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Right on top of that, Rose! Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, but it remains a classic entry in the “accidentally killing an old lady” genre.
In the movie, Christina Applegate plays Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell, a 17-year-old girl who thinks she’s about to enjoy a wild summer of freedom while her mother (Concetta Tomei) is away in Europe with her boyfriend. Her mom has other ideas, though, and hires a live-in babysitter named Mrs. Sturak (Eda Reiss Merin) to care for Swell and her three siblings.
So much for Swell’s plans, especially after Mrs. Sturak has a heart attack on the job after seeing a bunch of risqué posters in one of the teens’ bedrooms. The Crandells then realize they have no money to pay for food or bills, so Swell lies her way into a job as an executive assistant at General Apparel West, a fashion design company.
Her ruse goes over so well that she eventually gets to design her own clothes, but naturally, Mrs. Crandell comes home early and catches her in the act of pretending to be an adult. The film ends with Swell deciding to go to college even though she’s already had a “career” as a designer — and with Mrs. Sturak in a grave with a headstone reading, “Nice old lady inside, died of natural causes.”
Though the movie has since become a cult favorite, it was not well-received at the time of its release. “Blame the smash of Home Alone for the new herd of kids-on-the-loose movies,” Peter Travers wrote in Rolling Stone in 1991. “Let’s hope none are dumber than this one.” He concluded his review by calling Don’t Tell Mom “the film equivalent of processed cheese.”
Applegate, however, has a rosier view of the movie. “People come up to me and say, ‘Of all the things you’ve done, Don’t Tell Mom is my favorite,’” she told BuzzFeed News in 2015. “Its popularity is the most shocking to me of anything I’ve done.”
She chalked up the movie’s success to the fact that viewers could see themselves in Sue Ellen, even as she made a ton of mistakes. “She was relatable to a lot of teenagers who feel like the burden of the world is on them,” the actress said. “They’re so dramatic about everything and I think in her success, there’s hope. When I’ve seen it now as an adult, that’s what I see: It’s a feel-good movie. Everyone gets a second chance, everyone gets the chance to turn themselves around and all kids want to feel that way.”
Keep scrolling to find out what the Don’t Tell Mom cast has been up to since the movie’s debut:
Credit: Outlaw/HBO/Mercury-Douglas/Kobal/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock
‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Christina Applegate and More
Right on top of that, Rose! Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, but it remains a classic entry in the “accidentally killing an old lady” genre.
In the movie, Christina Applegate plays Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell, a 17-year-old girl who thinks she’s about to enjoy a wild summer of freedom while her mother (Concetta Tomei) is away in Europe with her boyfriend. Her mom has other ideas, though, and hires a live-in babysitter named Mrs. Sturak (Eda Reiss Merin) to care for Swell and her three siblings.
So much for Swell’s plans, especially after Mrs. Sturak has a heart attack on the job after seeing a bunch of risqué posters in one of the teens’ bedrooms. The Crandells then realize they have no money to pay for food or bills, so Swell lies her way into a job as an executive assistant at General Apparel West, a fashion design company.
Her ruse goes over so well that she eventually gets to design her own clothes, but naturally, Mrs. Crandell comes home early and catches her in the act of pretending to be an adult. The film ends with Swell deciding to go to college even though she’s already had a “career” as a designer — and with Mrs. Sturak in a grave with a headstone reading, “Nice old lady inside, died of natural causes.”
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Though the movie has since become a cult favorite, it was not well-received at the time of its release. “Blame the smash of Home Alone for the new herd of kids-on-the-loose movies,” Peter Travers wrote in Rolling Stone in 1991. “Let’s hope none are dumber than this one.” He concluded his review by calling Don’t Tell Mom “the film equivalent of processed cheese.”
Applegate, however, has a rosier view of the movie. “People come up to me and say, ‘Of all the things you’ve done, Don’t Tell Mom is my favorite,’” she told BuzzFeed News in 2015. “Its popularity is the most shocking to me of anything I’ve done.”
She chalked up the movie’s success to the fact that viewers could see themselves in Sue Ellen, even as she made a ton of mistakes. “She was relatable to a lot of teenagers who feel like the burden of the world is on them,” the actress said. “They’re so dramatic about everything and I think in her success, there’s hope. When I’ve seen it now as an adult, that’s what I see: It’s a feel-good movie. Everyone gets a second chance, everyone gets the chance to turn themselves around and all kids want to feel that way.”
