When Paramount Pictures released the 2005 remake of 2005 Bad News Bears cast, moviegoers weren't entirely sure what to make of a PG-13 update to Walter Matthau's 1976 sports comedy classic. Directed by Richard Linklater and starring Billy Bob Thornton as the bourbon-swilling, foul-mouthed coach Morris Buttermaker, the film featured a talented group of young unknowns playing the most dysfunctional little league team in cinema history.
Two decades later, the kids who once took the field at Optimist Park have grown up, traded their cleats for new careers, and followed vastly different paths. While a few main cast members continued acting in major Hollywood television series and blockbuster films, others quietly stepped away from the spotlight entirely. Let's break down where the actors from the 2005 remake are today, how their careers evolved, and what happened behind the scenes.
The Coaching Staff: Billy Bob Thornton, Greg Kinnear, and Marcia Gay Harden
The adult anchors of the 2005 remake brought heavy star power to the diamond, and all three main actors maintained thriving, high-profile careers in the decades following the film's release.
Billy Bob Thornton (Coach Morris Buttermaker)
Playing the down-on-his-luck exterminator and former minor league pitcher was second nature for Billy Bob Thornton, who had already earned widespread acclaim for Bad Santa and Friday Night Lights. Thornton never slowed down. He has since starred in prestige television and film projects, including the hit Amazon Prime series Goliath and the Paramount+ drama series Landman. Outside of acting, Thornton remains active as the frontman for his roots-rock band, The Boxmasters. You can read more about his career trajectory on IMDb.
Greg Kinnear (Ray Bullock)
Kinnear played the obnoxious, hyper-competitive rival coach Ray Bullock with smarmy perfection. Known for his work in As Good as It Gets and Little Miss Sunshine, Kinnear has continued working steadily across film and television. His later credits include recurring television roles in critically acclaimed series like Netflix's House of Cards and You, proving his enduring range as both a comedic and dramatic performer.
Marcia Gay Harden (Liz Whitewood)
Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden played Councilwoman Liz Whitewood, the league official who forces Buttermaker to take the coaching job. Harden has enjoyed a decorated career spanning theater, film, and television, with notable roles in the Fifty Shades film franchise, The Morning Show, and the CBS legal comedy-drama So Help Me Todd.
The Core Team Members: Where Are the Child Stars?
The heart of the movie relied on its young ensemble. While some young actors parodied their way into long-term show business success, others chose entirely different walks of life.
Troy Gentile (Matthew Hooper)
As the catcher Matthew Hooper, Troy Gentile provided some of the funniest moments in the dugout. Shortly after the film wrapped, Gentile continued landing major roles, playing a young Jack Black in Nacho Libre and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. His biggest career milestone came when he was cast as Barry Goldberg in the hit ABC sitcom The Goldbergs, which ran for ten seasons from 2013 to 2023.
Carter Jenkins (Joey Bullock)
Carter Jenkins played Joey Bullock, the arrogant star pitcher for the rival Yankees team. Jenkins transitioned smoothly from child actor to adult heartthrob, building an extensive resume in television and film. His credits include recurring roles in series like Mad Men, The Following, and Famous in Love, as well as starring as Robert Freeman in the popular After film franchise (After We Fell, After Ever Happy, and After Everything).
Jeffrey Davies (Kelly Leak)
Jeffrey Davies played the motorcycle-riding, cigarette-smoking rebel Kelly Leak, who eventually joins the Bears to save their season. Following the movie, Davies appeared in a few minor television spots before stepping away from commercial acting. In 2019, Davies suffered severe, life-altering injuries in a motorcycle accident. Reports from recovery updates noted that he underwent intensive physical therapy at a brain injury rehabilitation center.
Sammi Kane Kraft (Amanda Whurlitzer)
Sammi Kane Kraft made her feature film debut as Amanda Whurlitzer, the talented left-handed pitcher scouted by Buttermaker. Though Bad News Bears was her only major acting credit, Kraft was an exceptionally gifted real-life athlete who played varsity softball. Tragically, Kraft's life was cut short on October 9, 2012, when she was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 20. Her memory is honored closely by her friends, including Alana Haim of the rock band HAIM.
Brandon Craggs (Mike Engelberg)
Brandon Craggs portrayed the loud-mouthed, candy-loving team captain Mike Engelberg. Craggs continued pursuing acting on a smaller scale into his early twenties, making minor appearances in independent short films and television movies before transitioning away from the industry to focus on creative behind-the-scenes work and digital media.
Timmy Deters (Tanner Boyle)
Timmy Deters played Tanner Boyle, the fiery, trash-talking undersized infielder. Deters kept a foot in the entertainment industry for over a decade, booking minor guest spots on shows like That '70s Show and Awkward before shifting focus toward writing, producing, and directing independent projects.
Tyler Patrick Jones (Timmy Lupus)
Tyler Patrick Jones played Timmy Lupus, the quiet, glasses-wearing kid who transforms into a key utility player. After Bad News Bears, Jones landed a prominent recurring role as Ned Banks in the CBS supernatural drama Ghost Whisperer alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt. He officially retired from screen acting in 2012 to pursue other personal interests and behind-the-scenes production work.
Common Misconceptions About the 2005 Remake
Viewers often confuse the production history of the 2005 version with the original 1976 film, leading to a few persistent mix-ups online:
- The Original Cast: Many articles accidentally mix up the fates of the 1976 child actors (such as Jackie Earle Haley and Tatum O'Neal) with the 2005 cast. The two ensembles are entirely separate.
- Sammi Kane Kraft's Career: Because of her standout pitching performance in the film, fans frequently assume she pursued a professional athletic or pitching career. In reality, she focused on her education at San Francisco State University prior to her passing.
- The Filming Location: While the fictional league takes place in California, much of the 2005 movie was filmed on location in and around Austin, Texas, leveraging director Richard Linklater's local filmmaking roots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did any of the 2005 child actors stay in professional baseball?
No. While some actors like Sammi Kane Kraft excelled at sports in their personal lives, none of the child actors transitioned into Major League Baseball or professional athletic careers. Most either pursued entertainment or shifted into completely different private sectors.
Is the 2005 movie a shot-for-shot remake of the 1976 original?
While it keeps the core premise—a slacker coach takes over an abysmal youth baseball team—the 2005 script updates pop culture references, modernizes the dialogue, and introduces distinct character names (such as replacing Rudi Stein with Garo Daragabrigadien) to fit a 2000s suburban setting.
Where can I stream the 2005 Bad News Bears online?
Streaming availability changes frequently due to licensing agreements across platforms. You can check current rental and streaming options via official aggregator services like JustWatch.
Did Billy Bob Thornton do his own baseball coaching in the film?
Yes. Thornton worked closely with technical advisors and baseball coaches during pre-production to ensure his mannerisms authentically mirrored a gritty, burnt-out minor league player turned reluctant youth coach.
