The Star-Studded Cast Of Disney's Haunted Mansion (2023): Who Plays Who In The Ghostly Reboot?

The 2023 release of Disney’s Haunted Mansion brought a fresh, star-studded ensemble to a beloved classic, successfully rebooting the iconic theme park attraction for a new generation. As of today, December 18, 2025, the film stands out not just for its spooky-yet-heartfelt narrative but for assembling a comedic and dramatic powerhouse of Hollywood talent, led by LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson. This live-action supernatural horror comedy—directed by Justin Simien—features a cast so deep with A-list actors that even the smallest roles are filled by major names, creating a tapestry of incredible performances that truly breathes new life into the mansion's 999 happy haunts.

The film centers on a single mother, Gabbie, and her son, who hire a motley crew of spiritual experts—including a skeptical scientist, a priest, a psychic, and a historian—to help them exorcise the spirits from their newly acquired, and deeply haunted, New Orleans mansion. It’s the chemistry of this unlikely team, all portrayed by a phenomenal cast, that provides the film's emotional core and comedic relief, making the Haunted Mansion 2023 cast a truly unforgettable ensemble.

The Core Ghost-Busting Team: A Complete Cast & Character Profile

The success of the Haunted Mansion (2023) lies in its ability to blend comedy, horror, and genuine emotion, a feat made possible by the incredible depth of its lead actors. Here is the full list of the main cast, their roles, and a brief look at their impressive biographies.

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• LaKeith Stanfield as Ben Matthias:
  • Role: A former astrophysicist-turned-paranormal tour guide who is grieving a personal loss and has become a cynical, skeptical figure. He is the film's anchor, reluctantly drawn into the mansion's mystery.
  • Biography & Notable Works: Stanfield is one of Hollywood's most versatile actors, known for his Oscar-nominated role in Judas and the Black Messiah, his Emmy-nominated performance in the TV series Atlanta, and acclaimed films like Sorry to Bother You and Get Out.
• Rosario Dawson as Gabbie:
  • Role: A single mother who buys the New Orleans mansion with the hopes of starting a new life, only to quickly discover it is severely haunted. She is the driving force that brings the team together.
  • Biography & Notable Works: Dawson has a long and varied career, with memorable roles in films such as Sin City, Rent, Men in Black II, and her extensive work in the Marvel/Netflix TV universe as Claire Temple, as well as playing the title role in the Disney+ series Ahsoka.
• Owen Wilson as Father Kent:
  • Role: A quirky, well-meaning, but somewhat out-of-his-depth priest who is called upon to perform an exorcism. His character provides much of the film's light-hearted humor.
  • Biography & Notable Works: Wilson is a veteran actor and comedian, famous for his collaborations with Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Midnight in Paris) and blockbuster comedies like Wedding Crashers and Zoolander. He also stars as Mobius M. Mobius in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Loki.
• Tiffany Haddish as Harriet:
  • Role: A psychic medium with a flamboyant personality and an ability to communicate with the spirits. Her confidence often clashes hilariously with the terrifying reality of the mansion.
  • Biography & Notable Works: Haddish is an Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian who had her breakthrough in the hit comedy film Girls Trip. She is also known for her roles in The Last O.G. and Tuca & Bertie, showcasing her signature candid humor.
• Danny DeVito as Professor Bruce Davis:
  • Role: A grumpy, eccentric college history professor who specializes in the occult and is brought in to uncover the mansion's dark past and the identities of its ghostly residents.
  • Biography & Notable Works: DeVito is a legendary actor, director, and producer, known for his iconic roles in the TV series Taxi, and films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Twins, and his enduring role as Frank Reynolds in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

The Legendary Ghosts and Cameos: Who Plays the Iconic Mansion Spirits?

No adaptation of the Haunted Mansion would be complete without its signature spirits. The 2023 film pays homage to the original Disneyland ride by bringing two of its most iconic ghosts to life, played by two of Hollywood's most recognizable faces. These roles, while often requiring extensive CGI and makeup, are crucial for connecting the film to the ride's deep lore and establishing the movie's topical authority within the Disney universe.

Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota: The Head in the Crystal Ball

Jamie Lee Curtis, the original "Scream Queen," takes on the role of Madame Leota, the disembodied head who aids the ghost-busting team from inside her crystal ball. This casting is a brilliant nod to her horror legacy, injecting a sense of genre reverence into the Disney film. Curtis's portrayal brings a theatrical flair to the character, making the ghostly medium a memorable and central figure in the team's efforts to communicate with the dead.

• Notable Works: Curtis is synonymous with the horror genre due to her role as Laurie Strode in the *Halloween* franchise. Her acclaimed career also includes roles in *True Lies*, *Freaky Friday*, and her Oscar-winning performance in *Everything Everywhere All at Once*.

Jared Leto as The Hat-Box Ghost: The Film's Main Antagonist

The most anticipated casting was that of the main villain, The Hat-Box Ghost, a character legendary to fans of the Disneyland attraction. The role went to Oscar-winner Jared Leto, whose performance was primarily motion-capture and voice work. The Hat-Box Ghost is the sinister force preventing the other spirits from leaving the mansion, and Leto's intense, method-acting reputation adds a layer of unexpected gravitas to the spectral antagonist.

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• Notable Works: Leto is an Academy Award-winning actor and musician (as part of the band Thirty Seconds to Mars). His most acclaimed film roles include his Oscar-winning performance as Rayon in *Dallas Buyers Club*, as well as his work in *Requiem for a Dream*, *Fight Club*, and *Suicide Squad* (as The Joker).

Behind the Scenes: The Cast's Chemistry and Director's Vision

The sheer volume of talent in the Haunted Mansion (2023) cast created a unique collaborative environment on set. Director Justin Simien (known for *Dear White People*) emphasized that the film was a passion project for him, aiming to capture the "eerie but funny" tone of the classic Disney ride. The star-studded cast's commitment to the director's vision is what makes this Disney reboot feel fresh and unique compared to the 2003 Eddie Murphy version.

LaKeith Stanfield, whose character Ben Matthias is the emotional core of the film, spoke about the experience, noting the incredible energy of working with such a diverse and talented ensemble. The character of Ben, a skeptical scientist who has lost his belief in the supernatural, serves as the audience's reluctant guide. Stanfield's nuanced performance grounds the fantastical events, creating a character who is both heartbroken and heroic.

The comedic timing between Owen Wilson's Father Kent and Tiffany Haddish's psychic Harriet was a significant part of the film's success. Their contrasting approaches to the supernatural—the priest's cautious faith versus the medium's flamboyant certainty—provided a constant source of humor. The pairing of these two comedy veterans was a masterstroke in the casting process, ensuring that even the most terrifying moments were quickly followed by a laugh.

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Furthermore, the presence of legendary actors like Danny DeVito and Jamie Lee Curtis adds a layer of established topical authority to the film. Their long careers and comfort in both comedy and horror genres allowed them to fully embrace the film's blend of spooky scares and heartfelt moments. The entire ensemble, including young actor Chase W. Dillon as Travis (Gabbie's son), managed to create a believable and endearing "found family" of ghost hunters, making the Haunted Mansion 2023 a memorable addition to Disney's live-action catalog.