Cast and Crew

John Cusack (born June 28, 1966) is an actor, producer, screenwriter and political activist. Born in Evanston, Illinois, he is the son of filmmaker Dick Cusack and the younger brother of actresses Joan and Ann Cusack. John started acting on stage at an early age, and then he began landing roles in movies like Sixteen Candles (1984), The Sure Thing (1985), and Better Off Dead (1985). John Cusack now has over 80 movie and television credits. His many film appearances include Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Being John Malkovich (1999), High Fidelity (2000), Identity (2003), 2012 (2009), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), and The Raven (2012).

David Ogden Stiers (October 31, 1942 – March 3, 2018) was an actor and conductor. He was born in Peoria, Illinois and graduated from the Juilliard School in New York City in 1972. Stiers is best known for his role as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, M.D. on the television series M*A*S*H. He played this role from 1977 until the series concluded in 1983. In addition to his numerous stage and on-screen roles, Stiers also provided the voice for many film and television characters, including Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Jumba Jookiba in Lilo & Stitch (2002). David Ogden Stiers also guest-conducted over 70 orchestras around the world.

Diane Franklin (born February 11, 1962) is an actress, producer and author born in Plainview, New York. She began her career at the age of ten, modeling and then acting in commercials, a soap opera and theater. Her first major film role was as Karen in The Last American Virgin (1982), followed by the role of Patricia Montelli in Amityville II: The Possession (1982). After portraying Monique in Better Off Dead (1985), she went on to play Princess Joanna in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989). She continues to work in film and television and has accumulated over 50 credits. Diane Franklin is also the author of two autobiographies, and her must-read third book is titled, “The Excellent COMEDY of the The Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s, aka the BETTER OFF DEAD Movie Tribute Book.”

Kim Darby (born July 8, 1947) is an actress and instructor. She was born Deborah Zerby in Los Angeles, the daughter of professional dancers. She later changed her name to Kim Darby and began her acting career at age fifteen. Kim appeared in several television shows including The Fugitive, Star Trek, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke, but she is best known for her role as Mattie Ross in the film True Grit (1969), starring John Wayne. Over the years, Kim Darby has continued acting in both film and television, amassing over 50 credits. She also taught film acting and directing at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Amanda Wyss (born November 24, 1960) is an actress who was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California. After being discovered at a young age in a theatrical production of The Bad Seed, she found work in commercials and television. One of her earliest film roles was Lisa in the teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Amanda Wyss is also well known for portraying Tina Gray, Freddy Krueger’s first victim in the horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and Beth in Better Off Dead (1985). She has also appeared in many television productions, including St. Elsewhere, Cheers, Quantum Leap, Highlander, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Charles Armstrong (born November 27, 1953) is an actor who hails from Detroit, Michigan. His first film role was Miles Dalby, the friend who encourages Joel Goodson to take some chances, in Risky Business (1983). He is also well known for portraying the marijuana-crazed Booger in Revenge of the Nerds (1984), and reprising that role in several sequels. Curtis Armstrong played Lane Myer’s loyal friend, Charles De Mar, in Better Off Dead (1985), and he appeared in One Crazy Summer (1986), Elvis Meets Nixon (1997), and Ray (2004). He has also provided the voices for many animated characters on television, with roles in American Dad! and Dan Vs.

Known for her singing voice, Laura Waterbury (March 12, 1947 – September 25, 2013) was born in Bedford, Ohio, graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, performed in numerous Broadway shows, and served as a casting director. She is best known for her role as Ricky’s over-protective mom in Better Off Dead (1985). Laura Waterbury made appearances in other films, such as One Crazy Summer (1986), Summer School (1987) and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). She also appeared in several television shows including Cheers, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, and Frasier.

Daniel Schneider (born January 14, 1966) is a television producer, screenwriter and actor. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. After moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s, he starred in films such as Making the Grade (1984), Better Off Dead (1985), and The Big Picture (1989). He also played the role of Dennis Blunden in the television series Head of the Class for five seasons. Daniel Schneider founded a television production company called Schneider’s Bakery, which made several shows for Nickelodeon including Drake and Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, and Henry Danger.

