Spy Kids Cast: This Is What They Are Doing Nowadays…
The Spy Kids cast, especially Carmen and Juni, were our heroes. We all wanted to find out our parents were actually secret agents!
Image Source/ Her
The Cortez family were a vital part of our childhoods. Some parts were exciting, others were downright creepy. It was always going to be a hit at the box office… and reviewers it seems – it has a 93% rating Rotten Tomatoes.
Director Robert Rodriguez went on to write and direct THREE MORE ‘Spy Kids’ films, including: Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams; Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over; and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.
It has been nearly TWENTY years since the films initial release; where are the Spy Kids cast now?
Carmen Cortez (Alexa Vega) – THEN
We all loved Carmen; she was our childhood hero. She was an amazing child spy with lots of sass!
Carmen was always doing anything she can to help her family… even annoying Juni!
Image Source/ Heroes Wiki – Fandom
Alexa PenaVega (Carmen Cortez) – NOW
Alexa has continued to act since Spy Kids, predominantly on TV shows, including: The Tomorrow People and Unsupervised.
But the most exciting news she shared over the past few years was her marriage Carlos Pena Jr. (where her new surname comes from), the birth of their first child and her second pregnancy! The baby’s due later this year.
Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) – THEN
Whilst we loved Carmen for her sass, we adored Juni for his dorky yet lovable nature.
He surprised us all – even Carmen – with his abilities!
Image Source/ VS Battles Wiki
Daryl Sabara (Juni Cortez) – NOW
Since Spy Kids, Daryl Sabara has provided the voices for a few different animated characters. He was also recently involved in the Netflix documentary, Medal of Honor.
However, the biggest news was his marriage to singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor last December. By the looks of their Instagram accounts, the two are very happy.
Gregorio Cortez (Antonio Banderas) – THEN
Gregorio was father to Carmen and Juni. It was the discovery of their parents’ spy status that kick-started the kids’ story.
Throughout the films, we saw Gregorio struggle to achieve recognition. He was also fiercely devoted to his family.
Image Source/ Ohmymag
Antonio Banderas (Gregorio Cortez) – NOW
Antonio Banderas isn’t familiar to us just for Spy Kids. He’s been involved in many productions over the years, including: The Mask Of Zorro; Shrek; and Security.
Times stops at Times Square!
_____#NYC pic.twitter.com/tSUabb8p5A— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) June 5, 2019
Ingrid Cortez (Carla Gugino) – THEN
Ingrid was the spy kids’ super cool mother. She apparently possessed the ability to imitate people’s voices – an ability she passed on to her son, Juni.
She was fiercely protective of her children, demonstrated when she took off with her husband to save them in the second film.
Image Source/ branden’s favorite things
Carla Gugino (Ingrid Cortez) – NOW
Carla is still working now. You might have seen her in Netflix’s Gerald’s Game.
According to her social media, she loves healthy eating. But also warm chocolate chip cookies (who doesn’t?)
Isador Cortez/ ‘Machete’ (Danny Trejo) – THEN
Isador was Carmen and Juni’s estranged uncle, who helped them save their parents during the first Spy Kids film.
He was typically busy inventing new gadgets for the kids to use on their missions.
Image Source/ YouTube
Danny Trejo (Isador Corte/ ‘Machete’) – NOW
Director Robert Rodriguez apparently saw no one else in the role other than Danny Trejo.
Since Spy Kids, Trejo has voice-acted for video games, opened restaurants and contributed to books!
He has also reprised his role in Machete Kills, another Rodriguez Films movie.
Happy #NationalDoughnutDay from @trejosdonuts! pic.twitter.com/UyJTAJfeQ4
— Danny Trejo (@officialDannyT) June 7, 2019
Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming) – THEN
Fegan Floop was incredibly wacky and weird. He was initially viewed as the original film’s main antagonist.
However, it turned out that he just wanted to bring joy to children’s lives!
