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The Star-Studded Cast Of Haunted Mansion (2023): Who Plays Who And Their Shocking Backstories

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The *Haunted Mansion* 2023 film brought together an ensemble cast of Hollywood heavyweights, transforming the beloved Disney theme park ride into a supernatural horror-comedy that explores themes of grief and belief. Released on July 28, 2023, the movie, directed by Justin Simien and written by Katie Dippold, is a fresh take on the classic attraction, focusing on a group of mismatched experts hired to rid a New Orleans manor of its 999 happy haunts. The film’s success hinges on the chemistry between its A-list actors, each embodying a unique role—from a skeptical scientist to a boisterous medium—to confront the manor’s ghastly secrets, most notably the menacing Hatbox Ghost.

This article provides an in-depth, up-to-date look at the entire main cast of the *Haunted Mansion* (2023) movie, detailing the actors and the specific, complex characters they portray, along with fresh biographical profiles and behind-the-scenes insights that elevate the story beyond a simple ghost hunt.

The Core Team: Full Cast and Main Character Profiles

The film’s central narrative revolves around a team of specialists assembled by Gabbie, the new owner of the Gracey Manor, to deal with its persistent paranormal residents. This section provides a detailed list of the main cast members and their essential biographical information, fulfilling the requirement for a complete profile list.

  • LaKeith Stanfield as Ben Matthias

    • Biography: Born August 12, 1991, LaKeith Stanfield is an acclaimed American actor known for his versatile and intense performances. He gained early recognition for his debut role in *Short Term 12* (2013) and has since received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for *Judas and the Black Messiah* (2021). His other notable works include *Atlanta*, *Sorry to Bother You*, and *Get Out*.

    Character Role: Ben Matthias is the film's protagonist, a former astrophysicist who now works as a cynical paranormal tour guide in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He is hired by Gabbie to use his scientific knowledge to photograph and debunk the ghosts, but he is secretly struggling with profound grief over the loss of his wife, a central emotional anchor for the film's plot.

  • Rosario Dawson as Gabbie

    • Biography: Born May 9, 1979, Rosario Dawson is an American actress, producer, and activist who made her film debut in 1995’s controversial drama *Kids*. She is widely recognized for her roles in films like *Men in Black II*, *Sin City*, and *Rent*, and for her extensive work in the *Star Wars* universe, portraying Ahsoka Tano in live-action series.

    Character Role: Gabbie is a single mother who moves to New Orleans with her son, Travis, to start a new life after purchasing the Gracey Manor. She quickly realizes the house is haunted and is the one who hires the motley crew of paranormal experts to save her family from the spirits.

  • Tiffany Haddish as Harriet

    • Biography: Born December 3, 1979, Tiffany Haddish is an Emmy and Grammy Award-winning American stand-up comedian, actress, and author. Her breakthrough role came in the 2017 comedy film *Girls Trip*, which earned her widespread critical acclaim. Known for her candid and energetic style, she is a vanguard of a new generation of female comics.

    Character Role: Harriet is a flamboyant, but potentially dubious, psychic medium. She is brought in to communicate with the spirits and is often the source of comic relief, though her spiritual insights prove vital to the team's mission.

  • Owen Wilson as Father Kent

    • Biography: Born November 18, 1968, Owen Wilson is an American actor and screenwriter known for his long-standing collaborations with filmmaker Wes Anderson (*The Royal Tenenbaums*, *Rushmore*) and for his roles in blockbuster comedies like *Wedding Crashers* and the *Zoolander* series. He also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the series *Loki*.

    Character Role: Father Kent is an eccentric, but well-meaning, priest hired by Gabbie. He is presented as a spiritual figure whose faith and often-awkward attempts at exorcism serve as a counterpoint to Ben’s scientific skepticism.

  • Danny DeVito as Professor Bruce Davis

    • Biography: Born November 17, 1944, Danny DeVito is a veteran American actor, director, and filmmaker. He rose to prominence as the wisecracking dispatcher Louie DePalma in the TV series *Taxi* and is celebrated for his roles in *Twins*, *Ruthless People*, and the long-running series *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*.

