From tragic deaths to incurable illnesses and unexpected career U-turns… what happened to the cast of Santa Claus: The Movie?

Santa Claus: The Movie is the beloved 80s Christmas classic that brought families together on the couch for decades.

But while the iconic flick details the heart-warming tale of a woodcutter saving the legend of Santa Claus, the truth behind what happened to the cast of the 1985 movie consists of a range of devastating deaths and illnesses.

Starring David Huddleston as Santa Claus and Dudley Moore as Patch the Elf, the holiday favourite has everything needed for a festive film, including music, laughter and a whole host of A-listers.

Released on November 27, 1985, it brought joy to the box office, too, as it made a staggering £16.9million.

But after nearly four decades following its debut, some of the beloved cast are no longer gracing TV screens and have either retired to their Hollywood homes or have suffered a tragic death.

MailOnline has took a look back over the cast and found out where they are today.

Dudley Moore: Patch

Dudley Moore CBE starred as Patch – an expert toy-making elf in the North Pole who becomes disgruntled and flees the workshop to New York City.

But he unknowingly threatens the fate of Christmas by taking a job at a failing toy company run by a scheming businessman called B.Z. – played by John Lithgow.

When Dudley accepted the role in Santa Claus: The Movie he was a huge hit in Hollywood as he had risen to fame through his comedy duo Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.

But after a stellar career in Hollywood, he was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy in 2001- a brain condition similar to Parkinsons.

As he approached his 64th birthday in 1999, he was acutely depressed.

Four years prior, it was clear that something was wrong with him, yet his doctors kept coming up with negative test results.

He then eventually passed away from pneumonia just a year after his diagnosis, aged 66, at his home on March, 27, 2002.

David Huddleston: Santa Claus

David Huddleston landed the leading role of Santa Claus after he built up a glitzy reputation among the stars following his role as Olson Johnson in the legendary 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles.

Before this David had a successful career as a mechanic in the US Aire Force for nearly half a decade.

After taking on the role of Santa, he continued his movie career, which included having a starring role in The Big Lebowski in 1998.

David then switched it up and moved away from big-time blockbusters and starred in Gilmore Girls as the Mayor of Stars Hollow.

David was married twice, first to Carole Ann Swart in 1968, with who he shared Michael Huddleston, who is also an actor.

After Carole died in 1987, he married Sarah C Koeppe from 1999 to 2016.

The Emmy Award nominee then died of heart and kidney disease in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the age of 85 in 2016.

John Lithgow: B.Z.

John Lithgow starred as greedy toy businessman B.Z who took advantage of innocent elf Patch and tricked him into making a gift that will make him favourable among children once again.

But despite his brilliant performance as a Christmas villain, John ditched the big movie screen for small-time television.

After accepting the role in the holiday classic, he then went on to star as Dr. Dick Solomon on the sitcom Third Rock From The Sun, which ended in 2001.

John then went on to have a triumphant career as he later played roles in huge series, including Winston Churchill in The Crown and voicing Lord Farquaad in the comedy classic Shrek.

More recently, he took on the role of Tremblay in Concave and the Prosecutor Peter Leaward in Killers Of The Flowermoon.

John, now aged 79, has been married twice, first to Jean Taynton from 1966 to 1980, and then Mary Yeager from 1981.

He and Jean split as he had an affair with actress Liv Ullmann.

Judy Cornwell: Mrs Claus

Judy Cornwall played the respectable role of Mr Claus, who, according to the 1985 film, was responsible for Santa’s naughty and nice list.

After capturing the nation’s hearts with her sweet demeanor and fun-loving charm, she went on to keep audiences laughing and starred in a sitcom.

She next took on the role of Hyacinth Bucket’s long-suffering sister Daisy in the 90s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

Judy then tried her hand at soaps and took on a role with EastEnders as Queenie from 2007 to 2008 and Birds of a Feather as Annie in 2014.

Judy then switched it up and ditched the cameras for the stage and became known for playing Miss Marple from 2014 and 2016.

She then expanded her skillset and published many novels, including Cow and Cow Parsley in 1985, Fishcakes at the Ritz in 1989, The Seventh Sunrise in 1994, and Fear and Favour in 1996.

Her last known TV appearance was as a celebrity contestant on Pointless.

The actress, now aged 84, leads a quieter life with her husband John Kelsall Parry, whom she has been married to since 1960.

They share one child, Edward Parry, and reside in London.

Carrie Kei Heim: Cornelia

Carrie Kei Heim portrayed the sweet little redhead child, Cornelia, who was the niece to the flick’s villain, B.Z.

Alongside her orphan boyfriend, Cornelia worked together with Santa and Mrs Claus to save Christmas and Patch from her uncle.

Carrie, 51, who was born in Tokyo, continued as a child actress and landed herself in some huge films, including The Parent Trap 2.

But deciding acting wasn’t going to be her future, she ditched showbiz and became a lawyer and writer.

Now an avid fan of literature and novels, the only connection Carrie has to her acting days is her Instagram bio, were she dubs herself ‘that redheaded girl from those 80s movies.

Carrie, who has been married to Peter K. Binas since May, 2005 is now also a mother to one daughter and chunky English Bulldog.

Christian Fitzpatrick: Joe

Christian Fitzpatrick played down-and-out street urchin Joe in the 1985 film.

His character saw him join forces with Cornelia to help save Christmas before going to live in the North Pole with Santa Claus and Mrs Claus.

After his brilliant performance, he then went on to star role in the comedy film Vice Versa opposite Judge Reinhold in 1988.

Despite appearing destined for fame, Christian has no other film roles listed for the actor.

But it looks like he’s still trying to resurrect his acting career.

A LinkedIn page in his Christian name describes him as a Screen Actors Guild member actor who is looking for acting and voice-over work.

Burgess Meredith: Ancient Elf

Burgess Meredith took on the role of Ancient Elf.

He tells Santa Claus that he is the Chosen One and will bring gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

The Ancient Elf also gives Santa the gift of flight and time travel, which will allow him to complete his mission.

And following his appearance in the movie, Burgess went on to have a huge career in showbiz and later went on to become director.

One of which included Mickey in Rocky V and Grandpa Gustafson in Grumpy Old Men.

Burgess died at age 89 of Alzheimer’s disease and melanoma.

Santa Claus can now be streamed on Amazon Prime or Now TV.