The Money Pit Cast Then and Now: Where Are The Stars Of Tom Hanks' Slapstick Classic Today?

Thirty years before HGTV made home renovation a pastime, the 1986 comedy The Money Pit established a cinematic rule: buying a historic fixer-upper is a hilarious, life-ruining nightmare.

Starring the decade's biggest sitcom star (Shelley Long) and rising movie icon (Tom Hanks), the film follows Walter Fielding (Hanks) and Anna Crowley (Long) as they try to save their relationship—and their house—from spectacular, Rube Goldberg-like destruction. Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Richard Benjamin, it was a massive success, but it was just a stop on the way to far greater things for some of its ensemble cast.

From an Oscar winner to a Broadway darling, here is a look at the cast of The Money Pit then and now, with a focus on their defining career shifts and life changes that distinguish this content from a simple cast list.

Tom Hanks (Walter Fielding)

Then: In 1986, Tom Hanks was still solidifying his move from television (the early '80s sitcom Bosom Buddies) to film star. He was coming off hits like Splash (1984) and Bachelor Party (1984) and was known primarily as a versatile, energetic comedic actor. The Money Pit was one of his last major pure comedies before transitioning to the dramatic roles that would make him a Hollywood legend.

Now: The Shift to Legend

His career trajectory immediately pivoted after this film, making him one of the most respected and bankable actors in film history. He received his first Oscar nomination for Big (1988) and then made history by winning back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994).

Where is Tom Hanks today? His defining achievement is continuous work in serious cinema (Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away), his enduring role as Woody in the Toy Story franchise, and his powerful influence as a producer through Playtone. His later-career focus has been on historical roles and collaborations with directors like Steven Spielberg, confirming his status not just as an actor, but as a Hollywood institution.

Shelley Long (Anna Crowley)

Then: Shelley Long was arguably the bigger star when the film came out, primarily known as the lead actress in the colossal TV hit Cheers, where she played the intellectual and often exasperating Diane Chambers. She starred in The Money Pit during her run on the show. Long famously left Cheers in 1987 at the height of its popularity to focus solely on movies, a career decision that defined the next decade of her life.

Now: The Pivot to Supporting Success

While her leading film career cooled after her departure from Cheers, she skillfully redefined herself in memorable supporting and recurring roles. She received renewed acclaim and a second Emmy nomination for reprising her role as Diane in the Cheers spin-off Frasier. She delighted a new generation by playing the iconic 1970s mum, Carol Brady, in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995).

More recently, she found success as the eccentric DeDe Pritchett on the hit sitcom Modern Family. Unlike many former stars, Long has chosen to maintain a relatively quiet, private life outside of the constant Hollywood spotlight.

Alexander Godunov (Max Beissart)

Then: The film’s comedic foil, Godunov played the glamorous, manipulative European conductor. Before acting, Godunov was one of the world's most acclaimed ballet dancers, a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet who gained international fame after defecting from the Soviet Union in 1979. He launched his acting career with an impressive film debut in Witness (1985).

Now: The Tragic Outcome

Tragically, Godunov's unique dual-career life was cut short. After a few more notable roles, including the chilling villain Karl in Die Hard (1988), his film career stalled. Godunov was found dead in his West Hollywood home on 18 May 1995, at the age of 45, due to complications from chronic alcoholism.

He remains a poignant figure whose talent spanned both the elite world of ballet and Hollywood film, representing a unique loss to both arts.

Maureen Stapleton (Estelle)

Then: Estelle was the seemingly sweet, elderly woman who helped con Walter and Anna into buying the home. Maureen Stapleton was already a legendary, Oscar-winning actress when she took this role, having won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Reds (1981). She was known for intense, dramatic stage roles, making her appearance in The Money Pit a delightful comedic departure.

Now: A Legacy of Honours

Stapleton concluded a prolific career in both film and television, appearing in films like Cocoon (1985) and The Equalizer (1987). She was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987. She passed away from chronic pulmonary disease in 2006 at the age of 80. Her defining legacy is as a theatre powerhouse, being one of the few performers inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Joe Mantegna (Art Shirk)

Then: Joe Mantegna played Art Shirk, the opportunistic, fast-talking con man who sells Walter and Anna the home. At the time of The Money Pit, Mantegna was a recognised stage actor in the Chicago theatre scene, taking small but memorable supporting roles in films like Compromising Positions (1985) and Three Amigos (1986).

Now: The Move to Procedural Royalty

Where is Joe Mantegna today? His career exploded, cementing him as a highly dependable actor in both film and television. He earned an Oscar nod for his work in the David Mamet-directed film House of Games (1987).

Today, he is primarily known for two sustained and iconic roles: voicing the beloved mob boss Fat Tony on The Simpsons since 1991, and his 13-year run as FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi on the hugely successful procedural drama Criminal Minds, a role he continues in the revival Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Philip Bosco (Curly)

Then: Philip Bosco played Curly, the main contractor and leader of the chaotic construction crew. Bosco was a highly respected, Tony Award-winning stage actor who had only recently started a serious film career with roles in Trading Places (1983). He brought an authentic, theatrical absurdity to the role of the house's destructive foreman.

Now: A Distinguished Retirement

Bosco went on to have a long, recognisable film career as a character actor, frequently playing authoritative or paternal figures in films like Three Men and a Baby (1987), Working Girl (1988), and My Best Friend's Wedding (1997). He also had an Emmy-nominated recurring role on the legal drama Damages.

Bosco retired from acting in 2012 and passed away in 2018 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy defined by his mastery of both stage and screen.

Supporting Players and Surprise Cameos: Wait, That Was Him?!

Beyond the main stars, the film's chaotic energy was fuelled by a handful of memorable actors whose later careers are wildly different from their time spent wrecking Tom Hanks' house.

Josh Mostel (Jack Schnittman)

Mostel, who played the first sleazy lawyer Jack Schnittman, is the son of legendary actor Zero Mostel. His later career highlight was playing the cruel Principal Max Anderson in Billy Madison (1995) and as Barry Shalowitz in the City Slickers films. Where is Josh Mostel today? He remains active in television and stage productions today, often performing with theatre companies.

Yakov Smirnoff (Shatov)

The Russian-American comedian, famous for his "What a country!" catchphrase, played Shatov, one of the bizarre contractors. Where is Yakov Smirnoff today? His "Now" is defined by his unique pivot to academia: since the '90s, he has performed regularly at his own theatre in Branson, Missouri, and has earned a Master’s degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, using humour for therapeutic applications.

• Tzi Ma (Hwang): The actor who played Hwang, the kitchen contractor, is another small role with a big future. Where is Tzi Ma today? He has since become one of the most prolific Asian-American actors in Hollywood, appearing in major films like Rush Hour, The Farewell, and the live-action Mulan, and starring on numerous acclaimed TV shows, often playing complex government or parental roles.
• Wendell Pierce (Paramedic): Although uncredited, a very young Wendell Pierce can be spotted as one of the two paramedics who are called to the house after Walter is injured. His "Now" is his status as a TV icon: Pierce went on to become one of the most recognisable faces in prestige television, starring as Detective Bunk Moreland on The Wire and Antoine Batiste on Treme.

The Final Inspection

More than just a classic comedy about a crumbling house, The Money Pit serves as a fascinating snapshot of Hollywood history, capturing rising stars like Tom Hanks just before their massive career leaps and showcasing the enduring talent of theatre veterans like Maureen Stapleton and Philip Bosco. While the house itself may have ultimately been restored, the careers launched from this chaotic set continue to shape film and television today.