One of the most recognizable child stars of the 90s, Omri Katz was famed for his starring role as Max Dennison in Disney's Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, as well as for playing John Ross Ewing III in the iconic soap, Dallas.
© MediaPunch via Getty ImagesBut after two decades of fame, the Los Angeles native decided to step away from a life in the limelight. The former actor, now 50, has since found success in a very different industry - and he looks completely different to the fresh faced teen we remember from the 90s!
Find out more about Omri's life since leaving Hollywood.
Omri's Hollywood career
Omri's breakthrough came in 1983 with a main role in the long-running soap opera Dallas, where he played John Ross Ewing III until 1991. That same year, he starred as Marshall Teller in the sci-fi horror series Eerie, Indiana.
© Alamy Stock PhotoHe is perhaps best known for his role as teenager Max in the 1993 fantasy classic Hocus Pocus. Following Hocus Pocus, he appeared in The John Larroquette Show, reprised his Dallas role for Dallas: J.R. Returns, and had guest appearances in Freaks and Geeks and General Hospital.
He made his final on-screen appearance in the 2002 short film Journey Into Night.
Omri Katz's new career away from Hollywood
After almost twenty years in the industry, Omri decided to trade in the limelight for a more normal life.
"I grew up in the industry, so that's kind of all I knew," he told the horror news website Bloody Disgusting in 2022. "I think I was soul searching and wanted more of a human experience; just see what else is out there, see the world, and be normal. I didn't really have that growing up."
After stepping away from acting, Omri used his earnings to travel, surf, and snowboard before eventually returning to Los Angeles. Although he initially hoped to resume acting "to make money so I could escape again," he found the transition "didn't work out too well".
© Getty ImagesAfter a period working in hairdressing, he eventually discovered his true passion and founded a cannabis-themed merchandise brand, The Mary Danksters.
"We're doing everything the legal way, and I'm really excited to see where this industry takes me," he told Bloody Disgusting, adding that while the business is "a tough thing to navigate," he's "confident I've got something to contribute".
Omri Katz wasn't asked to return for Hocus Pocus 2
In 2022, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy reprised their roles in Hocus Pocus 2.
However, Omri, as well as his co-stars Vinessa Shaw and Jason Marsden, weren't asked to return for the sequel.
"I would have loved to be involved. I feel bad for the original fan base saying we aren't because I'm sure they wanted to see us reprise our roles," Omri told Entertainment Weekly. Still, he expressed excitement over the "new direction" of the sequel, saying, "I think it'll be good for everyone who loved the original! I hope fans will go see it. I know I will."
