Digging up the latest updates on the inmates and staff of Camp Green Lake.

The cast of Holes, then and now: See what Shia LaBeouf and more are up to today

Digging up the latest updates on the inmates and staff of Camp Green Lake.

By Debby Wolfinsohn,

James Mercadante,

and Kevin Jacobsen

April 18, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET

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Brenden Jefferson as X-Ray, Shia LaBeouf as Stanley Yelnats, Byron Cotton as Armpit, Jake M. Smith as Squid, Miguel Castro as Magnet, Khleo Thomas as Hector “Zero” Zeroni, and Max Kasch as Zig-Zag in 'Holes'. Credit:

Tony Barbera/Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

*Holes* is being enjoyed by a new generation thanks to Disney+ digging up the 2003 young adult favorite. Based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Louis Sachar, *Holes* follows the unlucky Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) as he is sentenced to 18 months of juvenile detention at a blazing hot camp in Texas. While the ruthless warden (Sigourney Weaver) forces Stanley and his fellow inmates to dig holes around the camp in search of buried treasure, a mystery spanning decades is uncovered.

The film won praise from both critics and audiences, cementing LaBeouf's status as one of Hollywood's buzziest young actors, establishing the careers of his young castmates, and providing fun, juicy roles for acting veterans like Weaver and Jon Voight. Ahead, we're taking a look at the careers of the *Holes* cast, exploring where they are now, more than 20 years after leaving Camp Green Lake.

Shia LaBeouf (Stanley Yelnats)

Shia LaBeouf as Stanley Yelnats in 'Holes'; Shia LaBeouf attends the premiere of Amazon Studios 'Honey Boy' at the Dome at Arclight Hollywood on Nov. 5, 2019, in Hollywood, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Shia LaBeouf has been through...*a lot *since his lead part in *Holes,* back when he was just 15 and fresh off his starring part on the Disney Channel show *Even Stevens. *His endearing awkwardness made his portrayal of the underdog Stanley quite believable — someone audiences could truly root for.

Sitting down at the Slauson Recreation Center — where he cofounded the Slauson Rec. theater group in Los Angeles — LaBeouf reflected on the enduring friendships he made on *Holes*. "[The cast] all come into this class. I'm still friends with these people," he told *MTV News* in 2019. "Byron [Cotton]...is from this neighborhood, he's from the Pueblos. He comes in here [on] Saturdays. So I know a lot of them still. I still see all these people."

Since *Holes*, he's starred in a slew of films, from acclaimed indies (2016's* American Honey, *2019's semi-autobiographical* Honey Boy*, and 2019's *The Peanut Butter Falcon*) to big-budget epics (2007's *Transformers** *and* *2008's *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*). He also had a role in Francis Ford Coppola's *Megalopolis *(2024).

His personal life has followed a dramatic arc, too, from the bad — former girlfriend FKA Twigs suing him for abuse, and his own struggles with PTSD and addiction — to the good. As revealed in a 2022 letter, LaBeouf embraced sobriety and family life with actress Mia Goth and their daughter. The pair separated in 2025.

Jake M. Smith (Squid)

Jake M. Smith as Squid in 'Holes'.

As a born and bred New York City kid, the then-18-year-old Jake M. Smith was the perfect choice to play resident tough guy and toothpick-chewer, Squid. His mom was an actress, and Smith cut his teeth in the theater scene, appearing on stage at age 13 in a Shakespeare in the Park production of *Cymbeline*.

After *Holes*, he guest-starred on a few episodes of *Law & Order* and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. Smith also appeared in the 2003 movie *Ash Tuesday *and the 2007 Sarah Jessica Parker film, *Spinning Into Butter.* Since his last credit in the 2009 Uma Thurman dramedy *Motherhood*, Smith has kept himself out of the public eye.

Byron Cotton (Armpit)

Byron Cotton as Armpit in 'Holes'; Byron Cotton attends the film premiere of 'Holes' at the El Capitan Theater on April 11, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif.

Disney; Getty Images

As part of the core group at Camp Green Lake, Armpit is a true fan fave. Assigned as Stanley's "mentor," he's a classic tough-outside/squishy-inside kinda guy. His real name is Theodore, but if anyone dares to call him this, they get a beatdown. So why Armpit? Maybe you already guessed — the kid's got a *bit *of a B.O. problem.

