Omri Katz, the Teenage Star of Hocus Pocus, Looks Unrecognizable Decades After Max Dennison

| September 2, 2026 | Celebrity | No Comments

The teenager who became recognized from a memorable Halloween has faded from Hollywood’s spotlight for years, and the passage of time has brought a change as dramatic as any spell from the Sanderson sisters.

Omri Katz portrayed Max Dennison in Disney’s 1993 film ‘Hocus Pocus’ when he was just 17 years old, bringing to life a character that continues to appear in homes each October. Now, over thirty years later, the former child actor has adopted a different look that may leave some fans surprised at how much he has changed.

Prior to lighting the Black Flame Candle, Omri had already accumulated significant screen time. His acting journey started in childhood, resulting in a diverse portfolio that extended far beyond the town of Salem.

 

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He gained recognition for his role as John Ross Ewing III in the popular television series ‘Dallas,’ which debuted in 1978. Additionally, he starred in the quirky series ‘Eerie, Indiana’ and appeared in films like ‘Adventures in Dinosaur City.’

Omri’s family background is also quite international. With Israeli parents, Yoram Katz and Rina Katz, he has two older siblings, Michael and Lali.

His biography notes that Omri spent part of his childhood in Israel, an experience that would later become significant when he felt Hollywood’s allure began to fade.

‘Hocus Pocus’ undeniably cemented his legacy in pop culture. Max, the skeptical teen from California, moved to Salem, initially dismissing its supernatural tales, only to find out that real witches were indeed a threat.

The film was partially shot in Salem, Massachusetts, where the crew worked for two weeks in October 1992. Afterward, additional filming took place on sound stages in California before the movie debuted in theaters in July 1993.

However, its initial release did not garner the magical response anticipated. ‘Hocus Pocus’ struggled to capture critical acclaim and box office success, but its repeated airings on Disney Channel and later ABC Family, now known as Freeform, allowed a new generation to embrace it.

Through annual Halloween screenings, the movie eventually grew beyond being just a cult classic and turned into a festive tradition shared across generations, with Omri’s youthful image remaining at its heart.

However, those familiar features belong to a long-gone era. Recent images reveal a fully grown Omri with a rugged appearance, starkly contrasting the youthful boy who raced to thwart three witches before dawn.

This transformation is particularly notable as Omri stepped away from the spotlight, not aging in front of audiences. His evolution occurred away from the red carpets, leading fans to transition from memories of teenage Max to the man he is today.

Thirty years post-filming in Salem, Omri revisited the town on October 22, 2022, marking his first return since production wrapped—an event that even Winifred Sanderson might find poetic.

Hosted by The Horror Squad Podcast, the event featured a meet-and-greet at Silver Moon Comics and a packed screening of ‘Hocus Pocus’ at Cinema Salem, where fans engaged with Omri for over four hours before he participated in a Q&A session.

His recollections from 1993 extend beyond broomsticks and spells. That same year, he starred in ‘Matinee’ alongside John Goodman and Cathy Moriarty, having previously collaborated with director Joe Dante on ‘Eerie, Indiana.’

In a 2022 interview, Omri reflected fondly on that period, stating, ‘We had a great time in Florida for two months. I went from Eerie to Matinee, so I had already worked with Joe.’

The talented cast left a strong impact on him. He expressed, ‘I’d say John Goodman is one of the most professional actors that I’ve witnessed working. He was very critical of his performances. He always wanted to do better. Cathy Moriarty was sweet and very humble. I couldn’t believe I was working with her after seeing Raging Bull.’

Despite these remarkable experiences, Omri eventually recognized his desire for a life beyond acting. Growing up in the industry afforded him opportunities, yet he yearned for the everyday experiences that life outside Hollywood could offer.

‘I grew up in the industry, so that’s kind of all I knew,’ he shared. ‘I think I was soul searching and wanted more of a human experience; just see what else is out there, see the world, and be normal. I didn’t really have that growing up.’

He utilized the earnings from his acting career to travel, surf, and snowboard, allowing him to experience adulthood independently, free from the constraint of auditions.

Upon his return to Los Angeles, he briefly contemplated returning to acting, albeit for practical reasons. ‘I wanted to get back into acting for all the wrong reasons, to make money so I could escape again, and that didn’t work out too well. I had to get a real job, the first one in my life!’

His initial venture into the workforce led him to hairdressing, a field he enjoyed for a while. In 2002, he began to pursue a new passion that would never have fit into Max Dennison’s teenage portfolio: cannabis.

Omri launched his own brand, The Mary Danksters, and spoke about the challenges of navigating the business within legal frameworks. ‘I had to be discreet, stay under the radar, but I’ve been doing it ever since. We’re operating entirely legally, and I’m excited to see where this industry takes me.’

His personal life also evolved alongside his career. Omri has shared moments with his partner, Michelle Watters, on Instagram, providing insights into the peaceful adult life he cultivated after stepping away from traditional acting.

Omri did not reprise his role in ‘Hocus Pocus 2,’ nor did original co-stars Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw. Although he would have welcomed a chance to return, he still watched the sequel and provided a refreshingly honest review.

‘It was palatable. At first glance, I was a bit disappointed. I watched about 30 minutes of it and fell asleep, but then I finished it and surprisingly enjoyed it.’

Omri felt the sequel lacked some elements present in the first film, yet he commended the witches and embraced the franchise’s continuation. He left the door open for a potential return, expressing gratitude if Disney considered bringing back the original younger cast for a new storyline.

Regarding the original film’s enduring appeal, Omri attributed its success to more than just its spooky charm. ‘I think part of it is the witches; people love the spirit they brought to it. Looking deeper, there’s a touching human connection that resonates with many viewers.’

