The Raiders of the Lost Ark Cast – Then and Now! We take a look at what the cast of Raiders of the Lost Ark is up to now, almost 30 years since the movie was first released. Raiders of the Lost Ark was the first movie in the Indiana Jones franchise. A movie that spawned numerous sequels over the next few decades. Making it one of the most popular movie franchises of all time.
While actors such as Harrison Ford are still in the box-office lime-light, others went on to have great careers of their own. This includes a Guinness Book of World Records holder and an actor who went on to become an enemy of Spider-Man! Take a look….
Raiders Of The Lost Ark Cast – Then And Now
HARRISON FORD - INDIANA JONES
Then: In 1981, Harrison Ford was already an established actor, having starred in the first two Star Wars movies. He also had a role in Aploclaypse Now (1979) and various other TV shows going back as far as 1966. George Lucas, who wrote Raiders of the Lost Ark, had previously worked with Harrison Ford on other movies. These included American Grafitti (1973), Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977) and Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Now: Since taking the starring role in the Raiders of the Lost Ark cast, Harrison Ford has gone on to have a stellar acting career. He went on to reprise the role of Indiana Jones in four sequels (Indiana Jones 5 is set for release in 2021), also taking on the role of Han Solo in another two Star Wars movies.
Other popular movie roles have included Patriot Games (1992), The Fugitive (1993), Air Force One (1997), What Lies Beneath (2000) and The Expendables 3 (2014). He was also voted as ‘Americas Favorite Movie Star’ for three consecutive years, between 1998 and 2000.
Outside of acting Ford has been in the media for various things, including a helicopter crash in 1999, and an emergency plane landing on a golf course in 2015.
KAREN ALLEN - MARION
Then: Karen Allen was thirty when she took on the role of Marion in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Prior to this role she had a handful of acting credit in both TV and movies going back to 1978. This included the Al Pacino movie Cruising (1980) and the 1979 drama ‘The Wanderers’.
Now: Karen didn’t appear in the next two Indiana Jones movies. However, she did appear in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). Other movie appearances include Scrooged (1988), The Sandlot Kids (1993), The Perfect Storm (2000) and the TV series Blue Bloods (2014).
Outside of acting, Karen has been pretty busy too. She started her own textile company called Karen Allen Fiber Arts and was later awarded an honorary master’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009. She also teaches acting at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Massachusetts.
PAUL FREEMAN - BELLOQ
Then: Paul Freeman is a British actor, who prior to Raiders of the Lost Ark had over a decade’s acting experience, mainly in television. He played the role of Belloq, a French archeologist who was a rival of Indiana Jones.
One of his scenes in the movie was chosen by Empire Magazine as one of the most common scenes for which people press the “Pause” button. You can find out more about this scene on our Raiders of the Lost Ark Facts post.
Now: After appearing in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Paul continued to make a living as an actor. Mainly appearing in TV series in both the UK and USA. He has made numerous appearances in movie roles too, including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1995) and Hot Fuzz (2007).
Outside of acting, he is the co-founder of UK Friends of Healing Focus, a charity that works with orphans in Uganda.
RONALD LACY - TOHT
Then: Ronald Lacy was a British actor who played the role of Arnold Ernst Toht. Toht was a sadistic and ruthless Nazi Gestapo agent and military officer, loyal to Adolf Hitler.
Lacy had performed on British television throughout the 60s and 70s. However, disappointed with his acting career, in the late-70s he began to consider opening up his own talent agency. This was until Speilberg cast him as Toht, and his career took a different direction.
Now: After his part in Raiders of the Lost Ark, what followed was years of being cast in villainous roles. This included the Arnold Scwarzengger movie Red Sonja (1985). Ronald continued to act up until 1991, when at the age of 55 he died from terminal liver cancer, less than a month after being diagnosed.
JOHN RHYS-DAVIES - SALLAH
Then: John Rhys-Davies is a British actor who prior to playing the role of Sallah in Raiders of the Lost Ark had mostly appeared in British TV series.
Now: Since appearing in Raiders of the Lost Ark, John Rhys-Davies reprised his role as Sallah in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). However, arguably his most famous appearances are that of ‘Gimli’ in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In addition to acting, he has numerous voice work credits, this includes Treebeard in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Pirates of Dark Water (1992) and Gargoyles (1995).
Outside of acting John Rhys-Davies has found himself in hot water due to his political views on Islam and Brexit. In 2019 he was described as “thuggish and sexist” after appearing on the British political show ‘Question Time’.
DENHOLM ELLIOTT - BRODY
Then: Denholm Elliott was a British actor with acting credits going back as far as 1947. He took on the role of Dr. Marcus Brody, a British-born archeologist, historian and lecturer who was friendly with Indiana Jones.
