By Richard Wells in Then vs Now Movies — Jul 17, 2023

The Cast of Tremors: Where Are They Now?

Cast of Tremors Then and Now

It's been over three decades since the horror-comedy classic, Tremors, first hit the big screen in 1990. The movie, which revolves around giant underground worms terrorizing a small Nevada town, launched the careers of several actors and spawned multiple sequels and a TV series. Let's take a look at where the Tremors cast is today.

Kevin Bacon (Valentine "Val" McKee)
Then: 31 years old
Now: 64 years old

Kevin Bacon played the lead role of Valentine "Val" McKee, the handyman bored with life in Perfection who ends up battling the massive worms. Bacon was 31 years old at the time and had several film credits to his name, including Footloose.

Since Tremors, Bacon, now 64, has starred in major films like A Few Good Men, Apollo 13, Mystic River, and X-Men: First Class. He's also appeared in TV shows like The Following. Bacon continues acting while also pursuing musical interests with his brother.

Kevin Bacon originally resented being in Tremors, only agreeing to do it because he needed money for his new marriage and upcoming newborn child. When the film was not financially successful, Bacon feared his career was over, and in following years would refuse to acknowledge the film's existence and even called it the "worst thing I ever did." However, Bacon would eventually come around to Tremors, calling the filming of Tremors to be "the single most fun time I've ever had making a movie in my entire career" in 2012, and later admitting in a 2020 interview "When I was making Tremors, I was very depressed and at a low-point in my life, and I kinda blamed Tremors for all that. I was bitter against it, I thought it was a career-killer...I never watch my movies more than once, some of my movies I've never even seen before and have no desire to, but I've watched Tremors a dozen times. I love it so much, and I spent years trying to capture the same energy we had on the set of Tremors. It's one of my favorite films of all time."

Fred Ward (Earl Bassett)
Then: 47 years old
Now: Died in 2022 at 79 years old

Fred Ward portrayed Earl Bassett, Val's sidekick, who helps devise plans to defeat the worms. Ward was 47 during the filming of Tremors. He was known for his roles in films like Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins and Miami Blues.

Sadly, Ward passed away in May 2022 at the age of 79. His later roles included parts in Tremors sequels as well as hits like Short Cuts and The Right Stuff, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. Ward worked steadily in film and TV over his long career.

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One idea by the special effects crew was for the worms to have an outer shell. When above the dirt, the shell would retract to reveal a slimier 'inner worm'. However, many production members started to giggle at the 'phallic' resemblance it had with a foreskin, so this was changed to the big worm sprouting several smaller worms from its mouth.

Finn Carter (Rhonda LeBeck)
Then: 29 years old
Now: 62 years old

Finn Carter burst onto the Hollywood scene in the late 1980s, becoming known for her role as Sierra Esteban Reyes on the soap opera As The World Turns. However, it was her witty and resourceful performance as seismologist Rhonda LeBeck in the 1990 cult classic Tremors that truly put Carter on the map. But shortly after finding fame, Carter seemed to disappear from the public eye. So what exactly happened to the actress after Tremors? Let's take a look back at her life and career.

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For the scene in which Rhonda had to get out of her jeans to escape the Graboid about to eat her, Finn Carter intentionally didn't rehearse the scene. That way the response she gives to having to undress in front of Kevin Bacon in less than five seconds was authentic.

Michael Gross (Burt Gummer)
Then: 47 years old
Now: 74 years old

Michael Gross portrayed survivalist Burt Gummer, who has an arsenal of weapons and helps fight the worms. Gross was 47 during the filming of Tremors. He was known for his roles in Family Ties and the sitcom Evening Shade prior to Tremors.

Now 74, Gross has reprised the role of Burt Gummer in every Tremors sequel and the TV series. He continues to act in various film and TV projects when not battling giant worms.

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Although "Tremors" was not a big hit during its theatrical run, the film became a runaway smash in the home video market, and ultimately tripled its original box-office gross with VHS sales and rentals.

