Whether you are a fanatic for history or not, there is one name, even though fictional, Maximus Decimus Meridius, is a name that almost everyone is aware of. Now, it has been a while since this movie came out, and if you are wondering where all the actors are now and what they have been up to as of late, here is all you need to know about where the cast of Gladiator is now.
Gladiator Cast Overview
So, before we get into the details, here is a table consisting of all the lead characters we have seen in Gladiator. While some of them are recurring names even today, some of these actors might be unknown to the younger audience.
Actor Character Russell Crowe Maximus Decimus Meridius Connie Nielsen Lucilla Joaquin Phoenix Commodus Richard Harris Marcus Aurelius Djimon Hounsou Juba Spencer Treat Clark Lucius Tommy Flanagan Cicero Derek Jacobi Gracchus
Where Are the Members of The Gladiator Cast Now
So, now that we have taken a look at the cast of Gladiator 2002, it goes unsaid that you must be wondering where they are right now and what each of them is currently up to. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at all the details.
Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius
Playing Maximus Decimus Meridius is, without a doubt, the biggest role Russell Crowe has ever taken. However, before making the legendary warrior his second identity, he had already had his breakout role in Romper Stomper (1992), where he portrayed the neo-Nazi gang leader Hando. He also became a household name with L.A. Confidential (1997), following which, he got his first Oscar nomination for The Insider (1999). However, he finally bagged the award for Best Actor for Gladiator in the year 2000.
Following Gladiator, he has appeared in multiple amazing projects, such as A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005), American Gangster (2007), and Robin Hood (2010). He has also appeared in some widely memorable roles, such as Jor-El in Man of Steel (2013) and Inspector Javert in Les Misérables (2012).
However, if you ask me, my personal favorite from his modern feats of acting is his apperance alongside Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys (2013). Most recently, he appeared in The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) and Kraven the Hunter (2024).
Connie Nielsen as Lucilla
Before appearing as Lucilla in Gladiator, Connie Nielsen already had a bright future ahead of her. She made her debut in French cinema, where she appeared in Par où t’es rentré? On t’a pas vu sortir, released in 1984. She then appeared in The Devil’s Advocate (1997), Rushmore (1998), Permanent Midnight (1998), and, right before she appeared in Gladiator, she was seen in Mission to Mars (2000).
Following Gladiator, the actress appeared in One Hour Photo (2002), a psychological thriller she worked on alongside Robin Williams. She also appeared on multiple major projects, such as Nymphomaniac: Vol. I (2013), Nobody (2021), and Role Play (2024).
She also tried her hand at superhero cinema and took up the role of Hippolyta in DCEU’s Wonder Woman movies released in 2017 and 2020. Her final apperance was seen in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, released in 2021. However, most recently, she reprised her role as Lucilla in Gladiator 2 released in 2024.
Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus
Back in the day, when Phoenix played Commodus, he was not sure if he was the right guy to play the character. However, all his doubts cleared up when he bagged an Academy Award nomination for his role in Gladiator. Before appearing as Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix worked with a stage name, Leaf Phoenix, and appeared in projects such as SpaceCamp (1986) and Parenthood (1989). However, after the tragic death of his brother in 1993, he stepped away from acting for 2 years.
He finally appeared in To Die For (1995), where he began his career once again with his real name. After Gladiator, he appeared in projects such as Signs (2002), The Village (2004), Hotel Rwanda (2004), and Ladder 49 (2004). However, one of the highest points in his career was with his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line(2005). His other Notable performances include The Master (2012), Her (2013), and his recent project Napoleon (2023). Phoenix also bagged an Oscar for Joker (2019) and most recently appeared in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).
Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius
Most of us would know Richard Harris from his work as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. However, the real ones remember him for playing multiple variations of King Arthur, both in movies and in stage shows, for the longest time.
Following his appearance as Emperor Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator, he took up the role of Dumbledore after his granddaughter insisted that he does resulting in his apperance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). However, Richard Harris sadly passed away at the age of 72, making his role as Dumbledore his last and most memorable.
Djimon Hounsou as Juba
Djimon Hounsou kick-started his career with appearances in music videos for Madonna and Janet Jackson, and then moved up to having appearances in Without You I’m Nothing (1990) and Stargate (1994). He also bagged a Golden Globe nomination for playing Cinque in Amistad (1997). After playing Juba in the cast of Gladiator, he circled back to appearing on television with ER, Soul Food, and Alias. He then appeared in movies such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), Constantine (2004), and Beauty Shop (2005).
However, in recent times, his most recognisable roles include Korath the Pursuer in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), the Fisherman King in Aquaman (2018), and the Wizard Shazam in Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). Most recently, Djimon Hounsou appeared as General Titus in Rebel Moon and its sequel, released in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius
Before appearing in Gladiator as Lucius, Spencer Treat Clark had a few appearances under his belt. He appeared on Another World, a soap opera, and then as Jeff Bridges’ Son in Arlington Road (1999). After his work on Gladiator, massive opportunities opened up for Clark, and he appeared in Unbreakable (2000), Mystic River (2003), and The Last House on the Left (2009).
Following these roles, he moved primarily to television and appeared on shows like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NCIS, Manhunt, and The Good Wife. However, his most recognisable long-term role was on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as HYDRA agent Werner von Strucker. Most recently, Spencer Treat Clark appeared on Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2023) and Stephen King’s remake of Salem’s Lot in 2024.
Tommy Flanagan as Cicero
Tommy Flanagan started his career as a member of Robert Carlyle’s theater troupe Raindog and then moved up to the big screen in mostly supporting roles in movies like Braveheart (1995), Face/Off (1997), and The Game (1997). After appearing as Cicero in Gladiator, he landed roles in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Alien Vs Predator (2004), Smokin’ Aces (2006), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).
He also had appearances in popular shows like Peaky Blinders, Revenge, 24, and Gotham. He has also landed a role in shows like Westworld; however, he is best known for his apperance as SAMCRO president Filip on Sons of Anarchy. Most recently, he worked with Russell Crowe in Sleeping Dogs and then appeared in thNetflix drama The Perfect Couple.
Derek Jacobi as Gracchus
Derek Jacobi is a veteran stage actor who moved to the big screen. Even before appearing as Gracchus in Gladiator, he had won two Emmy Awards for Tenth Man (1988) and for his apperance in Frasier’s season 8. After Gladiator, he continued to give out multiple amazing performances in projects such as Gosford Park (2001), Nanny McPhee (2005), Underworld: Evolution (2006), The King’s Speech (2010), Anonymous (2011), and Murder on the Orient Express (2017).
Other than that, he has been actively involved in television shows such as Doctor Who, The Borgias, Titanic: Blood and Steel, Les Misérables, The Crown, and Good Omens. He has also had long-term roles on shows such as Vicious and Last Tango in Halifax.
