With the release of the new 21 Jump Street film trailer, this has had me thinking of the popular 80s/90s TV show. Before XFactor was around, this was the show we all stayed in on a Saturday night to watch. It was also the show that launched Johnny Depp’s career.
21 Jump Street was a popular crime drama, based on young police officers, whose young looks helped them go undercover in places like schools, colleges, and youth clubs, to solve crimes. The show ran from 1987 t0 1991 and even had a spin off show – Booker, starring Richard Greco.
Lots of today’s big movie stars had guest roles in 21 Jump Street from Brad Pitt, to Vince Vaughn, and Christina Applegate, but whatever happened to the popular cast? Where are they now?
Johnny Depp – Officer Tommy Hanson (1987-1990)
Johnny Depp was the stand out of the pack – girls wanted him and boys wanted to be him!
Depp has had the biggest career of all the 21 Jump Street cast, starring in films such as Edward Scissorhands, the Pirates Franchise, lots of Tim Burton films, and can currently be seen in The Rum Diaries. Depp also has a cameo in the 21 Jump Street film.
Peter DeLuise – Officer Douglas “Doug” Penhal (1987 – 1990)
Everyone loved Doug. He and Tommy were best friends and everyone watching wanted him as their best friend.
Since finishing up on 21 Jump Street DeLuise has continued acting and has done quite a bit of directing.
DeLuise guested on TV shows such as Friends and 3rd Rock from the Sun. He also had recurring roles in SeaQuest DSV and Stargate SG-1. This year he had a guest role on Sanctuary and has just completed a short film entitled Wait for Rain.
DeLuise first directed a few episodes of the final series of í21 Jump Street. Since then he has directed many TV series including Stargate SG-1, Kyle XY, Sanctuary, The Haunting Hour: The Series and is currently directing the new comedy series Level Up.
Holly Robinson Peete – Sergeant Judith “Judy” Hoffs (1987 – 1991)
Every girl watching was envious of Holly for getting to hang out with all the guys and do all the cool things they were doing!
After 21 Jump Street ended, Robinson-Peete continued to get regular TV gigs, including roles in Hanging with Mr Cooper, Love Inc and last year was part of the original The Talk line up. Her sacking from the talk show has been controversial but Robinson-Peete has not let that get to her. She has picked up a recurring guest role in the popular comedy Mike & Molly
Dustin Nguyen – Sergeant Harry Truman Ioki/Vinh Van Tran (H.T. Ioki) (1987 – 1990)
Nguyen played the level headed Harry.
Nguyen continues to act. He has had many TV roles, one of them was on DeepQuest DSV, this had him reteaming with Peter DeLuise. He also starred in Pamela Anderson’s VIP. Nguyen has also had some film roles.
Steven Williams – Captain Adam Fuller (1987 – 1991)
Williams played the leader of the group. Captain Fuller made sure everything ran smoothly.
Williams has continued acting since the end of 21 Jump Street. He guest starred in a number of TV series, played Mr X in the X-Files, and Rufus Turner in Supernatural.
Richard Greco – Det Dennis Booker (1988-89)
The girls went crazy for ‘Booker’. He was the hot, bad guy. He was so popular that he got his own spin-off series. However this was not so popular – it was axed after only 1 year.
Greco has continued to act. He had many recuring roles on TV shows, including Veronica Mars.
Greco will next appear in a film entitled Cats Dancing on Jupiter.
After all of that, I can’t end without playing out the 21 Jump Street opening credits (season 3)
That’s Entertainment!
Sarina 🙂