The cast of the 2005 horror film House of Wax have extended their acting careers greatly in the nearly two decades since the film’s release. Based on the original horror classic from 1953 of the same name, the 2005 House of Wax remake took several creative liberties in their reinvention of the film, adding several of the most popular actors of the 2000s in their effort to establish a modern franchise. Despite the lackluster critical reception and the moderate box office performance upon the film’s release, House of Wax has become somewhat of a cult classic mainly sure to its memorable ensemble.
The possibility of a potential House of Wax 2 is still technically on the table due to how the 2005 remake ended. However, it is unlikely that any of the original characters would return for a House of Wax sequel particularly because their characters did not make it to the end of the film. House of Wax was the feature film debut of director Jaume Collet-Serra who went on to direct several notable works including 2009’s Orphan, three Liam Neeson action movies titled Unknown, Non-Stop, and The Commuter, and two of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s most recent blockbusters Jungle Cruise and Black Adam. Here’s how the cast of House of Wax wound up after the film’s 2005 release.
9 Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray was one of the most recognizable young actors during the 2000s primarily due to his leading role as Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill. Murray was featured in 132 episodes of the popular teen drama across its first six seasons, making his last appearance on the show in one episode of the final season in 2012. Other notable works of his include a supporting role in Fruitvale Station, two guest appearances in Southland, three seasons of the action series Chosen, two seasons of Marvel’s Agent Carter, and eight episodes of Riverdale.
8 Elisha Cuthbert
Elisha Cuthbert rose to prominence with her leading role as Kim Bauer in the acclaimed television series 24. She also appeared in 2003’s Old School and 2004’s The Girl Next Door before starring as Carly in House of Wax. Elisha was credited in 79 of 24’s 207 episodes, appearing in nearly every episode of the first three seasons. Since then, her most recognized TV characters include Abby Phillips in The Ranch and Alex Kerkovich in Happy Endings. Cuthbert most recently starred alongside Josh Duhamel in the 2022 crime thriller Bandit.
7 Brian Van Holt
Brian Van Holt played both Vincent and Bo Sinclair in the 2005 House of Wax remake. His most notable work is arguably as Struecker in the 2001 war classic Black Hawk Down. Van Holt got his big break after a guest appearance in the popular teen drama series Beverly Hills, 90210. Since 2005, the actor has also made guest appearances as Kyle Hobart in season 1 of Sons of Anarchy, two episodes of Entourage and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and individual episodes of CSI: Miami, Burn Notice, Community, and The Middle. Van Holt starred in 91 episodes of Cougar Town and most recently in 13 episodes of Deputy.
6 Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton was one of the most famous people in the world when House of Wax came out in 2005. She made guest appearances in The O.C. and Veronica Mars in 2004 as well as in My Name is Earl in 2008 and Supernatural season 5 in 2009. Hilton has starred in multiple commercials and music videos promoting luxury brands such as Devassa, Fila, as well as her own music. She played herself in the notable A24 film from Sofia Coppola titled The Bling Ring. She has appeared in countless variety and reality TV shows, particularly The Simple Life alongside Nicole Richie which ended in 2007.
5 Jared Padalecki
Jared Padalecki rose to super-stardom from his career-defining performance as Sam Winchester in Supernatural, which has spanned 327 episodes across 15 seasons. He recently has starred as Cordell Walker in the CW Western action series Walker. Following 2005’s House of Wax, Padalecki continued accepting roles in horror films such as 2005’s Cry Wolf and the 2009 Friday the 13th reboot. He has also made guest appearances on the 2016 Gilmore Girls miniseries as well as Kings of Con.
4 Damon Herriman
Damon Herriman has garnered a bustling acting career in Hollywood after rising to prominence in the United States after his sinister role in House of Wax. Herriman has notably made guest appearances in The Unit, The Loop, Cold Case, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Wilfred, Breaking Bad, and Mindhunter. He portrayed Charles Manson both in Mindhunter and in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood. Herriman has also starred in J. Edgar, The Long Ranger, The Nightingale, and Mortal Kombat. He is perhaps best known for his role as Dewey Crowe in Justified.
3 Jon Abrahams
Jon Abrahams rose to prominence after starring alongside Marlon Wayans and Anna Farris in Scary Movie and Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents. After playing Dalton in House of Wax, Abrahams starred in the 2005 romantic comedy Prime with Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman. He later appeared in the films Non-Stop and We Are Your Friends in addition to individual episodes of The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, The Astronaut Wives Club, Hawaii Five-0, Stumptown, and Snowfall.
2 Robert Ri’chard
Robert Ri’ chard is likely recognizable from his role as Damien Carter in the sports classic Coach Carter, which also came out in 2005. Since then, Ri’ chard has made several guest appearances in TV shows such as CSI: Miami, Veronica Mars, NCIS, The Vampire Diaries, The Client List, and Lucifer. He also was featured in 25 episodes of Meet the Browns and recently has appeared in four episodes of Harlem as well as the basketball film Sweetwater.
1 Andy Anderson
Since playing the Sheriff in 2005’s House of Wax, Andy Anderson has appeared in several Australian TV shows including Home and Away, Headland, All Saints, Sea Patrol, and Blue Water High. Anderson’s most notable recent works include the miniseries The Straits as well as the 2010’s Tracker and the 2012 film Honk If You’re Horny. Some of Anderson’s most prominent credits are John Livingston in Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid and Jim Sullivan in The Sullivans before being cast in House of Wax.
