How the cast moved on after chasing down those tornadoes.

Twister turns 30! See where Helen Hunt and the stars of the popular disaster film are today

How the cast moved on after chasing down those tornadoes.

and Kevin Jacobsen

May 10, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET

Helen Hunt as Jo Harding and Bill Paxton as Bill Harding in 'Twister'. Credit:

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

Storm chasing never looked so cool as in the 1996 disaster drama *Twister*. The film, which follows meteorologist Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) as she develops innovative storm-tracking technology that requires venturing dangerously close to a tornado to operate. Joined by her team and soon-to-be-ex-husband Bill (Bill Paxton) — who first conceived of the technology years ago — Jo risks life and limb for the greater good of preventing future disasters.

*Twister* spiraled into a major box office smash, grossing nearly $500 million worldwide (later inspiring a 2024 standalone sequel) and elevating stars like Hunt, Paxton, and the stacked supporting ensemble. Now, on the 30th anniversary of its release in theaters, we're charting the careers of the cast of *Twister*, three decades since leaving Oklahoma.**

Helen Hunt (Jo Harding)

Helen Hunt as Jo Harding in 'Twister'; Helen Hunt attends the 'Vanity Fair' Oscars party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Helen Hunt plays Jo Harding, a driven scientist who puts herself in harm's way to study the twisting paths of tornadoes.

In 1992, Hunt had her big break alongside Paul Reiser on the NBC sitcom *Mad About You*, which ran for seven seasons and earned Hunt four consecutive Emmys. After starring in *Twister*, she won a Best Actress Oscar for the rom-com *As Good as It Gets *(1997)*, *opposite Jack Nicholson*.*

After her hit sitcom came to an end in 1999, Hunt returned to the big screen by co-headlining Nancy Meyers’ rom-com *What Women Want* (2000) before playing the love of Tom Hanks’ life in *Cast Away* (2000) and launching a new catchphrase with *Pay It Forward *(2000)*.* She later went behind the camera, directing the films *Then She Found Me *(2007) and *Ride *(2014), as well as episodes of *This Is Us* and *House of Lies. *In 2013, she received her second Oscar nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress, for her playing a sex surrogate in the indie drama *The Sessions*.

In 2019, Hunt and Reiser reprised their *Mad About You* roles for a 12-episode revival. Hunt also had a recurring role on the Starz comedy-drama *Blindspotting* and a guest arc on *Hacks*.

Hunt was briefly married to actor Hank Azaria from 1999 to 2000. She then started a relationship with producer Matthew Carnahan. They had a daughter, Makena, in 2004 and broke up in 2017.

Bill Paxton (Bill Harding)

Bill Paxton as Bill Harding in 'Twister'; Bill Paxton at the 48th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 11, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif.

The late Bill Paxton plays Bill Harding, an ex-storm chaser trying to start a new life with his fiancée, Melissa.

After *Twister*, Paxton had a key role in James Cameron’s Oscar-winning epic *Titanic* (1997), playing treasure hunter Brock Lovett in the film's present-day frame story. After acclaimed work in *A Simple Plan *(1998) and *U-571 *(2000), Paxton tried his hand behind the camera, directing (and starring in) the religiously themed serial killer drama *Frailty* (2001).

He found a small-screen home in the lead role of HBO’s acclaimed polygamy drama *Big Love*, earning three Golden Globe nominations. He also received an Emmy nomination for the 2012 History Channel miniseries *Hatfields & McCoys*.

Paxton soon played Tom Cruise’s drill sergeant in *Edge of Tomorrow* (2014), Jake Gyllenhaal’s rival in *Nightcrawler *(2014), and Emma Watson’s dad in *The Circle *(2017), which was his final film appearance.

Paxton died of complications from heart surgery in 2017 at age 61. He is survived by his wife Louise, whom he married in 1987, and their two children, James and Lydia. James notably made a cameo in *Twisters* (2024), telling EW at the time, "I did this one for Dad."

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Dusty Davis)

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dusty Davis in 'Twister'; Philip Seymour Hoffman attends the New York premiere for ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on Nov. 20, 2013, in New York City.

Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett; Jim Spellman/WireImage

The late Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Dusty, the most boisterous member of the rowdy team.

