-thriller movie The Man in the Long Black Coat.
Robert Stanton
Robert Stanton plays the role of Dennis’ extremely busy father, Henry Mitchell, who tries really hard to discipline his son but always fails. Since the movie, Stanton has had an active career in tv and film. He starred in the shows Orange is the New Black, Law and Order, and most recently, Mr. Mercedes. His film ventures include Stepford Wives and Confessions of a Shopaholic. Stanton has recently been doing voice-overs in video games, and has accomplished so much in every field before turning 60.
Natasha Lyonne
One of Dennis’ babysitters in the film is Polly, played by Natasha Lyonne. She became a famous star with her 1996 movie, Everyone Says I Love You and then went on to star in movies like Blade:Trinity, American Pie, and Yoga Hosers. She has also starred in multiple TV shows that are completely opposite to her character in Dennis the Menace. These include her role as Nicky on Orange is the New Black and Russian Doll. Lyonne is now going to be starring in Poker Face, a new case-of-the-week series, as a detective with a special talent.
Melinda Mullins
Melinda Mullins plays the role of Andrea, Alice Mitchell’s coworker. However, she is more known as a Broadway actress starring in multiple on sage performances like Mastergate, Sherlock’s Last Case, and Serious Money. She has also starred in TV shows like Law and Order. Mullins has lived in France with her husband since the early 2000s. Both of them left the United States due to the American invasion of Iraq and 2003 and lived a comfortable and normal life in France.
Amy Sakasitz
Amy Sakasitz plays the most adorable friend of Dennis, Margaret Wade. Her adorable nature in the film is a humorous one with ribbons in her hair. She makes their friend Joey kiss her dolls butt which the viewers can never forget. Sadly, Amy stopped acting a few years after Dennis the Menace was released and has kept a low profile since then. There is not a lot of information known about her, but she remains active on social media.
