Hocus Pocus is a beloved 90s Halloween classic, but one of the movie’s stars, Omri Katz, has changed a lot since the film was released more than three decades ago
Most people watch Hocus Pocus at this time of year and, no matter how many times you tune in, it seems there is always something new to discover. It may be difficult to believe the beloved film is now more than three decades old, having first hit screens in 1993, yet it still forms a big part of Halloween for many people.
One of the film’s leading stars – Omri Katz – looks completely unrecognisable compared to how most will remember him, and he’s carved out quite a different life for himself too. While he remains fondly remembered as the iconic character Max Dennison, he is now 50-years-old and bears little resemblance to the young actor we once knew.
It comes after another star of the film drew attention too. It turns out, someone else who featured in the movie also looks very different these days.
Nowadays, Katz still commands a sizeable Instagram following, with more than 30,000 people keeping tabs on his life. Yet he likely looks very different from the actor you recall from all those years ago.
What is he doing now?
Katz has since stepped away from acting altogether. In his younger years, he appeared in television series including Dallas and Eerie, Indiana, as well as films such as Matinee, Adventures in Dinosaur City and Hocus Pocus.
However, it’s reported that Hocus Pocus was the last major project he undertook on the big screen, as he chose to pursue a more ordinary way of life. “I grew up in the industry, so that’s kind of all I knew,” he told the horror news website Bloody Disgusting in 2022.
“I think I was soul searching and wanted more of a human experience. Just see what else is out there, see the world, and be normal. I didn’t really have that growing up.”
After stepping away from acting, he spent time travelling and surfing before eventually finding his way back to LA. Initially, he hoped to return to acting “to make money so he could escape again”. However, he conceded the plan “didn’t work out too well”.
After a stint in the hairdressing industry, he stumbled upon a fresh passion, going on to establish a cannabis-themed merchandise brand called The Mary Danksters.
“We’re doing everything the legal way, and I’m really excited to see where this industry takes me,” he told Bloody Disgusting at the time. Based on his Instagram page, this venture still appears to be thriving.
Why didn’t he feature in Hocus Pocus 2?
Back in 2022, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy reprised their roles in Hocus Pocus 2. Despite this, Katz and his co-stars Vinessa Shaw and Jason Marsden were reportedly not approached to return for the second instalment.
“I would have loved to be involved. I feel bad for the original fan base saying we aren’t because I’m sure they wanted to see us reprise our roles,” Katz told Entertainment Weekly ahead of the movie’s release.
Even so, he confessed to being thrilled about the film heading in a “new direction”. He went on to say: “I think it’ll be good for everyone who loved the original!”
It’s fair to say time flies. Many will feel like they watched Hocus Pocus for the first time just yesterday.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
