What The Cast Of The Fifth Element Is Doing Today

Following a long and storied career in film and television, Bruce Willis retired from acting in the spring of 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia. The cognitive disorder affects one's "ability to use and understand language" (via The Guardian) to the point that many people are no longer able to speak. Earlier this year, an updated statement from the family confirmed that Willis' condition has progressed to become frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which currently has no treatment or cure. Willis' family has requested fans learn and support the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and its mission to help families who struggle with the disease's effects.

These are very unfortunate circumstances for Willis, an actor who has provided audiences with years of exciting entertainment and beautifully rendered performances. Over a decade prior to his role as Korben Dallas in "The Fifth Element," Willis had charmed audiences as David Addison on the hit television series "Moonlighting." By 1988, he was John McClane in "Die Hard," forever cementing himself as one of Hollywood's foremost action stars. However, Willis had considerable range. He could bring charisma to actioners like "The Last Boy Scout" and "The Expendables," then show a goofier side in comedies like "Death Becomes Her" and "Moonrise Kingdom," only to then ground himself in the harrowing drama of his collaborations with M. Night Shyamalan in "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable". His legendary career will be fondly remembered for years to come, as will his immense talent.

No disrespect to the ensemble of "The Fifth Element," but it's clear which member of the cast rose furthest to the top. In fact, Gary Oldman has become so successful that "The Fifth Element" is often a credit that modern film fans forget amidst an utterly stacked resume. Since playing twanged madman Zorg, the man has been Oscar-nominated three times: once as George Smiley in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," again as Winston Churchill in "Darkest Hour" (for which he took home the gold), and most recently as Herman J. Mankiewicz in "Mank." However, most movie fans know Oldman as either one of two iconic roles: Sirius Black in the "Harry Potter" film franchise or Commissioner James Gordon in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy. Despite the odds, Oldman has conquered opposite ends of the entertainment industry and become one of Hollywood's most prestigious working actors.

Following notably antagonistic turns in "JFK," "Bram Stoker's Dracula," and "Léon: The Professional," "The Fifth Element" only further confirmed Oldman as a go-to performer for on-screen villains. Since Besson's film, Oldman has portrayed villains in "Air Force One," "Lost in Space," "Hannibal," "The Book of Eli," "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," "The Hitman's Bodyguard," and that's not even all of them! He would, of course, escape this reputation by the time "Batman Begins" came out, but there's no denying that Oldman has a knack for channeling his darker side, and he's still working today. 

In direct opposition to the radio-pilled vanity of Ruby Rhod, comedian Chris Tucker has since become a more sporadic on-screen talent, having devoted part of his time and money toward humanitarian efforts. Tucker's success as part of the "Rush Hour" film series alongside Jackie Chan gave him the platform to start The Chris Tucker Foundation, which raises money to provide scholarships and other forms of relief to lower-income students and unhoused communities. However, the actor never forgot his roots and still performs both as a stand-up comedian and as a film actor. Just this year, Tucker appeared as Nike executive Howard White in Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's sports comedy, "Air," and is currently performing in theaters around the country as part of his "The Legend Tour," his first in over a decade. Tucker is even developing "Rush Hour 4" with Jackie Chan, though no release date or plot details have been confirmed as of this writing.

We're glad that Chris Tucker has found a life far beyond the glamor of "The Fifth Element." Few actors have been more unfairly maligned for a supporting comedic performance even years after the fact. In truth, Tucker was just doing what he did best, bringing his zippy, exuberant personality to what was little more than a bit part. From his breakout role in "Friday" to significant supporting roles in "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Air," the man is nothing if not memorable and that's exactly the assignment.

Most of you probably don't recognize Charlie Creed-Miles, even if you have seen "The Fifth Element." His performance as David, Vito's doting if occasionally clueless assistant, is far from central to the film's appeal. That said, Creed-Miles is still quite funny in the film, and in another world, he could have been a strong English character actor like Ian Holm. However, these days, he's a relatively unknown actor who remains working mostly in guest appearances on television, as well as small supporting roles in films. You may have seen him in "100 Streets" alongside Idris Elba, or maybe even during his brief stint on "Peaky Blinders."

