The Major Cast and Crew Behind 'Gremlins' After 27 Years

After working on the blockbuster hit "Gremlins" in 1984, the film's major cast and crew have continued to enjoy flourishing careers for many years. Most of these artists have already reached the peak of their careers and many of them are still active in Hollywood. In celebration of the "Gremlins" 27th anniversary, here are some of the renowned names that made the film possible and how their film careers have evolved through the years:

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg founded the film and television production company Amblin Entertainment with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 1981. The three of them produced "Gremlins." A recipient of a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003, Spielberg continued directing wave after wave of blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed films including "E.T.," "Jurassic Park," "Schindler's List," and "The Color Purple." He was also a producer for a number of movie and TV productions including "Super 8," "True Grit," "Transformers," and "Terra Nova." He is set to release the movies "Robocalypse," "Lincoln," and "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" from 2011 to 2013.

Joe Dante

Joe Dante was the first director to helm one of the first Amblin Entertainment movie "Gremlins" in 1984. Since then, Dante directed dozens of productions including the movies "Gremlins 2: The New Batch" "and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action," TV movies "Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy" and "The Second Civil War," and TV episodes for "CSI: NY" and "Night Visions." He premiered his fantasy thriller "The Hole 3D" at the 2009 Venice Film Festival and it won the Best 3D Film Award. His comedy movie "Monster Love" is set to release in 2012.

Chris Columbus

"Gremlins" writer Chris Columbus tried selling his script with no success until Steven Spielberg saw its potential. The then young writer soon pursued a directing career with initially notable works including the "Home Alone" movies and "Mrs. Doubtfire." Known as the first director of the now legendary "Harry Potter" movie franchise, he helmed the first two films "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." His diverse filmography also includes films like "Stepmom," "Bicentennial Man," "Rent," and "3-D Rocks."

Hoyt Axton

After his acting stint in "Gremlins," country singer-songwriter and actor Hoyt Axton continued to star in productions such as "Harmony Cats," "Space Case," "Captain Planet and the Planeteers," and "King Cobra," He spent many years struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and many of his songs chronicled his drug problems. In 1999, he died of heart attack in Montana.He and his mother Mae Boren Axton, writer of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," received the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Phoebe Cates

Phoebe Cates starred as the female lead for the two "Gremlins" movies. She also played roles in movies like "Date with an Angel," "Drop Dead Fred," "Shag," "Princess Caraboo," and "The Anniversary Party." He married actor Kevin Kline in 1989 and they have two children. In 2005, she opened a New York gift store and boutique emporium called Blue Tree. Alhough she retired from acting at an early age, she still has a share of the limelight through some magazine features and movie premiere and charity event appearances.

Zach Galligan

Following the success of the two "Gremlins" movies, Zach Galligan starred in a number of slapstick comedies, erotic dramas, and horror flicks. His career led him to become a renowned character actor mostly for TV series like "Star Trek: Voyager," "Melrose Place," and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Currently, other than his acting stints on film and TV, he teaches acting and he delves into blog writing as well.