Roddy Piper plays John Nada, Keith David plays Frank Armitage, and Meg Foster plays Holly Thompson in John Carpenter’s 1988 sci-fi classic ‘They Live‘.
Main cast
- John NadaRoddy PiperMain
- Frank ArmitageKeith DavidMain
- Holly ThompsonMeg FosterMain
Supporting cast
- Dr. GilbertRaymond St. JacquesSupp
- Family ManGeorge ‘Buck’ FlowerSupp
- Street PreacherPeter JasonSupp
- Alien LeaderSy RichardsonSupp
- Humanoid AlienSusan BarnesSupp
Guest & voice
- Well-Dressed ManJohn LawrenceGuest
- CopWendy BrainardGuest
- Baggage HandlerNorman HowellGuest
- TV Station GuardLarry J. FrancoGuest
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About this cast
They Live is a 1988 American science fiction action film directed by John Carpenter. The story follows a drifter who discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal the truth: aliens are secretly controlling humanity through subliminal messages. The film stars professional wrestler Roddy Piper in his lead acting debut, alongside Keith David and Meg Foster.
FAQs
Who plays John Nada in They Live?
Roddy Piper, the professional wrestler, plays the lead role of John Nada in They Live.
Who plays Frank Armitage in They Live?
Keith David plays Frank Armitage, the construction worker who becomes Nada’s ally.
Who plays Holly Thompson in They Live?
Meg Foster plays Holly Thompson, the television station employee who helps the protagonists.
Is They Live based on a book?
The film is loosely based on the 1963 short story ‘Eight O’Clock in the Morning’ by Ray Nelson.
What is the famous line from They Live?
The most iconic line is ‘I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubblegum,’ delivered by Roddy Piper.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026