Speaking of crime dramas, Creed-Miles has carved himself a nice niche within the genre, especially those released across the pond. The man has played unwitting victims of criminal behavior ("Essex Boys"), officers attempting to stop it ("Harry Brown," "Injustice"), and even those who have perpetrated it ("Wild Bill," "Peaky Blinders"). The man contains multitudes. One of his next roles will be as Sir John Hodge in "The Chelsea Cowboy," another British crime drama, this time centered on the life of British gangster John Bindon. He can also be seen alongside comedian Alan Cumming in the Canadian comedy "Drive Back Home." Distributed by TIFF-favorite outfit Game Theory, this could be a chance for Creed-Miles to shine on the world stage once more!

In 1997, "The Fifth Element" opened the Cannes Film Festival, where one of its newest but brightest stars would strut the festival's red carpet for the first time. Then credited as Maïwenn Le Besco, the young French actress would astonish audiences both on-screen and off as the rapturous Diva Plavalaguna. Little did she know that 25 years later she would return to the festival with an opening film of her own. Now known as Maïwenn ("Drop Le Besco, just Maïwenn. It's cleaner."), the French filmmaker just premiered her sixth feature, "Jeanne Du Barry," as the Opening Night film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

The film came with a bit of controversy; not only was co-star Johnny Depp hot off of his infamous trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, but Maïwenn was still in hot water after admitting to violently assaulting journalist Edwy Plenel back in February. The entire situation was partially fueled by her previous relationship with director Luc Besson, with whom she shares a daughter. This makes the entire moment feel even more full circle as Maïwenn was fresh from her divorce from Besson right as "The Fifth Element" was being released. This temporarily stunted her promising career, though she eventually made her feature directorial debut, "Pardonnez-moi," and has since become a lauded director in her own right, not to mention a unique presence in front of the camera. Even under makeup and prosthetics as Plavalaguna, those piercing eyes shine through.

Lee Evans as Fog, head of security on the cruise ship to Fhloston Paradise, is maybe the least significant role on this list. This is ironic, however, given that Evans himself is one of the most prolific, though you wouldn't guess it now. Evans retired from comedy in 2014 to spend more time with his wife and daughter and has largely avoided the press since. It has come to the point that the comedian going to grab dinner has become its own shocking headline. It makes it hard to remember that Evans' was once one of the industry's most popular stand-up comedians. His erratic, sweat-drenched stylings made him a household name across England, selling out arenas left and right while breaking DVD sales records.

If anything, mugging and stuttering his way through "The Fifth Element" was a modest lateral move that led to a fun but short-lived film career working alongside comedians like Jerry Lewis ("Funny Bones"), Nathan Lane ("Mouse Hunt"), and Ben Stiller ("There's Something About Mary"). In fact, Evans would take a note from the Chris Tucker playbook and also star opposite Jackie Chan in an action comedy, "The Medallion." However, none of this came close to matching Evans' career as a stand-up, or even as a stage performer overall. Evans was nominated for an Olivier Award for portraying Leo Bloom (again, opposite Lane) in the West End production of "The Producers," proving that Evans shined brightest in front of a crowd. Sadly, as of now, no future performances have been announced.

As soon as you see Christopher Fairbank as scientist Mactilburgh in "The Fifth Element," you may instinctually recognize his distinct facial features. In fact, you may recognize them from a very recent film, as recent as 2014. Then, suddenly, it hits you: that's The Broker from "Guardians of the Galaxy!" Even under four and a half hours of makeup and prosthetics, that pointed nose and prominent forehead could only belong to one actor...

Though his name may not ring a bell, Fairbank's memorable face has contributed to a long-standing career in character acting. He has appeared in a number of films and television shows, from science fiction blockbusters to period dramas, making each role as memorable as it is truncated. Most recently, he had a memorable guest role in "Andor" as Ulaf, an old and withered member of the Narkina 5 assembly line. He has also been featured in the "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Alien," and "Doctor Who" franchises.

However, not every memorable role has been a transformation. In 1989, Fairbank was the first generic baddie graced by Michael Keaton's "I'm Batman!" in – you guessed it – Tim Burton's "Batman." He is also deliciously despicable in William Oldroyd's "Lady Macbeth" as the elderly Boris, no intensive makeup required. He appears opposite Florence Pugh in her breakout role as the stubbornly self-assured Katherine. No matter what role Fairbank appears in, you know you're in for a strong performance.