M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Sixth Sense' Cast: Where Are They 25 Years Later?

Bruce Willis was already a global superstar when he portrayed child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe. Following the film's success, Willis maintained his prolific career with significant roles in The Whole Nine Yards, Sin City, Live Free or Die Hard, and Moonrise Kingdom. His versatility enabled him to navigate between action blockbusters and nuanced dramatic roles.

In March 2022, Willis's family announced his aphasia diagnosis and acting retirement. The condition progressed, and by February 2023, they revealed he was suffering from frontotemporal dementia. Since then, Willis's wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore, and five daughters have rallied around him, sharing updates while advocating for greater dementia awareness.

Haley Joel Osment's portrayal of Cole Sear, the troubled boy who could "see dead people," earned him an Academy Award nomination at just 11 years old. Following The Sixth Sense, Osment starred in Steven Spielberg's A.I.: Artificial Intelligence and Pay It Forward, but unlike many child stars, he deliberately stepped away from mainstream Hollywood.

After turning 18, Osment relocated to New York to study experimental theater, pursuing creatively challenging roles rather than capitalizing on childhood fame. Osment later returned to acting and reinvented himself as a character actor in projects like Silicon Valley, The Boys, What We Do in the Shadows, and Zoe Kravitz's Blink Twice. He has also built an extensive voice acting career, including his role as Sora in the Kingdom Hearts video game series.

Australian actress Toni Collette delivered an Oscar-nominated performance as Lynn Sear, Cole's desperate and devoted mother. Her portrayal of a working-class single mother showcased the emotional depth that would become her trademark. After The Sixth Sense, Collette's career flourished with acclaimed roles in About a Boy, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Hours.

Collette gained further recognition for her lead in Showtime's United States of Tara, earning both an Emmy Award and Golden Globe. She returned to horror with Ari Aster's Hereditary, delivering another powerhouse performance many critics felt deserved Oscar recognition. Her career continues to thrive with roles in Knives Out, HBO Max's The Staircase, and Amazon's The Power. Throughout her career, Collette has demonstrated remarkable versatility across film, television, and Broadway, where she earned a Tony nomination for The Wild Party.

Though his screen time was brief, Donnie Wahlberg made a lasting impression as Vincent Gray, the disturbed former patient who sets the film's events in motion. His commitment was legendary – he starved himself, lost 43 pounds, and avoided showering for weeks to embody the character's mental anguish. Many viewers were shocked to realize the emaciated, troubled young man had been a member of New Kids on the Block.

After The Sixth Sense, Wahlberg continued acting in films like the Saw franchise while making a surprising return to music when New Kids on the Block reunited in 2008. The group has toured actively since, including their recent Magic Summer 2024 Tour. Simultaneously, Wahlberg found television success as Detective Danny Reagan on CBS's Blue Bloods. He co-founded the Wahlburgers restaurant chain with brothers Mark and Paul, spawning a reality show of the same name. Wahlberg balances his acting career, music comeback, and business ventures while maintaining family life with wife Jenny McCarthy.

British actress Olivia Williams played Anna Crowe, whose presence becomes increasingly significant as the film progresses. After The Sixth Sense, Williams continued her successful career with roles in The Ghost Writer and TV series including Counterpart and as Camilla Parker Bowles in Netflix's The Crown.

Behind the scenes, Williams fought a personal battle far more challenging than any role. She spent four years seeking a diagnosis for mysterious symptoms before finally learning in 2018 that she had VIPoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer affecting only one in 10 million people. Despite this diagnosis, Williams has maintained her acting career and a positive outlook, saying her condition "is being managed" while humorously noting she considers her bike rides through London traffic a bigger risk to her life than cancer.

Before finding teen stardom on The O.C., Mischa Barton made a memorable appearance as Kyra Collins, the ghost of a poisoned young girl. Her brief but impactful role, particularly the scene where she vomits green liquid (made from cereal mix), became one of the film's most memorable moments.

Following The Sixth Sense, Barton later revealed experiencing a "full-on breakdown" and has spoken candidly about the difficulties of early fame. Her post-O.C. years included legal troubles, health issues, and struggles with public scrutiny. Barton has since worked to rebuild her career with appearances on The Hills: New Beginnings in 2019 and a recurring role on the Australian soap Neighbours. She now speaks openly about the "trauma" of early fame and industry bullying.