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The Sandlot Cast: 9 Shocking Paths Taken By The Actors 30+ Years Later (Updated 2024)

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The Sandlot, a 1993 coming-of-age classic, remains a cornerstone of nostalgia, capturing the endless summer of childhood and the purity of friendship. However, more than three decades after the film’s release, the lives of the young baseball players and the legendary actors who brought them to life have taken dramatically different, and often surprising, turns. As of late 2024, the cast has been in the news for everything from new babies and charity work to a legendary passing and a highly-publicized arrest, proving that the heroes of the diamond have truly become legends in their own right.

This deep dive into the Sandlot cast’s current lives and careers reveals how Scott Smalls, Benny "The Jet," and the rest of the gang navigated adulthood, with some finding new callings entirely outside of Hollywood, and others continuing to pursue the spotlight with varying degrees of success and controversy. The most recent updates include a major loss for the film's legacy and a surprising legal issue for one of the main stars, making the "where are they now" question more compelling than ever.

The Unexpected Paths of the Sandlot Kids: Current Lives and Careers

The core group of child actors from The Sandlot followed diverse trajectories after the film’s success. While some left acting for stable, non-Hollywood careers, others embraced the celebrity status, continuing to appear in films, TV, and fan conventions. The year 2024 has been particularly eventful for several key members of the cast.

1. Mike Vitar (Benjamin "Benny The Jet" Rodriguez) - The Firefighter

The fastest kid in the neighborhood, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, was played by Mike Vitar, who ultimately chose a life of real-world heroism over Hollywood fame. Vitar retired from acting shortly after his roles in The Sandlot and the Mighty Ducks series.

  • Birth Date: December 21, 1978
  • Age (as of late 2024): 45
  • Current Career: Active Firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)
  • Career Change: Vitar began serving as a firefighter in 2002, dedicating over two decades to public service.
  • Personal Life: He is married and has children.
  • Recent News: He maintains a private life, focused entirely on his firefighting career, having completely stepped away from the entertainment industry.

Vitar’s choice to become a firefighter, a demanding and selfless career, is perhaps the most surprising and admirable pivot from the entire cast, embodying the heroic spirit of his beloved character.

2. Tom Guiry (Scott "Scotty" Smalls) - The Continuing Actor

Tom Guiry, who played the protagonist Scotty Smalls, is one of the few main cast members to continue acting into adulthood, appearing in major films like Mystic River and Black Hawk Down.

  • Birth Date: October 12, 1981
  • Age (as of late 2024): 43
  • Current Career: Working Actor
  • Notable Roles: Starred in the lead role of the 2023 film The Last Stop in Yuma County.
  • Recent News (2024): In June 2024, Guiry was arrested in Texas for alleged assault and malicious damage. The police report indicated he was arrested for allegedly throwing a 35-pound dumbbell at a neighbor's Jeep.

Guiry's recent legal troubles in mid-2024 brought him back into the headlines, highlighting the often-turbulent path of a child star attempting to maintain a career in a demanding industry.

3. Patrick Renna (Hamilton "Ham" Porter) - The Family Man & Producer

Known for his iconic line, "You're killin' me, Smalls!", Patrick Renna (Ham Porter) has maintained a presence in the entertainment world, shifting his focus to production and social media content while prioritizing his family life.

  • Birth Date: March 3, 1979
  • Age (as of late 2024): 45
  • Current Career: Actor, Film Producer, and Content Creator
  • Recent Projects (2024): Renna starred in the 2024 film Monster Summer, which also screened in Los Angeles.
  • Personal Life Update (2024): Renna and his wife, Jasmin, welcomed their third child, a baby girl named Lily June Renna, in 2024, making him a proud father of three.
  • Social Media: He is highly active on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, frequently referencing his Sandlot fame and sharing his life as a father.

Renna's 2024 has been marked by a blend of professional activity and significant personal milestones, embracing his role as a father and a nostalgic figure for millions of fans.

The Legends We’ve Lost and the Team’s New Mission

The film’s adult stars, who provided the gravitas and wisdom, have also seen major life changes, including the very recent passing of one of cinema’s most recognizable voices. Furthermore, other cast members have channeled their fame into a positive, collective mission.

