entertainment

Where are they now: The cast of Empire Records.

 

Oh Rexy, you’re so sexy…

I know this is going to be controversial, but I’m just going to put it out there.

Empire Records is the best teen movie of all time. There, I’ve said it.

You can keep your Mean Girls and your Clueless and The Breakfast Club – because Empire Records has EVERYTHING, including a cast of ’90s megastars, a kick-arse soundtrack, the best quotes ever…and Renee Zellweger wearing nothing but an apron.

The 1995 film became a cult classic and helped cement the careers of HUGE names.

It also convinced pretty much every ’90s kid that their ultimate #lifegoals should include working at a record store (even though we now know that it was a short-term career option).

Read on to find out where our old friends from Empire Records are now.

1. Anthony LaPaglia – Joe.

Anthony LaPaglia. Image (right) via Getty.

Joe was the stern but ridiculously tolerant record store owner (and the boss we all wished we had).

Since the movie was released, Anthony went on to marry fellow Aussie actor Gia Carides (They have one daughter, and have recently split). He won a Golden Globe for his role on Without A Trace and an Emmy for his role on Frasier, and now lives in California.

But he is probably best known and loved by Aussie ‘90s kids for his role in Looking for Aibrandi.

Best quote: “Have I fired anyone today? No. Why would I start with you?”

2. Liv Tyler – Corey.

Liv Tyler. Image (right) via Getty.

Corey was the perfect (well, besides the whole drug addiction thing) object of AJ’s desire.

Liv, 37, gave birth to her second son, Sailor, in February (yay). She is also mum to 10-year-old Milo from a previous relationship.

ADVERTISEMENT

She’s had notable roles in The Lord of the Rings, The Incredible Hulk and super-creepy horror flick The Strangers.

She has also been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, co-written a book on manners with her grandmother and is now a regular in the HBO  series The Leftovers.

Wow.

Best quote: “I’M BRINGING REX HIS LUNCH.”

3. Renee Zellweger – Gina.

 

Renee Zellweger. Image (right) via Getty.

Gina was the ballsy legend who appeared in a scene wearing nothing but an apron.

Since then, Renee has been busy playing Bridget Jones and Nurse Betty (among MANY other roles).

Over the years she has dated Jim Carrey, Jack White and Bradley Cooper, and since 2008 she’s had a bit of a career hiatus – but has a bunch of new movies coming up. Huzzah.

Sadly, there’s been a lot of attention on her face recently – not cool, you guys. Leave Renee and her face alone.

Here’s a reminder of the awesomeness of Empire Records. Post continues after video.

Video via “Empire

Best quote: ” Well “Sinead O’Rebellion.” Shock me shock me shock me with that deviant behavior.”

4. Rory Cochrane – Lucas.

 

Rory Cochrane. Image (right) via Getty.

Lucas was 100 per cent the best character in this film. Just saying.

Rory, 43, appeared in fellow ’90s teen staple Dazed and Confused and also Hart’s War with Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell.

More recently he has starred in 2012 Oscar winner Argo as well as CSI: Miami (yep, THAT’S where you’ve seen that guy before).

ADVERTISEMENT

Best quote: “I do not regret the things I have done, but those I did not do.”

5. Johnny Whitworth – AJ.

 

Johnny Whitworth. Image (right) via Getty.

With his floppy hair and romantic personality, AJ was a ’90s dreamboat.

Whitworth, 39, briefly quit acting after Empire Records but couldn’t stay away – in 1997, he was in The Rainmaker. He’s also been in CSI: Miami, 3:10 to Yuma with Christian Bale, and Limitless.

Fun ’90s fact: He went to Went to Beverly Hills High School with actors Breckin Meyer and Alicia Silverstone.

Best quote: “Listening to this crap is guaranteed to make you sterile.”

6. Robin Tunney – Debra.

 

Robin Tunney. Image (right) via Getty.

Debra was the badass who shaved her head (and had serious mum issues).

Tunney, 43, has been in heaps of stuff since her Debra days – she’s been in TV shows like Prison Break and The Mentalist, as well as movies including Encino Man and The Craft.

She also loves her poker – in 2006, she came second in Celebrity Poker Showdown, scoring $200,000 for charity.

Best quote: “I swear you get smarter the shorter your skirt gets.”

7. Ethan Embry – Mark.

 

Ethan Embry. Image (right) via Getty.

Mark was the adorable ranga and stoner of the group.

These days, Embry, 37, is best known for his role on Brotherhood. He was also in late ’90s teen movie Can’t Hardly Wait.

He’s been married twice and has one child.

ADVERTISEMENT

Best quote: “Damn the man. Save the Empire.”

8. Brendan Sexton III – Warren.

 

Brendan Sexton III. Image (right) via Getty.

Warren was the lovable scamp who held up the store at gunpoint. Naww.

The 35-year-old has been in Black Hawk Down, Pecker and The Killing.

He owns New York independent record label called Big Bit Of Beauty.

Best quote: “Stop calling me Warren! My name isn’t FUCKING WARREN!”

9. Maxwell Caulfield – Rex Manning.

Maxwell Caulfield. Image (right) via Getty.

Max played Rex Manning, a greasy, washed up has-been who almost banged Corey, and did bang Gina. Charming.

He was huge in the ’80s and ’90s, appearing in Grease 2, Electric Dreams and The Man Who Knew Too Little.

He’s about to tour Australia for the comedy show Legends! with his wife Juliet Mills and sister in law Hayley Mills.

Also, he looks pretty much exactly the same as he did in 1995 (minus the HUGE hair). Weird.

Best quote: “Why don’t you all just fade away.”

Are you an Empire Records fan? What was your favourite ’90s movie?

Want more ’90s nostalgia? Here are some of your childhood celebrity crushes to drool over…

 

Want more? Try these:

20 life lessons from 90s cult classic Clueless.

Priceless: Watch as teens react to hearing 90s songs for the first time.

Five reasons why this noughties teen movie should win an Oscar. Seriously.