You're Killing Me, Smalls! What The Sandlot Cast Is Doing Now (2025 Update)

Few films capture the essence of a perfect summer like 1993's The Sandlot, a timeless coming-of-age story that turned its young cast into instant legends. Now, more than three decades after Scotty Smalls and Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez chased down a Babe Ruth-signed baseball, the lives of the actors who brought the Sandlot crew to life have taken wildly different and often surprising paths. From stepping back from Hollywood to become a real-life hero, to ongoing acting careers, and even a few brushes with controversy, the journey of the cast is as compelling as the film itself. This is the definitive, updated look at what the cast of The Sandlot is doing in late 2024 and heading into 2025.

The film's enduring popularity was highlighted by a massive 30th-anniversary reunion tour in 2023, which brought many of the boys back together, proving that the bond forged on that dusty baseball diamond is still strong. However, 2024 brought significant news, both positive and somber, including a major career update for one of the film’s biggest stars and the passing of a cinematic icon. The story of the Sandlot kids is a perfect example of how childhood stardom can lead to unexpected, real-world careers—sometimes even more heroic than their on-screen roles.

The Sandlot Boys: Complete Cast Biography and Current Profile

The core group of nine boys, plus the legendary lifeguard and the iconic adult actors, have all charted unique courses since the film’s release. Here is a detailed look at the main cast members and their current status as of December 2025.

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• Tom Guiry (Scotty Smalls)
  • Character: The new kid in town who can't play baseball.
  • Born: October 12, 1981 (Age 44)
  • Career Path: Continued acting in films like Lassie (1994), Black Hawk Down (2001), and a recurring role on the television series The Black Donnellys.
  • Current Status: Guiry remains an active actor in Hollywood. However, he made headlines in 2023 when he was arrested in Horry County, South Carolina, and charged with third-degree assault and battery and malicious injury to personal property for allegedly smashing the windshield of a Jeep.
• Mike Vitar (Benjamin "Benny 'The Jet'" Rodriguez)
  • Character: The team's leader and best player.
  • Born: December 21, 1978 (Age 46)
  • Career Path: Appeared in The Mighty Ducks sequels (as Luis Mendoza) before retiring from acting.
  • Current Status: Vitar made the most dramatic career shift, transitioning from acting to public service. Since 2002, he has been a dedicated firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), a career he has held for over 22 years.
• Patrick Renna (Hamilton "Ham" Porter)
  • Character: The catcher and team's resident trash-talker ("You're killing me, Smalls!").
  • Born: March 3, 1979 (Age 46)
  • Career Path: Continued acting, appearing in films like Son in Law and TV shows, but has embraced his legacy.
  • Current Status: Renna is highly active on social media, often creating viral content referencing his iconic role. He has leveraged his fame into a new career as a children's author, releasing the book A Little Slugger's Guide to the Game. He is also a father of two sons.
• Chauncey Leopardi (Michael "Squints" Palledorous)
  • Character: The mischievous, glasses-wearing boy known for the famous pool scene.
  • Born: June 14, 1981 (Age 44)
  • Career Path: Appeared in Casper and the TV show Freaks and Geeks, but largely stepped away from acting.
  • Current Status: Leopardi has explained that he left Hollywood to avoid "things that... I didn't want to be a part of." He frequently participates in fan conventions and reunions, continuing to embrace the "Squints" persona. He and Patrick Renna often reunite for viral social media posts.
• Marty York (Alan "Yeah-Yeah" McClennan)
  • Character: The fast-talking, excitable player.
  • Born: August 23, 1980 (Age 45)
  • Career Path: Occasional roles in shows like Boy Meets World and Hey Arnold!
  • Current Status: York primarily works as a professional fitness trainer in Los Angeles, though he still takes on sporadic acting gigs.
• Brandon Quintin Adams (Kenny DeNunez)
  • Character: The team's ace pitcher, "The Heater."
  • Born: August 22, 1979 (Age 46)
  • Career Path: Was a prolific child actor, known for The Mighty Ducks (as Jesse Hall) and Michael Jackson's film Moonwalker.
  • Current Status: Adams has largely retired from the screen but remains connected to his iconic roles, attending reunions and fan events.
• Shane Obedzinski (Tommy "Repeat" Timmons)
  • Character: The youngest player, who repeats everything his older brother says.
  • Born: November 1, 1982 (Age 43)
  • Career Path: Had a role in My Girl (1991) before The Sandlot.
  • Current Status: Obedzinski left acting and now resides in Tampa, Florida, where he is involved with a local "Play" board, maintaining a connection to sports and community.
• Grant Gelt (Bertram Grover Weeks)
  • Character: The mysterious boy who "got into some heavy stuff."
  • Born: October 27, 1979 (Age 46)
  • Career Path: Appeared in TV shows like Saved by the Bell: The New Class.
  • Current Status: Gelt transitioned away from acting and into a successful career in business and entrepreneurship. He is often described as the most "mysterious" of the cast, keeping his private life out of the public eye.