As for Byron Cotton — the actor who so memorably played him at 18 years old — he only appeared in a few roles post-*Holes*, including *Extreme Movie* (2008) alongside Michael Cera, and on episodes of *NYPD Blue** *and* **The Shield*. However, his most recent industry credits include work behind the camera as a production coordinator for the 2009 TV reality series *The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty* and a 2012 episode of *Barter Kings*.

Brenden Jefferson (X-Ray)

Brenden Jefferson as X-Ray in 'Holes'; Brenden Jefferson attends the premiere of 'Holes' on April 11, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif.

Disney; Getty Images

Before playing Rex (a.k.a. X-Ray, the leader of the Camp Green Lake squad) in *Holes*, Brenden Jefferson was all over the small screen, starring on the short-lived TV series *Thea *and appearing on shows like *Smart Guy*, *Even Stevens *(alongside his future *Holes* costar, Shia LaBeouf), and *The Hughleys*. Additionally, Jefferson played Luke in 1995's *Crimson Tide *alongside serious heavyweights like Gene Hackman, James Gandolfini, Denzel Washington, and Viggo Mortensen.

After playing Rex at 16, Jefferson appeared on the series *Boston Public*, *The Practice*, and *Grounded for Life* — as well as in Jamie Foxx's *Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story *(2004) — before retiring from Hollywood and staying out of the public eye.

Khleo Thomas (Hector “Zero” Zeroni)

Khleo Thomas as Hector 'Zero' Zeroni in 'Holes'; Khleo Thomas attends the screening of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's 'Resident Evil: Death Island' at the London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on July 12, 2023, in West Hollywood, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Khleo Thomas took on the role of camper Hector "Zero" Zeroni at just 14 years old. Zero's relationship with protagonist Stanley is one of the cornerstones of the film — and the word "touching" doesn't even begin to cover it.

"Zero is not the most Disney-friendly character. Like he was grabbing eight balls ready to fight, he hit a guy with a shovel, he choked somebody else out," Thomas told Business Insider in an April 2023 oral history of *Holes*. "I kept thinking how this character I'm playing might be the biggest gangster in Disney history — it was crazy."

Post-*Holes,* Thomas went on to rack up film credits for *Walking Tall *(2004), *Going to the Mat* (2004), *Roll Bounce* (2005), *Remember the Daze *(2007), *Paint It Red* (2019), *Scrap* (2022), and *If It Bleeds* (2025). The actor also appeared in two episodes of *Shameless* in 2016. And he's branched out from acting — besides releasing hip-hop mixtapes and being heavily into gamer culture, Thomas has his own lifestyle/fashion brand called Slick Living.

One of the coolest things about Thomas now is how he serves as an unofficial sort of *Holes* ambassador/historian, keeping TikTok users up to date on the film by being accessible to fans and very active on social media (like providing this very sweet watch-along of *Holes *he posted on his YouTube channel).

Zane Holtz (Barf Bag)

Zane Holtz as Barf Bag in 'Holes'; Zane Holtz at 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen' on Feb. 12, 2020. Walt Disney Pictures; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Zane Holtz — perhaps the only ex-model in the world who is also known for playing a character named Barf Bag — had quite an interesting career after leaving the D-Tent.

"I did some stuff when I was a kid. I die in the beginning of *Holes*. That was one of my first jobs, I was about 13 years old," he told BUILD Series in 2018. "I went to regular high school and lived a regular kid life, and then I got back [into acting] at about 20. I decided to go back to theater school...and I kind of have been steadily working ever since."

From 2014 until 2016, Holtz took on the starring role of Richie Gecko in Robert Rodriguez's spinoff series of his sexy vampire film,* From Dusk Till Dawn* (1996)*. *On both *Riverdale** *and *Katy Keene*, he played K.O. Kelly. He also appeared on the big screen, acting alongside Emma Watson in *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* (2012); ​​Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman in *Hunter Killer *(2018); and Ben Affleck in *Hypnotic* (2023). He now recurs as Special Agent Dale Sawyer on *NCIS*.

He's also been busy off-screen, living with his wife, Chelsea Pagnini, and their four kids in Austin.

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Dulé Hill (Sam)

Dulé Hill as Sam in 'Holes'; Dulé Hill attends ACLU of Southern California's centennial Bill of Rights awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2024, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Before taking on the iconic role of Sam the Onion Man (seen alongside Kissin' Kate Barlow in the parallel old West story) Dulé Hill was already well known for his film work and memorable television roles.

"Once I knew who was in the cast, I was that much more honored to be a part of [*Holes*]," Hill told Business Insider in 2023. "People still come up to me today saying how they're such big fans of the movie. They always quote my character saying, 'I can fix that.' It really just amazes me."

