Though not as widely popular as Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive is David Lynch’s most critically acclaimed work. Recently, it appeared at number 8 on Sight and Sound’s greatest films of all time list. Its reputation has only grown since its release in 2001, and it is now considered one of Lynch’s highest cinematic achievements.

Even if some viewers are turned off by its puzzling, perspective-shifting storyline, there’s a lot to love about Mulholland Drive. From its unsettling vision of Los Angeles and Hollywood to its weird-beyond-belief comedic sequences, it’s about as varied as a film can be. And holding it all together are some of the best performances in Lynch’s filmography. He took chances on early-career actors like Naomi Watts and Justin Theroux, who would go on to become major stars. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Some 22 years on, you may be wondering where the cast of Mulholland Drive is today. Let’s talk about it, and see just what its actors have been up to lately.

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Patrick Fischler

     Universal Pictures

Though not a major player in Mulholland Drive, Patrick Fischler takes center stage in one of its most memorable scenes. His character, Dan, is plagued by a frightening dream that follows him into the real world. You can literally feel his terror through the screen, which helps make his scene one of the scariest in Lynch’s filmography (per Slashfilm). Fischler went on to give strong performances in smash hit television dramas like Mad Men and Lost. He would also work with Lynch again for the third season of Twin Peaks, playing a deeply nervous character not unlike Dan from Mulholland Drive.

Billy Ray Cyrus

Yes, Billy Ray Cyrus appears in Mulholland Drive. The famed country musician-turned-actor plays Gene, a pool cleaner who Adam Kesher catches in bed with his wife. The two scenes containing Cyrus are laugh-out-loud funny, and show off his impressive (though a bit stiff) acting chops. Cyrus has continued to work as a musician and actor since 2001, recently appearing as a feature guest on “Old Town Road,” the chart topping country-hip hop mash up by Lil Nas X. In the acting world, he played the dad of his real daughter, Miley Cyrus, on Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011. He also played the lead in the sitcom Still the King, which had him taking on the role of an Elvis impersonator - a task that suits him perfectly.

Mark Pellegrino

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Mark Pellegrino plays the comically clumsy hitman character in Mulholland Drive, who features in some of its funniest scenes. His performance is one of the most memorable in the film, thanks especially to the infamous “hit-gone-wrong” sequence. Though Pellegrino has appeared in a number of films since 2001, his most notable work has been in television. He was Paul Bennet in seasons one, two, and eight of Dexter, as well as the ever-charming Lucifer in Supernatural. You might also remember him from Lost’s later seasons (as Jacob), Quantico, or 13 Reasons Why. In short, he’s been quite the prolific actor, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Justin Theroux

     HBO

Justin Theroux has led a particularly successful career following his performance as Adam Kesher in Mulholland Drive. He took smaller roles in films like Charlies Angels: Full Throttle (2003) and Miami Vice (2006), and worked with David Lynch for a second time on Inland Empire (2006). But in the realm of television, he has established himself as a major player. From 2014 to 2017, he led Damon Lindelof’s acclaimed series, The Leftovers, as protagonist Kevin Garvey. His performance is a highlight of the series, and he received several award nominations as a result.

Laura Harring

     Les Films Alain Sarde

Mexican-American actor and former Miss USA Laura Harring has led a particularly interesting life. Through a marriage with a member of the German nobility, she became a Countess in 1987 - a title she retains to this day. This means that she was practically royalty when she starred in Mulholland Drive. Anyways, she followed up this role with numerous others in films and television, including 2004’s The Punisher, 2007’s Nancy Drew, and a small part in Lynch’s Inland Empire. More recently, she appeared in Father of the Bride, which premiered on HBO Max in 2022.

Naomi Watts

British-born actress Naomi Watts is the capital-S Star of Mulholland Drive. Not only is her performance the most impressive in the film, it was one of her earliest leading roles. David Lynch took a chance on the aspiring young actress after she had been struggling to land parts in the United States. But after Mulholland Drive, she would rise to international celebrity status. Most notably, she went on to star in the American remake of The Ring in 2002; Peter Jackson’s King Kong in 2005, and the American version of Funny Games in 2007. More recently, she again collaborated with David Lynch for Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017, and took the lead role in Goodnight Mommy in 2022.