Whatever Happened to the Cast of ‘Short Circuit’?

The quirky science fiction movie Short Circuit turns 40 on May 9, 2026, and for anyone who grew up with Johnny 5 declaring, “Number 5 is alive,” it is worth revisiting the main cast now. Directed by John Badham, the film followed a military robot that is struck by lightning and develops a personality and escapes into the world with the help of a kindhearted animal lover named Stephanie Speck.

The movie starred Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, and G. W. Bailey, with Tim Blaney providing the voice of Number 5, later known as Johnny 5. Here’s a look at the main cast members who are still alive today and what happened to their careers after the 1986 film.