4. James Earl Jones (Mr. Mertle) - The Voice of Legend

James Earl Jones, who played the blind, wise neighbor Mr. Mertle, was an icon of stage and screen, known globally as the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa.

  • Birth Date: January 17, 1931
  • Death Date (2024): September 9, 2024
  • Legacy: Jones passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in acting.
  • Significance to The Sandlot: His role as Mr. Mertle, the former baseball star who owned "The Beast," was central to the film's climax and its message about overcoming fear. His passing in late 2024 is a profound loss for the film's family and the entertainment world at large.

5. Art LaFleur (The Ghost of Babe Ruth) - The Immortal Icon

Art LaFleur, who played the ghostly apparition of Babe Ruth, delivered the film's most memorable motivational speech.

  • Birth Date: September 9, 1943
  • Death Date: November 17, 2021
  • Significance to The Sandlot: Although his passing was in 2021, his role remains one of the most beloved cameos in film history, reminding the boys (and the audience) that "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die."

6. Chauncey Leopardi (Michael "Squints" Palledorous) - The Convention Star

Chauncey Leopardi, forever remembered as "Squints," the boy who kissed Wendy Peffercorn, has found a new niche through fan conventions and public appearances.

  • Birth Date: June 14, 1981
  • Age (as of late 2024): 43
  • Current Career: Convention Guest, Actor, and Podcaster
  • Personal Life: He is a father of five and still resides in Los Angeles, often discussing his life and the film in interviews throughout 2024.
  • Public Persona: Leopardi frequently attends fan events, where he is a major draw, continuing to embrace the enduring popularity of his character.

7. Marty York (Alan "Yeah-Yeah" McClennan) - The Occasional Gig

Marty York, who played the energetic "Yeah-Yeah," has kept a foot in the acting world, though his focus has broadened to other ventures.

  • Birth Date: August 23, 1980
  • Age (as of late 2024): 44
  • Current Career: Occasional Actor and Entrepreneur
  • Recent Appearances: York has landed occasional acting gigs on shows like The Eric Andre Show but largely focuses on other personal and business pursuits.
  • Public Status: He remains an active participant in Sandlot-related events and reunions.

The Sandlot Legacy Continues: Charity and Reunion Updates

The spirit of teamwork and friendship that defined the movie has extended into the real lives of the cast, particularly through a new charity initiative that brought some of the boys back together.

8. The "Play Forever" Initiative (2024)

In a significant 2024 update, several cast members—including Grant Gelt (Bertram Grover Weeks), Victor DiMattia (Timmy Timmons), and Shane Obedzinski (Tommy "Repeat" Timmons)—reunited to launch a non-profit organization called "Play Forever."

  • Mission: The charity is dedicated to helping children through sports, ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to experience the joy of the game, much like the characters in the film.
  • Impact: This initiative demonstrates a powerful commitment to leveraging their nostalgic fame for a positive, community-focused cause, directly reflecting the film’s themes of camaraderie and the love of baseball.

9. Victor DiMattia (Timmy Timmons) and Shane Obedzinski (Tommy "Repeat" Timmons)

The Timmons brothers, played by Victor DiMattia and Shane Obedzinski, have largely stepped away from acting, but their involvement in the "Play Forever" charity has been their most notable recent public activity.

  • Victor DiMattia (Timmy): Now works in the restaurant industry.
  • Shane Obedzinski (Tommy): Has worked as a chef and in other ventures.
  • Joint Activity (2024): Their collaboration on the "Play Forever" non-profit shows their enduring connection to the film and its positive message, proving the bonds of The Sandlot are still strong over 30 years later.

The Enduring Legacy of The Sandlot

The journey of The Sandlot cast is a fascinating study in post-child-star life. While Mike Vitar traded his glove for a fire hose and Patrick Renna embraced fatherhood and social media, the tragic and recent passing of James Earl Jones in 2024 serves as a poignant reminder of the film’s multi-generational impact. The enduring legacy of this beloved movie isn't just in the memorable lines and scenes, but in the real-life paths of the actors—paths that continue to surprise and inspire fans three decades on. Whether through a selfless career change, a new family member, or a charitable mission, the spirit of the Sandlot is alive and well.

The Sandlot Cast: 9 Shocking Paths Taken by the Actors 30+ Years Later (Updated 2024)
actors from the sandlot now
actors from the sandlot now

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