HOT GALLERY: Where Are the Casts of Problem Child and Problem Child 2 Today?

Amy Yasbeck as Annie Young in Problem Child 2

Amy Yasbeck as Annie Young in Problem Child 2

Amy Yasbeck played Flo, the unfaithful wife of Ben Healy (John Ritter), in the first Problem Child. She was back in Problem Child 2 as a far more lovable character: Annie Young, the school nurse who wins her way into both Ben’s and Junior’s hearts. She also has her own problem child, Trixie (Ivyann Schwan), who terrorizes Junior.

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Amy Yasbeck—Today

In addition to her popularity from the Problem Child films, Yasbeck is best known for her role as Casey Chapel Davenport on Wings (1994-1997). She appeared in films such as Pretty Woman (1990), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), The Mask (1994), and Denial (1998). Her early career included a stint on Days of Our Lives (1986-1987) and roles on TV shows such as Dallas, Murphy Brown, and Magnum, P.I. Yasbeck and John Ritter met while filming Problem Child (1990). They had a daughter, Stella, in 1998, and married in 1999. After Ritter’s untimely death in 2003, she wrote a book about her late husband, With Love and Laughter, John Ritter (2010) and created The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health to help prevent future tragedies. Yasbeck recently appeared in the popular TV series Hot in Cleveland and starred in the feature, Little Women, Big Cars (2012).

Colby Kline as Lucy in Problem Child

In Problem Child, Lucy is the first neighbor Junior (Michael Oliver) meets in his new home with the Healys. She reluctantly invites him to her birthday party after her mother threatens to withhold such birthday staples as ice cream. Lucy ruins her own party when she bans Junior from the magic show after he touches her presents—a very big misstep for the birthday girl.

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Colby Kline—Today

After her appearance in the first Problem Child, Kline went on to appear in The Last Boy Scout (1991). She took a break from features but has recently returned, appearing in the 2010 thriller Missing Audrey. Her latest appearance was in the 2011 Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy Just Go with It, directed by Dennis Dugan, who had his first film directing success with Problem Child.

Eric Edwards as Murph in Problem Child 2

Eric Edwards as Murph in Problem Child 2

Murph, the older class bully, was Eric Edwards’ first feature role, although he’d previously worked extensively in stand-up comedy. When Murph first meets Junior in sixth grade, it appears Junior might have finally met his match—until he manages to tape the big bully to the chalkboard in a fit of anger and self-defense.

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Eric Edwards—Today

Edwards has not stopped working since that early role as Murph the Bully. His film roles encompass several genres—from Candyman (1992) to The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) and Blade (1998). He also appeared in dual roles in the TV movie Problem Child 3: Junior in Love (1995). After battling weight issues, Edwards managed to lose 210 pounds with the help of a personal trainer, then cowrote and starred in a one-man play about his personal journey, Just Step. He’s worked extensively in television throughout his career, with multiple voice-over stints on the hit comedy American Dad! His most recent role was this year on the TV series The Diner.

Gilbert Gottfried as Mr. Peabody in Problem Child

Gilbert Gottfried as Mr. Peabody in Problem Child

Gilbert Gottfried was already a seasoned veteran, including a longtime career as a stand-up comedian and a series regular on Saturday Night Live (1980), by the time he appeared in the first Problem Child. He reprised his role, moving away from the adoption game in the first film and becoming an elementary school principal in Problem Child 2. He hates Junior so much, he promotes him from the third grade to the sixth grade to get him out of his school. That doesn’t stop Junior from wreaking havoc on the school and Mr. Peabody at every opportunity.

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Gilbert Gottfried—Today

Gottfried also appeared in the TV movie Problem Child 3: Junior in Love, as well as the 1993 animated series based on the film. He worked with fellow Problem Child alum Amy Yasbeck on Wings in 1994. If Gottfried isn’t doing nonstop voice-over work for animated shows such as Family Guy, he’s performing at sold-out stand-up comedy shows throughout the country. His latest television appearance was a series of shorts for CollegeHumor Originals and he’s costarring in the film Midnight Show, to be released October 23.

Ivyann Schwan as Trixie Young in Problem Child 2

Ivyann Schwan as Trixie Young in Problem Child 2

When Junior meets little Trixie Young in Problem Child 2, he knows he’s met his match. If she isn’t pulling rugs out from under him, squirting him with the fire hose, or drawing on his face, she joins forces with him to blow up the school plumbing system. It’s no wonder they decided to encourage their parents to fall in love. Nobody else would tolerate them.

Ivyann Schwan—Today

Before starring in Problem Child 2, Ivyann Schwan was one of the lovable kids in Ron Howard’s popular 1989 film Parenthood and then appeared in the TV series in the early 1990s. These days, Ivyann, an avid animal lover, enjoys a life out of the public eye and currently resides in Seattle with her husband and son.

