Source: Variety
If you grew up quoting The Wood, laughing at Mike and Slim’s antics, or rooting for Roland to make it down the aisle, chances are the 1999 coming-of-age classic still holds a special place in your heart.
Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, The Wood transported audiences to 1980s Inglewood, California, affectionately known as “The Wood,” for a nostalgic look at Black boyhood, friendship, first love, and growing up. The film follows three best friends—Mike, Roland, and Slim—as a wedding-day crisis sends them down memory lane, revisiting the moments that shaped their lives.
With a memorable ensemble featuring Omar Epps, Taye Diggs, Richard T. Jones, Sanaa Lathan, Malinda Williams, LisaRaye McCoy, and Sean Nelson, the movie became a beloved staple of Black cinema, earning recognition from the NAACP Image Awards, Black Reel Awards, and ASCAP, according to Essence.
But decades after the film first hit theaters, one question remains: where is the cast of The Wood?
From starring in hit television dramas to becoming leading ladies, Broadway performers, and behind-the-scenes creatives, these stars have kept busy since taking us back to the block. Let’s catch up with the cast and see what they’ve been doing since their days in Inglewood.
1. Omar Epps as Mike
Source: @jenjphoto / Jennifer Johnson
Before becoming one of television’s most recognizable faces, Omar Epps had already made a name for himself in films like Juice and Higher Learning. In The Wood, he played Mike, one of Roland’s closest friends, whose memories of their childhood help drive the film’s story.
After leaving the neighborhood behind, Epps took his career to another level as Dr. Eric Foreman on the hit medical drama House. He later returned to the world of crime drama as Kanan Stark’s father, Detective Malcolm Howard, in Power Book III: Raising Kanan.
Epps has continued working across film and television, proving that his career stretches far beyond the nostalgia of the late ’90s.
Epps is still acting and bringing complex characters to the screen, keeping his place among the familiar faces of Black film and television.
2. Taye Diggs as RolandSource: Courtesy / Vice TV
Remember Roland, the groom whose wedding-day nerves set the entire story in motion? That was Taye Diggs, who brought the character’s charm, vulnerability, and humor to life.
Following The Wood, Diggs built an impressive career spanning film, television, and Broadway. He became a fan favorite as Harper Stewart in The Best Man franchise, returning for Peacock’s The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He also spent several seasons playing Coach Billy Baker on the CW’s football drama All American.
Beyond acting, Diggs has become known for his entertaining social media presence and fashion commentary. He has also ventured into business, including Sable Bourbon, alongside several of his The Best Man collaborators.
From the wedding aisle in Inglewood to Hollywood and Broadway, Diggs has certainly kept the spotlight on him.
And if you’re still asking, where is the cast of The Wood? Diggs has gone on to enjoy a career filled with memorable roles across multiple entertainment platforms.
Where Is The Cast Of The Wood? 3. Richard T. Jones as SlimSource: Jason Mendez / Getty
Every unforgettable friendship needs a Slim, and Richard T. Jones delivered just that. As Slim, he played one of Mike and Roland’s closest friends, bringing plenty of personality to the trio’s adventures.
Jones went on to build a steady television career, appearing in a wide range of dramas. He became especially familiar to viewers through his role as Bruce Van Exel on Judging Amy. Later, he joined the cast of ABC’s police procedural The Rookie as Sergeant Wade Grey, the commanding officer who keeps his team in line.
His career has also included roles in films and television projects that showcase his versatility as an actor.
While Slim was busy navigating friendship and growing pains in The Wood, Jones was laying the groundwork for a long-running career that continues to keep him in front of audiences.
Where Is The Cast Of The Wood? 4. Sanaa Lathan as Adult AliciaSource: ETIENNE LAURENT / Getty
Before she became one of the queens of Black romantic cinema, Sanaa Lathan played adult Alicia, Mike’s longtime crush and the woman who still had him thinking about their shared past.
Lathan wasted no time building an impressive résumé after The Wood. She went on to star in the beloved romance Love & Basketball, followed by Brown Sugar, Something New, and numerous other film and television projects.
She also earned acclaim for her dramatic performances, including an Emmy nomination for her role as Lisa Arthur in HBO’s Succession. Lathan has expanded her talents behind the camera, making her feature directorial debut with the coming-of-age drama On the Come Up.
From romance to suspense, Lathan has proven she can do it all.
5. Malinda Williams as Young Alicia
Source: John Parra / Getty
Long before viewers watched her navigate family drama on Soul Food, Malinda Williams played young Alicia, the middle-school crush who made Mike’s coming-of-age journey all the more memorable.
One of the fun facts surrounding the movie? According to The Grio, Williams was reportedly 28 when she began filming the romance flick, portraying the teenage Alicia, helping bring the film’s flashback-filled love story to life.
After The Wood, Williams became widely recognized for playing Bird on Showtime’s Soul Food, the television adaptation of the hit film. She also appeared in projects such as High School High and The Beautiful Ones and has continued exploring opportunities in entertainment, including writing and producing.
Williams remains part of the conversation whenever fans revisit the classic films that defined an era of Black cinema.
Where Is The Cast Of The Wood? 6. LisaRaye McCoy as Lisa
Source: Leon Bennett/GA/The Hollywood Reporter / Getty
While Roland was busy having second thoughts about marriage, LisaRaye McCoy played Lisa, his bride-to-be, who was expecting her groom to make it to the altar.
McCoy continued building her entertainment career after The Wood, becoming a familiar face on television. She starred as Neesee James in the sitcom All of Us and later took the lead as Keisha Greene in the drama series Single Ladies.
Outside of acting, McCoy has maintained a public presence through television appearances, interviews, and entrepreneurial ventures. She co-hosted the popular talk show Cocktails With Queens, alongside Vivica A. Fox, Syleena Johnson, and Claudia Jordan, as well as the TV One dating series Asking For A Friend.
Her outspoken personality and unmistakable style have also helped keep her connected to audiences over the years. LisaRaye may have been waiting on Roland in the film, but McCoy has spent the years since keeping plenty of projects on her own schedule.
Where Is The Cast Of The Wood? 7. Sean Nelson as Young MikeSource: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Before Omar Epps took over as the adult Mike, Sean Nelson played the younger version of the character, guiding viewers through the awkward, funny, and unforgettable moments of adolescence.
Nelson was already building a reputation as a talented young actor, having appeared in Fresh before The Wood. He continued acting in film and television, with credits including The Jury and Law & Order, while also pursuing creative work beyond mainstream acting.
His performance helped give the movie its youthful energy, capturing the uncertainty and excitement of growing up alongside your closest friends.
Why The Wood Still Means So Much to Us
More than 25 years after its release, The Wood continues to resonate because it captures something timeless: the friendships, first loves, embarrassing moments, and growing pains that shape who we become.
The movie also gave audiences a warm, funny, and authentic portrayal of Black childhood and community in Inglewood. Its mix of humor, romance, and nostalgia helped cement its place among the coming-of-age films that generations continue to revisit.
And while the actors have gone on to different projects and career paths, their performances remain connected to the memories fans made watching the film.
Whether it’s Omar Epps commanding the screen in a television drama, Taye Diggs bringing his charm to another role, Richard T. Jones keeping audiences hooked on a procedural, or Sanaa Lathan continuing to expand her creative reach, the cast has certainly kept busy. No matter how much time passes, we’ll always have a little room in our hearts for Mike, Roland, Slim, Alicia, and the rest of the crew.
RELATED CONTENT: Where Are They Now? The Cast Of ‘You Got Served’
