The actors of *Scary Movie*: who is still active and who has disappeared from the screen (24 photos)

Remember how, at the turn of the millennium, movie theaters were showing the bold dark comedy *Scary Movie*—a film that literally shattered all the conventions of classic horror movies? Time flies frighteningly fast; a quarter of a century has already passed since that major release.





For an entire generation of viewers, this film became a cult classic, while for the young—and then relatively unknown—actors, it served as a massive career springboard. The project was a huge box-office success worldwide and instantly turned its lead actors into major stars. However, not everyone managed to ride that wave of success or handle their sudden fame wisely. Some established themselves firmly in the industry, while others quietly fell off the radar of major studios.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the key characters. We’ll see how they’ve changed over the last 25 years, where they’re working today, and how their lives have unfolded off-screen.

Marlon Wayans (Shorty)



Marlon is now 53 years old, yet it feels like just yesterday that he was taking his first steps in cinema under the watchful eye of his older brother, Keenen. It all began on the set of an Eddie Murphy film, after which the family team was ready to launch a bold, independent project. Their debut film, *I'm Gonna Git You Sucka*, effectively revolutionized the genre by sharply parodying the classic police action movies of that era.

Back at the turn of the millennium, Marlon effortlessly balanced different genres, proving he was capable of far more than just clowning around on screen. First came lighthearted sports comedies like *The Sixth Man* and *Senseless*, which achieved cult status among teenagers. Then came a sudden, stunning leap into the intense psychological drama *Requiem for a Dream*, forcing critics to see the youngest Wayans in a completely new light. It was an amazing time—full of bold experiments and a willingness to take risks for the sake of pure creativity.

But it was their major family hits that truly won the public's heart and raked in millions at the box office. Remember the wild launch of the *Scary Movie* franchise? Keenen helmed the project from the director's chair, while Marlon and Shawn unleashed absolute mayhem in front of the camera. Shortly after came the legendary *White Chicks*, featuring elaborate prosthetic makeup and a mountain of absurd situations.





Today, that guy with the perpetual boyish grin is still going strong, racking up streaming views and producing new projects. Its autumn release on Netflix, *The Curse of Bridge Hollow*, clearly demonstrated that the "old guard" has a great feel for modern trends while preserving the signature spirit of the bygone VHS era.

Regina Hall (Brenda Meeks)



Regina Hall started out doing commercials during her college years; at 26, she made her screen debut in a music video by rapper Sadat X. A true breakthrough for the young actress from Washington came with her role in the film *The Best Man*. Her memorable, risqué dance number immediately showcased her great physique, and the set became the birthplace of a long-lasting creative friendship with Sanaa Lathan. This partnership later led to joint projects like *Love & Basketball* and *Brown Sugar*, after which the press began talking about a new wave of talented Black performers. At the same time, Regina also made her mark in the romantic drama *Love & Basketball* (and the melodrama *Disappearing Acts*).

Then came the year 2000, which changed everything. Her portrayal of the wild and wacky Brenda Meeks—the protagonist's best friend in the *Scary Movie* comedy franchise—instantly turned Hall into a superstar of the parody genre. Her character delivered such absurd and memorable performances that the creators simply had to bring her back for the subsequent three sequels.

Yet, the actress never got typecast in a single role. One need only recall her appearance alongside Gerard Butler in the gritty dramatic thriller *Law Abiding Citizen*. And even though the film had to be heavily edited to secure a specific theatrical rating, Regina proved she is capable of delivering a profound performance.



Now, years later, she looks just as stunning as ever, even though she rarely shares personal photos. On social media, Hall frequently addresses issues of racial and gender equality and actively participates in street marches. Unlike many of her fellow comedians, Regina remains in incredibly high demand within the industry. She didn't slow down even when a couple of her 2020 releases received lukewarm reviews from critics. At the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, Hall presented the powerful indie film *Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul*, and later even took the stage as a host of the Academy Awards ceremony.

Jon Abrahams (Bobby Prinze)



Jon Abrahams started his career at the turn of the decade, a time when Hollywood was actively seeking new types of actors for teen hits. He hit the jackpot in 2000 when he landed the role of the quirky Bobby Prinze in the first installment of the *Scary Movie* franchise. The character was hilarious, and the comedy itself instantly achieved cult status, ensuring the actor would be recognized for years to come. Immediately following that success, Jon appeared in the hit comedy *Meet the Parents*, sharing the screen with established stars. A little later, in 2005, he tried his hand at a completely different genre by starring in the well-known slasher film *House of Wax*. It was a great period when his face seemed to be everywhere.