Image Source/ Fabiosa
Alan Cumming (Fegan Floop) – NOW
Alan Cumming is a little less wacky than his character in real life. He’s still busy working on his acting career.
Some of his most recent credits include Doctor Who and Instinct. He married illustrator Grant Shaffer in 2012.
There was a snafu yesterday but all is running well again and you can bid on the Carol Channing signed book and Cabaret shot glass to benefit the @ACLU at https://t.co/KkaGHZOINN pic.twitter.com/QKJUvG77zK
— Alan Cumming (@Alancumming) May 29, 2019
Uncle Felix (Cheech Marin) – THEN
For a long time, Felix pretended to be the Cortez children’s uncle (of course, Machete was their real uncle).
He was an OSS agent, and helped (as well as hindered) the Cortez family at various points during the films.
Image Source/ lifewiththemovies
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_gI4i”]
Cheech Marin (Uncle Felix) – NOW
As for Cheech Marin, well… he’s still busy with his career. For the few keen-eared among you, you might have noticed him in various Disney films.
Some of his credits include The Lion King, Coco, Oliver & Company, and Cars. He married his long-term girlfriend, Russian pianist Natasha Rubin, in 2009. She is his third wife.
Drinking the Up In Smoke Tres Papalote Mezcal cocktail at Coasterra restaurant in San Diego pic.twitter.com/aXHeftdiOH
— Cheech Marin (@CheechMarin) November 17, 2017
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_zTE9″]
Ms. Gradenko (Teri Hatcher) – THEN
Ms. Gradenko was one of the antagonists of the movie. Initially she appeared to be a member of the OSS but Carmen and Juni figured out that she had gone rogue just in time for them to escape.
She had made plans with former OSS agents: Alex Minion and Mr Lisp.
Image Source/ space.ca
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_z40L”]
Teri Hatcher (Ms. Gradenko) – NOW
You will probably recognise Teri most from her role as Susan in the television series, Desperate Housewives.
After the show finished, Teri decided to spend more time on her love for cooking. She launched her YouTube channel, ‘Hatching Change’; it includes the sections ‘Van Therapy’ and ‘Don’t Eat ‘It’ Out Of a Box’.
So grateful to have family & friends to build a happy, healthy life with! (and lean on when necessary 😂) 2018 was a special year for me and I plan to make 2019 the best yet. I hope it is for you too! #happynewyear2019 #gratitude pic.twitter.com/cxJ6y2dpUq
— Teri Hatcher (@HatchingChange) December 31, 2018
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_wiHk”]
Alexander Minion (Tony Shalhoub) – THEN
Originally thought to just be Floop’s crazy scientist, it is soon revealed that Minion is an ex-OSS agent who is trying to take over the world!
He is after the ‘Third Brain’ – which Carmen and Juni just happen to uncover.
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_iquJ”]
Image Source/ Spy Kids Wiki – Fandom
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_DdY1″]
Tony Shalhoub (Alexander Minion) – NOW
Tony is best known for his role in the TV series Monk but has also starred in other movies and on the stage – winning numerous awards for all roles.
Nowadays, he is starring in the Amazon television show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Image Source/ CBS
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_ZoXg”]
Mr Lisp (Robert Patrick) – THEN
Was Mr Lisp really the evil mastermind from the Spy Kids Cast? He paid Floop A LOT of money to build him his own private army.
But Minion was one step ahead of him, and programmed the children to double-cross their supposed leader and work for Minion instead!
He was then attacked by ‘his’ army… #awkward.
Image Source/ Villians Wiki – Fandom
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_hW7Y”]
Robert Patrick (Mr Lisp) – NOW
Robert is known throughout the world for his role in Terminator 2: Judgement Day not just in the Spy Kids cast.
He was also in the TV shows The X-Files, Scorpion and Lore.
Did you know that he has also lent his voice to five video games, including: Terminator 2: Judgement Day; Elite: Dangerous; and LocoCycle.
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_0mO0″]
[dx_custom_adunit mobile_id=”RTK_QejT]
