Where Are They Now? The Empire Records Cast’s Stunning 2024–2025 Career Updates

What’s with today, today? For fans of the 1995 cult classic Empire Records, the enduring power of the film lies in its perfect capture of 90s angst, camaraderie, and the fight against corporate takeover. This coming-of-age drama, which gave us the iconic "Rex Manning Day" and launched the careers of several future A-list stars, continues to resonate nearly three decades later. The film’s enduring popularity means that every year, fans are curious about the lives and careers of the beloved cast members who spent one fateful day trying to "Save the Empire."

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the ensemble cast is busier than ever, with major franchise returns, new feature films, and high-profile television roles. From a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the fourth installment of a beloved romantic comedy franchise, the former employees of Empire Records are proving that their careers are anything but a "dumpster fire." Here is the definitive, up-to-date look at the most exciting projects and biographical details for the main actors who made this film a timeless classic.

The Main Cast: Biography and Latest Projects (2024–2025)

The core cast of Empire Records created a memorable ensemble, each bringing a distinct personality to the independent record store's staff. Here is a look at their full profiles and their most current career moves.

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• Liv Tyler (Corey Mason): Born July 1, 1977, in New York City. Known for: Armageddon, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (as Arwen Undómiel), and The Leftovers.
• Renée Zellweger (Gina): Born April 25, 1969, in Katy, Texas. Known for: Jerry Maguire, Chicago, and the Bridget Jones franchise. An Academy Award winner.
• Ethan Embry (Mark): Born June 13, 1978, in Huntington Beach, California. Credited as Ethan Randall in Empire Records. Known for: Vegas Vacation, Can't Hardly Wait, and Netflix's Grace and Frankie (as Coyote Bergstein).
• Robin Tunney (Debra): Born June 19, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. Known for: The Craft, Prison Break (as Veronica Donovan), and The Mentalist (as Teresa Lisbon).
• Rory Cochrane (Lucas): Born February 28, 1972, in Syracuse, New York. Known for: Dazed and Confused, Argo, and CSI: Miami.
• Johnny Whitworth (A.J.): Born October 31, 1975, in Charleston, South Carolina. Known for: Limitless and CSI: Miami.
• Anthony LaPaglia (Joe Reaves): Born January 31, 1959, in Adelaide, South Australia. Known for: Without a Trace (as Jack Malone), Lantana, and Broadway's A View from the Bridge.
• Debi Mazar (Jane): Born August 13, 1964, in Queens, New York. Known for: Goodfellas, Entourage, and Younger.
• Maxwell Caulfield (Rex Manning): Born March 11, 1959, in Derby, England. Known for: Grease 2 and The Colbys.

The A-Listers: Major Franchise Returns and Oscar-Caliber Work

The film’s biggest breakout stars have cemented their status as Hollywood heavyweights, and their upcoming projects demonstrate a powerful return to major franchises, proving their continued relevance in the industry.

Liv Tyler (Corey Mason): Returning to the MCU as Betty Ross

Liv Tyler, who played the ambitious and secretly troubled Corey Mason, has maintained a steady career across film and television. While she took a brief hiatus to focus on her family, her 2024–2025 slate marks a massive return to blockbuster cinema.

After her initial appearance as Betty Ross in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, Tyler is officially set to reprise her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Captain America: Brave New World. This highly anticipated movie, scheduled for a 2025 release, will see her character, the daughter of General Ross, re-enter the MCU narrative. Her involvement is a significant development, linking the early phases of the Hulk storyline to the current Captain America saga and generating considerable excitement among Marvel fans.

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Renée Zellweger (Gina): Bridget Jones is Back in 2025

Renée Zellweger, who played the sharp-witted and confident Gina, is a two-time Academy Award winner (for Cold Mountain and Judy). Her 2025 project is arguably one of the most anticipated romantic comedy sequels in years.

Zellweger is confirmed to return as the titular character in the fourth installment of the beloved British franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. The film, based on Helen Fielding’s novel, is set to be released on Peacock in 2025 and will see Bridget navigating life as a widow with two small children. This project shows Zellweger's continued commitment to the role that helped define her career, alongside her critically acclaimed work in biopics like Judy and her television series, The Thing About Pam.

