‘Bachelor Party’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

In the realm of raucous comedies that defined the 1980s, Bachelor Party and it's memorable cast stands out as a quintessential celebration of mischief, mayhem and pre-wedding debauchery.

Released in 1984, this film became an instant hit, captivating audiences with its irreverent humor and outrageous antics. Helmed by director Neal Israel and produced by Ron Moler and Bob Israel, Bachelor Party follows the misadventures of a young groom-to-be and his group of friends as they throw him an epic party on the eve of his wedding.

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What starts as a seemingly innocent celebration quickly spirals into a series of outrageous escapades, complete with exotic dancers, prank calls and a high-speed chase involving a donkey. As the night unfolds, the characters navigate through a whirlwind of chaos, testing the boundaries of friendship and love in the process.

Here, we look at the cast of Bachelor Party and where these actors are today.

Tom Hanks as Rick Gassko

Born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, Tom Hanks stars as Rick Gassko, the affable protagonist and groom-to-be whose bachelor party sets the stage for a night of hilarity and chaos.

Hanks came to fame when he was cast as Kip Wilson on the sitcom Bosom Buddies, where he played one of two advertising executives who dressed in drag in order to rent an apartment in an all-female building.

That leading role led to guest appearances on many of the big shows including Happy Days, Taxi, The Love Boat, and Family Ties. Ron Howard remembered Hanks from his guest stint on Happy Days, and Howard cast Hanks in the 1984 hit movie Splash, which also starred Daryl Hannah. Tom Hanks and Ron Howard became a strong actor-director team and worked on several movies together including Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.

In 1988, Penny Marshall cast Hanks in Big and his performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination. From there he went on to star in Nora Ephron's 1993 hit Sleepless in Seattle with co-star Meg Ryan; the two stars went on to make a number of movies, including You’ve Got Mail. Hanks moved from comedy to drama in 1994’s Philadelphia, in which he played a lawyer fired from his high-paying firm because he had AIDS.

He won the Academy Award for his role. He then went on to star in many successful movies including Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal. Hanks has become one of America’s favorite actors. His most recent role was 2022’s A Man Called Otto.

Hanks is married to actress Rita Wilson.

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Tawny Kitaen as Debbie Thompson: Bachelor Party

Born August 5, 1961, in San Diego, California, Tawny Kitaen played the role of Debbie Thompson, the love interest of Rick Gassko and the catalyst for much of the chaos that ensues during the bachelor party.

Kitaen, born Julie Ellen "Tawny" Kitaen, began her career as a television actress, appearing in the TV series Malibu and Capitol. She also starred in the comedy The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak before landing her role in Bachelor Party.

After that movie she appeared in the horror film Witchboard (1986). She also appeared in several heavy metal music videos including Ratt's Back for More (1984) and Whitesnake's Still of the Night, Is This Love and Here I Go Again (all 1987).

In 2006 she appeared in The Surreal Life and in 2008 she documented her substance abuse issues on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Most recently, she was a regular on the TV series Moms Anonymous (2017-2018).

Tragically, she passed away in 2021 at the age of 59.

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Adrian Zmed as Jay O'Neill

Born March 14, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Adrian Zmed played the role of Jay O'Neill, one of Rick's friends and fellow partygoers who gets caught up in the chaotic events of the bachelor party.

Zmed gained recognition for his role as Officer Vince Romano in the television series T.J. Hooker and his appearance in Grease 2 (1982). After Bachelor Party, he had guest appearances in several TV shows including Lady Dynamite, Passions, Diagnoses Murder and Silk Stockings.

He also had appeared in several films including The Craving Heart and The Drone Virus. His most recent work was as the voice of Randy Riff Raff in 2018’s Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

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Robert Prescott as Cole Whittier: Bachelor Party

Born March 20, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan, Robert Prescott played the role of Cole Whittier, Rick's uptight future brother-in-law who disapproves of the bachelor party festivities.

In the same year he appeared in Bachelor Party, Prescott also was in the film Joy of Sex and the made for TV movie All Together Now. He went on to have guest appearances in a variety of TV shows including Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-O, Law and Order and Third Watch. Most recently his voice can be heard on the video game franchise Red Dead, as well as on the podcast series VOID: A Narrative Audio Experience.

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Barbara Stuart as Mrs. Thompson

Born Barbara Ann McNeese on January 3, 1930, in Paris, Illinois, Barbara Stuart played the role of Mrs. Thompson in the Bachelor Party. She played Tom Hank’s future mother-in-law.

Prior to that movie, Stuart appeared in a handful of films, including Marines, Let’s Go! (1961) and Hellfighters (1968). She also appeared on several shows including The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show and Taxi. In the 1980 movie Airplane!, she played the wife of Rex Kramer, the crack pilot played by Robert Stack.

After Bachelor Party, she continued to act. Most notably on the series Huff, from 2004 to 2006, where she played Alice, one of Blythe Danner’s bridge partners.

She passed away in 2011 at the age of 81.

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Barry Diamond as Gary: Bachelor Party

Born on March 20, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Barry Diamond plays the role of Gary, one of Rick's friends and a member of the bachelor party crew.

Prior to Bachelor Party, Diamond appeared in two 1982 movies: Movie Madness and Class Reunion.

After Bachelor Party, he went on to appear in several movies including House Party and Public Enemy #2. He was a regular cast member on the show Townsend Television and had guest appearances on other series including Friends, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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