‘Super Underrated’ 90s Actor Looks Unrecognizable 35 Years After Appearing Alongside Julia Roberts

Fans of ’90s films were surprised to see how much a beloved actor had changed when he made a rare appearance in Manhattan on Friday (June 20).

In photos from the outing—taken 35 years after he starred in Flatliners alongside Julia Roberts—the actor appeared thin and nearly unrecognizable.

The Working Girl star was seen wearing a gray collared shirt, jean shorts, and tennis shoes during a walk through the West Village.

A beloved actor was pictured going on a walk in Manhattan and looking noticeably slimmer

Image credits: Columbia Pictures

The actor in question is Oliver Platt.

Oliver starred in Three to Tango with Matthew Perry, Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams, and Lake Placid alongside Betty White.

The 65-year-old is perhaps best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Charles in Chicago Med.

Image credits: S. Granitz/Getty Images

He portrayed Randy Steckle, a medical student who conducts experiments to learn what happens in the afterlife, in the 1990 sci-fi horror film Flatliners.

In addition to Oliver and Julia Roberts, the Michael Douglas-produced film starred Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and K.K. Dodds.

Oliver Platt has starred in Three to Tango, Bicentennial Man, Lake Placid, and  Flatliners, among other ’90s films

Image credits: BACKGRID

Asked what his favorite film of his was, Oliver told Esquire, “Funny Bones is really dear to me, but such a tense experience. Then there’s The Impostors, which was criminally fun to make.”

He said he and Stanley Tucci, his Impostors co-star, enjoyed themselves so much on set—despite not being paid for the film. “We kept saying to each other, ‘I can’t believe we’re getting paid for this—oh, yeah, we aren’t.'”

Image credits: oliverplatt

Unlike many Hollywood stars, Oliver said he can’t think of any films he regrets starring in.

“I like them for different reasons—some were fun to do, and for others, the result was satisfying,” he shared.

Oliver’s resume also includes numerous roles on both television and stage.

He is best known for portraying psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Charles on the NBC drama Chicago Med since 2015

Image credits: Hulu

The Canadian actor has starred in The Big C, Fargo, and The Good Wife. On Hulu’s The Bear, he plays Jimmy “Cicero” Kalinowski, a.k.a Uncle Jimmy, the restaurant’s key investor.

In 2007, he earned a SAG Award nomination for his portrayal of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner in the ESPN miniseries The Bronx Is Burning.

His role in the series Huff, as the workaholic and womanizer Russell Tupper, received critical acclaim and earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Oliver also received Emmy nominations for standout guest appearances on The West Wing and Nip/Tuck.

Oliver has been nominated for Emmys, Golden Globes, and Tony Awards for his work on TV and Broadway

Image credits: Hulu

On stage, he made his Broadway debut in Conor McPherson’s Shining City in 2006, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. Three years later, he portrayed Nathan Detroit in the revival of the musical Guys and Dolls.

Oliver’s last role on the big screen was in the 2024 comedy Babes, which marked Pamela Adlon’s feature film directorial debut.

On television, he has had a recurring role on The Bear since 2022 and Chicago Med since 2015. He said pulling double duty “spices up” his day, though there was one occasion where he accidentally channeled Uncle Jimmy’s Chicago accent when rehearsing for a Dr. Charles scene.

He now plays Uncle Jimmy on the hit comedy-drama The Bear

Image credits: oliverplatt

“The director was like, ‘Oliver, what’s that? What’s that accent?'” Oliver told the Associated Pressin June 2024.

“It was very easy for me to drop into being Doctor Charles. I’ve been doing it for eight years, but Uncle Jimmy is relatively new, and I think I was unconsciously preparing for the afternoon.”

Image credits: oliverplatt

Oliver, who got his start in theater after studying drama in college, revealed that he chose film over Broadway because it was a better fit for his family life—he shares three children with his wife, Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell—and because it paid better than working on stage.

“I’ve got a wife and three kids, so film is just the most viable thing for me right now. I still love the theater, but the commitment in time and energy to do live theater is so great, and, frankly, the financial rewards are just not as attractive,” he said in a 1999 interview.

“When you have a family, you have to think about those things.”

The 65-year-old actor said his favorite films he’s done are Funny Bones and The Impostors

Image credits: oliverplatt

Image credits: The Rich Eisen Show

Oliver prioritizes working with people he feels comfortable with and revealed that he has turned down projects because he didn’t like his co-stars.

“When you’re going to be on location for three months in a remote place, you have to think about who you’re going to be spending your time with. Are you going to enjoy hanging around the trailer talking to these people?

“I’ve actually turned down roles—I won’t tell you which ones—because I just didn’t want to spend all that time with certain people.”

Social media users reacted to Oliver Platt’s eclectic career

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