John is now 48, and his life seems far more settled than during the hectic shoots of the early 2000s. While the actor hasn't started a family of his own yet, he remains deeply immersed in the profession he loves. John is constantly on set, taking on a wide variety of roles in independent films and TV series. These new projects may rarely top the box office or rake in millions in theaters, but the "old guard"—represented by actors like Abrahams—stays in the game, doggedly pursuing their craft for the sake of loyal fans from the VHS era.

Shannon Elizabeth (Buffy Gilmore)



Shannon Elizabeth began by attending auditions in Los Angeles after moving from New York. The former model took acting classes, appeared in commercials, and starred in an Enrique Iglesias music video. Her first notable credit was the 1996 film *Jack Frost*. Then came 1999 and the cult classic *American Pie*; her role as Nadia instantly turned her into a major sex symbol for her generation. She cemented that success in 2000 by playing the ditzy Buffy in the parody comedy *Scary Movie*. Her roles as a stunning beauty quickly established a "doll-like" image for her. A year later, she landed another notable role in the film *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back*.

Shannon clearly wanted more and tried to break out of her usual typecasting by venturing into horror and drama towards the end of the 2000s. She was unable to repeat her earlier massive success, though she did receive a substantial paycheck for her comeback in the film *American Reunion*.



Now 52, ​​Shannon looks just as captivating as ever and has found her calling in a completely different field. The actress developed a serious passion for poker and now plays professionally in international tournaments. Cards bring in a good income, so there is no need to worry about her finances. She devotes her free time to charity work and occasional acting gigs. She is a true star of the 2000s who knew exactly when to change her career path.

Shawn Wayans (Ray Wilkins)



Shawn Wayans grew up in a large family of ten, with three brothers and a sister who eventually chose careers in comedy. He entered the industry wearing two hats, combining acting with screenwriting for the show *In Living Color*. His family helped him get his start, but Shawn established himself in the project through sheer hard work: he devised sketches, starred in them, and commanded more screen time. This experience of rapidly switching between personas proved valuable in film. First came the dark comedy *Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood*, where he helped shape the film's very structure. Then, in 2000, came his big break with *Scary Movie*. Shawn didn't just play Ray Wilkins; he co-wrote the script, turning his character into the crucial link connecting all the absurd scenes. Together with his brother Marlon—who played Shorty—he maintained total control over the creation of *White Chicks*, from the initial concept to the editing room. The film divided critics, yet audiences still rewatch it to this day.



After 2017, Sean stopped acting in films and has absolutely no regrets about it. Now 55, he has two marriages and six children—three from each union—under his belt. He left the film industry entirely to focus on music and live performances; these days, you might find him behind the DJ booth in small American clubs or working as a show host.

Lochlyn Munro (Greg Phillippe)



Lochlyn Munro had originally planned a career in sports, but a severe injury put an end to his hopes of playing professional hockey. Undeterred, he first turned to music—singing in clubs—before breaking into television in 1987. His first notable roles arrived in the early nineties: the thriller *Run*, Clint Eastwood’s cult western *Unforgiven*, and the Stephen King adaptation *Needful Things*. His rugged physique served him well for years, allowing him to play college-aged characters long past the usual age limit. His big break came in 2000 when he took on the role of Greg Phillippe—the dim-witted jock boyfriend of Buffy—in the comedy *Scary Movie*. The character perfectly captured the spirit of the era. Roles in *Duets* and *Camouflage* followed immediately, and he later reunited with the Wayans brothers for *White Chicks*. His personal life is stable and happy; he married a woman named Sharon back in the summer of 1997, and together they are raising two children.



Lochlyn is now over 60 and has amassed a filmography of more than 250 projects. He doesn't appear on our screens all that often for a simple reason: the actor prefers to live and work in his native Canada, only occasionally venturing to the US for shoots. He takes on almost any role and continues to act wherever he is invited, even if the quality of the films themselves often turns out to be quite mediocre.

Dave Sheridan (Doofy Gilmore)



David Christopher Sheridan first appeared on television screens in 1996, when he took part in the comedy reality show *Buzzkill*. However, true, resounding success came to him right at the turn of the millennium. In 2000, he landed his first major film role, playing Special Officer Doofy Gilmore in the comedy spoof *Scary Movie*. His portrayal of the quirky simpleton—who, as the plot unfolded, was revealed to be the main villain merely feigning stupidity—was incredibly powerful and memorable. The comedy instantly made him a household name. To this day, fans who run into him still ask him to recreate that famous facial expression. David later cemented his success in comedy by appearing in projects such as *Repossessed* and *A Haunted House*.