Previous roles included Hammer House of Horror (1980), Clayhanger (1976) and voice work on Watership Down (1978).
Now: Denholm Elliott reprised his role as Dr. Marcus Brody in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), he also went on to appear in Toy Soldiers (1991) and Scorchers (1991).
Denholm was privately bisexual, he married twice. The first time in 1954 (for just a few months) to British actress Virginia McKenna. He then later married American actress Susan Robinson, who was 20-years younger than him. Despite the age gap, the couple would have two children, Mark and Jennifer.
While married with children, Denholm confessed to Susan that he was attending orgies and had boyfriends. The couple agreed to a trial separation, yet things were patched up between the couple within a week. The marriage would then become an open one.
Denholm was diagnosed with HIV in 1987, he died at his home in Ibiza, Spain from AIDS-related tuberculosis in 1992 at the age of 70. His widow Susan set up the Denholm Elliott Project, helping those with HIV/AIDS, and collaborated on his biography. She died in a London flat fire in 2007, at the age of 65.
ALFRED MOLINA - SATIPO
Then: English-American actor Alfred Molina played the role of Satipo. Satipo was a Peruvian guide and thief who along with his partner Barranca and several porters guide Indiana Jones to the temple at the beginning of the movie. This was Alfreds first major movie role, having only previously appeared in a handful of British TV shows.
Now: After appearing in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Molina has gone on to have a solid acting career, appearing in both TV and movies, both as an actor and voice actor. His biggest role came in 2004, as Dr. Octavius in the movie ‘Spider-Man 2’, opposite Toby Maguire.
Other voice credits include Rick and Morty, American Dad and the video game ‘Elder Scrolls Online’.
Outside of acting Alfred married British actress and novelist Jill Gascoigne in London, 1986. In 2004, having resided in Los Angeles, California for quite some time, he became an American citizen.
WOLF KAHLER - DIETRICH
Then: Wolf Kahler is a German film, stage and voice actor who played Herman Dietrich, the high-ranking Wermarcht officer and Nazi colonel in charge of excevation of the Ark by Belloq.
Prior to his role in the Raiders of the Lost Ark cast, Kahler had numerous roles in British TV and movies. Including an uncredited appearance in The Eagle Had Landed (1976).
Now: Since his role in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Kahler has continued to have a busy acting career. He has appeared consistiently in both TV and movies, often as a Nazi, thanks to his height and blue eyes.
In recent years he has played a German commander in Wonder Woman (2017), and a Nazi officer in Cockneys vs Zombies (2012), he also played a German General in Band of Brothers (2001). He has also done voice work as a German in video games such as Crysis 2 & 3, Company of Heroes 2, Battalion Wars II and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness.
ANTHONY HIGGINS - GOBLER
Then: Anthony Higgins is a British actor who played the role of Gobler. Gobler was a Nazi major, and Colonel Herman Dietrich’s personal assistant. Prior to his role in the movie, Higgins had numerous acting credits in British TV roles, going back as far as the late 1960s.
Now: Since appearing in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Higgins has continued to make a career from acting. Generally appearing in British television programs such as The Governor (1995) and Lewis (2009). His last acting credit was 2016, appearing in the ITV drama Tutankhamun.
VIC TABLIAN - BARRANCA & MONKEY MAN
Then: Vic Tablian is a British-Armenian actor who had appeared in numerous British TV shows such as Doctor Who (1975) prior to getting two roles in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Vic played the roles of Barranca, the guy who ran scams with Satipo, and the Monkey Man, a one-eyed assassin.
Now: After Raiders of the Lost Ark, Tablian continued to make a living as an actor. He generally appeared in British television roles including Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983), Eastenders (1985) and The Bill (2007). Despite continuously acting up until 2007, he has only had one acting credit since then, in the movie ‘The Promise’ (2016).
DON FELLOWS - COL. MUSGROVE
Then: Don Fellows was an American actor who played the role of Col. Musgrove, a US army officer and intelligence agent for the United States federal government. Fellows had an acting career that spanned back as far as the 1950s. Appearing in movies such as The Omen (1976) and Superman II (1980).
Now: After appearing in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fellows continued to act until he was in his late-70s. He went on to appear in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) and numerous British TV shows. He died in London in 2007, at the age of 84.
WILLIAM HOOTKINS - MAJOR EATON
Then: William Hootkins took on the role of Major Eaton, a United States Army Intelligence bureaucrat based in Washington DC. Prior to his role in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hootkins had appeared in numerous movies. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) and Flash Gordon (1980) being two of the more popular ones.
Now: Hootkins continued to act up until his death in 2005, at the age of 55. He had roles in Batman (1989), Neverending Story III (1994) and The West Wing (2004) as well as numerous other TV shows and movies.