Starting with *Hard Eight *(1996), Hoffman developed a long working relationship with Paul Thomas Anderson, starring in his *Boogie Nights* (1997), *Magnolia* (1999), *Punch-Drunk Love* (2004), and later *The Master* (2012). During this time, he became one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, particularly for his scene-stealing work in *The Big Lebowski* (1998), *The Talented Mr. Ripley *(1999), *Almost Famous* (2000), and *25th Hour* (2002).

He ultimately garnered attention from the Academy with his performance as Truman Capote in *Capote* (2005), for which he took home the Best Actor Oscar. Hoffman received three more Oscar nominations for *Charlie Wilson's War *(2007), *Doubt *(2008), and *The Master.* He also played Plutarch Heavensbee in three *Hunger Games* films.

The acclaimed actor maintained a successful stage presence, too, earning Tony nominations for *True West* (2000), *Long Day's Journey Into Night* (2003), and *Death of a Salesman* (2012).

Hoffman died of a drug overdose in 2014 at age 46. He is survived by his three children with partner Mimi O'Donnell: daughters Tallulah and Willa, and son Cooper, who starred in Paul Thomas Anderson’s *Licorice Pizza *(2021).

Cary Elwes (Jonas Miller)

Cary Elwes as Jonas Miller in 'Twister'; Cary Elwes attends the 2024 'Evening From the Heart Gala' benefitting the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health at Sunset Room Hollywood on May 9, 2024, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Cary Elwes plays Jonas Miller, Jo and Bill's well-paid rival, who tries to pass off their innovative storm-tracking system as his own.

After *Twister*, the *Princess Bride* (1987) alum appeared in *Liar Liar *(1997) and the serial killer thriller *Kiss the Girls* (1997) before joining the ensemble cast of the HBO miniseries *From the Earth to the Moon *(1998)*.* He had a recurring role as an FBI director in the final season of *The X-Files*.

Elwes famously endured self-inflicted foot trauma in the original *Saw* (2004), as Dr. Lawrence Gordon. That same year, he played serial killer Ted Bundy in the TV movie *The Riverman *and the evil would-be king in *Ella Enchanted*.

After detouring to co-write the screenplay for the film *Elvis & Nixon *(2014), about the titular pair's 1970 meeting at the White House, Elwes has enjoyed a small renaissance. He booked key guest roles on two beloved series, first as the mayor of Hawkins in season 3 of *Stranger Things* and then as an over-the-top Broadway star in *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*. On film, he’s become a go-to elder statesman in the likes of the seventh and eighth *Mission: Impossible *installments, *BlackBerry *(2023), Zack Snyder’s *Rebel Moon* films, and multiple Guy Ritchie globetrotting action films.

Elwes and actress/photographer Lisa Marie Kurbikoff got married in 2000. They have one daughter, Dominique.

Jami Gertz (Melissa Reeves)

Jami Gertz as Melissa Reeves in 'Twister'; Jami Gertz attends 'Magic City: An American Fantasy' premiere at AMC Madison Yards 8 on Aug. 11, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga.

Courtesy Everett; Prince Williams/WireImage

Jami Gertz plays Melissa Reeves, Bill's fiancée, who feels out of place when she's introduced to his ex-wife Jo and her enthusiastic storm-chaser crew.

After *Twister*, Gertz primarily worked on television, including recurring roles on *ER* and *Ally McBeal*. She starred on the CBS sitcom *Still Standing* and *The Neighbors*, an ABC sitcom about a family living in a neighborhood of extraterrestrials.

Since then, Gertz has mostly stepped away from acting. She and her husband, Tony Ressler, became the owners of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks in 2015. They have four children.

Lois Smith (Aunt Meg)

Lois Smith as Aunt Meg in' Twister'; Lois Smith at the 'The Uninvited' premiere as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals held at the Stateside Theatre on March 11, 2024, in Austin.

Lois Smith plays Jo's spirited Aunt Meg, who supports her niece's storm-chasing activities but is personally threatened by a sudden twister.

