Home News Blitz 4

The Little Giants Cast: Where Are The O'Sheas And The Pee Wee Team Now? (2024 Update)

• minute read
Contents

The Little Giants, the quintessential 1994 underdog sports comedy, cemented its place as a family classic by pitting two mismatched brothers—the competitive Kevin O’Shea and the mild-mannered Danny O’Shea—against each other in a pee wee football showdown. The film, which features the unforgettable "Annexation of Puerto Rico" play, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, prompting fans to ask: What happened to the talented adult stars and the scrappy team of kid actors who brought the Giants to life?

As of late 2024, the cast has spread across Hollywood and beyond, with some achieving massive sitcom fame, others becoming horror movie icons, and a few stepping away from the spotlight entirely. We dive into the current careers and lives of the O'Shea family and the rest of the beloved, ragtag team to reveal where they are today, including recent reunions and major career updates.

The O'Shea Brothers: Comedy Legends Then and Now

The heart of *The Little Giants* was the sibling rivalry between the two O’Shea brothers, played by two of the biggest comedy stars of the era. Both actors have had drastically different, yet equally notable, career trajectories since the film’s release.

Ed O’Neill (Kevin O’Shea, The Coach of the Cowboys)

  • Birth Name: Edward Leonard O'Neill
  • Born: April 12, 1946 (Age 78 in 2024)
  • Role in *Little Giants*: Kevin O’Shea, the arrogant, successful former NFL star and coach of the undefeated Cowboys.
  • Notable Post-Giants Roles: Al Bundy in *Married... with Children* (finished run in 1997), Jay Pritchett in *Modern Family* (2009–2020), voice of Hank the Octopus in *Finding Dory*.
  • Current Status (2024): Highly active in dramatic roles. O’Neill is starring as disgraced Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in the highly anticipated Hulu limited series Clipped, which premiered in June 2024. He has also been cast in the upcoming Ryan Murphy legal drama *All's Fair*.

Ed O’Neill was already a household name as Al Bundy when he played the ultra-competitive Kevin O'Shea. His career exploded again with the massive success of *Modern Family*, where he played patriarch Jay Pritchett for eleven seasons. In a significant shift from his comedic roots, O'Neill has recently moved into prestige television drama, taking on the challenging role of Donald Sterling in *Clipped*, proving his versatility three decades after the film's debut.

Rick Moranis (Danny O’Shea, The Coach of the Little Giants)

  • Birth Name: Rick Moranis
  • Born: April 18, 1953 (Age 71 in 2024)
  • Role in *Little Giants*: Danny O’Shea, the underdog brother and coach of the Little Giants.
  • Notable Post-Giants Roles: Wayne Szalinski in *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* franchise.
  • Current Status (2024): Moranis famously stepped away from live-action acting in the late 90s to focus on raising his children after the death of his wife. He has made a few voice acting appearances and, as of 2024, is still attached to reprise his iconic role as Wayne Szalinski in the Disney sequel Shrunk, though the project remains in development. His quiet life out of the Hollywood spotlight has only increased his legendary status among fans.

The Little Giants Team: From Pee Wee Stars to Hollywood Mainstays

The true charm of the film came from the diverse, quirky group of kids who formed the Little Giants. Many of these young actors continued their careers, with some becoming major stars in different genres.

Shawna Waldron (Becky 'Icebox' O’Shea)

  • Role in *Little Giants*: Becky 'Icebox' O’Shea, Danny’s tough, football-loving daughter who is initially rejected by the Cowboys.
  • Post-Giants Career: Waldron immediately followed *Little Giants* with a major role in the romantic drama *The American President* (1995), starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. She continued acting in various films and TV series, including *Poison Ivy: The Secret Society*.
  • Current Status (2024): Shawna Waldron remains connected to the film, participating in Little Giants cast panels and reunions in recent years, including a 2024 mini-reunion with other cast members. She is an active presence in the convention circuit, celebrating the film's legacy.

Devon Sawa (Junior Floyd)

  • Role in *Little Giants*: Junior Floyd, the handsome, talented quarterback who joins the Giants after being cut by the Cowboys.
  • Post-Giants Career: Sawa became a major 90s teen idol, starring in *Casper* (1995), *Now and Then* (1995), and the horror classic Final Destination (2000), which solidified his status as a scream king.
  • Current Status (2024): Sawa has enjoyed a massive career resurgence in the 2020s. He is currently starring in the Syfy and USA Network horror series Chucky, where he has played multiple roles since 2021, and has upcoming film projects like *Consumed* (2024) and *All the Lost Ones* (2025).