    Character Role: Professor Bruce Davis is a quirky and enthusiastic history professor who is brought in to uncover the history of the mansion, specifically the identity of its most powerful and malevolent ghost. His historical research is key to understanding the villain's origins.

The Iconic Ghosts and Cameo Appearances

The *Haunted Mansion* film wouldn't be complete without its signature ghosts, and the 2023 version cast two major stars in these iconic, ride-inspired roles. These actors bring a fresh layer of gravitas and star power to the supernatural elements of the story.

Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota

Jamie Lee Curtis, often referred to as a "Scream Queen" for her legendary role as Laurie Strode in the *Halloween* franchise, takes on the mantle of the enigmatic Madame Leota.

  • The Role's Significance: Madame Leota is the disembodied head of a medium encased in a crystal ball, a direct and beloved reference to the Disney park attraction. Curtis provides the character's voice and likeness, serving as a spiritual guide for the human characters.
  • Fresh Insight: Curtis praised the film for hitting a "sweet spot," stating that the movie successfully blended scary, funny, and adventurous elements, making it a fitting tribute to the original ride while delivering a modern, entertaining narrative.

Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost

The main antagonist of the film is The Hatbox Ghost, a figure of legendary status within the *Haunted Mansion* fandom, who is brought to life through CGI and the voice of Oscar-winner Jared Leto.

  • The Villain's Backstory: In the 2023 film, the Hatbox Ghost is given a detailed backstory, revealing him to be the original owner of the manor, Alistair Crump. This deepens the lore of the mansion and provides a compelling, personal motive for his haunting.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Detail: Director Justin Simien revealed that while he was "quite pleased" with the collaboration, casting Jared Leto as the Hatbox Ghost was not his initial choice, showcasing the complex nature of big-budget studio casting decisions.

Why the Ensemble Cast Elevates the Topical Authority

The casting choices for *Haunted Mansion* were intentional, designed to maximize both star power and thematic depth. The film's topical authority—its ability to be a definitive source on its subject—is strengthened by the strategic use of its talented ensemble.

The Blend of Comedy and Emotion

The cast is carefully balanced, pairing comedic heavyweights like Tiffany Haddish and Owen Wilson with actors known for dramatic depth, such as LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson. This mix allows the film, which is fundamentally a supernatural horror comedy, to successfully transition between genuine scares, heartfelt moments of grief, and lighthearted humor. Stanfield's portrayal of Ben Matthias, a grieving astrophysicist, grounds the fantastical story in a relatable human emotion, giving the film a weight that previous adaptations lacked.

LSI Keywords and Entity Richness

The sheer number of distinct and well-defined characters—a skeptical paranormal investigator (Ben Matthias), a cynical priest (Father Kent), an energetic medium (Harriet), a knowledgeable history professor (Bruce Davis), and the iconic ghosts Madame Leota and the Hatbox Ghost—creates a rich tapestry of topical entities. This density of characters ensures that the film touches upon every facet of the paranormal genre, from scientific skepticism to spiritual belief, all while respecting the Disney parks attraction source material set in New Orleans.

The Cameo Power

Beyond the main cast, the film features several memorable, though brief, appearances that further bolster its star power and provide fan service. For instance, Dan Levy (*Schitt's Creek*) appears as Vic, one of the Crump Manor tour guides, adding another layer of recognizable talent to the supporting cast. These cameos, including a brief appearance by Winona Ryder, ensure that the audience is constantly engaged by familiar faces, reinforcing the blockbuster status of the 2023 remake.

In conclusion, the *Haunted Mansion* (2023) cast is far more than a collection of famous names. It is a carefully curated ensemble designed to honor the ride's legacy while delivering a surprisingly emotional and modern story. The performances of LaKeith Stanfield and the iconic portrayals by Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto ensure that this iteration of the Haunted Mansion movie will be remembered as a fresh, deep, and star-powered addition to the Disney canon.

The Star-Studded Cast of Haunted Mansion (2023): Who Plays Who and Their Shocking Backstories
haunted mansion cast
haunted mansion cast

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