Smith's lengthy career in film, television, and the stage dates back to 1952. The veteran actress was in her mid-60s when she appeared in *Twister*, and she's kept busy since. She was the regretful creator of Precrime in Steven Spielberg’s *Minority Report *(2002) and played Sookie's grandmother in the first season of HBO's vampire series *True Blood*. In recent years, she's appeared in acclaimed films like *The Nice Guys* (2016), Greta Gerwig's *Lady Bird *(2017), Wes Anderson's *The French Dispatch* (2021), and in the title role of *Marjorie Prime* (2017)*.*

Smith has maintained a busy Broadway career as well, earning three Tony nominations. In 2020, she won her first Tony for *The Inheritance** *at age 90*, *becoming the oldest actor at the time to win the award.

The actress married her college sweetheart, Wesley Dale Smith, in 1948. They had one daughter, Moon, and later divorced in 1970.**

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Alan Ruck (Rabbit Nurick)

Alan Ruck as Rabbit Nurick in 'Twister'; Alan Ruck at the 'Rooster' premiere on March 3, 2026, in New York City.

David James/Amblin/Universal/Warners/Kobal/Shutterstock; Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Alan Ruck plays Rabbit, Jo and Bill's assistant, who obsesses over the team's maps.

The same year as *Twister*, Ruck found a home on the ABC sitcom *Spin City* as the sleazy, sarcastic Stuart Bondek. He also appeared in guest roles on *Scrubs*, *Cougar Town*, and *Psych*.

Decades later, Ruck hit a new career-high on HBO's *Succession* as* *Connor Roy, the clan's often-overlooked eldest son who harbors unrealistic presidential ambitions. The role earned Ruck his first Emmy nomination in 2023. In 2026, he had a role in the Netflix rom-com *People We Meet on Vacation* and recurred on the HBO comedy series *Rooster*.

Ruck tied the knot with actress Claudia Stefany in 1984, and they had two children, Emma and Sam. The pair split in 2005. He wed actress Mireille Enos in 2008, and they share two children, daughter Vesper and son Larkin.

Sean Whalen (Allen Sanders)

Sean Whalen as Allen Sanders in 'Twister'; Sean Whalen on Feb. 24, 2023, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Warner Bros.; jfizzy/Star Max/GC Images

Sean Whalen plays Sanders, another member of Jo and Bill's tornado-hunting crew.

Whalen has appeared on many television shows, including *Grace Under Fire*,* Friends*,* *and *Star Trek: Enterprise*. He later played Coach Pearson on Nickelodeon’s *Unfabulous* and was a castaway, "Frogurt," on the hit drama *Lost*. He appeared in four episodes of *Superstore* and had a two-episode arc on *The Righteous Gemstones*. He has plenty of big-screen credits to his name as well, including *The Cable Guy* (1996), *Men in Black* (1997), *American Bigfoot* (2022), and *A Blind Bargain* (2025).

Whalen married his second wife, Sheena Fink, in 2021.

Jeremy Davies (Laurence)

Jeremy Davies as Laurence in 'Twister'; Jeremy Davies attends Universal's 'The Black Phone' premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on June 21, 2022, in Hollywood, Calif.

Warner Bros.; Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty

Jeremy Davies plays Laurence, one of Jo's graduate students, who mans the camera during the group's activities.

Following *Twister*, Davies landed roles in *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), *Ravenous* (1999), *Secretary* (2002), and *Solaris* (2002), then played Charles Manson in the TV movie *Helter Skelter *(2004)*.*

He later joined the cast of *Lost* in season 4, playing physicist Daniel Faraday, followed by a celebrated role as Dickie Bennett on FX's neo-Western crime drama, *Justified*. He received two Emmy nominations for the latter, winning in 2012.

In 2015, Davies reunited with *Twister* costar Bill Paxton in the History Channel miniseries *Texas Rising*. He’s since popped up in everything from the Arrowverse to *Hannibal*, *Sleepy Hollow*,* American Gods*, and the *Black Phone* films.

Todd Field (Beltzer)

Todd Field as Beltzer in 'Twister'; Todd Field attends the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 4, 2023, in Santa Monica, Calif.

Warner Bros.; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Todd Field plays Beltzer, one of Jo and Bill's associates.

Field is now a well-known filmmaker with six Oscar nominations, but he began his Hollywood career as an actor. He starred in Nicole Holofcener's acclaimed indie *Walking and Talking* (1996) and landed a key role as piano player Nick Nightingale in Stanley Kubrick's psychological drama *Eyes Wide Shut* (1999).

