8 Mile, which features autobiographical parts from Eminem’s life, follows a white rapper named Jimmy Smith Jr. alias B-Rabbit (Eminem) as he makes an effort to break into the African-American-dominated hip-hop music industry. The name of the movie is a reference to the real 8 Mile Road, a route that connects Eminem’s initial home in the primarily white suburbs of Detroit to the city’s majority African-American downtown. The film’s director, Curtis Hanson, known for earning an Oscar for his script for L.A. Confidential, tragically passed away in 2016 at the age of 71 (per Rolling Stone). And Scott Silver, who wrote the script, most recently penned the 2019 film Joker and is now working on its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux.
8 Mile was a hit with both critics and fans alike because of the extraordinary team that worked on it. According to Box Office Mojo, the movie made over $50 million in its first weekend and eventually made over $240 million worldwide, debuting at No. 1 in the U.S. The soundtrack of the movie was likewise a financial success, earning quadruple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The movie received several nominations and accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Eminem, Jeff Bass, and Luis Resto’s production of “Lose Yourself” at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003. 8 Mile was regarded as being among the year’s greatest movies by multiple sources, in 2002. Here is what the cast from this prominent movie is up to these days.
Eminem
Portraying a fictionalized version of himself in 8 Mile, led, in part, to Eminem‘s rise to prominence. With over 120 award nominations and over 70 wins, including an Oscar, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with. In 2022, Eminem worked on music videos, including the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Pepsi: The Call, alongside Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Kendrick Lamar, Eminem & Snoop Dogg: From the D 2 the LBC, Eminem: Cinderella Man (Lyric Version), and Eminem Feat. 50 Cent: Is This Love (’09) (Visualizer Version). Also, “The King and I,” a song performed by Eminem featuring CeeLo Green, was included in the soundtrack for the 2022 movie Elvis. According to an early-2023 report from TV Insider, Eminem and 50 Cent are working on an 8 Mile television series.
Brittany Murphy
With the 1995 release of Clueless, Brittany Murphy made her feature film debut opposite Alicia Silverstone. Murphy went on to feature in movies including Don’t Say A Word, Uptown Girls, Just Married, and Little Black Book after playing Alex in 8 Mile. She even provided the voice for Happy Feet in 2006. Murphy tragically passed away in December 2009, but the exact circumstances surrounding her death (and her husband’s) are still a mystery. Murphy had posthumous appearances in the movies Abandoned (2010) and Something Wicked (2014).
Kim Basinger
Prior to playing Stephanie (Jimmy’s Mom) in 8 Mile, Kim Basinger was a well-known actress. She has acted in a number of movies and TV episodes, including From Here to Eternity, My Stepmother Is an Alien, Batman, Cellular, and L.A. Confidential. Additionally, Basinger appeared in the films Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018). More recently, she voiced characters in the 2021 animated short Back Home Again and the 2023 video game Crime Boss: Rockay City.
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer‘s acting career started when he was chosen for the main part in filmmaker Spike Lee’s 1995 film Clockers after submitting to an open casting call. He then made appearances in the films High School High, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and Soul Food after making an amazing cinematic debut. In addition to his role as Future in 8 Mile, Phifer has also appeared in the Divergent series, Dawn of the Dead, Slow Burn, Paid in Full, ER, O, Honey, and Torchwood: Miracle Day. Phifer most recently had roles in the television programs Love, Victor, and Truth Be Told. His forthcoming projects, which are all in pre-production, are 10-13, Lights Out, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, and The Silent Hour.
Anthony Mackie
.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5 "8 Mile Cast: Where They Are Today")
One of Anthony Mackie‘s first acting gigs was in the movie 8 Mile. He went on to have a long and well-known career after playing Papa Doc. As Sam Wilson, one of his most well-known roles, Mackie appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition to these films, Mackie has appeared in Half Nelson, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, Million Dollar Baby, Black Mirror, All The Way, The Hate U Give, The Hurt Locker, and The Adjustment Bureau.
In 2023, Mackie was featured in the films We Have a Ghost and If You Were the Last. With a number of planned projects, including the forthcoming MCU films (Captain America: New World Order, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Avengers: Secret Wars), Panopticon, Desert Warrior, Ending Things, Clybourne Park, Elevation, Signal Hill, The Electric State (voice), Sneaks (voice), and Twisted Metal, Mackie appears to be positioning himself to be a very busy guy in the upcoming years.
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon acted in a variety of movies and television series before playing Stephanie’s wayward lover Greg in the film 8 Mile, including Vanilla Sky, Early Edition, and Groundhog Day. Shannon went on to become well-known for his work on a variety of movies and television shows, including Kangaroo Jack, The Woodsman, World Trade Center, Take Shelter, 99 Homes, Revolutionary Road, Midnight Special, and Knives Out, as well as guest spots on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Delocated.
His most recent roles are George & Tammy, The Playboy Interview (podcast), A Little White Lie, and Little Demon (voice). Among Shannon’s forthcoming projects are The Flash, where he will portray General Zod, and a part in the television series Waco: The Aftermath.
Evan Jones
Evan Jones is well recognized for his work on Jarhead, The Book of Eli, and Den of Thieves in addition to his part as Cheddar Bob in 8 Mile. A number of television shows, including Perception, Houdini, Graceland, CSI: Cyber, Santa Clarita Diet, Midnight, Texas, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, have included Jones as a guest star. His most recent performances include cameos on the television shows Titans and Next, as well as the movies Cagney and Lacey and Hotel Artemis. Jones’ lone future endeavor is a cameo appearance in the upcoming television series Duster.
Omar Benson Miller
Omar Benson Miller, after playing Sol George in 8 Mile, subsequently appeared in a number of movies and television shows, including Eleventh Hour, CSI: Miami, Ballers, Miracle at St. Anna, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Lucky You, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 1982, and Above Suspicion. In addition, Miller portrayed Ben in the television series The Unicorn and provided voices for the animated shows Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Rugrats revival. Miller voiced Putaro in the television miniseries Oni: Thunder God’s Tale in 2022. His most recent performance was in the 2023 television series True Lies as Albert “Gib” Gibson.
