Two decades after the release of Disney's The Haunted Mansion, the film remains a beloved, spooky holiday staple for many, despite its initial mixed reception. Released in 2003, the supernatural horror comedy saw comedy legend Eddie Murphy lead a family of realtors trapped in the eerie Gracey Manor, bringing classic elements of the iconic Disneyland attraction to the big screen. As of December 10, 2025, the lives and careers of the main cast—from Hollywood royalty to professional poker champions—have taken fascinating, and in one case, somber, turns. This deep dive reveals the full cast list, their roles, and a definitive update on where they are now, including major 2025 projects and a shocking recent loss.
The film, directed by Rob Minkoff and written by David Berenbaum, successfully translated the grim, grinning ghosts of the theme park ride into a family adventure. The central conflict revolved around Jim Evers, his wife Sara, and their children Michael and Megan, who are forced to confront the mansion's 999 Happy Haunts and the dark history of its owner, Master Gracey, and his sinister butler, Ramsley. Below is the complete profile of the primary cast members who brought this spectral story to life.
Complete Biography & Profile: The Haunted Mansion (2003) Main Cast
The core cast of the 2003 adaptation included a mix of established comedy stars, veteran dramatic actors, and talented newcomers, forming the Evers family and the mansion's most memorable residents:
- Eddie Murphy (Jim Evers): Born April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. Role: Jim Evers, a workaholic real estate agent who drags his family to Gracey Manor.
- Marsha Thomason (Sara Evers / Elizabeth Henshaw): Born January 19, 1976, in Moston, Manchester, England. Role: Sara Evers, Jim's skeptical wife, and the ghostly Elizabeth Henshaw, Master Gracey's lost love.
- Terence Stamp (Ramsley): Born July 22, 1938, in Stepney, London, England. Role: Ramsley, the mansion's loyal but villainous butler, who orchestrated Elizabeth's death.
- Wallace Shawn (Ezra): Born November 12, 1943, in New York City, New York. Role: Ezra, one of the two bumbling, ghostly butlers who aid the Evers family.
- Jennifer Tilly (Madame Leota): Born September 16, 1958, in Harbor City, California. Role: Madame Leota, the disembodied head of a psychic medium trapped in a crystal ball.
- Marc John Jefferies (Michael Evers): Born May 16, 1990, in The Bronx, New York. Role: Michael Evers, Jim and Sara's son, who is initially fearful of the mansion's ghosts.
- Aree Davis (Megan Evers): Born February 19, 1991, in the USA. Role: Megan Evers, Jim and Sara's daughter, who is more open to the supernatural elements of the mansion.
The Evers Family Today: Eddie Murphy's Blockbuster Comeback & The Child Stars
The story of the Evers family—Jim, Sara, Michael, and Megan—was the emotional core of the film. Two decades later, the actors who played them have diverse and highly active careers, including some major projects slated for release in 2025 and 2026.
Eddie Murphy (Jim Evers)
Eddie Murphy, the comedic powerhouse who anchored the film, has experienced a major career resurgence in recent years. After a period of relative quiet in the 2010s, Murphy has returned to the spotlight with high-profile film projects and a renewed focus on his stand-up roots. His 2024 release, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, saw him reprise his iconic role as Axel Foley, marking a major return to the action-comedy genre.
Looking ahead to 2025, Murphy is set to star in the action-comedy film The Pickup, which will be released on Prime Video. Furthermore, fans of his animated work can look forward to his return as Donkey in Shrek 5, currently scheduled for a 2026 release, and a potential Donkey spin-off film. A Netflix documentary titled Being Eddie is also slated for release in 2025, promising a rare, in-depth look at the legendary comedian's life and career.
Marsha Thomason (Sara Evers / Elizabeth Henshaw)
Marsha Thomason, who played the dual role of the pragmatic Sara Evers and the tragic ghost Elizabeth Henshaw, has maintained a highly successful career primarily in television. She is well-known for her roles in shows like Lost, where she played Naomi Dorrit, and the crime drama White Collar, where she was a series regular.
In recent years, Thomason has starred as D.S. Jenn Townsend in the British crime drama series The Bay. Her other recent television credits include roles in the sitcom grown-ish and the political thriller COBRA. Thomason's consistent work across diverse genres highlights her versatility as an actress.