Jack Warden as Big Ben Healy in Problem Child

Jack Warden as Big Ben Healy in Problem Child

“Big Ben” Healy, Junior’s adoptive grandfather, dislikes him immediately, probably being able to discern a kindred spirit who wreaks havoc wherever he goes. While Big Ben ends up down the stairs in one film and out on a tree limb in another, he doesn’t let Junior get to him—too much.

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Jack Warden

Jack Warden was a veteran actor by the time he appeared in the Problem Child films. He’d boxed as a youth, served in the Navy, and then acted in films including From Here to Eternity (1953), 12 Angry Men (1957), Shampoo (1975), and Heaven Can Wait (1978). For a completely different side of Jack Warden, watch The Twilight Zone episode “The Lonely,” a TV classic. Sadly, Jack Warden passed away in 2006 from heart and kidney failure.

John Ritter as Ben Healy in Problem Child

John Ritter as Ben Healy in Problem Child

Ben Healy is the only person who believes in Junior—which is saying a lot. After Ben witnesses all the evil his newly adopted son accomplishes at a Little League game, he declares, “We’ve adopted Satan.” It’s Ben’s love that allows Junior to evolve into a human—sort of.

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John Ritter—2003

John Ritter became famous after starring as Jack Tripper on the popular ABC series Three’s Company. He’d been a professional actor since the late 1960s and appeared in numerous films and television shows. After starring as the lovable Ben Healy in the first two Problem Child films, he worked nonstop in films and television, including Hearts Afire, King of the Hill, and his last TV series 8 Simple Rules, until his untimely death from an aortic dissection on September 11, 2003. He was married to Problem Child costar Amy Yasbeck at the time of his death.

Laraine Newman as Lawanda Dunmore in Problem Child 2

Laraine Newman as Lawanda Dunmore in Problem Child 2

Lawanda Dunmore, the serial marriage addict and wealthiest woman in town in Problem Child 2, is no match for Junior. Although he does manage to arrange a hideous nose job the night before her wedding to his father, it’s her own outburst about hating all children that makes Ben stop the wedding, much to Junior’s relief.

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Laraine Newman—Today

Like her costar Gilbert Gottfried, Laraine Newman was an accomplished comedian and appeared for several years on Saturday Night Live as one of the Coneheads over a decade before she starred in Problem Child 2. She has been working in television and film continuously. She’s made her mark as a voice-over artist as well, with her work in Wall-E (2008), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), and Toy Story 3 (2010). She was last the voice of Granny Snaggletooth in Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2012).

Michael Oliver as Junior in Problem Child

Michael Oliver as Junior in Problem Child

Michael Oliver had only worked as a print model and in a commercial when he was cast as Junior in the Problem Child films. To be fair, Junior does indirectly warn the Healys, his new adoptive parents, when he takes a look at their house and wickedly smiles, saying, “I hope you’re insured.” What ensues would make any insurance company drop that family like a hot potato.

Michael Oliver—Today

While he was making the first two Problem Child films, Michael Oliver also appeared in the television show Amen! as well as The Munsters Today. He also appeared on the show Drexel’s Class and in the film Dillinger and Capone (1995). Oliver was nominated for a Young Artist Award for his acting in Problem Child 2. As an adult, he moved away from acting to focus on a career in the tech industry working in computer programming.

Michael Richards as Martin Beck in Problem Child

Michael Richards as Martin Beck in Problem Child

Martin Beck, a.k.a. The Bowtie Killer, is Junior’s inspiration and mentor—a kindred spirit of sorts. Junior doesn’t even flinch when Beck turns up at his home and tells him he might not make it to his eighth birthday. It takes a psychopath to know one. Luckily for Junior, his dad cares enough, in the end, to go rescue him after Beck kidnaps him and puts him on the right path—sort of.

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Michael Richards—Today

Richards worked in comedy for at least a decade before his role in Problem Child. He also had just been cast in the role that made him famous: Kramer in Seinfeld. Richards has acted in several television shows since Seinfeld, including his own short-lived comedy, The Michael Richards Show (2000). He made several guest appearances on Larry David’s popular HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm and most recently did work as the voice of Mr. Morris in Jock the Hero Dog (2011).

Tiffany and Krystle Mataras as Dolly and Madison in Problem Child 2

Tiffany and Krystle Mataras as Dolly and Madison in Problem Child 2

Identical twin sisters Krystle and Tiffany Mataras appear as rude twins Dolly and Madison in Junior’s new town of Mortville. They try to extort money from him, then order him to go get them fresh lemonade for their little business. Of course, they have no idea what they are dealing with, nor do the unsuspecting lemonade customers who are getting anything but lemonade—courtesy of Junior’s very full bladder. Potty humor at its most disgusting. Pun intended.

Tiffany and Krystle Mataras—Today

Tiffany and Krystle appeared in Kindergarten Cop before their roles in Problem Child 2. They went on to act in films such as Single White Female (1992) and Camp Nowhere (1994). They were also featured on The Dog Whisperer to get help with their dog in the sixth season of the series. Their latest roles were in the sexy horror film 100,000 Zombie Heads (2012).