Key Highlights
- Devon Sawa opened up about a persistent rumor regarding his role in “Now and Then.”
- The alleged incident involved Sawa exposing himself during a skinny-dipping scene.
- Sawa clarified that he wore a modesty garment on set, but the rumor haunted him for years.
- The actor is now at peace with his past as a teen star and has accepted it after 30 years.
Devon Sawa’s Teen Star Days Resurface: Persistent Rumors and Peaceful Acceptance
In an interview published on October 22, 2025, in The New York Times, Devon Sawa discussed a persistent rumor from his teen star days that has haunted him for decades. Sawa, who rose to fame as the human version of the title ghost in “Casper” and later starred alongside Christina Ricci in “Now and Then,” revealed that a skinny-dipping scene in the latter film led to an infamous rumor.
The rumor suggested that if viewers paused the film at a specific moment, they could see Sawa’s genitalia. Despite the alleged incident being debunked by the fact that Sawa wore a modesty garment during filming, the actor was “haunted” by this idea for years, as he explained in his interview:
“It was creepy,” said Sawa. “It spread from mall to mall.”
However, Sawa clarified that the scene on set was conducted safely and responsibly. Todd, who produced “Now and Then,” added that the filmmakers thought it would be an “Oh, gross!” moment, but young girls were excited by it instead.
The Rumor’s Impact
According to Sawa, the rumor followed him throughout his teenage years, affecting how he was perceived in school:
“It was creepy,” he said. “It spread from mall to mall.”
Sawa’s career has since included roles in various horror films and TV series, such as “Final Destination,” “Idle Hands,” and the TV show “Chucky.” Despite his current work in darker genres, Sawa confessed that it took him a long time to come to terms with his past as a teen heartthrob:
“There was a certain amount of years I just didn’t want to talk about it anymore,” said Sawa. “Now, I’ve come to peace with it. It’s never going to go away.”
Reflections on His Career
Sawa reflected on his early days in Hollywood and the impact of being a teen star:
“It was such a small amount of time that created so many amazing memories,” he said. “And 30 years, that’s crazy that we’re at 30 years now.”
The actor also expressed pride in his former co-star Christina Ricci, who has since become an established actress with her own successful career:
“I bump into her every once in a while, and it’s like we haven’t skipped a beat,” said Sawa. “She’s great and I’m so proud of her for all the amazing things she’s doing.”
Devon Sawa’s willingness to discuss this persistent rumor highlights his growing comfort with his past as a teen heartthrob in Hollywood. As he approaches his fifth decade, Sawa has embraced his legacy and is now able to look back on his career with both humor and pride.
About Devon Sawa
Devon Sawa was born and raised in Vancouver and first gained fame for his role in “Casper” (1995) followed by his part as Scott Wormer in “Now and Then” (1995). Since then, he has appeared in numerous films and television series, including “Idle Hands,” “Final Destination,” and the TV show “Chucky.”
The actor’s career spans three decades, during which he has navigated various genres, from horror to romantic comedies. Sawa’s journey reflects the challenges and rewards of being a teen heartthrob in Hollywood.