Sam Horrigan (Spike Hammersmith)

  • Role in *Little Giants*: Spike Hammersmith, the intimidating, tough-talking bully who becomes the Giants' enforcer.
  • Post-Giants Career: Horrigan is perhaps best known to 90s/00s kids for starring as Val in the Disney Channel Original Movie Brink! (1998). He also appeared in *Accepted* and various TV shows.
  • Current Status (2024): Sam Horrigan continues to be involved in the entertainment industry and has participated in recent Little Giants reunion events and interviews, often discussing the behind-the-scenes stories of the film.

The Rest of the Scrappy Giants Squad: Where Are They Now?

The Little Giants wouldn't have been the same without the colourful supporting cast, each bringing a unique personality to the team. Many of these actors have found success in other parts of the entertainment world or have transitioned into new careers.

Alexa PenaVega (Priscilla O’Shea)

The youngest O'Shea, Priscilla, was played by Alexa Vega (now Alexa PenaVega). After *Little Giants*, she achieved global fame as Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids film series. Today, she is one of the most recognizable faces in faith-based and holiday programming, regularly starring in films for the Great American Family (GAF) network alongside her husband, Carlos PenaVega. The couple is set to star in the 2024 GAF holiday movie, Love At The Kettle.

Todd Bosley (Jake Berman)

Todd Bosley played Jake Berman, the scrawny kid who was initially only interested in the cheerleaders but proved his worth on the field. Bosley continued his acting career, notably appearing in the Robin Williams film *Jack* (1996) and having guest roles in popular TV shows. In 2024, Bosley was part of the cast reunion, sharing memories of the filming experience with fans.

Marcus Toji (Marcus)

Marcus Toji, who played the self-deprecating Marcus, has transitioned successfully into a career as a voice actor and comedian. He is known for his work in animated series like *We Bare Bears* and *Movie Surfers*, showing that his comedic timing from the football field translated well to the recording booth. He also joined the 2024 reunion with his former costars.

Courtney Peldon (Debbie O’Shea)

Courtney Peldon played Kevin O’Shea's daughter, Debbie. After *Little Giants*, Peldon had a significant role on the sitcom *Home Improvement* and appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including *Boston Public* and *National Lampoon's Dorm Daze*. She has continued acting, largely in independent films and television.

The Lasting Legacy of the Little Giants

The enduring appeal of *The Little Giants* lies in its celebration of the underdog spirit, a theme that resonates across generations. The film popularized the concept of "Urban Legends" in pee wee football, where a team of misfits can beat the champions through sheer heart and a few unconventional plays.

As the film marks its 30th anniversary, the recent cast reunions and the continued success of its stars—from Ed O'Neill's dramatic turn in *Clipped* to Devon Sawa's resurgence in the horror genre—demonstrate the powerful launchpad the 1994 film provided. Whether they are reprising iconic roles, starring in holiday movies, or simply cherishing the memories of their time on the field, the cast of *The Little Giants* continues to capture the hearts of fans who still believe in the power of the "Annexation of Puerto Rico."

The Little Giants Cast: Where Are The O'Sheas and the Pee Wee Team Now? (2024 Update)
cast of the little giants then and now
cast of the little giants then and now

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Rico Hand
  • Username : waino.schamberger
  • Email : fkulas@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1988-12-10
  • Address : 2668 Malvina Course Flatleyville, NC 14485
  • Phone : (763) 313-8101
  • Company : Rosenbaum-Cummerata
  • Job : Extraction Worker
  • Bio : Dignissimos itaque numquam quasi voluptatem cupiditate qui aut. Ut magnam asperiores earum ea ut. Et ut ut nemo amet ipsam laborum exercitationem voluptas.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/carleton.kozey
  • username : carleton.kozey
  • bio : Et et occaecati aspernatur. Dignissimos repellendus est facilis dolore esse molestiae expedita.
  • followers : 6785
  • following : 2982

linkedin:

tiktok:

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/carleton_kozey
  • username : carleton_kozey
  • bio : Molestiae commodi ea ex. Ex aut dolor vitae vel. Eos expedita est vitae non numquam nisi aut.
  • followers : 1827
  • following : 1539

Random Posts