Aaron Dozier played “The Soldier” in the Hail to the Chief television series, and he performed a role in Weird Science (1985) that was edited out of the final film. His best-known portrayal, however, is the likable bully named Roy Stalin in Better Off Dead (1985). He landed that role after another actor struggled to deliver the right blend of intimidation and silliness. To match some wide shots that had already been filmed, Aaron’s hair was cut short and dyed blonde. According to one urban legend, Aaron coached the Boston College Ski Team for a while, but that’s not true. This tale began circulating in 2004 after it was printed as a joke in the April 1^st edition of “The Heights,” the student newspaper at Boston College.

Los Angeles native Demian Slade (born August 15, 1972) is an actor and writer best known for his role as the menacing paperboy, Johnny, in Better Off Dead (1985). His character’s line, “I want my two dollars” or just “Two Dollars!” has become the most identifiable quote from that movie. Demian appeared in two other films – Back to the Beach (1987), and Ushers (2013), plus he appeared in the television series Boys Will Be Boys and The Wonder Years. He played the role of Joe for the television comedy series Untreated, and he’s credited as the creator, writer, and executive producer for that series.

Scooter Stevens (born in April, 1973) is known for portraying Lane Myer’s younger brother, Badger, in Better Off Dead (1985). Despite having no spoken lines in the movie, Scooter brought the role of a calculating, boy-genius to life and his scenes are all memorable ones – from building ray-guns and space shuttles to hosting parties for floozy women in his bedroom. He later appeared in the film She’s Out of Control (1989). His television credits include CHiPs, Diff’rent Strokes, Tales From the Darkside, and Small Wonder.

Vincent Schiavelli (November 11, 1948 – December 26, 2005) was an actor who worked in theater, films, and television. He also authored several books relating to his Sicilian heritage. Born in Brooklyn, he studied acting at New York University. His first film role was in Milos Forman’s Taking Off (1971). He had supporting roles in many films, most notably, Fredrickson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Mr. Vargas in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Mr. Kerber in Better Off Dead (1985), the Subway Ghost in Ghost (1990), the Organ Grinder in Batman Returns (1992) and Dr. Kaufman in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).

Elizabeth Daily (born September 11, 1961) starred in films such as Valley Girl (1983), Better Off Dead (1985) and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), along with television shows like Laverne & Shirley, CHiPs, Fame, and Friends. She released four albums as a singer, and provided the voices for many animated characters including Tommy Pickles in Rugrats, Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls, Rudy Tabootie in ChalkZone, and Julius in Julius Jr. Daily also voiced Babe in the live-action movie Babe: Pig in the City (1998), and Bamm-Bamm Rubble in the live-action movie The Flintstones (1994).

Taylor Negron (August 1, 1957 – January 10, 2015) was an actor, writer and painter. He was born in Glendale, California and graduated from the University of California Los Angeles. He appeared in several films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Easy Money (1983), Better Off Dead (1985), The Last Boy Scout (1991), Angels in the Outfield (1994), and Stuart Little (1999). Some of Negron’s television guest star roles include Hill Street Blues, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Seinfeld, ER, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Friends. As a writer, he penned plays, comedy essays, and contributed to several online websites.

Yuji Okumoto (born April 20, 1959) was born and raised in Los Angeles, and he studied acting at California State University Fullerton. His first role was on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. Okumoto made frequent television appearances, and his film roles include Real Genius (1985), Better Off Dead (1985), Aloha Summer (1988) Contact (1997), Pearl Harbor (2001), Only the Brave (2006), Inception (2010), and Driven (2018). He is perhaps best known for his role as Chozen Toguchi in The Karate Kid movie franchise. Yuji and his wife Angela now operate Kona Kitchen, a popular Hawaiian-themed restaurant in Seattle.