He spent six seasons on *The West Wing* as Charlie Young before leaving to take on the best-known role of his career: Gus on *Psych*. The USA Network show ran for eight seasons and was followed by three movies. After *Holes*, Hill appeared in films such as *The Guardian* (2006) and *Hypnotic* (2021), as well as on the series *Ballers,* *Suits*,* *and *The Wonder Years*, and in the Hulu miniseries *Good American Family*.

From 2004 to 2012, Hill was married to actress Nicole Lyn, who also appeared on *The* *West Wing* and *Psych*. In 2018, he tied the knot with actress Jazmyn Simon, whom he met on the set of *Ballers*. The couple has appeared together in all three *Psych* movies and on *The Wonder Years*. Hill adopted Simon’s daughter from a previous relationship, and they welcomed a son in 2019.

Max Kasch (Zig Zag)

Max Kasch as Zig Zag in 'Holes'; Max Kasch during Lionsgate Films' 'Waiting' Los Angeles premiere and after party at Mann's Bruin Theater/ Jerry's Famous Deli on Sept. 29, 2005, in Westwood, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Zig Zag landed at Camp Green Lake after a fireworks mishap, and, like then-18-year-old Max Kasch, possessed a wild mop of hair and a mischievous gleam in his eye.

After *Holes*, Kasch again worked with LaBeouf in the 2005 golf movie, *The Greatest Game Ever Played* (2005); appeared in *Red Eye* (2005); acted in the restaurant comedy *Waiting…* (2005); and played rugby in* Forever Strong* (2008). Kasch also had a brief appearance in the Oscar-winning drama *Whiplash *(2014).

When he isn’t acting, Kasch is pursuing a solo music career, which shouldn't surprise anyone who's heard the iconic Camp Green Lake song, "Dig It." A 2023 *GQ *article breaking down the track's origins emphasizes Kasch's fantastic, deep baritone vocal intro, which "blew everyone away" and "gave the song an unexpected gravitas."

In a 2018 interview with *The Tiara Talk Show*, Kash explained his process of writing the iconic tune. "At that particular time, I was really heavily into a lot of blues music...and part of the history that blues music from that area was what were called 'field hollers' and 'work songs,'" he explained. "I had the idea of, you know, since we're obviously working out there in the hot sun, sort of in an oppressive way. That was my attempt at writing or recreating what I imagined a work song to be."

Kasch married Sophie Sawyer in 2016.

Henry Winkler (Stanley Yelnats III)

Henry Winkler as Stanley Yelnats III in 'Holes'; Henry Winkler attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Jan. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Already adored for his portrayal of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli (a.k.a. the Fonz) across 10 seasons of *Happy Days* and memorable performances in films like *Night Shift *(1982) and *The Waterboy* (1998), Henry Winkler took on a different kind of role in *Holes*: Stanley Yelnats III, a rumpled inventor who spent most of the movie boiling shoes and avoiding ancient curses.

Post *Holes*, Winkler continued to work steadily, from Adam Sandler's* Click* (2006) to comedic TV roles on *Parks and Recreation*, *Childrens Hospital*, and *Arrested Development*. He won his first Primetime Emmy for playing Gene Cousineau on *Barry*, the titular character’s egotistical acting teacher/father figure.

Since 1978, Winkler has been married to Stacey Weitzman — with whom he shares two children, Max and Zoe — and is stepfather to Stacey's son from a previous marriage, Jed Weitzman. He has written three memoirs, including 2023's *Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond*.

Sigourney Weaver (The Warden)

Sigourney Weaver as the Warden in 'Holes'; Sigourney Weaver at the premiere of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' held at the Dolby Theatre on Dec. 12, 2022, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Even with so many legendary starring roles under her belt — *Ghostbusters *(1984), *Aliens* (1986), *Working Girl* (1988),* Gorillas in the Mist *(1988) — Sigourney Weaver took on a slightly smaller yet hilarious role as the evil Warden in *Holes.*

"It was one of the first books my [child] read that [they] really fell in love with — I remember [they] described the warden to me and said, 'Mommy, you should play this part,'" Weaver told EW in 2003. "I don't know why [they] thought that. Maybe because my hair is a little reddish. Maybe because I'm a beast."

