Pulp Fiction is a film like no other. Take a look at where stars Uma Thurman, John Travolta, and more are now.
Talk about a wild ride. Released in 1994, Pulp Fiction redefined modern cinema and cemented Quentin Tarantino as one of Hollywood’s most daring filmmakers. The dark crime dramedy became an instant cultural phenomenon, blending sharp dialogue, nonlinear storytelling, and unforgettable characters brought to life by stars including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis.
The film weaves together the intersecting stories of two mob hitmen, a boxer on the run, a powerful gangster and his wife, and a pair of small-time diner bandits over the course of a chaotic day in Los Angeles. Made on a modest budget of roughly $8.5 million, it went on to earn more than $213 million worldwide, fueled by rave reviews and a standout ensemble cast.
Critics embraced the film just as enthusiastically. Pulp Fiction won the Palme d’Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It ultimately took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, awarded to Tarantino and Roger Avary.
Scroll through the gallery to see where the stars of Pulp Fiction are now.
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Pulp Fiction Then And Now: Photos
©Miramax/Courtesy Everett Colle
Here, stars Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis pose together in a promo shot for the film.
March 11, 2022, 12:54PM 2 of 10
Uma Thurman
Miramax/Everett Collection/J. Lingo/Shutterstock
Uma Thurman was mob-wife and aspiring actress Mia Wallace in ‘Pulp Fiction’. Her black bob became iconic after the 1994 flick. Since, Uma appeared in ‘The Truth About Cats & Dogs’ (1996), ‘Batman & Robin’ (1997), ‘Gattaca’ (1997), ‘The Producers (2005), and ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’ (2010), as well as Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill’ movies.
March 11, 2022, 12:54PM 3 of 10
John Travolta
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John Travolta put his dancing shoes back on again to play Vincent Vega in ‘Pulp Fiction’. He became famous in the 70s on the ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ before starring in the box office successes like ‘Carrie’ (1976), ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (1977), ‘Grease’ (1978), and ‘Urban Cowboy’ (1980). His career slowed down in the 80s and 90s, but he made a big return with ‘Pulp Fiction’ in 1994. Showing his range, He’s since appeared in the crime comedy ‘Get Shorty’ (1995), action blockbuster ‘Face/Off’ (1997), the musical ‘Hairspray’ (2007), and the title character in of the Disney movie ‘Bolt’ (2008). In his spare time, John is an avid aviator.
March 11, 2022, 12:54PM 4 of 10
Samuel L. Jackson
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Samuel L. Jackson was hitman Jules Winnfield in ‘Pulp Fiction’, for which he earned an Oscar nod. His impressive credits include over 150 films, ranging from the ‘Star Wars’ prequels to the ‘Shaft’ remake, and his role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
March 11, 2022, 12:54PM 5 of 10
Bruce Willis
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Packing the punch! Bruce Willis played aging boxer Butch Coolidge in ‘Pulp Fiction’. His other iconic roles include the ‘Die Hard’ saga, ‘The Fifth Element’, ‘The Sixth Sense’, and more.
In Mar. 2022 his family revealed he has been suffering from aphasia, a condition that affects one’s ability to communicate, often manifesting in difficulties speaking, understanding verbal cues, or reading. In light of his condition, Bruce has retired as an actor.
March 11, 2022, 12:54PM
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Maria de Medeiros
Miramax/Everett Collection/Juan Carlos Cardenas/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Though her part was small, Maria de Medeiros’s role as Fabienne (and her belly) was more than memorable. The Portuguese talent played Butch’s girlfriend in the flick.
Largely working in the European film market, Maria directed ‘April Captains’ in 2000, and was honored with a place at Cannes. She has recently appeared in the films ‘The Forbidden Room’ (2015), ‘The Broken Key’, (2017) and ‘Verdades Secretas’ (2021).
March 11, 2022, 12:54PM 7 of 10
Christopher Walken
Miramax/Everett Collection/Thierry Le Fouille/SIPA/Shutterstock
Christopher Walken was already a legend by the time he appeared as Captain Koons in ‘Pulp Fiction’. The Academy Award-winner has over 100 credits to his name, including ‘Annie Hall’ (1977), ‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978), ‘Batman Returns’ (1992), ‘True Romance’ (1993), ‘Antz’ (1998), ‘Catch Me If You Can’ (2002), ‘The Jungle Book’ (2016), and most recently, 2020’s ‘The War with Grandpa’ with Robert DiNero.
March 11, 2022, 12:53PM 8 of 10
Tim Roth
Miramax/Everett Collection/Luca Carlino/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Ready or not? Tim Roth played one half of the pistol-happy couple ‘Pumpkin’ and ‘Honey Bunny’ who hold up a restaurant in the 1994 film. (Amanda Plummer played his on-screen girlfriend.) The BAFTA-winning actor has also appeared in Tarantino’s ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘The Hateful Eight’. He also portrays Emil Blonsky / Abomination in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
March 11, 2022, 12:53PM 9 of 10
Ving Rhames
Miramax/Everett Collection/Broadimage/Shutterstock
Who’s the boss? Ving Rhames was the man in charge as crime kingpin Marsellus Wallace in ‘Pulp Fiction’. He’s also known for his part as Agent Luther Stickell in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ film series. Other credits include ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (1990), ‘Out of Sight’ (1998), ‘Entrapment’ (1999), ‘Dawn of the Dead’ (2004), and the voice of Cobra Bubbles in the animated film ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and its sequels.
March 11, 2022, 12:53PM 10 of 10
Harvey Keitel
Miramax/Everett Collection/Maurizio D'Avanzo/IPA/Shutterstock
Messy business. Harvey Keitel played ‘cleaner’ Winston Wolfe in the movie. In addition to ‘Pulp Fiction’, he was known for his work with director Martin Scorsese, appearing in ‘Mean Streets,’ ‘Taxi Driver,’ and most recently ‘The Irishman’
Other notable credits include ‘Thelma & Louise’ (1991), ‘Bugsy’ (1991), Tarantino’s ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992), ‘The Piano’ (1993), ‘Red Dragon’ (2002), ‘National Treasure’ (2004), and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (2014).
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