Hootkins was also well known for his voice work, appearing in video games and on dozens of BBC radio dramas.
TERRY RICHARDS - ARAB SWORDSMAN
Then: Fred Sorenson played the role of Jock, the pilot with the pet snake. He helps Indy escape the jungle of Peru when being chased by the tribesmen. Sorenson wasn’t an actor, he was a pilot who learned to fly at 16-years old.
Now: Raiders of the Lost Ark was Sorenson’s only movie role. He continued with his career as a pilot, retiring in 2014. However, Raiders of the Lost Ark wasn’t the only movie he was directly involved in. In 1993 the production of Jurassic Park was hit by a hurricane in Kauai, Hawaii, it was Sorenson who managed to fly the crew off the island.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark Cast – Then And Now
PATRICK DURKIN - REGAN
Then: Patrick Durkin was a British actor who played Regan, the Australian climber who has a drinking contest with Marion. Prior to his role in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Patrick had acting credits as far back as the 1950s. Appearing in Carry on Nurse (1959), Carry on Spying (1964), The Sweeney (1975) and The Profesionals (1978).
Now: Patrick continued to act up until the late 1980s, appearing in British TV shows such as Emmerdale and The Bill. It appears that he retired from acting around this time. He died in London in 2009, at the age of 73.
SONNY CALDINEZ - MEAN MONGOLIAN
Then: Sonny Caldinez is a Trinidadian actor and former professional wrestler who played the role of the Mean Mongolian. Before his part on the Raiders of the Lost Ark cast, he had parts in Doctor Who and the James Bond movie ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ (1974).
Now: After Raiders of the Lost Ark, Sonny only had a handful of other roles, generally uncredited. These included Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Ali G Indahouse (2002).
PAT ROACH - GERMAN MECHANIC & GIANT SHERPA
Then: Pat Roach was an English actor and professional wrestler, who at one time held both the British and European Heavyweight Wrestling Championships. He played two roles in Raiders of the Lost Ark. A German Mechanic who gets chewed up by the plane propellors and the Giant Sherpa who dies in a fire.
Before getting his parts in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Roach had also appeared in A Clockwork Orange (1971), Rising Damp (1980) and various other British TV shows,
Now: Roach continued to act up until his death in 2004, appearing in movies such as Clash of the Titans (1981), Conan the Destroyer (1984), Red Sonja (1985) and Willow (1988).
Outside of wrestling and acting, Roach owned a scrapyard and gym in his hometown of Birmingham.
KIRAN SHAH - ABU
Then: Kiran Shah is a Kenyan-Indian actor and stuntman who played Abu, the apprentice of Imam, who lived on the outskirts of Cairo. Kiran suffers from dwarfism and was actually in his mid-20’s when he played the role of Abu.
Raiders of the Lost Ark was his second movie, having only appeared in ‘The People That Time Forgot’ (1977) previously. However, he did have other credits as a stuntman, featuring in a number of movies, including Superman (1978).
Now: Since his role in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Kiran has gone on to appear in a number of huge movies, as both an actor and stuntman. Acting roles include The Dark Crystal (1982), Return of the Jedi (1984), Legend (1985), Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), The Hobbit (2012), Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Rogue One (2016) and even had a small role in Game of Thrones.
As a stuntman, his list of movies is just as impressive, appearing in Aliens (1986), Braveheart (1995) Titanic (1997) and The Lord of the Rings (2001).
Kiran is also a Guinness Book of World Records holder for the World’s Shortest Stuntman.
TERRY RICHARDS - ARAB SWORDSMAN
Then: Terry Richards was an actor and stuntman that appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark as the sword-wielding Arab. Before his role in Raiders of the Lost Ark he had made appearances in The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980), as well as a long list of other movies and TV shows.
Now: Terry would continue to work as an actor and stuntman up until 1997. He made his final appearance on screen in the movie ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’. His character beats-up James Bond in a recording studio in Germany. Other appearances include Red Sonja (1985), Willow (1988) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).
In later life, Terry lived in Ruislip, West London, he died in 2014 at the age of 81.
FRANK MARSHALL - PILOT
Then: Frank Marshall is an actor and producer who had a small role as a German pilot in the movie. Prior to appearing in the film, he had a couple of other small acting roles. However, he had also been a producer and an executive producer on a few movies, including The Warriors (1979), and was in fact a producer on Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Now: Frank only had a few more small acting roles after Raiders of the Lost Ark. One of those roles was playing a tourist in the airport in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). He has however had a very successful career as an executive producer, working on Gremlins (1984), The Goonies (1985), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) too name but a few.
More recently he has been a producer on Jurrasic World (2015), The BFG (2016) and Jurrasic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).
