PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSeveral members of the original Jaws cast are still alive as of October 2026. Parade’s August 2026 retrospective names Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Jeffrey Voorhees and Jay Mello among the surviving original cast members. Their later careers differ widely: some kept acting or writing, some moved into production or other work, and some still take part in conventions and anniversary events. Several of the film’s best-known players have died, and that is covered below. Personal status and activities change, so the details here reflect reporting from 2025 and 2026 and are dated where it matters.
The original cast at a glance
The film opened on June 20, 1975, and was shot on Martha’s Vineyard and at sea. Amblin’s official site states that principal photography began on May 2, 1974, and ended 159 days later after technical and weather problems. The central trio was Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper and Robert Shaw as the shark hunter Quint. Lorraine Gary played Ellen Brody, Murray Hamilton played Mayor Larry Vaughn, and Carl Gottlieb played newspaper editor Meadows while also co-writing the screenplay.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Jaws - 50th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital | $20.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Jaws 3-Movie Collection (Jaws 1-3) (Blu-ray) | $9.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Jaws [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ugvj2DndL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Jaws [Blu-ray] | $24.86 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Jaws 2 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lqAJurNKL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Jaws 2 [Blu-ray] | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Who is still alive, and what they are doing
The status below comes from Parade’s 2026 retrospective unless noted. Employment details carry the date given in the reporting, because they may have changed since.
Richard Dreyfuss (Matt Hooper)
Dreyfuss is identified as a surviving cast member. Parade reports that he canceled a May 2026 fan-event appearance and did not give reasons. His acting career continued well beyond the film, and it includes his Academy Award for The Goodbye Girl. The reporting does not place him at Jaws reunion events, so it would be inaccurate to describe him as an active convention guest.
#1 Best Overall
Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody)
Gary reprised Ellen Brody in Jaws 2 and Jaws: The Revenge. Parade reports that she later stepped away from acting and turned to production and human-rights activism. She is also among the interviewees in the 2025 National Geographic documentary discussed below.
Carl Gottlieb (Meadows and co-screenwriter)
After the original film, Gottlieb concentrated largely on writing. That work included the sequels and The Jaws Log, his behind-the-scenes book about the production.
Jeffrey Kramer (Deputy Hendricks)
Kramer reprised Deputy Hendricks in Jaws 2. He later worked as a television producer and executive. Parade reports that he still attends Jaws reunions.
Rank #2
Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner)
Voorhees did not pursue a Hollywood career. According to Parade, he takes part in the film’s legacy through fan conventions and anniversary events.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Jay Mello (Sean Brody)
Mello did not continue acting after the film. Parade reports that, as of 2025, he worked at a maple syrup company in Vermont. That is the most recent employment detail the reporting gives, and it should be read with that date attached.
Cast members who have died
Several of the film’s most prominent players are no longer living. Parade reports the following years of death. The focus here remains their work on screen, not personal or medical history.
Rank #3
- Factory sealed DVD
- Robert Shaw (Quint), died 1978
- Murray Hamilton (Mayor Larry Vaughn), died 1986
- Roy Scheider (Martin Brody), died 2008
- Lee Fierro, died 2020
- Susan Backlinie, died 2024
Robert Shaw’s son, Ian Shaw, is an actor but was not the original Quint. He should not be counted among the 1975 cast when listing who is still alive.
The 2025 documentary and who appears in it
The authorized National Geographic documentary JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story premiered in 2025. Its announced interviewees included Steven Spielberg, John Williams, Lorraine Gary, Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer and Jeffrey Voorhees, along with other original cast and crew. Appearing in the documentary is different from being a member of the original cast, so readers comparing the two lists should check the film’s credits.
Recommended Free Tools
Amblin’s official site currently lists the documentary as streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Streaming catalogs differ by country and change over time, so confirm availability in your region before you rely on it.
Rank #4
The 50th-anniversary home-media edition
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment announced a 50th-anniversary release in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and digital formats, in its April 29, 2025 announcement. The edition includes the new documentary and more than five hours of bonus material. A limited-edition SteelBook was also announced. The stated street date was June 17, 2025. That date is past, so availability and pricing now depend on retailers and regions.
The choice between formats is mostly about how you watch. A 4K Ultra HD disc offers the highest picture resolution for a compatible player, a standard Blu-ray plays on most devices, and a digital copy is tied to the platform that sold it. The physical disc is the more stable option for owning the bonus material.
The Academy Museum exhibition has closed
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures presented Jaws: The Exhibition from September 14, 2025, through July 26, 2026. It showed original objects and the film’s production history. The exhibition is no longer on view, so it is useful only as background on the anniversary.
Keeping the cast picture current
Most of what is known about the living cast comes from one retrospective, and the employment details are dated. If you need a current status for any actor, check the most recent interview or official announcement from that person rather than older profiles.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
