Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter & Rest of 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' Cast 31 Years after the Mov

May 2024 · 6 minute read

While Keanu Reeves may be the most famous actor from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” many among its stellar cast members became successful in the industry.

“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” seldom saw the light of day after its production company filed for bankruptcy in the late ‘80s.

Luckily, a few film executives bought the shelved comedy for a minimal price and introduced the classic to the world. Here’s a look at the fantastic set of actors and actresses that made the movie a success.

KEANU REEVES

Before landing his breakthrough role as the titular character Ted, Keanu Reeves only appeared in a few films as a supporting actor.

Keanu Reeves attends the John Wick special screenings at Ham Yard Hotel. | Source: Getty Images

He eventually became more known through the movie and starred in other notable films, including “Parenthood,” “Point Break,” and “My Own Private Idaho.”

In 1992, he starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” followed by “Speed” in 1994, “A Walk in the Clouds” in 1995, and “The Devil’s Advocate” in 1997.

Keanu Reeves attends the special screening of Lionsgate's "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum." | Source: Getty Images

Two years later, the actor hit the box-office gold in the sci-fi action blockbuster “The Matrix,” which grossed over half a billion dollars.

Adding to his long list of credited films, including “Constantine” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” Reeves starred in yet another action film, “John Wick, which made almost $150 million at the box office.

Keanu Reeves attends the world premiere of Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 4." | Source: Getty Images

The action star reprised his role in “John Wick: Chapter 2” and “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum,” which were both just as successful.

While Reeves may seem to have it all, the actor too had his own share of heartaches, most especially the loss of both his daughter, who was stillborn, and the car accident of his long-time girlfriend, Jennifer Syme.

Keanu Reeves arrives at the LA Special Screening of Amazon's "Too Old To Die Young" at the Vista Theatre. | Source: Getty Images

By keeping his life private and staying away from the media, the actor remains sane and laid-back. There is no doubt an A-lister like him will soon appear on the big screen.

ALEX WINTER

Alex Winter took on the other titular character, Bill, who was more famous than Reeves before the film. Winter, a Broadway child star, starred in the comedy “The Lost Boys” before the movie.

After the “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” Winter began working behind the camera as a writer and director, with productions including “The Idiot Box,” “Freaked,” and “Fever.”

Alex Winter speaks onstage at the TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2013. | Source: Wikimedia Commons

In 2013, he went back to acting with a small role in “Grand Piano” but went back to directing 2015’s “Deep Web,” followed by other documentaries.

GEORGE CARLIN

Before George Carlin landed the role of Rufus, filmmakers had considered Sean Connery to play the character.

George Carlin speaks about his new book "When Will Jesus Bring The Pork Chops?" at a book signing at Barnes and Noble. | Source: Getty Images

The comedian was the first host of the shows “Saturday Night Live” in 1975 and “Fridays” in 1980. After “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” he appeared in “Shining Time Station,” followed by his own show, “The George Carlin Show.”

In 2004, after harshly scolding his audience at the MGM Grand, Carlin’s shows were canceled and the comedian entered rehab.

George Carlin (right, in costume) and singer Buddy Greco (left) in a skit from the summer replacement television program "Away We Go." | Source: Wikimedia Commons

Carlin then made an appearance in “Life Is Worth Losing” the following year, saying he had been sober for 341 days. A few years later, he passed away due to cardiac arrest at 71-years-old.

TERRY CAMILLERI

Among the historical icons, Bill and Ted met on their travel back in time was Napoleon played by Terry Camilleri, who already had a few acting stints before the film.

After “Bill and Ted,” he appeared in “JAG,” “The Truman Show,” “NYPD Blue,” “Longmire,” and “Oddballs and the Penguins.”

JANE WIEDLIN

Jane Wiedlin, who took the character, Joan of Arc, is a co-founder of the band Go-Go’s with Belinda Carlisle. Since the movie, Wiedlin hasn’t appeared much in front of the camera.

Instead, the former actress focused on her music career and did voice-overs for animated shows such as “The Wild Thornberrys,” “The New Batman Adventures,” “Scooby-Doo,” and “Mission Hill.”

ROBERT V. BARRON

Playing Abraham Lincoln was nothing new for Robert V. Barron, who landed the role of the historical figure before and after the film.

Barron worked in both film and theater as an actor, scriptwriter, director, and voice actor. His credits include “Robotech,” “Code Name: Robotech,” “Love American Style,” “Out of This World,” and many others.

TONY STEEDMAN

Before landing the role of Socrates in the movie, Tony Steedman was best known for his detective character in “Coronation Street.”

He later guest-starred in “Married with Children” and “Doogie Howser M.D.,” before having a regular role in “Iron Man: The Animated Series.”

Steedman had dementia in the later parts of his life before passing away in February 2001. He is survived by his wife, Judy Parfitt, who supported the families who had to members with the illness after.

ROD LOOMIS

Rod Loomis was a veteran stage actor and an on-screen figure who appeared in “Beastmaster” and “General Hospital.”

Following the film “Bill and Ted,” he appeared on stage in the production “Sunset Boulevard” and returned on-screen in “The Bold and Beautiful.”

Dan Shor worked with Camilleri before and after the film, sharing the stage in the production “Drums in the Night.”

Shor later became a director for many companies and taught an acting course in the Philippines that made him stay for four years.

Al Leong began his career as a stuntman and fight coordinator on “The A-Team,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Knight Rider,” and “T.J. Hooker.”

After “Bill and Ted,” he continued his career both in front and behind the camera, appearing in “Godzilla,” “24,” and “Rapid Fire.”

CLIFFORD DAVID

Although the movie did not launch his singing career, Clifford David, who played Beethoven, appeared in the revival of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

David continued his acting career and appeared on hit shows such as “Will & Grace,” “Law and Order,” “Party of Five,” “Murder She Wrote,” and “Murphy Brown.”

Clifford David, 2007. | Source: Wikimedia Commons

In 2016, the actor wrote and published a memoir of his life and work with Lucille Ball and Sir Laurence Oliver. He died the following year at the age of 89.

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