Oliver! is celebrating its 58th reunion. The 1968 musical drama is beloved for its catchy songs and universal entertainment.
The film was adapted from Lionel Bart's 1960 stage musical, which was based on Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist. Starring Mark Lester, Shani Wallis, and Ron Moody, Oliver! earned over $77 million worldwide and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Score.
Keep reading to see where the stars of Oliver! are now and which of the legends we've sadly lost.
Mark was good friends with Michael Jackson
Mark Lester was eight years old when he was cast as Oliver Twist in the 1968 film. But, the young actor couldn't sing, so his voice was dubbed by Kathe Green, daughter of the film's music arranger Johnny Green. After his breakout role, Mark appeared in several more films and TV shows until 1977 when he decided to quit the film industry and travel in Europe.
When Mark was 28, he started studying at the British School of Osteopathy. After graduating, he opened an acupuncture clinic in Cheltenham. Mark, who is now 68 and semi-retired osteopath,, is a father of four with his first wife Jane, who he divorced in 2005.
The legendary actor Ron Moody first portrayed Fagin in the 1960 stage musical Oliver! before he reprised it in the film, earning a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for the film, as well as a Tony Award nomination for the 1984 Broadway revival. "Fate destined me to play Fagin. It was the part of a lifetime. That summer of 1967 [during filming] was one of the happiest times of my life," he told The Guardian in 2012.
Outside of acting, Ron was married to Pilates teacher Therese Blackbourn and was a father to six kids, Catherine Laura, Daniel Maxmilian, Matthew Alexander, Micheal Orlando, Jonathan Barnaby, and Conrad Augustus. When the actor was 91 years old, he passed away from natural causes in London.
Oliver's uncle Carol Reed directed the film
Oliver Reed was a well known British actor who broke into stardom as Bill Sikes in Oliver!. His filmography is long, with the actor appearing alongside stars like Bette Davis, Gene Hackman, and Richard Harris.
Oliver was married twice, to ex-wife Kate Byrne and Josephine Burge. In 1999, when he was just 61, the actor passed away from a sudden heart attack after struggling with alcoholism for decades.
Shani lives a life out of the spotlight now
Shani Wallis, 93, is best known for starring as Nancy, Bill Sikes' girlfriend, in the musical and the film Oliver!. She acted for most of her life, first appearing on stage when she was just four years old. Shani studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
These days, Shani is retired and lives in the United States. She was married to her agent, Bernie Rich, from 1968 until his death in 2016, and has one daughter and two granddaughters.
Actress Diane Morgan is distantly related to Jack