Keep scrolling to find out what the Don’t Tell Mom cast has been up to since the movie’s debut:
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Credit: Outlaw/HBO/Mercury-Douglas/Kobal/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock
Christina Applegate
After playing Swell, the Married … With Children alum went on to star in TV shows including Samantha Who?, Friends and Dead to Me. Some of her many film credits include Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Bad Moms, Hall Pass and Surviving Christmas. She has been married to musician Martyn LeNoble since 2013. They share one daughter, Sadie Grace. In August 2021, Applegate revealed that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several months prior.
Credit: Outlaw/Hbo/Mercury-Douglas/Kobal/Shutterstock; Todd Williamson/January Images/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Joanna Cassidy
Cassidy starred as Rose Lindsey, Swell’s friend and colleague at GAW. She later booked guest appearances on Melrose Place, L.A. Law and Northern Exposure and was nominated for an Emmy for her performance on Six Feet Under. She shares two children, Daniel and Naomi, with her ex-husband, Kennard Kobrin.
Credit: HBO; Open Road Films/Kobal/Shutterstock
John Getz
Getz played Gus Brandon, the shady boyfriend of Rose. After Don’t Tell Mom, he starred in the beloved Disney Channel original movie Zenon: The Zequel and made guest appearances on shows including The West Wing, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Transparent and Bosch. He was married to playwright Grace McKeaney from 1987 to 1996. They share one daughter, Hannah.
Credit: HBO; MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Keith Coogan
Coogan appeared as Swell’s slacker twin brother, Kenny. He went on to land roles in movies including In the Army Now, The Godson and Ivory Tower. The Joan of Arcadia alum has been married to Kristen Shean since 2013.
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Credit: HBO; Joy Asico/AP/Shutterstock
Josh Charles
The Baltimore native played Swell’s boyfriend, Bryan. He has since starred in Muppets From Space, Four Brothers, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Drunk History. His role on The Good Wife, which aired from 2009 to 2016, also earned him two Emmy nominations. Charles married ballet dancer Sophie Flack in 2013. They share two children, Rocco and Eleonor.
Credit: HBO; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Concetta Tomei
The actress played Mrs. Crandell, mother of Swell. A veteran of the stage, she later appeared in Star Trek: Voyager, Nip/Tuck, The Mick, Providence and The King of Queens.
Credit: HBO; Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
David Duchovny
Shortly after appearing in Don’t Tell Mom as Bruce, one of Swell’s coworkers, Duchovny landed the role that would make him a star — Fox Mulder in The X-Files, which aired from 1993 to 2002. He also headlined the series Californication and Aquarius, authored four books and recorded two albums. He has two children, Madelaine and Kyd, with ex-wife Téa Leoni, whom he divorced in 2014. In 2022, he published his fifth book, titled The Reservoir: A Novella.
Credit: HBO; Picture Perfect/Shutterstock
Jayne Brook
The Illinois native played Carolyn, an employee at GAW who was resentful of Swell’s success. She had a starring role in Chicago Hope from 1995 to 1999 and also appeared in episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal, Sports Night, Private Practice and Star Trek: Discovery. She has been married to actor and director John Terlesky since 1996. They share two daughters, Alexandra and Annaliese.
Credit: HBO
Eda Reiss Merin
Merin, who died in 1998, played Mrs. Sturak, the unfortunate babysitter in the movie’s title. She later guest-starred in episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ER and Murder, She Wrote.
Credit: HBO
Robert Hy Gorman
Gorman starred as Walter, the youngest Crandell. He went on to book roles in The Nanny, Rookie of the Year, Full House, Boy Meets World, One Tree Hill and Drop Dead Diva.
Credit: HBO; Jason Redmond/EPA/Shutterstock
Danielle Harris
Harris played Melissa Crandell, Swell’s 13-year-old sister. Fans may recognize her voice from The Wild Thornberrys, in which she played Debbie Thornberry from 1998 to 2004. She is best known for her work in horror movies, including five entries in the Halloween franchise. The New York native has been married to David Gross since 2014. They share two sons, Carter and Jagger.
Credit: HBO; Moviestore/Shutterstock
Christopher Pettiet
The late actor rounded out the Crandell family as 14-year-old Zach. His credits include Point Break, Picket Fences, Touched by an Angel, Chicago Hope and Judging Amy. In 2000, he died of an accidental overdose at age 24.