The Cult Favorites: Thrillers, Dramas, and Genre Films

The rest of the core cast has continued to find success in critically acclaimed television, independent films, and gritty genre work, showcasing their versatility far beyond the walls of Empire Records.

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Ethan Embry (Mark): Horror and Thriller Roles

Ethan Embry, the quirky, artistic Mark, has had a consistent career in both film and television, including a long-running role as Coyote Bergstein in the Netflix hit Grace and Frankie. His latest ventures see him leaning into the thriller and horror genres.

Embry is set to star in the upcoming 2025 werewolf film Alma & The Wolf, a surrealistic horror feature set on the Oregon coast where he plays a troubled police officer. He is also slated to appear in the 2025 thriller Safe House. These roles demonstrate his pivot toward darker, more complex characters, a significant departure from his earlier teen movie and family comedy roles.

Robin Tunney (Debra): Sundance Premiere and TV Success

Robin Tunney, who played the brooding, shaven-headed Debra, is best known for her long-running roles in television hits like The Mentalist and Prison Break. Her latest project brings her back to the indie film circuit with a high-profile festival premiere.

Tunney is part of the ensemble cast for the upcoming 2025 film By Design, a drama that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2025. This project, which also stars Juliette Lewis and Melanie Griffith, highlights Tunney's ability to balance mainstream television success with compelling, independent cinema. She continues to be one of the most recognizable faces from the film, thanks to her iconic portrayal of a character dealing with intense personal issues.

Rory Cochrane (Lucas): Gritty Action and True Crime

Rory Cochrane, who played the philosophical and impulsive Lucas, is a veteran of both indie and major studio films, often collaborating with directors like Richard Linklater and appearing in acclaimed dramas like Argo and Black Mass.

Cochrane’s 2024–2025 slate includes the action thriller King Ivory, which is scheduled for release in 2025. He also recently appeared in the 2023 true-crime film Boston Strangler, playing Detective DeLine. These projects confirm his status as a reliable character actor, consistently taking on roles in intense, dramatic features that showcase his understated yet powerful acting style.

Anthony LaPaglia (Joe): Voice Acting and Audio Drama

Anthony LaPaglia, the store manager Joe Reaves, is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, most famous for his lead role in the long-running procedural Without a Trace.

In 2024, LaPaglia took on a unique project in the audio drama space, starring as the notorious Al Capone in the Max Collins-based production True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak. His participation in this 2024 Comic-Con-promoted audio series demonstrates his willingness to explore different mediums and his continued demand for roles that require a commanding, authoritative presence.

The Enduring Legacy of Empire Records and Topical Authority

The lasting impact of Empire Records is not just in the careers of its actors, but in its status as a cultural touchstone for 90s nostalgia and a cult classic film. The movie is celebrated annually on April 8th, known universally as Rex Manning Day, the fictional date of the self-absorbed pop star's appearance at the store.

The film’s central themes—the struggle of independent business against corporate chains, the complexities of teenage mental health (as seen in Corey's storyline), and the importance of finding your tribe—continue to be discussed in film studies and fan communities. Its influence is so strong that a new Empire Records musical comedy, based on the film, was announced for a world premiere, further solidifying the film’s place in pop culture history.

From the subtle shift in Ethan Embry's career toward genre films to Liv Tyler and Renée Zellweger’s highly anticipated returns to major franchises, the Empire Records cast has proven that their careers, much like the store they fought to save, are thriving and evolving. The latest updates from 2024 and 2025 confirm that for this group of actors, the music is still playing loud and clear.

Relevant Entities and LSI Keywords: Empire Records (1995), Rex Manning Day, cult classic, 90s nostalgia, coming-of-age film, Captain America: Brave New World, Betty Ross, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, King Ivory, True Noir, The Mentalist, Grace and Frankie, Coyote Bergstein, Arwen Undómiel, Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Craft, independent record store, corporate takeover, Ethan Randall, Debi Mazar, Johnny Whitworth, Maxwell Caulfield. (Total entities used: 22)