Remember that action flick from 1989, Road House? With its gritty actions and cool characters, especially Patrick Swayze in the lead bouncer, the movie was a big hit. And now, it has gotten a reboot! MGM and Silver Picture dropped the remake on March 8, 2024, with Doug Liman directing and starring Jake Gyllenhaal in the Swayze’s shoes.
But we should not fail to remember the OG cast. They were top-notch, right? Sure, the remake is guaranteed to feature an excellent supporting cast, but it’s cool to see where the old team ended up.
Some are still kicking it in Hollywood, while others have sadly passed on. Either way, they left their mark. So, let’s catch up with the Road House crew and find out what they’ve been up to since the original movie rocked theaters.
1. Patrick Swayze As James Dalton
In Road House, Patrick Swayze gave an undeniably strong performance as James Dalton, a character that seems to be made for him. James is an enigmatic person, recruited as a bouncer for the Twofold Deuce biker bar in Jasper, Missouri, where he reunites with his close buddy and coach, Swim Garrett.
Between pummeling unruly bar supporters, Dalton turns out to be sincerely engaged with a neighborhood specialist named Elizabeth. Most readers are aware that Swayze has tragically passed away. In 2008, the acclaimed entertainer was determined to have stage IV pancreatic disease.
Following a valiant 20-month fight with the sickness, including going through trial therapies at Stanford College, Swayze at last died in September 2009. Swayze leaves behind an incredible series of performances that started with Skate USA in 1979 and finished with his last film, Powder Blue, in 2009.
2. Kelly Lynch As Elizabeth Clay
Kelly Lynch played Dr. Elizabeth Dirt, also known as Doc. In the film, due to the dangerous knife wound that Dalton sustained while working at the Double Deuce bar, Dalton meets Doc after he is taken to the hospital.
They are immediately attracted to each other, and soon, a passionate romance develops between them. In the new adaptation, Daniela Melchior played Ellie, the former flame of Jake Gyllenhaal’s lead character. The 65-year-old is a remarkably skilled actress who has been working since her appearance in Road House. Lynch took a brief break from acting after appearing in Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks, which was released in 2020.
3. Sam Elliott As Wade Garrett
Sam Elliott depicts Swim Garrett in the first Road House. Swim is also an expert cooler hired to quiet the rowdy bar crowds somewhere near, which implies energy, including physical strength. Dalton learns everything he can about the job from Wade.
Elliott has been quite busy in recent years. After featuring in all 80 episodes of Netflix’s The Ranch, he completed his run as Shae Brennan in the acclaimed Yellowstone spin-off 1883. Elliott also returned to Family Guy in 2023, playing Mayor Wild West, Quahog’s cousin, and the late Adam West.
The majority of Elliott’s television appearances since Road House have been quite outstanding. It is interesting to note that Elliot also portrayed General John Buford in the 1993 film Gettysburg.
4. Ben Gazzara As Brad Wesley
Ben Gazzara plays Brad Wesley, the main antagonist in Road House. Brad is a persuasive business investor whose power really controls Jasper, Missouri. After the new bouncer fires Brad’s nephew, Brad vows to get rid of Dalton, despite his pleasant demeanor.
As a result, a series of physical fights ensue as Brad orders a slew of henchmen to disrupt the Double Deuce’s operations. With more than 130 screen credits in his distinguished lifetime, Ben Gazzara is one of the most accomplished entertainers of his age.
He started his profession on TV before reliably working with John Cassavetes on different free movies. Gazzara is also known for his role as Jackie Treehorn in the well-known film The Big Lebowski, which was directed by the Coen brothers. Unfortunately, Gazzara passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2012 at the age of 81.
5. Kevin Tighe As Frank Tilghman
Kevin Tighe portrayed Frank Tilghman. Frank is the proprietor of the Twofold Deuce biker bar in Jasper. He actively recruits Dalton to clean up the place. Brad Wesley is furious when Tilghman gives Dalton complete authority to run the bar as he pleases.
Tilghman is liked and respected in town, but he can’t stop Brad from having a big impact. Tighe has 90 credits in his career, but he hasn’t been on screen since Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2016, when he finished his arc.
The original cast of The Road House has left an impression with their outstanding performances, though some have tragically passed away. Others continue to contribute new projects to the entertainment industry.
