Leonardo Dicaprio
Charatcer: Romeo Montague
Leonardo Dicaprio
Leo was already known in Hollywood when he landed the lead role of Romeo, but it was this film that catapulted the then 21-year-old into official heartthrob status. Leo went on to becmoe on of Hollywood’s biggest stars with roles in Titanic, The Departed, The Aviator, Inception, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Revenant for which he finally earned himself an Oscar.
Claire Danes
Charatcer: Juliet Capulet
Claire Danes
Claire Danes wasn’t the original actress cast as Juliet, it was actually Natalie Portman, but when executives decided the seven-year age gap appeared too large on screen, Danes was brought in to play the title role. Following the hit movie, Danes went on to star in films including The Hours, The Family Stone and Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines but it’s her role on the small screen in Homeland that has cemented her Hollywood status and earned her two Golden Globes and an Emmy for her role.
Paul Rudd
Charatcer: Dave Paris
Paul Rudd
These days Paul Rudd is a household name but back in 1996 he was a relatively unknown actor, but having just starred in a little movie called Clueless, he wasn’t completely unfamiliar. Rudd starred as Dave Paris who was there too woo Juliet, albeit unsuccessfully. Rudd has since gone on to star in a string of hit films, steering more to comedy in Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up as well as blockbuster Captain America: Civil War.
John Lequizamo
Character: Tybalt Capulet
John Lequizamo
Who could forget the Prince of Cats. John Leguizamo played the ultimate villain in Tybalt Capulet, cousin of Juliet. Leguizamo teamed up with director Baz Lhurman again in 2001’s Moulin Rouge, voiced Sid the sloth in Ice Age and then went back to his dark roots in Netflix’s Bloodline.
Harold Perrineau
Character: Mercutio
Harold Perrineau
Everyone’s favourite wing man Mercutio was played by Harold Perrineau, giving the iconic character a truly modern spin with his fun-loving, cross dressing ways. Perrineau earned rave reviews for his portrayal and he went on to land roles in Zero Dark Thirty, The Matrix franchise and Lost.
Miriam Margolyes
Charatcer: Nurse
Miriam Margolyes
She was Juliet’s loving caretaker and confidant – everything her mother was not. Margolyes was already an established actor when she starred in the film, and only went on to further that with roles in the, Mulan, Happy Feet, James and the Giant Peach, End of Days and Magnolia but by far her most notable role has to be in the Harry Potter franchise where she played Professor Sprout.
Jesse Bradford
Character: Balthasar Montague
Jesse Bradford
Jesse Bradford’s portrayal of Romeo’s cousin is small but pivotal, staying with the love-struck teen right until the end. However the role helped him take the leap into the teen franchise arena, going on to star in Bring It On and Swimfan and he also landed a small role in The West Wing.