It was a groundbreaking film that reimagined the gangster world through children’s eyes, with the young cast shooting each other with whipped cream instead of bullets.
And 50 years on Bugsy Malone remains a beloved British film, still widely shown and performed in schools.
On Sunday, some of the film’s cast came together to mark the movie’s anniversary, with Bonnie Langford, Dexter Fletcher and Mark Currie reuniting at BFI Southbank for a screening.
The musical comedy propelled its young cast to fame overnight, yet they have had varied fates in the years that have followed.
So what happened to the cast of Bugsy Malone?
Where are the Bugsy Malone cast now? The cast’s varied fates on film’s anniversary (pictured: John Cassisi, Florrie Dugger and Scott Baio as as Fat Sam, Blousey and Bugsy)
On Sunday, some of the film’s cast came together to mark the movie’s 50th anniversary, with Bonnie Langford , Dexter Fletcher and Mark Currie reuniting at BFI Southbank for a screening
Scott Baio – Bugsy Malone
Scott Baio, 65, was just 13 when he landed the role of Bugsy Malone, a part that launched him to stardom.
It was his first ever film role, but it made an impression, with Scott going on to land the role of The Fonz’s cousin Chachi Arcola on Happy Days.
During his time on Happy Days, he also earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations, for his lead performances in the television movies Stoned and All the Kids Do It.
In his adult years, Scott became known for his Lothario ways, reportedly being banned from the Playboy Mansion after dating no less than 24 Playmates.
One of whom was Pamela Anderson, who he started dating right after she was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for February 1990.
The pair got engaged but the romance wasn’t meant to be, with Scott claiming his proposal was in the spur of the moment.
Scott Baio, 65, was just 13 when he landed the titular role in Bugsy Malone
In his adult years, Scott became known for his Lothario ways, reportedly being banned from the Playboy Mansion after dating 24 Playmates (pictured with wife Renee Sloan in 2018)
He said: ‘Don’t ever take a shower with a woman, because you’ll probably end up proposing to her… I literally had an out-of-body experience.
‘There was a lot of soap and I was making a speech, but my entire being was going, “What are you doing? Shut up!” But I didn’t stop.’
Scott is now married to Renée Sloan, whom he also met at the Playboy Mansion, and the couple share a daughter.
In recent years Scott acting roles have slowed down somewhat, but in 2018 he made headlines when his former Charles in Charge co-star Nicole Eggert accused him of sexual assault.
Nicole alleged on X/Twitter that Scott had molested her from the ages of 14 to 17. Which he claimed were ‘100 percent lies’.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to press charges against Scott, citing: ‘The applicable statute of limitations to the crimes alleged by the victim have expired. Thus, the case is declined.’
John Cassisi – Fat Sam
John Cassisi, 63, landed his role as crime boss Fat Sam after director Alan Parker visited a Brooklyn school and asked the students to nominate the ‘naughtiest’ boy in class
In 2015 he was accused of netting half a million dollars in a ‘kickback scheme worthy of the real Mafia’. He was given two to six years in prison on the money-laundering rap and another one to three for the bribery, with the sentences running concurrently (pictured in 2004)
John Cassisi, 63, landed his role as crime boss Fat Sam after director Alan Parker visited a Brooklyn school and asked the students to nominate the ‘naughtiest’ boy in class.
After Bugsy he took on a couple more minor acting roles before quitting the industry to work in management.
Between 2012 and 2014 he served as the director of global construction for Citi Realty Services, the Citigroup unit that manages its offices and branches.
But the following year in a case of life imitating art, he was accused of netting half a million dollars in a ‘kickback scheme worthy of the real Mafia’.
John pleaded guilty after it emerged he accepted cash, lavish trips and free work on his home in East Northport, LI, in exchange for steering contracts to certain firms.
The companies paid John more than $500,000 in bribes but as part of a plea deal he promised to forfeit the same amount.
He was given two to six years in prison on the money-laundering rap and another one to three for the bribery, with the sentences running concurrently.
Florence ‘Florrie’ Dugger – Blousey Brown
Florence Garland, nee Dugger, was discovered by the Bugsy Malone casting team when they visited RAF Chicksands in Bedfordshire, where her American father was stationed
‘I’m very happy I didn’t go into acting,’ Florence said in 2015. ‘I love what I do and what I’ve done with my life’ (pictured with Scott, John and Jodie Foster in 2004)
Florence Garland, nee Dugger, was discovered by the Bugsy Malone casting team when they visited RAF Chicksands in Bedfordshire, where her American father was stationed.