At the same time, Sheridan always gravitated toward heavy music; back in 2004, he founded his own band, Van Stone, which plays energetic hard rock. Dave is now 57 years old, though he looks fantastic for his age. The actor remains deeply involved in the film industry but is increasingly shifting his focus. He is actively engaged in producing, writes scripts for new projects, continues to play rock guitar, and regularly performs his acts in American clubs.

Cheri Oteri (Gail Hailstorm)



Cheryl Ann Oteri made a big splash in the mid-nineties when she joined the cast of the cult TV show *Saturday Night Live* on NBC. Five years of wild broadcasts leading up to the year 2000 provided excellent training. Starting in 1997, she also began landing roles on the big screen, including in the comedy hits *Liar Liar* and *Inspector Gadget*. Then came the new millennium, and Cheri received an offer that turned her into a favorite among fans of movie parodies. In *Scary Movie*, she was cast as the intrusive journalist Gail Hailstorm. The creators were openly parodying Courteney Cox’s character from the *Scream* franchise, and Oteri delivered a hilarious performance. Her portrayal of an unscrupulous reporter willing to do anything for ratings was a perfect hit. Later, her filmography included *Grown Ups 2*, though the comedienne has always enjoyed experimenting with different formats.



She moved into voice acting, lending her voice to librarian Ellen Clench in the animated project *Sit Down, Shut Up* from the creator of *Arrested Development*. Today, Cheri remains active in the industry, balancing film roles with voice work for popular animated series. She is a prime example of how a background in cult comedy TV shows can help an actor stay relevant for decades.

Carmen Electra (Drew Decker)



Tara Leigh Patrick was born in Ohio in the spring of 1972 and launched her career at nineteen as a dancer. Her real breakthrough came after she moved to California in 1991, where she tried her hand as a rapper in a musical group. The mid-nineties transformed her life; first came a shoot for *Playboy* magazine, followed by a role in the cult TV series *Baywatch*. Hollywood producers immediately showered the striking brunette with offers. Tara—who adopted the catchy stage name Carmen Electra—began appearing regularly in minor comedy projects and series such as *Good Burger*, *Soldier of Fortune, Inc.*, and *Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human*.



In 2000, Carmen secured an enduring place in pop culture by playing model Drew Decker in the opening scene of the dark comedy *Scary Movie*. As a beauty fleeing a pursuer, she set the perfect parodic tone for the entire franchise. Audience reception was mixed, and Electra even "won" a Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie) for Worst Supporting Actress. However, the film's status as a box-office smash and its massive popularity completely overshadowed this minor setback—especially given that the actress was dealing with a severe personal tragedy at the time.



Carmen later effectively became the queen of the genre, starring in films such as *Date Movie*, *Epic Movie*, *Meet the Spartans*, and *Disaster Movie*. Carmen Electra is now over fifty, yet for years she held a spot on lists of the world's most beautiful women. While serious dramatic roles never materialized in her filmography, low-budget movies and comedy shows continue to provide her with steady work. The ultimate bombshell of the VHS era managed to turn her striking image into an enduring personal brand.

Anna Faris (Cindy Campbell)



In the early 2000s, Anna Faris hit the jackpot when she landed a role in the *Scary Movie* parody franchise. Her on-screen character, Cindy Campbell, combined striking naivety and charm with absolute fearlessness in the face of danger. The actress portrayed this iconic character in four installments of the series, becoming a true symbol of the teen comedies of that era.



Later, Anna sought to break away from the "dumb blonde" stereotype and tried her hand at a wide variety of genres. Audiences remember her striking appearance in Sofia Coppola’s drama *Lost in Translation*, her roles in films like *Brokeback Mountain* and *My Super Ex-Girlfriend*, and her standout performance in the indie comedy *Smiley Face*. The script for the movie *The House Bunny* was even rewritten specifically to suit Anna’s style. Voice acting helped her balance major releases with smaller-scale projects; Faris lent her voice to the chipmunk Jeanette in several installments of a popular family franchise. Her career also includes notable work in films such as *What's Your Number?*, *I Give It a Year*, and the *Overboard* remake.



Faris has two marriages behind her. She is currently raising her son, Jack, from her relationship with actor Chris Pratt. While she continues to appear in films and TV series from time to time, she now devotes far more of her time to alternative media.



Anna successfully records and releases her own conversational podcast. The actress is actively building her presence on Instagram, where over two million followers keep up with her life. She also regularly hosts live streams with fellow actors to discuss important topics. Arguably, Faris is the one who most successfully relaunched her career following the massive success of that cult parody from the early 2000s.