The Little Giants Cast: 18 Stars, 30 Years Later, And The Emotional 2024 Reunion

The iconic 1994 family sports comedy, Little Giants, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, prompting a massive wave of nostalgia for the underdog team from Urbania. While Hollywood has changed dramatically over the last three decades, the film's heartwarming tale of the ragtag Pee-Wee Football team coached by Danny O’Shea (Rick Moranis) remains a beloved classic for an entire generation.

This deep-dive into the Little Giants cast explores what the main actors and the memorable child stars are doing today, including recent career updates, an emotional 2024 cast reunion, and the tragic story of one of the film’s most memorable young antagonists. From Hollywood heartthrobs to dedicated musicians, the journey of the Giants and the Cowboys is as compelling as their championship game.

The O'Shea Brothers and Main Adult Cast: Full Biography and Current Status

The core of the movie revolves around the rivalry between brothers Danny and Kevin O'Shea, played by two of the biggest comedy stars of the 90s.

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Rick Moranis (Danny O'Shea)

• Role in Little Giants: Danny O'Shea, the younger, "loser" brother who runs a gas station and coaches the underdog "Giants" team.
• Born: April 18, 1953, in Toronto, Canada.
• Career Highlights: Moranis is a comedy legend, known for his work on *SCTV*, and starring roles in Ghostbusters (Louis Tully), Spaceballs (Dark Helmet), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (Wayne Szalinski), and Parenthood.
• Current Status (2024): Following the death of his wife in 1991, Moranis famously stepped away from acting to focus on raising his children, taking an extended hiatus from live-action film roles after Little Giants. In 2020, he made a rare return to the screen in a commercial for Mint Mobile. The biggest news for fans is his planned return to the big screen in the upcoming Disney sequel, Shrunk, reprising his role as Wayne Szalinski.

Ed O'Neill (Kevin O'Shea)

• Role in Little Giants: Kevin O'Shea, the arrogant, Heisman Trophy-winning older brother who coaches the elite "Cowboys" team.
• Born: April 12, 1946, in Youngstown, Ohio.
• Career Highlights: O'Neill is synonymous with two of the most successful sitcoms in TV history: Al Bundy on Married... with Children and Jay Pritchett on Modern Family.
• Current Status (2024): O'Neill remains active in Hollywood. He recently starred in the Hulu series The Bear as a guest star and continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in television comedy, frequently appearing in interviews and podcasts discussing his long and varied career.

Mary Ellen Trainor (Karen O'Shea)

• Role in Little Giants: Karen O'Shea, Kevin's wife who is supportive of Danny's team.
• Born: July 8, 1952, in San Francisco, California.
• Career Highlights: Trainor was a prolific character actress, known for her collaborations with director Robert Zemeckis, appearing in The Goonies, Lethal Weapon franchise, and Forrest Gump.
• Status: Tragically, Mary Ellen Trainor passed away in 2015.

The Little Giants Team: Where the Child Stars Are Now

The heart of Little Giants lies with the kids—the misfits who form the Giants team. Many of these young actors continued their careers, while others stepped away from the spotlight to pursue other passions.

Shawna Waldron (Becky "Icebox" O'Shea)

• Role in Little Giants: Becky O'Shea, Danny's daughter and the fierce, talented player initially rejected by the Cowboys. Her nickname is "Icebox."
• Born: January 25, 1982.
• Career Highlights: After Little Giants, Waldron starred in the movie A Home for Annie and the TV series Ladies Man.
• Current Status (2024): Waldron continues to act and is highly active in fan culture surrounding the film. In February 2024, she reunited with co-stars Todd Bosley and Marcus Toji to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary, a moment that went viral on social media. She is married and often shares updates on her life and career on Instagram.

Devon Sawa (Junior Floyd)

• Role in Little Giants: Junior Floyd, the handsome, talented transfer student who becomes the Giants' quarterback.
• Born: September 7, 1978, in Vancouver, Canada.
• Career Highlights: Sawa became a major teen idol of the 90s, starring in Casper, Now and Then, and the horror hit Final Destination (Alex Browning). He also famously played the title role in Eminem’s "Stan" music video.
• Current Status (2024): Sawa has had a major career resurgence. He currently stars as the lead character, Niko Kristos, in the popular USA Network/Syfy horror series Chucky, a role that has earned him significant praise. He is one of the most visible actors from the original cast today.