This bond has allowed Max to remain young on screen, even as Omri has built a completely different life away from the Hollywood scene. The photos capturing his transformation narrate this journey more vividly than words can express, from a child actor discovering his identity to Salem’s hesitant teenage hero, evolving into the almost unrecognizable man living far from Hollywood’s grasp.

1985

A young Omri Katz sits cross-legged with a neat, side-parted chestnut haircut, bright wide eyes, and a sweet smile while wearing a red-and-black zip-up sweatshirt with dark corduroy pants. He poses alongside illusionist David Copperfield for the television special "The Magic of David Copperfield VII" (also known as "The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares"), originally broadcast on March 8, 1985.
A young Omri Katz sits cross-legged with a neat, side-parted chestnut haircut, bright wide eyes, and a sweet smile while wearing a red-and-black zip-up sweatshirt with dark corduroy pants. He poses alongside illusionist David Copperfield for the television special “The Magic of David Copperfield VII” (also known as “The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares”), originally broadcast on March 8, 1985.

1989

Omri Katz shows off a playful preteen look with side-swept dark bangs peeking out from beneath a bright red cap, a small hoop earring in his left ear, and a white collared shirt layered under a bold red-and-black zip sweatshirt. The portrait captures the young actor attending an event in February 1989 during his long-running role as John Ross Ewing III on the television series "Dallas".
Omri Katz shows off a playful preteen look with side-swept dark bangs peeking out from beneath a bright red cap, a small hoop earring in his left ear, and a white collared shirt layered under a bold red-and-black zip sweatshirt. The portrait captures the young actor attending an event in February 1989 during his long-running role as John Ross Ewing III on the television series “Dallas”.

1990

Omri Katz sports a slicked-back hairstyle with a polished side part, dressed in an all-white ensemble consisting of a button-down shirt, matching belted trousers, and high-top sneakers topped with an oversized black leather bomber jacket. The photo was taken on January 14, 1990, as the young actor attended the CBS Winter TCA Press Tour at Campanelli's Restaurant in Los Angeles, California.
Omri Katz sports a slicked-back hairstyle with a polished side part, dressed in an all-white ensemble consisting of a button-down shirt, matching belted trousers, and high-top sneakers topped with an oversized black leather bomber jacket. The photo was taken on January 14, 1990, as the young actor attended the CBS Winter TCA Press Tour at Campanelli’s Restaurant in Los Angeles, California.
Omri Katz transitions into a cool teen look with longer, center-parted curtain bangs and more mature, angular facial features compared to his early childhood bowl-cut days, wearing an oversized pink Generra Hypercolor t-shirt with his arms crossed. The photo dates back to circa 1990 during the height of his youth stardom.
Omri Katz transitions into a cool teen look with longer, center-parted curtain bangs and more mature, angular facial features compared to his early childhood bowl-cut days, wearing an oversized pink Generra Hypercolor t-shirt with his arms crossed. The photo dates back to circa 1990 during the height of his youth stardom.

1991

Omri Katz continues to grow into his teen years with a taller, leaner frame and chin-grazing dark curtain bangs that replace his early childhood neat cuts, wearing a graphic oversized Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers t-shirt paired with light-wash denim jeans. The photo was taken on July 27, 1991, as he attended the NBC Summer TCA Press Tour at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California.
Omri Katz continues to grow into his teen years with a taller, leaner frame and chin-grazing dark curtain bangs that replace his early childhood neat cuts, wearing a graphic oversized Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers t-shirt paired with light-wash denim jeans. The photo was taken on July 27, 1991, as he attended the NBC Summer TCA Press Tour at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California.

1993

2018

Fully grown, Omri Katz sports a rugged, mature adult look with a salt-and-pepper beard, trimmed mustache, and a black leather jacket over a black shirt, a stark contrast to the clean-shaven, fresh-faced appearance of his teen heartthrob years. He topped the look with a black baseball cap featuring a decorative scorpion skeleton during Freeform's "Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash", filmed at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in October 2018.
Fully grown, Omri Katz sports a rugged, mature adult look with a salt-and-pepper beard, trimmed mustache, and a black leather jacket over a black shirt, a stark contrast to the clean-shaven, fresh-faced appearance of his teen heartthrob years. He topped the look with a black baseball cap featuring a decorative scorpion skeleton during Freeform’s “Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash”, filmed at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in October 2018.

2023

Omri Katz showcases an athletic, modern adult appearance with a short cropped haircut, a neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, and a bright smile, looking much more toned and mature compared to his boyish childhood days. Dressed casually in a heather green crewneck t-shirt, dark trousers, and a smartwatch, he attended 90s Con at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 18, 2023.
Omri Katz showcases an athletic, modern adult appearance with a short cropped haircut, a neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, and a bright smile, looking much more toned and mature compared to his boyish childhood days. Dressed casually in a heather green crewneck t-shirt, dark trousers, and a smartwatch, he attended 90s Con at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 18, 2023.

2026

Omri Katz presents a distinguished, mature look with prominent silver throughout his full beard, short dark hair, and expressive, weathered features that emphasize his transformation far beyond his boyish teen years, wearing a rustic plaid flannel over a graphic tee. The photo captures him speaking on stage into a microphone during FanExpo Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on August 15, 2026.
Omri Katz presents a distinguished, mature look with prominent silver throughout his full beard, short dark hair, and expressive, weathered features that emphasize his transformation far beyond his boyish teen years, wearing a rustic plaid flannel over a graphic tee. The photo captures him speaking on stage into a microphone during FanExpo Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on August 15, 2026.