Sean Murray’s Surprising Secret Role in Hocus Pocus Revealed

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Prior to his role as the cybersecurity expert and Special Agent Timothy McGee on the groundbreaking police series NCIS, Sean Murray initially gained fame by starring in a classic Halloween film, the 1993 release titled Hocus Pocus. Directed by Kenny Ortega, who was well-known for his work on Disney Channel productions at that time, this fantasy comedy became renowned for its cast members Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the mischievous Sanderson sisters. Resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, these witches caused chaos in the town.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the time I brought the heartwarming character Thackery Binx to life in the beloved film, “Hocus Pocus.” This Disney classic has become an essential watch every Halloween season, helping it earn its place as a must-watch for fans of all ages. In fact, my portrayal of Binx has become so closely associated with me that I’m often recognized as such by Halloween enthusiasts far and wide. Although I’ve since gained fame for being the longest-serving cast member of NCIS, to those who cherish the magic of “Hocus Pocus,” I will always be Binx.

Murray Lands His Big Break in the Halloween Staple

In a more casual and engaging manner: The 1993 fantasy comedy classic, “Hocus Pocus,” is undeniably loved during fall seasons. Featuring an impressive cast including Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, and Thora Birch, this fun and quirky movie tells the story of Max Dennison, a teenager who has just moved to the old town of Salem, Massachusetts. Struggling with his new surroundings, the film unfolds as Max accidentally brings back to life the wicked Sanderson sisters by lighting the mysterious Black-Flame candle.

On October 31, 1693, these notorious witches were sentenced to death by hanging for stealing children’s souls to maintain their youth. However, on All Hallows’ Eve, they are resurrected. In this tale, Max endeavors to send these sisters back to the fiery abyss before they can harm any more innocent children, with his younger sister Dani (Burch), his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw), and the immortal black cat Thackery (voiced by Jason Marsden) aiding him in this quest.

Sean Murray captured the hearts of numerous young admirers when he played the human form of Thackery Binx in the movie ‘Hocus Pocus’. At just 16 years old, he portrayed the Sanderson sisters’ victim from 1693 who they cursed into an immortal black cat. Thackery had tried to save his sister Emily from the witches but failed and was left to bear the weight of his eternal guilt. ‘Hocus Pocus’ was not only Murray’s debut film role, but also a significant milestone in his successful acting career.

‘Hocus Pocus’ Becomes a Cherished Cult Classic

Enthusiasts of the movie “Hocus Pocus” were taken aback when they discovered that Murray didn’t voice both the human and cat version of Binx. Instead, experienced voice actor Jason Marsden, known for his roles in “A Goofy Movie” and “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride,” was chosen to bring both characters to life. Disney initially used Murray’s voice for Thackery, but later decided to hire a skilled voice performer to give Binx an affected accent. In 2013, Marsden shared with The Daily Beast that this decision didn’t harm Sean (Murray), who is a friend and a terrific actor.

In an interview with Bustle back in 2018, Murray reminisced warmly about filming the classic Halloween movie and shared that Disney invited another actor, who was also his real-life friend, to voice his character. Murray mentioned that the substitution of voices didn’t bother him at all, and he praised his friend as a wonderful individual. Murray appeared to accept this decision gracefully and was simply grateful for being part of such a significant project in his career. He also admitted that, as a young performer at the time, he had certain limitations, which he acknowledged openly.

Initially, they were uncertain about how to approach Binx. They initially envisioned a Californian style for the voice, but later considered giving it an Olde English twist. However, as a non-voice actor, I didn’t have the ability to perform an English accent, as I hadn’t been trained in that area and was still quite young at the time.

During the interview, it was the 25th anniversary of the movie “Hocus Pocus,” and Murray was still in awe of its enduring impact and influence. Although it was released in July instead of October, the fantasy film managed to earn $53.2 million against a production budget of $28 million, but it was considered a box office flop nonetheless. Due to yearly television broadcasts and home video distribution, “Hocus Pocus” has been rediscovered by audiences worldwide and has gradually become a bona fide cult classic, eventually leading to the much-anticipated sequel in 2022.

In a nod for his outstanding portrayal of Thackery Binx, Murray was nominated for the Young Artists Award in the Best Youth Actor Leading Role category for a Motion Picture: Comedy. This enchanting ’90s film played a significant role in launching his career in Hollywood. Reminiscing about this during an interview with Bustle, Murray was still amazed by the enduring fan reaction, stating that “many viewers seem to have formed a strong bond with it.” He then added, with a heartfelt tone:

It’s fascinating to observe that many parents today are experiencing this film alongside their children, who are currently watching it. The level of dedication is evident as people dress up as characters from the movie. Seeing this enduring interest after so many years is quite amazing. This film has earned a place as a timeless classic and cult favorite.

How To Watch ‘Hocus Pocus’

If you’re keen on revisiting Sean Murray from his early days in Hollywood or if you’re a fan of the cherished Disney cult film “Hocus Pocus”, you’ll be delighted to know that it’s streamable on Disney+. During Halloween season, this classic can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango.

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2025-05-03 21:32