Sam Horrigan (Spike Hammersmith)

• Role in Little Giants: Spike Hammersmith, the arrogant bully and talented Cowboys player who later joins the Giants.
• Born: November 23, 1981.
• Career Highlights: Horrigan also appeared on the sitcom Grace Under Fire and later had roles in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Veronica Mars.
• Current Status: Horrigan continues to pursue acting and works as a writer and director. He is remembered for his portrayal of Spike, the character whose "Annexation of Puerto Rico" play became the Giants' famous winning strategy.

Todd Bosley (Jake Berman)

• Role in Little Giants: Jake Berman, the "fat kid" who is initially rejected but finds his place on the Giants team.
• Born: July 29, 1982.
• Career Highlights: Bosley also appeared in the family film Jack with Robin Williams.
• Current Status (2024): Bosley was a key participant in the February 2024 cast reunion alongside Shawna Waldron and Marcus Toji, demonstrating his continued connection to the film's legacy. He remains active in the entertainment industry.

The Most Memorable Supporting Players and Their Final Score

The ensemble cast was packed with unforgettable personalities, from the technical advisor Nubie to the Cowboys' star players. Here is a look at over a dozen of the supporting cast members.

The Giants' Secret Weapons

• Mathew McCurley (Nubie): The team's coaching assistant and technical mastermind who draws up the "Annexation of Puerto Rico" play. McCurley's acting career was short-lived, but his character remains a fan favorite.
• Marcus Toji (Marcus "The Toe"): The team's clutch kicker who overcomes his initial poor performance. Toji was part of the 2024 cast reunion and has continued his career, with recent roles in TV series like The Mick and Workaholics.
• Courtland Mead (Uh-Huh): The perpetually confused player who only responds with "Uh-Huh." Mead was a prominent child actor in the 90s, also voicing Gus Griswald in the animated series Recess.
• Joseph Ashton (Patty): The player who is constantly eating. Ashton also had a role in the movie Rushmore.
• Frankie Verducci (Patterson): The player who struggles with fumbles. Verducci is the son of a real-life football coach, adding authenticity to the role.

The Cowboys' Stars and Notable Cameos

The Cowboys team featured some recognizable young talent, including Alexa PenaVega, who played Priscilla, a cheerleader and friend of Becky. PenaVega went on to star in the Spy Kids franchise and continues to act, often in Hallmark and faith-based films.

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The film also featured a host of iconic football legends in cameos, adding to the film's topical authority and sports authenticity:

• John Madden: The legendary NFL coach and commentator, who serves as the game announcer.
• Emmitt Smith: The Hall of Fame running back for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Tim Brown: The Heisman Trophy winner and NFL wide receiver.
• Bruce Smith: The Hall of Fame defensive end.
• Steve Emtman: The former NFL defensive end.
• Mike Alstott: The future NFL fullback was an extra in the film.

The Tragic Story of Johnny "Viper" Vennaro

One of the most emotional updates is regarding Jon Paul Steuer, who played Johnny "Viper" Vennaro, the Cowboys' star player and rival to Junior Floyd. Steuer was also the first actor to play Alexander Rozhenko on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

After a brief acting career, Steuer stepped away from Hollywood to pursue a successful career as a musician, performing under the name "Jonny P. Jewels" with the punk band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. Tragically, Jon Paul Steuer passed away in 2018 at the age of 33. His life is remembered by fans as a vibrant, albeit short, journey through acting and music.

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The Lasting Legacy of the Little Giants

The enduring popularity of Little Giants, especially as it crosses the 30-year mark in 2024, is a testament to its universal themes of inclusion, teamwork, and the triumph of the underdog. The recent reunion of Shawna Waldron, Todd Bosley, and Marcus Toji confirmed that the cast members still share a bond forged on the Urbania football field.

Whether you remember the Annexation of Puerto Rico, the Icebox's tough tackles, or Junior Floyd's quarterback skills, the film holds a special place in the hearts of 90s kids. As Rick Moranis prepares for his big-screen return and Devon Sawa continues his horror resurgence, the Giants prove that even the smallest team can leave the biggest legacy.