See Cast of ‘Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead’ Then and Now

‘Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead’ made it pretty clear from the title what the movie was going to be about. In the 1991 comedy, the five Crandell kids are left in the care of a strict elderly babysitter when their mom leaves for a two-month Australian vacation. When the mean old bat up and dies, they decide to not to relay the news to mom and instead live out their summer free from rules and grown-ups.

However, running a household proves harder than they initially realized and the responsibility for keeping everything together falls upon 17-year-old Sue Ellen Crandell, played by ‘Married With Children’ star Christina Applegate.

Applegate was just one of many young actors in ‘Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead.’ See what they are all up to these days below.

Christina Applegate, Sue Ellen Crandell

Then: Applegate played Sue Ellen, the oldest Crandell kid and the one who has to take charge when the babysitter kicks the bucket. It was the second major movie role for Applegate — who was in the middle of her TV run as Kelly Bundy on ‘Married With Children’ — following the little-seen drama ‘Streets.’

Now: Applegate has been jumping back and forth between TV and the movies ever since her days as a teen bad girl. She is currently the star of the sitcom ‘Up All Night’ and will reprise her role as Veronica Corningstone in ‘Anchorman 2.’ A breast cancer survivor, the 40-year-old is active in raising money for cancer-related charities.

Josh Charles as Bryan

Then: Charles played Sue Ellen’s co-worker and crush Bryan in ‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.’ The-then-19-year-old had been best known for his role as Knox Overstreet in ‘Dead Poet’s Society.’

Now: Charles is series regular Will Gardner on ‘The Good Wife,’ having previously been the star of the critically acclaimed Aaron Sorkin show ‘Sports Night.’ The 41-year-old is also an accomplished stage actor, and in 2011 narrated the NFL Network’s documentary on New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick.

Keith Coogan as Kenneth “Kenny” Crandell

Then: Coogan was the second oldest Crandell, Kenny, in ‘ Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead.’ Coogan, whose father and grandfather were actors, made his debut at age seven in the TV movie ‘Stickin’ Together,’ and appeared in such movies as ‘Toy Soldiers,’ ‘Adventures in Babysitting’ and ‘Under the Boardwalk’ as a teenager.

Now: The 41-year-old will be in the upcoming movie ‘Walking.’ His last film was the 2011 thriller ‘Cats Dancing on Jupiter’ and in addition to acting Coogan hosts The Call Sheet, an entertainment-industry based podcast.

Robert Gorman, Walter Crandell

Then: Gorman played coach-potato-Cranell Walter in ‘Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead.’ Before that, the-then-10-year-old had been a series regular as Michael Channing on the nighttime soap ‘Falcon Crest’ as well as starring in ‘The Accidental Tourist.’

Now: Gorman stopped acting at 18 to attend Wake Forest University. The 32-year-old does seem to be trying to break back into the entertainment industry, and has appeared on episodes of ‘Drop Dead Diva’ and ‘One Tree Hill’ and in the movie ‘Leatherheads.’

Danielle Harris, Melissa Crandell

Then: In ‘ Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’ Danielle Harris played tomboy Melissa. Although only 13, Harris was already a veteran actor, with roles in the ‘Halloween’ franchise and ‘Marked For Death.’

Now: True to her ‘Halloween’ roots, Harris has become a bona fide scream queen, with recurring roles in the “Halloween’ reboot as well as the ‘Hatchet’ franchise. The 35-year-old will also be the star of the upcoming horror flick ‘Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D’ and is moving into directing with the horror/comedy ‘Among Friends.’

Christopher Pettiet, Zachary “Zach” Crandell

Then: Pettiet was ladies man Zach Crandell in ‘ Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead.’ Around that time period he also appeared in ‘Point Break’ and played Jesse James on the TV series ‘The Young Riders.’

Now: Drug abuse derailed Pettiet’s once-promising career and his last credit was a 1999 episode of ‘Judging Amy.’ Sadly, he died in 2000 at the age of 24 of an overdose.

David Duchovny as Bruce

Then: David Duchovny was just getting started in acting — a few brief cameos as a transvestite FBI agent on the TV show ‘Twin Peaks’ was probably his most memorable role up to that point.

Now: Duchovny is probably best known for playing Fox Mulder on ‘The X Files’ or for the part he currently plays — Hank Moody on Showtime’s ‘Californication.’ There was also that whole sex addiction thing a while back and the fact that he’s now reportedly dating Gillian Anderson, but we prefer to focus on his onscreen affairs.

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Source: See Cast of ‘Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead’ Then and Now