In 2001, Field made his directorial debut with the family drama *In the Bedroom*, starring Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, and Marisa Tomei. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, with Field picking up nods for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. His follow-up film, the sardonic suburban melodrama *Little Children* (2006)*,* starred Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly, and Jackie Earle Haley. Field earned an additional nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

He also helmed *Tár** *(2022), an extraordinary film about an orchestral conductor (Cate Blanchett) who is accused of abusing her power. *Tár* received six Oscar nominations, with Field earning three for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. In addition to his movies, Field is one of the most sought-after commercial directors in the business.

Field married costume designer Serena Rathbun in 1986. They have four children.

Alexa PenaVega (Young Jo)

Alexa PenaVega as Young Jo in 'Twister'; Alexa PenaVega visits Hallmark Channel's 'Home & Family' at Universal Studios Hollywood on Feb. 7, 2020, in Universal City, Calif.

Warner Bros.; Paul Archuleta/Getty

Alexa PenaVega plays a younger version of Jo, Helen Hunt's character, in the film's opening sequence.

*Twister* was PenaVega's first major screen role, filmed when she was 7 years old. She followed this film with supporting roles in true-story courtroom drama *Ghosts of Mississippi* (1996) and the Michelle Pfeiffer weepie *The Deep End of the Ocean* (1999), before striking gold as Carmen Cortez, the star of Robert Rodriguez's hit film *Spy Kids* (2001). The film launched a franchise, with PenaVega reprising her role in further entries.

PenaVega headlined the ABC Family sitcom *Ruby & the Rockits* before working with Rodriguez again in his action parody *Machete Kills *(2013) and competed on *Dancing With the Stars* in 2015. Since then, she's booked roles in many Hallmark Channel films, including *Picture Perfect Mysteries* (2019) with her husband, Carlos, and its 2020 sequel.

She married film producer Sean Covel in 2010, but the couple split in 2012. She later wed actor and singer Carlos Pena Jr. in 2014, with both using PenaVega as their married name. They have had four children: sons Ocean and Kingston, and daughters Rio and Indy (born stillborn in 2024).

Anthony Rapp (Tony)

Anthony Rapp at the 'Star Trek: Section 31' world premiere held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Jan. 22, 2025, in New York City.

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Anthony Rapp plays Tony, a member of Jonas Miller's rival storm-chasing team.

Around the same time as his blink-and-you-miss-it role in *Twister*, Rapp was on the verge of Broadway stardom by playing Mark in the original cast of the 1996 rock musical *Rent.* He went on the production's national tour a year later and opened in London's West End in 1998. He returned to Broadway in 1999 to play the lead in *You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown*.

He continued to split his time between theater and film, appearing on the big screen in the Oscar-winning biopic *A Beautiful Mind* (2001), the raunchy college comedy *Road Trip* (2002), and the film adaptation of *Rent** *(2005).

On the small screen, he appeared in the musical episode of *Psych* and three episodes of Steven Soderbergh’s historical medical drama *The Knick*. Back on Broadway, he was in *If/Then* from 2014 to 2015 alongside *Rent* costar Idina Menzel. He then booked his first regular TV role on *Star Trek: Discovery*, playing Lt. Commander Paul Stamets for its entire five-season run. He also appeared Off-Broadway in his one-man show, *Without You*, based on his 2006 memoir.

Rapp got engaged to his partner, Ken Ithiphol, in 2019. The pair shares two children, Rai and Keony.

Wendle Josepher (Haynes)

Wendle Josepher as Haynes in 'Twister'; Wendle Josepher walks the picket line during the SAG-AFTRA strike on Oct. 5, 2023, in Culver City, Calif.

Warner Bros.; Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Wendle Josepher plays Haynes, the bucket hat-wearing member of Jo and Bill's team.

Josepher has carried supporting roles throughout her career, appearing in Ron Howard’s proto-reality TV satire *EDtv *(1999), and the Coen brothers' screwball comedy *Intolerable Cruelty* (2003), as well as episodes of *Party of Five*, *Seinfeld*, *Roswell*, *Alias*, and *Glee*.

Her most recent screen role was a 2021 episode of Showtime’s Emmy-winning family tragicomedy *Shameless*. In addition to her acting work, Josepher is a watercolor artist who specializes in paintings of cats.

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