In 1992, Disney’s movie musical “Newsies” made its debut — and it’s since become quite a treasure.
Loosely based on the true story of the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City, the film features a crew of so-called newsies as they sing their way through oppression and fight for a fairer working system.
“Newsies” was a box-office flop when it was first released, reportedly making less than $3 million at the box office, even though it cost over $15 million to make.
But in the years since, “Newsies” has built up a passionate group of “fansies” and has been adapted into a majorly successful Broadway musical. It has also helped launch the careers of a few young stars.
Here’s what the cast of “Newsies” is up to 33 years later:
“Newsies” was Christian Bale’s first Disney movie.
In 1992, Christian Bale was 17 years old and had a few acting credits to his name until “Newsies” came along.
Bale portrayed the film’s lead Jack Kelly, one of the ringleaders behind the newsies’ strike.
Bale gave quite a performance singing, dancing, and acting as a rough, 19th-century Manhattan teen fending for himself and his chosen family.
Bale was the breakout star of the “Newsies” cast.
“Newsies” wouldn’t be Bale’s last Disney movie.
He’d later star in the early-1990s Disney flop “Swing Kids,” voice Thomas in 1995’s “Pocahontas,” and voice Bagheera in 2019’s “Mowgli.”
Of course, the actor is perhaps most well known for his roles in “American Psycho,” “Ford v Ferrari,” and the “Batman” franchise — though he has starred in several other major movies since his “Newsies” days.
David Moscow was a star before “Newsies.”
David Moscow and Bale had undeniable synergy while starring alongside each other in “Newsies.”
Moscow played David Jacobs, “a mouth with a brain” and a coleader in the fictionalized strike against Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.
“Newsies” might have been Moscow’s first Disney musical, but the young star was no stranger to the big screen, having starred in Tom Hanks’ “Big” just a few years prior.
Moscow has continued acting and has since established himself as a producer.
Decades after singing and dancing next to the future star of the “Batman” series, Moscow continues to leave a mark on Hollywood.
He appeared in 2003’s “Just Married” with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy and produced over a dozen movies.
Moscow also appeared in 2017’s “This Is Christmas” and “One Last Night” — but he’s mostly been focusing on behind-the-scenes work.
“Newsies” was one of Luke Edwards’ first major movies.
Starring as David Jacob’s younger brother, Les, in the musical, Luke Edwards was no stranger to acting when he landed the role.
Before starring in “Newsies,” Edwards had several acting credits to his name, including a role in the cult-favorite ’80s comedy “The Wizard.”
You might remember Edwards from 2017’s “The Super.”
Edwards has guest-starred on shows like “Without a Trace” and “True Detective,” though you might remember Edwards from “American Pie 2” or even “Jeepers Creepers II.”
Edwards has also appeared in “The Super,” “Adverse,” and “My Friend’s Play.”
Max Casella sang and danced his way into people’s hearts.
One of the older “Newsies” in the bunch, Max Casella was 24 years old when he officially made his musical debut as Racetrack Higgins.
Aside from having a few TV roles in the 1980s and early 1990s, Casella had not appeared in a major theatrical production prior to this one.
He was, however, most well known as the time for his role as Vinnie Delpino on “Doogie Howser, M.D.”
Casella has continued to act in numerous big projects.
Since “Newsies,” Casella has gone on to make an impressive resume for himself.
He’s lent his voice to characters in “The Little Mermaid 2,” “Dinosaur,” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog.” He has appeared in over two dozen “Sopranos” episodes, acted in “Leatherheads,” and joined “Boardwalk Empire” in 2010.
I recent years, you might have spotted Casella in “Jackie” alongside Natalie Portman, or on episodes of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Tulsa King.”
Gabriel Damon was a teen when “Newsies” debuted.
Although he was only 15 years old when he starred as the spunky Brooklyn newsie Spot Conlon, Gabriel Damon was already quite a seasoned actor with over 30 credits to his name.
Notably, he was the voice of Littlefoot in the fan-favorite animated film, “The Land Before Time.”
After “Newsies,” Damon stepped away from acting.
Aside from a few appearances on “Baywatch” and a few one-off roles on shows like “ER” and “Sirens,” Damon has shied away from the acting industry.
His last noted role was in a short in 2006.
Marty Belafsky’s first big movie role was “Newsies.”
“Newsies” was Marty Belafsky’s first-ever movie role.
In the musical, he appeared as the goofy but lovable Crutchy. He was only 16 years old when “Newsies” was released.
Belafsky has had a few roles since.
With roles in “Pearl Harbor” and “Men in Black II,” Belafsky has been on the big screen a few times since 1992.
His last acting credit was in 2013 for the short “Archie Black.” For over a decade, he has worked in a different part of the entertainment industry as a media executive.
“Newsies” was Arvie Lowe Jr.’s first-ever role.
When he appeared as Boots in the 1992 musical drama, Arvie Lowe Jr. was a 12-year-old actor with no other roles to his name.
Lowe Jr. appeared on numerous popular TV shows throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
After “Newsies” wrapped, Lowe Jr. found himself starring on popular 1990s shows like “Sister, Sister,” “Moesha,” and “Smart Guy.”
He even starred on the early aughts Disney Channel show “Lizzie McGuire” alongside Hilary Duff.
Since then, he’s had a few minor roles in Hollywood, and he’s appeared in a few video shorts and commercials. Lowe Jr. is also a graphic designer.
After “Newsies” was released, Ele Keats got a lot of heat from fansies.
Ele Keats had a few acting credits under her belt in Hollywood before landing the role of Sarah Jacobs in “Newsies.”
She played Jack Kelly’s love interest, which led to backlash from fans who were unhappy about her kiss with Bale. Some have even referred to her character as the “Destroyer of Dreams.”
Keats has appeared in a few horror films, and she has a jewelry business.
Since starring in “Newsies,” Keats has had a number of small roles and has even guest-starred on shows like “CSI,” “CSI: NY,” and “Cold Case.”
In the last few years, she’s made a name for herself in the horror-film industry, starring in “Insidious: Chapter 3” and “Ouija: Origin of Evil.”
She also owns Ele Keats Jewelry, which has a showroom in Santa Monica.
Bill Pullman was one of the few adults in “Newsies.”
Actor Bill Pullman played one of the few redeeming adult characters “Newsies” had to offer.
Previously known for his work in “Spaceballs,” among other films, Pullman starred in the Disney musical as passionate journalist Bryan Denton.
Pullman has had a successful career post-“Newsies.”
The same year “Newsies” was released, Pullman was featured in “A League of Their Own.”
He has also appeared in “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Casper,” “Scary Movie 4,” and “Torchwood,” among many other films.
In recent years, he also starred on the USA show “The Sinner.”
Robert Duvall played a publishing mogul.
Robert Duvall was quite the villain in the musical, where he appeared as publishing mogul Joseph Pulitzer.
Prior to “Newsies,” he acted in dozens of works — including “The Godfather” and “The Twilight Zone.”
Duvall starred in numerous films after “Newsies.”
After “Newsies,” Duvall appeared in projects like “The Apostle,” “Deep Impact,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” and “Kicking and Screaming.”
He continues to make a name for himself in Hollywood, and recently appeared in “Widows,” “Hustle,” and “The Pale Blue Eye.”
Correction: December 15, 2025 — An earlier version of this story misstated Luke Edwards’ first major role. It was in “The Wizard,” not “Newsies.”
This story was originally published in August 2018 and most recently updated on December 15, 2025.
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