Producers were scrambling to cast a new Blousey Brown, with the actress they had originally chosen having had a growth spurt that left her towering over Bugsy.
Yet they settled on Florrie, who despite having no acting experience, had memorised the whole script.
‘I thought: “Why not?” I knew all the words; it wasn’t a big deal to me,’ she later told The Independent.
Yet she quickly surmised that the movie industry wasn’t for her, saying: ‘I enjoyed the acting, and the camaraderie and the joy of memorising roles. But I didn’t want to do it professionally.’
Instead, Florence enlisted when she left school and became a medical administrator for air force bases in the UK, South Korea and the United States.
In 2001 she left the military but still had no desire to return to acting, and instead got a job at an ophthalmology practice .
‘I’m very happy I didn’t go into acting,’ she said in 2015. ‘I love what I do and what I’ve done with my life.’
Jodie Foster – Tallulah
Jodie Foster was 12 when she landed the role of Tallulah, Fat Sam’s gun moll, the speakeasy’s chanteuse and Bugsy’s old flame
Most recently, she starred in the 2025 French-language psychological mystery, Vie privée (A Private Life), her first French-speaking lead role, for which she received critical acclaim
Arguably the most successful star from Bugsy, Jodie Foster was just about to start filming her Oscar-nominated turn in Taxi Driver when she was cast in Bugsy.
She played the role of Tallulah, Fat Sam’s gun moll, the speakeasy’s chanteuse and Bugsy’s old flame.
Despite being just 12 years old when filming began, Jodie commanded the set, with director Alan recalling that she was ‘impeccable and extremely “set savvy”.’
He added: ‘I think she directed me as much as I directed her. She was extremely knowledgeable of the filmmaking process, she could have complicated technical conversations with the camera crew and script supervisor that were beyond her years.
‘Even then, when she was 12, I joked that if I got sick, she could take over.’
Jodie went on to study English Literature at Yale, where she was famously stalked by John Hinckley Jr., who had developed an obsession with her after watching Taxi Driver multiple times.
In 1981, Hinckley attempted to assassinate United States president Ronald Reagan, wounding him and three other people, claiming that his motive was to impress Jodie.
Jodie said that she ‘never wanted to be the actress who was remembered for that event’, and had a major impact on her career choices.
After graduating Yale, Jodie transitioned into leading roles, picking up Best Actress Oscars for her role in 1988’s The Accused and 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs. She has since been nominated twice more for Nell and Nyad.
The 2010s saw her slow down her acting roles to take on directing, yet in recent years she has returned to her first love.
Most recently, she starred in the 2025 French-language psychological mystery, Vie privée (A Private Life), her first French-speaking lead role, for which she received critical acclaim.
Jodie also picked up a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy for her leading role in 2024 series, True Detective: Night Country.
Martin Lev – Dandy Dan
Martin Lev was 16 when he landed the part of Fat Sam’s rival gang boss, Dandy Dan, in Bugsy. But he decided not to pursue acting and instead began working as a designer
Martin suffered his health, having been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Tragically, he took his own life in 1992 as a result of his illness.
Martin Lev was 16 when he landed the part of Fat Sam’s rival gang boss, Dandy Dan, in Bugsy.
But he decided not to pursue acting and instead began working as a designer.
Martin suffered his health, having been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
There is no cure for the condition which has symptoms such as difficulty thinking, problems sleeping, sore throat, headaches, feeling dizzy, and severe tiredness.
Martin founded Action for M.E. a group to help support other sufferers but tragically, he took his own life as a result of his illness.
He was just 32 when he died in 1992.
The Questors Theatre paid tribute to Martin at the time, saying: ‘He was a joy to act with and would surely have enjoyed a distinguished acting career had he persisted following his success as a child actor, playing the mobster Dandy Dan in the film Bugsy Malone.
‘But perhaps, ultimately, he was too serious about real life to take that path. The friends he left behind at The Questors can remember him with love and admiration for his wit, warmth and fine, questioning mind.’
