Meet Joe Black: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

Meet Joe Black (1998) is an American romantic fantasy drama directed by Martin Brest, loosely based on the 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday and the 1924 Italian play La morte in vacanza.

It follows Death, who takes the form of a young man named Joe Black, and asks media mogul Bill Parrish to guide him through human life in exchange for extra days to live.

Joe falls in love with Bill’s daughter Susan, complicating their deal. Filmed in New York City and Rhode Island (including Aldrich Mansion), it grossed $142.9 million worldwide on a $90 million budget.

With a 47% Rotten Tomatoes score and 43/100 on Metacritic, critics found it visually stunning but overlong at 178 minutes, criticizing its pacing and Brad Pitt’s “stiff” performance, though Anthony Hopkins was praised.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Brad Pitt as Joe Black / Young Man in Coffee Shop

• Role: Joe Black, Death inhabiting the body of a young man killed in an accident, learns about human life through Bill Parrish and falls for Susan. Pitt’s “naive yet magnetic” performance, including his love for peanut butter and odd Jamaican accent, was divisive; he later called it a career low point, admitting he “muffed it.” Appeared in ~150 minutes. Prepared by studying human mannerisms but struggled with the role’s duality.
• Net Worth: $400 million to $420 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to William (business owner) and Jane Pitt (school counselor). One brother, Doug; one sister, Julie. Raised Baptist; now spiritual but not religious.
• Relationships: Married to Jennifer Aniston (2000–2005) and Angelina Jolie (2014–2016, separated); six children with Jolie: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne. Dated Ines de Ramon since 2022.
• Post-Film: Starred in Ad Astra (2019), Bullet Train (2022). Producing via Plan B; upcoming F1 (2025).

Anthony Hopkins as Bill Parrish

• Role: Bill, a wealthy media mogul facing death, guides Joe Black while navigating a corporate merger and family ties. Hopkins’ “powerful” performance, shifting from elegance to despair, was a highlight. Appeared in ~120 minutes. Drew on personal reflections of mortality.
• Net Worth: $160 million to $180 million.
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m).
• Family: Born December 31, 1937, in Margam, Wales, to Richard (baker) and Muriel Hopkins. Only child. Overcame dyslexia and alcoholism.
• Relationships: Married to Petronella Barker (1966–1972; one daughter, Abigail), Jennifer Lynton (1973–2002), and Stella Arroyave (2003–present).
• Post-Film: Starred in Westworld (2016–2018), King Lear (2018). Upcoming: Eyes in the Trees (2025).

Claire Forlani as Susan Parrish

• Role: Susan, Bill’s younger daughter and a medical resident, falls for Joe, unaware he’s Death, after meeting the young man whose body he inhabits. Forlani’s “fragile yet poignant” performance was praised for romantic depth but criticized for lacking complexity. Appeared in ~100 minutes.
• Net Worth: $5 million to $7 million.
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born December 17, 1971, in Twickenham, London, to Barbara (English) and Pier Luigi Forlani (Italian music manager). No siblings reported. Trained at Arts Educational Schools, London.
• Relationships: Married to Dougray Scott (2007–present); one son, Milo (born 2014).
• Post-Film: Starred in Domina (2021–2023), Black Beauty (2020). Focuses on TV roles and family.

Jake Weber as Drew

• Role: Drew, Susan’s fiancé and Bill’s scheming board member, orchestrates a merger to oust Bill. Weber’s “slimy yet nuanced” performance grounded the corporate subplot. Appeared in ~40 minutes.
• Net Worth: $4 million to $6 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born March 12, 1963, in London, England, to Susan (socialite) and Thomas Weber (racing driver, died 2006). One brother, Charley. Raised in the US; Juilliard graduate.
• Relationships: Divorced from Diane Rimer (1995–2002); married to Korri Culbert (2017–present); one son, Waylon (born 2006).
• Post-Film: Starred in Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021), The Beach House (2019).