Marc John Jefferies (Michael Evers) and Aree Davis (Megan Evers)
The child actors who played the Evers children have taken different paths. Marc John Jefferies, who played the cautious Michael Evers, transitioned successfully into adult roles. He is an active actor and producer, known for his roles in the TV series Power and the movie Nerve. Jefferies has also ventured into education, operating an acting school in New York City while continuing to secure new film roles.
Aree Davis, who played the spirited Megan Evers, had a much shorter acting career. Her role in The Haunted Mansion was one of her only film appearances. After a few guest roles on television shows like 'Til Death and Everybody Hates Chris, Davis appears to have retired from acting around 2008 to pursue other endeavors.
The Mansion's Ghosts: A Poker Champion, a Beloved Character Actor, and a Recent Loss
The ghostly inhabitants of Gracey Manor—Ramsley, Ezra, and Madame Leota—were brought to life by three of the most distinctive character actors in Hollywood history. Their careers post-2003 have been just as captivating, marked by unique pursuits and, sadly, the loss of one of the film's most memorable villains.
Terence Stamp (Ramsley) - A Legacy Concluded in 2025
The most significant and somber update for the cast is the passing of legendary British actor Terence Stamp, who played the sinister butler Ramsley. The Oscar-nominated actor, known for his roles in classics like Billy Budd and The Collector, and modern blockbusters like Superman II and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, passed away in 2025 at the age of 87. His performance as the calculating Ramsley, the true villain of the 2003 film, stands as one of his final major villainous roles in a career that spanned over six decades.
Jennifer Tilly (Madame Leota)
Jennifer Tilly, instantly recognizable for her distinctive voice, has seamlessly blended her acting career with her high-stakes passion for poker. While she continues to act in films and television, most notably as the voice of Bonnie Swanson in Family Guy and her recurring role in the Chucky franchise, her life as a professional poker player has garnered significant attention.
Tilly is a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and a regular fixture in high-stakes televised poker games. As of late 2025, she continues to be a dynamic force in the poker world, frequently appearing on shows like PokerGO's High Stakes Poker, proving that her life outside of acting is just as glamorous and competitive as her Hollywood career.
Wallace Shawn (Ezra)
The diminutive and distinctive Wallace Shawn, who played the nervous, ghostly butler Ezra, remains one of the most prolific character actors in the industry. While many know him from The Princess Bride (Inconceivable!) or as the voice of Rex in the Toy Story franchise, his career continues to thrive across film, television, and theater.
Prior to 2025, Shawn held a long-running recurring role as Dr. John Sturgis on the popular sitcom Young Sheldon, which concluded its run in 2024. His continued work as a playwright and actor solidifies his status as a beloved, eccentric figure in entertainment, with his voice work alone spanning decades of beloved children's films.
The Haunted Mansion's Legacy: Box Office Wins and the 2023 Reboot
The 2003 film was a significant piece of Disney's strategy to turn its theme park attractions into cinematic franchises, following the success of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl released earlier that year. The film was a financial success, a crucial element of its lasting legacy.
The movie was produced on a budget of approximately $90 million and went on to gross $182.3 million worldwide. Despite this box office success, the film received largely negative reviews from critics, holding a 14% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, often criticized for its uneven tone.
The film's visual style and narrative heavily incorporated elements from the original Disneyland attraction and the Disney World ride in Florida, including the iconic stretching room, the singing busts, and of course, the ever-present Madame Leota in her crystal ball.
The film’s continued popularity led to a 2023 reboot, also titled Haunted Mansion, starring LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The 2023 version, directed by Justin Simien, took a different approach, with many critics and fans debating which adaptation better captured the "essence" of the theme park ride. While the 2003 film is often seen as a fun, Eddie Murphy-centric comedy, the 2023 reboot was generally viewed as a more faithful, though darker, tribute to the classic New Orleans Square attraction.
Ultimately, the 2003 version, with its star-studded cast and unique blend of family comedy and supernatural mystery, holds a special place in the hearts of fans who grew up with the Evers family's spooky adventure at Gracey Manor. The recent updates on the cast, particularly the continued dominance of Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Tilly, and the poignant remembrance of Terence Stamp, ensure the film's legacy remains as active and fascinating as the 999 Happy Haunts it portrayed.
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