Brian Imada is a stunt performer, martial artist, and actor. As an actor, Imada portrayed the menacing driver of a Ford Falcon who raced repeatedly against Lane Myer in Better Off Dead (1985). His other acting roles include Big Trouble in Little China (1986), City of Industry (1997), and guest roles on television shows such as It’s a Living and Beauty and the Beast. As a stunt performer, Brian’s work can be seen in over 40 films including Escape from L.A. (1996), Beverly Hills Ninja (1997), Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), Anna and the King (1999), The Last Samurai (2003), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (2011-2012), and Total Recall (2012).

Chuck Mitchell (November 28, 1927 – June 22, 1992) was an actor best known for playing Porky Wallace in the films Porky’s (1981) and Porky’s Revenge (1985). He is also remembered for portraying Lane Myer’s boss at Pig Burgers restaurant in Better Off Dead (1985), and the role of Sam Gluckman in Don’t Answer the Phone! (1980). Prior to his film work, he had a recurring role as Big Ralph on the soap opera General Hospital. Chuck Mitchell also made television appearances on shows like The Fall Guy, Trapper John, M.D., Hill Street Blues, and Remington Steele.

Rima Delaine (also known as Rima Lyn) was born in Brooklyn and began taking acting classes at a young age. She moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s and continued her studies. Her first film role was in Better Off Dead (1985), where she delivered a hilarious performance as Joanne Greenwald, the unexpectedly hostile girl assigned to go on a blind-date with Lane Myer. In addition to her film work, Rima Delaine made appearances on television shows including Silver Spoons, 227, 2 Hip 4 TV, Just in Time, and Felicity. She has written screenplays and worked as a personal chef. She also opened a sidewalk café in Todos Santos named “Bistro Magico.”

Tina Littlewood (born May 11, 1963) hails from St. Louis, Missouri. In Better Off Dead (1985), she portrayed the unforgettable, roller-skating cheerleader who dates the whole basketball team and rejects Lane’s advances. Tina went on to portray Monica in Aloha Summer (1988), and appeared many times on the television show Star Search. She earned a Masters in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, and worked in the fields of personal development, psychology, wellness, and marriage/family therapy.

Steven Williams (born January 7, 1949) is a film and television actor. He was born in Memphis but raised primarily in Chicago. His television roles include Captain Adam Fuller on 21 Jump Street, Detective Lt. Jefferson Burnett on The Equalizer, Detective August Brooks on L.A. Heat, X on The X-Files, Russell “Linc” Lincoln on Linc’s and Rufus Turner in Supernatural. Williams film appearances include The Blues Brothers (1980), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Better Off Dead (1985), Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993), 22 Jump Street (2014), It (2017) and Birds of Prey (2020). He has earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and a NAACP Image Award nomination.

Stuart K. Robinson (born September 20, 1955) is an actor and a talent agent. He’s had guest appearances on several television shows such as The Incredible Hulk, The Runaways, Quincy, M.E., T.J. Hooker, Cheers, and Major Dad. Robinson’s film work includes roles in Paradise Alley (1978), Rocky II, (1979), Death Wish II (1982), Better Off Dead (1985) and Tom and Huck (1995). He also does voice over work for video games.

Rick Rosenthal (born June 15, 1949) is a film and TV director, producer, and instructor from New York City. He is best known for directing Halloween II (1981), Bad Boys (1983) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002). He also directed dozens of episodic television shows and was a co-executive producer of the television show Life Goes On. In 1985, Rosenthal had an office next to director Savage Steve Holland and Holland invited him to play a cameo role in Better Off Dead (1985). He played Smitty, an Olympic athlete whose injuries from skiing the K-12 landed him in a wheelchair.

After losing Monique to Lane near the end of Better Off Dead, Ricky sits in the snow feeling defeated. From out of nowhere, a young woman offers to help him up. They walk off together, and we’re obviously watching the start of a new relationship. Tiffany Evans was originally hired as an extra, but she was moved into this memorable role at the last minute. The press release from Key Video credits her as “Ricky’s New Friend.”

