- - What Ever Happened to the Cast of “3rd Rock from the Sun”? See the Stars, 30 Years After the Sitcom Premiered

Tereza ShkurtajJanuary 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM

0

'3rd Rock from the Sun' cast: (l-r) Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tommy Solomon, French Stewart as Harry Solomon, Kristen Johnston as Sally Solomon, John Lithgow as Dr. Dick Solomon, Jane Curtin as Dr. Mary Albright.

Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

3rd Rock from the Sun was best known for its fish-out-of-water humor, following a group of aliens trying – and usually failing – to blend in as ordinary humans while secretly studying Earth.

Praised for its physical comedy and sharp writing, the series became a favorite by featuring a standout cast including John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The Emmy-award-winning sitcom originally aired on NBC from January 1996 to May 2001.

Now, let’s take a look at where the cast members are today and how their careers have evolved since the show ended.

01 of 08

John Lithgow as Dick Solomon

John Lithgow.

Alan Levenson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Michael Loccisano/Getty

John Lithgow led the alien mission as the loud, lovable and wildly overconfident Dick Solomon – a role that earned him multiple awards and became one of TV comedy’s most memorable performances.

After 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow seamlessly moved between television, film and theater, starring in series like Dexter and The Crown, and appearing in films such as Interstellar, Bombshell, Killers of the Flower Moon and Conclave.

The 80-year-old has also remained active on Broadway and continues to record audiobooks and write.

Lithgow has been married to former UCLA professor Mary Yeager since 1981. He has three children, including actor and musician Ian Lithgow, who memorably appeared on 3rd Rock as one of Dick’s students. Ian is the actor’s first child from his first marriage to Jean Taynton.

02 of 08

Kristen Johnston as Sally Solomon

Kristen Johnston.

Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Kristen Johnston played Sally Solomon, the mission’s tough enforcer who struggled hilariously with human emotions and stereotypical female archetypes, given that their alien species was genderless before coming to Earth.

In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Johnston revealed the reason she was so “grateful” for costar Lithgow.

"I'm very grateful to John Lithgow for teaching me, by example, how to be on a set and how to be a graceful, cool person that everyone wants to work with," she said in 2025. "He really taught me how to be someone you'd want to work with and hire a couple of times, so I'm very grateful to him for that.”

After the show ended, Johnston appeared in films like Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Bride Wars. She also took on major television roles in The Exes, Mom and Our Flag Means Death.

The 58-year-old actress has continued working steadily in both comedy and drama. Her most recent work included the Netflix sitcom, Leanne.

03 of 08

French Stewart as Harry Solomon

French Stewart.

Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

French Stewart played Harry Solomon, who was known for his odd posture, nervous energy, and the unfortunate fact that alien messages arrived through his head.

Following 3rd Rock, Stewart became a familiar face on television, with roles on The Drew Carey Show, The Middle, and Mom, along with appearances in family films like Home Alone 4.

The 61-year-old is married to actress Vanessa Claire Stewart. They have one child.

04 of 08

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tommy Solomon

Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Kimberly White/Getty

Joseph Gordon-Levitt played Tommy Solomon, the oldest alien trapped in the body of a teenage boy and often the smartest person in the room.

After leaving the sitcom, he transitioned into films such as Brick and Mysterious Skin, before becoming a leading man in movies like (500) Days of Summer, Inception, Looper and The Dark Knight Rises. In 2013, he wrote, directed, and starred in Don Jon.

In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, Gordon-Levitt discussed his unexpected role in The Simpsons. “I don't know if I could pick a character in The Simpsons television universe that I would be more honored to play than Mr. Burns,” he said.

Gordon-Levitt married tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley in 2014. The couple has three children and keeps their family life largely private.

05 of 08

Jane Curtin as Mary Albright

Jane Curtin.

Alan Levenson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Jane Curtin portrayed Dr. Mary Albright, Dick Solomon’s human colleague and frequently baffled love interest.

Already a comedy icon from Saturday Night Live and Kate & Allie, Curtin continued acting after 3rd Rock in films like I Love You, Man and The Heat, as well as television projects including United We Fall.

Curtin was married to television producer Patrick Francis Lynch for nearly 50 years. They had one daughter together before he died in 2025.

06 of 08

Simbi Khali as Nina Campbell

Simbi Khali.

Alan Levenson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Fred Hayes/Getty

Simbi Khali played Nina Campbell, the sharp-witted assistant who often reacted to the Solomons’ antics with amused disbelief.

After 3rd Rock, Khali worked steadily in films like Vampire in Brooklyn, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Plump Fiction and We Were Soldiers.

Khali was married to actor Cress Williams from 2000 to 2011. They share two children.

07 of 08

Elmarie Wendel as Mamie Dubcek

Elmarie Wendel.

Dave Bjerke/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Jason Kirk/Newsmakers

Elmarie Wendel's character, Mamie Dubcek, the Solomons’ loud, nosy and surprisingly big-hearted landlady, was a fan-favorite.

Beyond 3rd Rock, she became a familiar face on television with guest appearances on shows like Seinfeld, General Hospital, The Facts of Life and The George Lopez Show. Later in her career, Wendel also stepped into voice acting, portraying Aunt Grizelda in the film adaptation of The Lorax.

Wendel died in July 2018, at the age of 89. She is survived by her daughter, actress J.C. Wendel.

08 of 08

Wayne Knight as Officer Don Orville

Wayne Knight.

Dave Bjerke/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Nina Prommer/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Wayne Knight played Officer Don Orville, the earnest police officer who was hopelessly outmatched by alien logic.

Outside of 3rd Rock, Knight is widely recognized for his roles as Newman on Seinfeld and Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park.

His career spans decades of film, television and voice acting, including roles in Space Jam, Toy Story 2 and numerous guest spots on TV dramas and comedies.

The 70-year-old is married to makeup artist Clare de Chenu and has one child.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”