It’s been 20 years since Disney’s comedy drama Holes was released. The movie’s plot follows a teenager named Stanley Yelnats (played by Shia LaBeouf), who is wrongfully accused of stealing sneakers and sent to a juvenile detention camp in the Texas desert. At the camp, Stanley and the other boys are forced to dig actual holes in the ground every day as part of a supposed character-building exercise.
Many people have forgotten about this movie, but now is a great time to reminisce as we look at how the cast has changed over two decades.
1. Khleo Thomas as Hector Zeroni
Since his breakout role in Holes, Khleo Thomas has been busy starring in various TV shows and movies. He played a supporting role in the critically acclaimed film Roll Bounce and appeared in the indie drama Remember the Daze. Thomas also had a recurring role on the TV series Sons of Anarchy. Thomas has not been nominated for any Oscars, but he did win the Best Actor award at the American Black Film Festival for the movie The Company We Keep. His most recent appearance was in the 2022 movie Scrap, but the actor regularly uploads videos about games and music to his YouTube channel Slick Living.
2. Sigourney Weaver as Warden Walker
Since her role as Warden Walker, Sigourney Weaver has continued to be a prolific and acclaimed actress, appearing in numerous film and television projects, including Avatar, The Cabin in the Woods, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Weaver has received three Academy Award nominations for her performances in Aliens, Working Girl, and Gorillas in the Mist and has won numerous other awards throughout the actress’s career, including a BAFTA Award, as well as a couple of Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. In addition to her acting work, Weaver has also been active in environmental and social causes.
3. Henry Winkler as Stanley’s father
Since his appearance as Stanley’s dad, Henry Winkler has had recurring roles on popular TV shows such as Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for a Supporting Role in a Comedy Series in 2018. Winkler has also continued to work as a producer, director, and author. In fact, he’s written a successful series of children’s books called Hank Zipzer that are based on his own experiences growing up with dyslexia. Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Winkler is also known for his philanthropy and advocacy work, particularly on behalf of children and people with learning challenges.
4. Jon Voight as Mr. Sir
It’s not surprising that Jon Voight continued his Hollywood journey ever since he appeared in Holed, as even long before that, he was an already-established movie star. Some recent movie hits he’s been in include National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Transformers, and Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders. While Voight hasn’t received any recent Oscar nominations, he’s still a legendary actor who’s been in the game for a long time. Outside of his acting work, Voight has been involved in politics and has been a vocal supporter of conservative causes.
5. Tim Blake Nelson as Dr. Pendanski
Tim has been keeping busy with a mix of film and television projects. Some recent movie titles he’s been in include Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, Nightmare Alley, and The Hustle. Nelson has won several awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his role in O. The actor is also an accomplished writer and director, having written and directed several films, including Eye of God and Leaves of Grass. Outside of his work in the film industry, he’s also been involved in political activism and humanitarian causes.
6. Eartha Kitt as Madame Zeroni
Unfortunately, Eartha Kitt passed away in 2008 at the age of 81, five years after the release of Holes, in which she played the character of Madame Zeroni. Throughout her illustrious career, Kitt was known for her distinctive voice and captivating performances both on stage and on screen. She was a successful singer, actress, and cabaret star and won several awards and honors throughout her career, including a Daytime Emmy Award for her voiceover work on the animated series The Emperor’s New School. In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Kitt was also known for her activism and advocacy work, particularly on behalf of civil rights and women’s rights.
7. Patricia Arquette as Katherine Barlow
Since playing “Kissin’ Kate,” Patricia Arquette has appeared in a number of film and television projects, including Medium, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2015. In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Arquette is also known for her activism and advocacy work, particularly on behalf of women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community. She’s also a vocal supporter of various humanitarian causes and serves as a board member for several organizations.
8. Dulé Hill as Sam
After his role as Sam in Holes, Dulé Hill has starred in a variety of film and television projects. He’s had recurring roles on such iconic shows as Psych, Ballers, and Suits. In addition to his acting work, Hill is also a talented tap dancer and has performed on various television shows and in stage productions. He’s also involved in several charities, including the Lupus Foundation of America and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
9. Shia LaBeouf as Stanley
Shia LaBeouf has been keeping busy with his acting career. He has starred in several movies that everyone knows, like Transformers, as well as smaller but more impactful projects like Fury, American Honey, Borg vs. McEnroe, and The Peanut Butter Falcon. LaBeouf received critical acclaim for his roles in Fury and Borg vs. McEnroe, earning several award nominations for both performances. In addition to acting, LaBeouf has also ventured into screenwriting and directing, with his film Honey Boy receiving positive reviews and earning him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