Marcia Gay Harden as Allison Parrish

• Role: Allison, Bill’s eldest daughter, plans his lavish 65th birthday party, seeking his approval. Harden’s “heartfelt” performance shone despite limited depth. Appeared in ~30 minutes.
• Net Worth: $8 million to $10 million.
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born August 14, 1959, in La Jolla, California, to Beverly (homemaker) and Thad Harden (naval officer). Four siblings: Thaddaeus, Abigail, Emily, Cheryl. NYU graduate (MFA, Acting).
• Relationships: Married to Thaddaeus Scheel (1996–2012); three children: Eulala, Hudson, Julitta. Single as of 2025.
• Post-Film: Starred in Barkskins (2020), The Morning Show (2021–2023).

Jeffrey Tambor as Quince

• Role: Quince, Allison’s kind but bumbling husband, supports her emotionally. Tambor’s “warm” comedic performance added levity. Appeared in ~20 minutes.
• Net Worth: $16 million to $18 million.
• Height: 6’1″ (1.85 m).
• Family: Born July 8, 1944, in San Francisco, California, to Eileen (homemaker) and Michael Tambor (contractor). One sister, Linda. San Francisco State University graduate.
• Relationships: Married to Kasia Ostlun (2001–present); four children: Molly, Hugo, Eli, Gabriel. Two grandchildren.
• Post-Film: Starred in The Death of Stalin (2017), Arrested Development revival. Retired from acting after 2018 allegations.

Lois Kelly-Miller as Jamaican Woman

• Role: A terminally ill patient who senses Joe’s true nature and discusses death with him. Kelly-Miller’s “poignant” scene was memorable despite its brief Jamaican patois exchange. Appeared in ~5 minutes.
• Net Worth: $500,000 to $1 million.
• Height: 5’4″ (1.62 m).
• Family: Born circa 1940s, details private. No family information reported.
• Relationships: Unknown.
• Post-Film: Limited acting credits; likely retired.

Additional Notes

Salaries: Pitt and Hopkins earned ~$2–$3 million each, reflecting their A-list status. Forlani earned ~$200,000–$500,000; Weber, Harden, and Tambor ~$50,000–$200,000; Kelly-Miller ~$10,000–$20,000. The $90 million budget covered lavish sets (Aldrich Mansion), CGI (Joe’s accident), and New York City filming. Streaming residuals (Fandango, Amazon) add to earnings.

Casting Insights: Pitt was cast for his “beautiful cipher” appeal, but his self-conscious performance drew mixed reviews. Hopkins was chosen for his gravitas, tailoring the role to his strengths. Forlani, a rising star from Basquiat, beat out others for Susan’s ethereal quality. Weber and Harden added depth to the corporate and family subplots. Tambor improvised comedic bits.

Impact and Legacy: The film’s $142.9 million gross was modest for its budget, and its 47% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects pacing critiques. The peanut butter scene and Joe’s awkwardness are fan favorites on X, but the three-hour runtime and Pitt’s Jamaican accent spark ridicule. The film’s themes of love and mortality resonate, though disability advocates criticized the accident scene’s depiction. A 13-minute shorter cut exists but isn’t widely available.

Post-Film Careers: Pitt starred in Babylon (2022); Hopkins in Armageddon Time (2022). Forlani focused on TV (Domina). Weber and Harden continued in Homeland and The Morning Show. Tambor retired post-Transparent. Kelly-Miller’s career faded. Most leverage streaming residuals.

Cultural Influence: The film’s romantic scenes, like Susan and Joe’s pool encounter, and Hopkins’ farewell speech are quoted on Letterboxd. Its exploration of death inspired discussions, but plausibility issues (e.g., Joe’s sudden patois) and lack of diversity drew critique. The lavish birthday party and fireworks finale remain visually iconic.

Conclusion

Meet Joe Black’s cast, led by Pitt’s uneven Joe and Hopkins’ commanding Bill, crafted a visually lush but overlong meditation on love and death. Net worths range from $500,000 (Kelly-Miller) to $420 million (Pitt), reflecting varied careers. Personal lives, from Pitt’s high-profile relationships to Hopkins’ resilience, add depth. Despite mixed reviews and controversy, its romantic and philosophical moments ensure a lasting, if polarizing, legacy.