Frank Burt Avalon (born September 29, 1963) is an actor from Los Angeles, California. One of his first roles was Chucky in The Karate Kid (1984). He also portrayed the Delivery Boy in an episode of the television show Airwolf before appearing in Better Off Dead (1985) as one of Roy Stalin’s loyal ski buddies. Avalon also starred as a band member in the movie Back to the Beach (1987), (credited as Frankie Avalon Jr.), sharing the screen with his real-life father, singer/actor Frankie Avalon.

Joe W. Davis (born February 27, 1959) majored in theater at Syracuse University. His first film role was the character of Spock…Age 25 in the movie Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and then he portrayed one of Roy Stalin’s ski buddies in the movie Better Off Dead (1985). His television work includes playing Chip Randolph in an episode of Riptide, and portraying David in an episode of Hell Town. Davis later played Buddy Holly in the national tour of the musical Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (1991-1992) and once more in the television film Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999). Davis is a founding member of the musical group “The Grateful Dads,” and he performs duos with his wife, Lynn Clark.

Peter Ellenstein (born August 24, 1961) is a Los Angeles native and he has credits in film, television, and theater. His work in film includes The Last American Virgin (1982), Weekend Pass (1984), and Better Off Dead (1985). His television work includes roles in Off the Minnesota Strip and Knots Landing. Ellenstein served as the Artistic Director of the William Inge Center for the Arts and as the Producing Director of the Los Angeles Repertory Company. Peter has also taught acting, directing, voice, Shakespeare and musical theater for many years. Currently, he serves as the Producing Artistic Director of the New Los Angeles Repertory Company.

Edward Mehler performed in films such as Better Off Dead (1985), The Perfect Match (1988) and How I Got Into College (1989). He also made television appearances on Airwolf and The Bronx Zoo. In Better Off Dead, Mehler portrayed Buster, one of the freakishly smart students in Lane’s math class. And in one of the cafeteria scenes, Buster lost his seat next to Monique when Ricky snatched his book and threw it aside.

Thomas Rollerson (born April 21, 1965) hails from the Los Angeles area. In Better Off Dead (1985), he portrayed a high school student who owned the pair of roller skates that were taken away by Lane Myer. He also appeared in the film The Check is in the Mail (1986). In 1989, Rollerson became a manager for Access Theater, an organization that promotes access to the arts for audiences and performers with disabilities. And in 1994, he founded the Dream Foundation, a non-profit group that grants wishes to terminally ill adults.

Rich Little (born November 26, 1938) is a performer who is often called the “Man of a Thousand Voices.” In his youth, he worked as a movie usher in Ottawa, Canada, where he developed his skill at doing impressions. He showcased his talents through radio work, comedy albums, and as a comedian. Little moved to the United States in 1965 and made numerous television appearances. In Better Off Dead (1985), he performed the voice of Barney Rubble and the Howard Cosell voice over for the character of Yee Sook Ree.

Savage Steve Holland (born April 29, 1958) is a writer, animator, producer, voice actor, and director. He earned the childhood nickname “Savage” when he accidentally kicked a kid in the teeth during a soccer game, bloodying his face. Holland studied animation at the California Institute of the Arts. He wrote and directed the films Better Off Dead (1985) and One Crazy Summer (1986). He went on to direct How I Got Into College (1989), Legally Blondes (2009), and Ratko: The Dictator’s Son (2010). He also directed many television shows for Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. His animation skills brought the “Whammy” character to life on the game show Press Your Luck, and he co-created the Eek! The Cat animated series. He currently manages his own production studio, Savage Studios, Ltd.

Gil Friesen (March 19, 1937 – December 13, 2012) was a music and film executive and producer. He was born in Pasadena and he studied at the University of California Los Angeles. Gil began his career in the mail room at Capitol Records in California, eventually becoming a promoter for musical performers such as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, The Carpenters, The Police, and Janet Jackson. He was also the longtime president of A&M Records. In 1981, Gil Friesen spearheaded the launch of A&M Films, the company’s independent film division, and he was the executive producer of The Breakfast Club (1985), Better Off Dead (1985), and One Crazy Summer (1986).