Reba McEntire (Heather Gummer)
Then: 35 years old
Now: 67 years old

Country star Reba McEntire played Heather Gummer, Burt's wife, who is also handy with firearms. McEntire was 35 during filming. She was already a well-known country singer at the time, with multiple hit songs and albums.

Now 67, McEntire has maintained her status as a legend in country music over the decades. She also starred in her own sitcom, Reba, from 2001–2007.

Bobby Jacoby (Melvin Plug)
Then: 17 years old
Now: 49 years old

Bobby Jacoby portrayed Melvin Plug, the young man who has a run-in with a worm while riding his motorcycle. Jacoby was only 17 during the filming of Tremors. He went on to act in various TV shows and movies into the 2000s, including Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Walker, Texas Ranger, and the Tremors TV series.

Now 49, Jacoby seems to have largely stepped back from acting in recent years.

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Michael Gross was the only star to show up at the 30th anniversary celebration of Tremors, January 18 & 19, 2020, in Lone Pine, CA, where the film was shot on location.

Charlotte Stewart (Nancy)
Then: 41 years old
Now: 82 years old

Charlotte Stewart played Nancy, a resident of Perfection who struggles with the dead phone lines. Stewart was 41 during the filming. She was known for playing Ms. Beadle on Little House on the Prairie.

Now 82, Stewart has over 150 acting credits to her name, including roles on popular shows like Twin Peaks, ER, and Dexter. She continues to act.

Tony Genaro (Miguel)
Then: 41 years old
Now: Died in 2014 at 72 years old

Tony Genaro portrayed Miguel, the farmer who first falls victim to the worms. Genaro was 41 during the filming of Tremors. He was known for his roles in films like The Milagro Beanfield War.

Genaro continued acting in movies and TV until his death in 2014, at age 72.

Ariana Richards (Mindy Sterngood)
Then: 11 years old
Now: 43 years old

Ariana Richards played Mindy Sterngood, the child saved by Val and Earl. Richards was only 11 during filming. She went on to appear in Jurassic Park and other films as a child actor.

Now 43, Richards focuses on her art career, making paintings of figures and landscapes.

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The gag at the beginning of the film where Val misses a staple 8 times with his hammer was not entirely scripted, and was Kevin Bacon's spontaneous idea. Fred Ward's reaction was completely genuine.

Victor Wong (Walter Chang)
Then: 63 years old
Now: Died in 2001 at 74 years old

Veteran actor Victor Wong portrayed Walter Chang, the general store owner in Perfection. Wong was 63 while filming Tremors. He was known for many roles in films like Big Trouble in Little China and 3 Ninjas Kick Back.

Wong passed away in 2001 at the age of 74 after a prolific acting career spanning decades.

It's fascinating to look back at the varied trajectories of the actors who brought the charming town of Perfection and its bizarre threat to life in the original Tremors film. Though their paths diverged, the cast remains beloved for embodying the humorous horror and camaraderie that made Tremors so memorable. A few have passed on, but most continue working in film or other creative arts.

FAQs

Where was Tremors filmed?

Tremors was filmed primarily in Lone Pine, California. The desert town served as the fictional setting of Perfection, Nevada. A few scenes were also shot in the Alabama Hills and Darwin, California.

How many Tremors movies are there?

As of 2023, there are a total of seven Tremors films, including the original. The most recent was Tremors: Shrieker Island in 2020, featuring Michael Gross as Burt Gummer.

Who died from the Tremors cast?

Two original Tremors cast members have passed away: Fred Ward, who played Earl, died in 2022 at age 79. Tony Genaro, who played Miguel, died in 2014 at age 72.

Did Kevin Bacon return for the Tremors sequels?

No, Kevin Bacon did not reprise his role of Val McKee in any of the Tremors sequels, though Bacon has occasionally referenced the cult classic in interviews. The sequels focus on the character Burt Gummer, played by Michael Gross. Kevin Bacon was set to star in a new Tremors TV show, to the delight of fans, at least until Syfy abruptly cancelled the project before it even aired.

Where was Tremors filmed in 1990?