Here’s what the cast of “Donnie Darko” looks like 15 glorious years later
It’s been 15 years since the cast of Donnie Darko graced our lives. And in all this time we’ve wondered, “why DID Frank wear that stupid bunny suit?!?” Everything from that monstrous rabbit costume to the hilarious dialogue and Donnie’s downward spiral, made for an incredibly dark, but intriguing film and we haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Heck, even at the wrap party, according to IMDb, Jake Gyllenhaal and Seth Rogen agreed that they had no idea what the movie was ~really~ about! The only thing we DO know is that the cast was amazing and still is today, here’s a look.
Donnie Darko, played by Jake Gyllenhaal then vs. now.
Jake has a number of major film projects coming out later this year and next including Paul Dano’s feature directorial debut, Wildlife.
Gretchen Ross, played by Jena Malone then vs. now.
Jena starred earlier this year in the The Neon Demon and has a number of upcoming film projects including A Moment to Remember with Josh Hartnett.
Elizabeth Darko, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal then vs. now.
Maggie will star in HBO’s upcoming 2017 series The Deuce, set in 1970s New York, playing a character named Eileen “Candy” Merrell.
Samantha Darko, played by Daveigh Chase then vs. now.
Daveigh had a long run on Big Love after Donnie Darko and now has a number of films in the works including the indie film American Romance.
Rose Darko, played by Mary McDonnell then vs. now.
Since Donnie Darko, Mary has had major roles in a number of films and TV shows including Battlestar Galactica and The Closer. She currently stars as Sharon Raydor in Major Crimes.
Ricky Danforth, played by Seth Rogen then vs. now.
Donnie Darko was Seth Rogen’s feature film debut, and obviously since then his career has skyrocketed. Seth Rogen’s latest film Sausage Party came out earlier this year and some of the films he has lined up for 2017 include Zeroville, The Masterpiece, and The Something.
Frank, played by James Duval then vs. now.
James has a number of feature film projects, largely horror and independent movies, in the works including a Night of the Living Dead follow up film.
Cherita Chen, played by Jolene Purdy then vs. now.
Since Donnie Darko Jolene has acted in a number of popular shows including Glee, Under the Dome, and Benched. She also currently stars in Orange is the New Black as Hapakuka.
Karen Pomeroy, played by Drew Barrymore then vs. now.
Drew has a number of productions in the works including the upcoming MTV series Blooms, which she serves as an Executive Producer for.
And finally, Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff played by Noah Wyle then vs. now.
Noah famously starred in ER as Dr. John Carter both before and after Donnie Darko and went on to star in a number of major TV series including Falling Skies and The Librarian as well as The Librarians spin-off for which he serves as both an Executive Producer and Director.