A graduate of Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, Andrew Meyer is a film producer and college professor. He served as executive producer on many films including The Breakfast Club (1985), Better Off Dead (1985), Bring on the Night (1985), One Crazy Summer (1986), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), and Losers Take All (2011). Andrew Meyer was an early supporter of Savage Steve Holland’s creative ideas, playing key roles in getting the financial support and music rights that made Better Off Dead possible. Since 2004, he has been a professor of film and television at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where a Better Off Dead Reunion was held on April 28, 2023.

Michael Jaffe (born January 9, 1945) was born in New York City, and he holds a B.A. from Yankton College and a M.A. in Theater from Cornell University. His many producer credits on films include Better Off Dead (1985), The Informant (2009), and Body Snatchers (1993). His television producer credits include The Rosa Parks Story, Gilda Radner: It’s Always Something, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within. On the television series A Nero Wolfe Mystery, Jaffe was credited as both a producer and a writer.

Rupert Hine (September 21, 1947 – June 4, 2020) was a musician, songwriter and record producer born in London. He produced albums for several artists including, Rush, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Suzanne Vega, and Duncan Sheik. Additionally, he recorded eleven albums, both under his own name and with Thinkman and Quantum Leap. Rupert Hine composed soundtracks for film and television, notably Better Off Dead (1985) and the 1989 Ian Fleming biopic, Goldeneye.

Alan Balsam (April 2, 1950 – November 13, 1992) was a television and film editor. He grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from California State University at Long Beach. His first credit was as an assistant film editor on Fatso (1980) starring Dom DeLuise and Anne Bancroft. He served as editor on several movies including To Be or Not To Be (1983), Revenge of the Nerds (1984), Better Off Dead (1985), One Crazy Summer (1986), and Harlem Nights (1989). Balsam also contributed to some television specials including Heroes of Rock’n’Roll and the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Bette Davis.

Herman Zimmerman (born April 19, 1935) is an art director and production designer. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Zimmerman worked on many television and film productions such as Happy Days, Cheers, The Burning Bed (1984) and Better Off Dead (1985). In 1987, he was hired to work on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He worked as production designer for that franchise for nearly 20 years, and he contributed to six of the Star Trek feature films. He is a four-time Emmy Award nominee.

Isidore Mankofsky (September 22, 1931 – March 11, 2021) was an Emmy Award nominated cinematographer. He was born in New York City and studied at The Brooks Institute in California. He is best known for his work on films such as The Muppet Movie (1979), The Jazz Singer (1980), Somewhere in Time (1980), The Burning Bed (1984), Better Off Dead (1985), One Crazy Summer (1986), Love, Lies and Murder (1991) and The Heidi Chronicles (1995). Mankofsky received the American Society of Cinematographers’ President’s Award in 2009 for his leadership and service to the organization.

Yudi Bennett (born February 9, 1950) is an assistant director and production manager for the film and television industries. Her film credits include Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Better Off Dead (1985), Broadcast News (1987), Star Trek: Generations (1994), The Client (1994), The Game (1997), Pleasantville (1998) and Annie (1999). She has been a member of the Directors Guild of America since 1978, and she received the Frank Capra Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. In 2011, Yudi Bennett co-founded Exceptional Minds, a non-profit visual arts school for young adults on the autism spectrum.

Bill Kopp (born April 17, 1962) studied animation at California Institute of the Arts. He met Savage Steve Holland there, and Bill went on to animate the opening titles and the pencil drawings in Lane’s sketchbook in Better Off Dead (1985). Kopp collaborated further with Holland on the Eek! The Cat animated series. Kopp has created or contributed to countless other animation projects, including Mad Jack the Pirate, and The Shnookums & Meat Funny Cartoon Show. He is also the author/illustrator of the strangely dark children’s book titled Little Dead Riding Hood.

Jimmy Picker (born July 8, 1949) is a claymation filmmaker, writer, producer, and director from New York City. Beginning in 1976, he directed claymation segments for the television show The Electric Company. In 1977, Picker co-produced the animated short film Jimmy the C, receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. He went on to win an Academy Award for his short film titled Sundae in New York (1983), before animating twenty-two french-fries and two hamburgers dancing in the film Better Off Dead (1985).