After the Disney film, Weaver continued to show off her acting chops, from comedies like 2008's *Baby Mama*, to her Emmy-nominated dramatic work on television like *Prayers for Bobby* and *Political Animals*, to big-budget blockbusters like *Avatar* (2009) and its sequels and *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu* (2026).

Weaver has been married to TV, film, and theater director Jim Simpson since 1984. Their child, Shar Simpson — who is nonbinary — has *also* dabbled in acting, appearing as Weaver's onscreen daughter in *The Guys* (2002).

Jon Voight (Mr. Sir)

Jon Voight as Mr. Sir in 'Holes'; Jon Voight attends the 7th annual Hollywood Beauty Awards at Taglyan Complex on March 19, 2022, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

With his greased-back hair and pencil-thin mustache, Oscar winner Jon Voight seems like he's doing a Christopher Walken tribute in this deliciously dastardly role.

"The key to [Mr. Sir's] character is that even though he is obviously a disgusting man, in his own eyes he isn't loathsome at all — in fact, quite the opposite," he told *The New Zealand Herald* in 2003. "So when I was sitting in makeup one day, I suddenly came up with the idea of these laughable Elvis-like, Spanish sideburns. I thought, 'Eureka! That's it, that's his character.' He's just appallingly vain."

After his appearance in *Holes, *the veteran actor continued to add more acting credits to his résumé, including the* National Treasure *series, *The Manchurian Candidate *(2004),* *and* **Ray Donovan* and the 2022 follow-up film. He also reunited with his *Holes* costar LaBeouf in *Megalopolis.*

From 1962 to 1967, Voight was married to actress Lauri Peters. In 1971, he married actress Marcheline Bertrand and they welcomed two children who would both become actors: son James Haven and daughter Angelina Jolie. Voight and Bertrand filed for divorce in 1978.

Tim Blake Nelson (Dr. Pendanski)

Tim Blake Nelson as Dr. Pendanski in 'Holes'; Tim Blake Nelson attends the premiere of 'Ghosted' at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on April 18, 2023, in New York City.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

As Dr. Pendanski, Tim Blake Nelson utilized his capacity to be creepy in a myriad of hilarious ways, from his feeble smile to a languid, not-all-there drawl. Before *Holes*, he made his mark in pop culture with his memorable portrayal of Delmar O'Donnell in the Coen brothers' 2000 masterpiece, *O Brother, Where Art Thou?*

"It was quite clear this was gonna be a lasting film from the moment we all saw it," Nelson told Business Insider. "My agent at the time said, ultimately, all you want to do is show up in really good films. *Holes* remains one of the best films I ever did."

After *Holes*, Nelson played Samuel Sterns in *The Incredible Hulk *(2008) and *Captain America: Brave New World* (2025); Dr. Allen in *Fantastic Four *(2015); the titular character in the Coens' *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs *(2018); and Carny Boss in *Nightmare Alley* (2021). Most notably, the actor was a major part of Peak TV, appearing on various acclaimed series like *Watchmen**,* *Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities*, and *Poker Face*. The character actor has also found time to write multiple plays and novels.

Nelson has been married to Lisa Benavides since 1994. Together, they have three sons.

Patricia Arquette (Katherine “Kissin’ Kate” Barlow)

Patricia Arquette as 'Kissin' Kate' Barlow in 'Holes'; Patricia Arquette attends the 2023 Producers Guild of America Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 25, 2023, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Everett Collection; Getty Images

Though long gone to that saloon in the sky, the colorfully named, heartbroken outlaw "Kissin' Kate" Barlow (Patricia Arquette) pretty much drives the entire *Holes* plotline.

"I got an opportunity to work on *Holes,* and Andy Davis was our director. He was lovely. And I really love the character of Kissin Kate," Arquette said in a 2023 *Vanity Fair* interview. "It was kind of magical being part of that movie because there's people of a certain age when they come up, and they're like, 'You are!' I'm like, 'Oh, you saw *Holes*."

Known for a myriad of movies pre-*Holes*, Arquette had even more starring moments after Kissin' Kate hung up her spurs, winning her first Emmy for the NBC series *Medium* and an Oscar for Richard Linklater's 2014 film *Boyhood*. She won another Emmy in 2019 for her chilling turn in the true crime miniseries *The Act *and currently stars on Apple TV's *Severance*.

In her personal life, Arquette was married to actor Nicolas Cage from 1995 to 2001 and to actor Thomas Jane from 2006 to 2011. Both of her kids, Enzo (whom she shares with musician Paul Rossi) and Harlow (whom she shares with Jane), have acted in various capacities.

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