After 30 years, the movie Forrest Gump remains one of the great classic movies of American cinema, but it’s worth looking back and seeing where the actors from the film are today. In 1994, Forrest Gump premiered in theaters, where it topped the box office charts in its first week of release and dethroned The Lion King from the number one spot just four weeks into its run. The film continued to rank high in the charts, and shortly after its initial release, it was nominated for 13 categories in the Academy Awards and went on to win six.

In no small part, the film’s critical and commercial success leaned on the incredible cast who brought the story to life. From the young actors who provided a backstory to Forrest and his dear friend Jenny, to the family friends of an adult Forrest, the story benefits from incredible characters and performers. Now, 30 years after the movie first debuted, these performers have had a wealth of new experiences and roles that have seen them progress through new chapters in their lives.

Tom Hanks – Forrest Gump

Tom Hanks is undoubtedly the biggest star to come out of Forrest Gump. Despite appearing in TV and film roles since 1980, Hanks had his first big break in 1988 with the movie Big. This was a turning point in his career that led to numerous opportunities to play the leading man, and shine in the films where he appeared. His leading role in Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump came a few years later and once again marked another milestone in his career when it netted the actor his second Oscar win just one year after winning for his role in Philadelphia.

Hanks did not slow down in his journey to become one of the biggest actors in Hollywood and a consistent A-lister. Hanks went on to earn another three Oscar nominations, though no wins, for his roles in Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, and most recently, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Hanks also landed the iconic role of voicing Woody in the Pixar Toy Story movies, and he continues to star in movies today. Hanks is easily one of the biggest stars in the industry, and has earned a reputation for being one of the nicest actors in Hollywood.

Michael Conner Humphreys – Young Forrest Gump

Michael Conner Humphreys delivered an outstanding performance in Forrest Gump as the younger version of the title character when he was just nine years old. In addition, this role was his first ever accredited role for TV or film. However, due to his young age, Humphreys chose to continue pursuing an education and largely only appeared in high school productions. After graduating from high school, Humphreys chose to join the military.

Some years later, he would once again resume acting to appear in an independent World War II movie, Pathfinders: In The Company of Strangers in 2011. Following this, he again left acting behind, and worked in security before eventually settling into a role as a teacher (via Paul Leslie). In 2021, he also briefly appeared in the TV series, A Knight’s End for one episode.

Robin Wright – Jenny Curran

Playing opposite Tom Hanks as Jenny Curran, Robin Wright delivered an incredible performance that matched Hanks’ talent effortlessly. Jenny endures a complex life that takes her far away from her childhood crush, before eventually coming together years later, introducing Forrest to their son, and finally marrying. However, the hardships persist for Jenny and she dies of a terminal illness one year later.

Wright clearly showcases a wealth of talent and versatility in this film alone as she explores a character at critical and various moments in her life. Following the success of Forrest Gump, Wright continued to play strong, complex women in various movies. She appeared in Unbreakable as the long-suffering wife of Bruce Willis’ character, David Dunn. She has also recently appeared in the Netflix feature film starring Millie Bobby Brown, Damsel, where she plays Queen Isabella.

Hanna R. Hall – Young Jenny Curran

Tackling the role of a young Jenny, Hanna R. Hall, frequently appearing as Hanna Hall, has also continued acting since her appearance in Forrest Gump. Hall made her acting debut as Jenny in Forrest Gump, and she did an incredible job conveying the young, wild and free spirit of the girl who would go on to be the object of Forrest’s affections far into the future. However, she did not stop there.

Hall went on to play pivotal roles in notable films like Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides, Rob Zombie’s Halloween, and several other projects. In 2009, she also played opposite Val Kilmer in the independent movie American Cowslip. Since then, she has had several minor roles in TV and film.

Gary Sinise – Lieutenant Dan Taylor

Gary Sinise plays the hardened war hero, Lt. Dan Taylor. Lt. Dan is not a particularly warm character, but he does have a special relationship with Forrest, and Sinise is responsible for imbuing that role with layers and meaning in a way that felt painful and authentic. Forrest is in many ways a lovable idiot that has the world fall into his lap. Dan, on the other hand, tried to give his life to something bigger than himself and ended up losing his legs, before being chewed up and spat back into a system that wasn’t equipped for him.

Sinise, however, has continued to have a long and colorful career since Forrest Gump. The following year, Sinise won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Harry S. Truman in the TV movie, Truman. He also appeared in Apollo 13 and The Green Mile, where he reunited with Hanks. However, much of his other success was in his work on TV, such as his longstanding role on CSI: NY and the connected shows, and more recently in 13 Reasons Why, where he played Clay’s therapist, Dr. Robert Ellman.

Mykelti Williamson – Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue

Mykelti Williamson appears in one of the most memorable roles in Forrest Gump, as Gump’s best friend and business partner, Benjamin Buford Blue, nicknamed Bubba. Bubba and Forrest have similar interests, and the two men find great joy in each other’s company. Williamson embodied the character in a way that was unrecognizable from the actor, and his other roles.

To that effect, Williamson has been one of the most prolific and sought after actors in Hollywood since appearing in Forrest Gump. With more than 120 credits to his name, Williamson has become a well known face in Hollywood, even if he is usually in a supporting role. Some of his most well-regarded performances came in highly acclaimed films like 12 Angry Men and Con Air, but even on the small screen, Williamson has had stints on big name shows like Boomtown and 24.

Sally Field – Mrs. Gump

Sally Field was the most well known and acclaimed actor to appear in Forrest Gump when the movie was initially released. Having won two Oscars for her earlier work as a leading lady, Field was a safe bet to stand out in the movie, and she did a wonderful job playing Forrest’s aging mother. Despite playing a middle-aged mother and growing to become a grandmother and passing away in the film, Field remains healthy and continues to work in Hollywood to this day, at age 77.

Following the success of Forrest Gump, Field has had other notable roles, but mainly sticks to supporting roles. She was again nominated for an Oscar after appearing in the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the acclaimed 2012 movie Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. In addition, she played a pivotal role in The Amazing Spider-Man movies starring Andrew Garfield, where she played Aunt May. In all of her work, she delivers emotion and gravitas which elevates the project beyond the ordinary.

Haley Joel Osment – Forrest Gump Jr.

While Hanks may be the biggest name in Hollywood from Forrest Gump, another actor may hold the title for the film’s best success story. A young actor, who only appears briefly at the end of the film, Haley Joel Osment, made his theatrical debut in Forrest Gump as Forrest Gump Jr.. Even at this early stage in his career, Osment displayed a level of maturity and intelligence that far exceeded his young age. Just a few years after his role in Forrest Gump, Osment was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in The Sixth Sense.

In the years that followed, Osment would go on to star in smash hit movies, including The Sixth Sense opposite Bruce Willis, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence, where he took the lead for the entire feature film. Beyond Osment’s career as a child star, Osment has continued to work in Hollywood, and developed a healthy career as a voice actor for animated TV shows and video games, including voicing Sora in Kingdom Hearts games. At present, Osment is set to make waves in season 2 of Wednesday on Netflix. From Forrest Gump to the present, 30 years later, Osment’s career has been a whirlwind.