The Women and Legends: Wendy Peffercorn and The Great Bambino

While the focus is often on the boys, the adult and supporting cast members were crucial to the film's success. Their careers have been equally dynamic, with 2024 marking a particularly poignant year for one of the greatest voices in cinema history.

Marley Shelton (Wendy Peffercorn)

The object of Squints' famous—and hilarious—desire, Wendy Peffercorn was played by Marley Shelton. Unlike many of the child actors, Shelton's career continued to flourish in Hollywood. After The Sandlot, she landed roles in major films like Pleasantville (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), and Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse (2007).

Her Current Status: Shelton remains an active and recognizable actress. Most notably, she has been a key part of the modern Scream franchise, reprising her role as Deputy Judy Hicks in Scream 4 and the 2022 revival film, proving her longevity in the industry.

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James Earl Jones (Mr. Mertle, "The Old Man")

James Earl Jones, who played the blind, elderly owner of "The Beast" and a former baseball legend, brought immense gravitas to the film. Known globally as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga and Mufasa in The Lion King, his presence elevated The Sandlot to classic status.

His Current Status: Tragically, James Earl Jones passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93. His death marked a significant loss for the entire entertainment world. In a fascinating modern twist to his legacy, Jones had previously signed over the rights to use his iconic voice for Darth Vader via AI technology, ensuring his voice will continue to be heard in future projects.

Denis Leary (Bill, Smalls' Stepfather)

Comedian and actor Denis Leary played the perpetually frustrated stepfather, Bill. Leary is well-known for his extensive career in stand-up and his critically acclaimed TV dramas, including Rescue Me and The Moodys.

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His Current Status: Leary is still highly active. In late 2024, it was announced he would be starring in and executive producing a new Fox comedy series titled Going Dutch, scheduled to premiere in early 2025. This ensures his continued presence on television screens.

From Hollywood to Heroes: The Most Surprising Career Changes

The true curiosity for fans lies in the drastic shifts some of the boys made after the film. Their post-Hollywood lives are a testament to finding fulfillment outside the spotlight, often in demanding and selfless professions.

Mike Vitar's Firefighting Career

The most inspiring career trajectory belongs to Mike Vitar (Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez). After a few more acting roles, Vitar walked away from the industry to pursue a career as a first responder. Since 2002, he has been an active member of the Los Angeles Fire Department, serving his community for over two decades. His transition from a fictional baseball hero to a real-life public servant is one of the most celebrated stories of any child star from the 1990s.

Patrick Renna's Pivot to Author and Influencer

While Patrick Renna (Ham Porter) continues to act occasionally, his modern career is defined by his ability to embrace and monetize his legacy. His viral social media presence, where he often recreates scenes or just wears his iconic Ham Porter hat, has made him a beloved internet personality. This culminated in his recent success as a published children's author, where he teaches young sluggers about the game. He has successfully transformed his classic character into a modern, family-friendly brand.

The Entrepreneurial Paths of Gelt and Obedzinski

Both Grant Gelt (Bertram) and Shane Obedzinski (Repeat) chose to leave the acting world entirely, pursuing careers in business and community service, respectively. Gelt’s move into entrepreneurship and Obedzinski’s work with a Tampa-based community board show a shared desire among the cast to build stable, non-Hollywood lives. This collective decision by several key actors highlights the often-difficult transition from child star to adult professional.

The Enduring Legacy and Recent Reunions

The 30th anniversary of The Sandlot in 2023 was a major event, proving the film's enduring cultural relevance. The cast reunited for various events, including a charity softball game and appearances at the original filming locations in Salt Lake City, Utah. These reunions, which included most of the original boys, allowed fans to witness their bond firsthand and celebrate the film's status as a generational classic.

The film's themes—friendship, summer freedom, and the love of baseball—continue to resonate with new audiences, ensuring its place in the pantheon of great sports movies. The diverse paths of the cast, from the tragic loss of James Earl Jones to the heroic career of Mike Vitar, only add layers to the rich, nostalgic story that started with a simple game of baseball in the summer of '62. The story of *The Sandlot* is, ultimately, a story about growing up and finding your own field of dreams, no matter where life takes you.