The Unexpected Lives Of The Actors In Curly Sue: Where Are They Now In 2025?

The 1991 John Hughes classic, Curly Sue, remains a beloved piece of '90s cinematic nostalgia, telling the heartwarming story of a young, street-smart girl and her con-artist guardian who find an unexpected home with a high-powered lawyer. More than three decades later, the film's stars—Alisan Porter, Jim Belushi, and Kelly Lynch—have all embarked on vastly different, and in some cases, completely unexpected career paths. As of December 10, 2025, the lives of the actors who brought Bill Dancer, Grey Ellison, and the titular Curly Sue to life are a fascinating mix of musical stardom, entrepreneurial success, and continued acting.

The film, which was the final directorial effort by the legendary John Hughes, holds a unique place in film history. The curiosity surrounding the fate of its young star, especially, has driven countless "where are they now" searches, but the real-life updates for the entire main cast are far more compelling than a simple career recap.

The Main Cast of Curly Sue: Complete Biography and Current Status

The core trio of Curly Sue has experienced remarkable transformations, moving from the big screen to the music charts, television, and even the booming cannabis industry. Here is a look at the key figures from the 1991 film and their journey since.

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Alisan Porter (Curly Sue)

• Full Name: Alisan Leigh Porter
• Date of Birth: June 20, 1981
• Birthplace: Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Role in Curly Sue: Curly Sue (the title character, a clever and resilient orphan girl)
• Other Notable Roles: Taylor Buckman in Parenthood, Winner of The Voice Season 10.
• Current Status (2025): A successful singer-songwriter and musician, focusing on pop, rock, and Americana. She is married to Justin de Vera and is a mother of three.

Jim Belushi (Bill Dancer)

• Full Name: James Adam Belushi
• Date of Birth: June 15, 1954
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Role in Curly Sue: Bill Dancer (Curly Sue's kind-hearted, though often misguided, con-artist guardian)
• Other Notable Roles: Star of the sitcom According to Jim, cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL), star of films like K-9 and The Principal.
• Current Status (2025): Active actor, comedian, and musician, but primarily known as the founder of his highly successful cannabis company, Belushi's Farm.

Kelly Lynch (Grey Ellison)

• Full Name: Kelly Ann Lynch
• Date of Birth: January 31, 1959
• Birthplace: Golden Valley, Minnesota, U.S.
• Role in Curly Sue: Grey Ellison (a wealthy, high-powered divorce attorney who takes in Bill and Curly Sue)
• Other Notable Roles: Dr. Elizabeth Clay in Road House, Kerry Coughlin in Cocktail, and Ivan Aycock in The L Word.
• Current Status (2025): Continues to act in film and television, with recent roles and a focus on philanthropic efforts.

Alisan Porter’s Transformation: From Child Star to The Voice Champion

Alisan Porter’s journey is perhaps the most surprising and inspiring of the entire cast, moving away from acting to find profound success in the music industry. After her starring role as Curly Sue at the age of ten, Porter continued to act in various projects, but her true passion lay in singing.

The major turning point in her career came in 2016 when she auditioned for and ultimately won Season 10 of the popular singing competition show, The Voice.

Her victory on the show cemented her status as a serious musical artist, shedding the "child star" label. The momentum of her music career remains strong into 2025. In June 2024, she released a six-song EP, and in November 2025, she released a new single titled "California."

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Porter is also a devoted wife and mother. She is married to Justin de Vera, and the couple is raising three children, often sharing glimpses of her family life alongside her musical endeavors.

Jim Belushi’s Surprising Pivot: From Hollywood to Belushi's Farm

Jim Belushi, who played the charming con artist Bill Dancer, has maintained a steady career in entertainment, known for his long-running sitcom According to Jim and his roots in *Saturday Night Live*. However, his most significant and unexpected professional venture in the 2020s is as a successful entrepreneur in the legal cannabis space.

Belushi is the founder of Belushi's Farm, a large-scale cannabis operation based in Oregon. The company has become a major entity in the industry, and Belushi himself has become a passionate advocate for the healing power of cannabis, often citing its potential benefits for veterans and for addressing the opioid crisis.

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The business continues to expand rapidly in 2025. Belushi's Farm announced a partnership to launch signature strains in Ohio in June 2025, and a new license partner retail dispensary location opened in Kansas City in January 2025. He often performs holiday concerts and makes red carpet appearances, but his work with Belushi's Farm is his defining current project.

What Happened to Grey Ellison and the Supporting Cast?

While the focus often remains on the main duo, the fates of the other key actors and the film’s director are equally important for a complete picture of the movie’s legacy.

Kelly Lynch: The Continually Working Actress

Kelly Lynch, who played the sophisticated lawyer Grey Ellison, has enjoyed a consistent career across film and television. She is known for her roles in popular films like Road House and Cocktail before her performance in Curly Sue. Into 2025, Lynch continues to act, balancing her career with philanthropic interests.

Lynch was recently noted for her role in the film Dead Man's Wire, which was featured at the AFI Fest 2025, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to acting and the arts. She is considered a classic '80s and '90s movie icon who is still active in the industry today.

Fred Dalton Thompson (Bernard Oxbar)

Fred Dalton Thompson, who played the role of Bernard Oxbar, Grey Ellison's law partner, had a career that spanned acting, law, and politics. Thompson was a prominent figure, known for his role as District Attorney Arthur Branch on the long-running television series Law & Order.

However, the former U.S. Senator and Watergate lawyer passed away on November 1, 2015, at the age of 73. His legacy is one of a rare individual who achieved success across the diverse fields of Hollywood, Washington D.C., and the courtroom.

John Getz (Walker McCormick)

John Getz, who played Walker McCormick, Grey Ellison’s fiancé, is a veteran character actor with a career spanning decades, including a memorable role in the 1986 horror film The Fly. Getz is a stage-trained actor who has appeared in numerous television and film projects throughout his career.

He remains a working character actor in the industry, with his financial success and career longevity still being discussed in late 2025, confirming his continued presence in Hollywood.

The Director: John Hughes

A crucial piece of film history is that Curly Sue was the final film directed by John Hughes, the legendary filmmaker behind '80s classics like The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Hughes retired from directing after Curly Sue, though he continued to write and produce. The beloved director passed away in 2009.