Andrew Paul – O’Dreary
Andrew Paul was 14 when he landed his role as policeman O’Dreary
He later went onto land another policeman part, playing PC Dave Quinnan in The Bill. He got more soap work, taking on roles in EastEnders and Coronation Street (pictured in 2016)
Andrew Paul was 14 when he landed his role as policeman O’Dreary.
He later went onto land another policeman part, playing PC Dave Quinnan in The Bill, a part he held for 13 years and featured a notable storyline that saw him stabbed on duty after being ambushed by a gang of youths.
Andrew left the show in 2002, when the character left to transfer to SO10.
He landed more soap work, taking on the role of Maxwell Moon in EastEnders and Dan Jones in Coronation Street.
Last year, he appeared in ITV’s Unforgotten.
Bonnie Langford – Lena Merelli
Bonnie Langford first came to public attention when she won the talent show Opportunity Knocks at the age of six. She joined the Bugsy cast at the age of 11
Bonnie has gone on to become a star of stage and screen (pictured in 2024)
Bonnie Langford first came to public attention when she won the talent show Opportunity Knocks at the age of six.
She then took on theatre work before joining the Bugsy cast at the age of 11.
Bonnie then completed her schoolwork before landing the role of Mel, companion to both the Sixth and Seventh Doctors in the science fiction series Doctor Who.
She returned to the West End in 2006 playing Roxie Hart in Chicago before taking on more theatre roles.
Bonnie also appeared on ITV’s Dancing On Ice, partnering figure skater Matt Evers.
She impressed fans with her energetic routines and complex lifts, and was the first star to take on the iconic headbanger – hitting her head on the ice during rehearsals.
The pair finished in third place overall.
Mark Curry – Oscar DeVelt
Mark Curry was 14 when he took on the role of Oscar DeVelt, the stuck-up theatre producer in Bugsy, but his entertainment career began at the age of seven
In 1986 he replaced Simon Groom as the host of Blue Peter. He later publicly came out as a gay and married Jeremy Sandle (left) a chartered surveyor
Mark Curry’s entertainment career began at the age of seven, when he earned himself a spot on Yorkshire Television’s Junior Showtime.
He was 14 when he took on the role of Oscar DeVelt, the stuck-up theatre producer in Bugsy.
Mark also spent his teenage years performing in pantomimes and variety shows and reunited with co-star Bonnie in a television pantomime in 1972, Babes in the Wood, in which they played the two babes.
He then pivoted into presenting, co-hosting the series Get Set For Summer on BBC1 before becoming the main host of The Saturday Picture Show.
In 1986 he replaced Simon Groom as the host of Blue Peter, working alongside Janet Ellis, Peter Duncan, Caron Keating, Yvette Fielding and John Leslie. He remained on the show for three years.
Mark also presented the final series of the original run of the television quiz show Catchphrase. It was revived in 2013 with Stephen Mulhern at the helm.
In September 2008, Mark formed a civil partnership with his long-term partner, Jeremy Sandle, a chartered surveyor.
He had not publicly come out as gay while presenting Blue Peter in the Eighties, having feared it would damage his career.
Dexter Fletcher – Baby Face
Bugsy was Dexter Fletcher’s first film role at the age of nine and he’s gone on to become a household name in the UK
Dexter was appointed an OBE in the 2026 Birthday Honours for services to film and television and has directed many Hollywood films
Bugsy was Dexter Fletcher’s first film role at the age of nine.
He made his stage début the following year in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as a child actor he also worked on films such as The Elephant Man, The Long Good Friday and The Bounty.
His breakthrough moment, however, was in cult series Press Gang, which aired from 1989 to 1993. He starred alongside Julia Sawalha, with the pair dating in real life.
Yet he struggled to find work for a few years after Press Gang, and was declared bankrupt in 1996, revealing he had to live in his car.
However his fate turned around when he was booked for a play and fell in love with the director, Dahlia Ibelhauptaite, who soon became his wife. Alan Rickman served as best man at their wedding.
His career also picked up after he was in cast as Soap in Guy Ritchie’s 1998 gangster movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Dexter made his directorial debut in 2011 with with Wild Bill and replaced Bryan Singer as director of Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic about the band Queen.
In 2019, he directed Rocketman, a biographical film based on the life and music of performer Elton John.
Most recently, he directed Ghosted in 2023, a romantic action comedy film starring Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Adrien Brody.
Dexter was appointed an OBE in the 2026 Birthday Honours for services to film and television.
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