At the time of its release in December 1990, **Winona Ryder** was arguably the most established and famous "movie star" in the cast, though **Johnny Depp** was a massive household name due to his television success. Additionally, the film featured **Vincent Price**, who was the most "legendary" actor in the production.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the most famous actors in the film at the time and their notable work:
### 1. Winona Ryder (Kim Boggs)
In 1990, Winona Ryder was the "It Girl" of Hollywood. Having already collaborated with director Tim Burton on *Beetlejuice*, she was the cast member with the most current box-office momentum and critical acclaim as a film actress.
* **Status in 1990:** She was widely considered one of the most promising and famous young actresses in the world. Her presence was a major marketing draw, especially for younger audiences.
* **Notable Films (at the time):**
* **Beetlejuice (1988):** Her breakout role as the goth teenager Lydia Deetz.
* **Heathers (1989):** A cult classic where she played Veronica Sawyer; it solidified her status as a generational icon.
* **Mermaids (1990):** Released just weeks before *Edward Scissorhands*, it earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
* **Great Balls of Fire! (1989):** A biographical film where she played Myra Gale Brown.
### 2. Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands)
While Johnny Depp is now an A-list superstar, in 1990 he was still in the process of proving himself as a film lead.
* **Status in 1990:** He was exceptionally famous, but primarily as a **"teen heartthrob"** from his starring role in the TV series *21 Jump Street* (1987–1990). *Edward Scissorhands* was his deliberate attempt to move away from his "pretty boy" image and establish himself as a serious character actor.
* **Notable Films/TV (at the time):**
* **21 Jump Street (1987–1990):** The hit TV police procedural that made him a global celebrity.
* **Cry-Baby (1990):** A John Waters musical that served as his first major leading film role, satirizing his own heartthrob status.
* **Platoon (1986):** A small supporting role in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning war drama.
* **A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984):** His film debut, famously remembered for his character's gruesome death in a bed.
### 3. Vincent Price (The Inventor)
If "famous" is defined by legacy and historical stature, Vincent Price was the undisputed heavyweight of the cast.
* **Status in 1990:** A titan of cinema history and the "King of Horror." However, by 1990, he was 79 years old and in poor health. *Edward Scissorhands* was his final feature film role, and his casting was intended as a tribute from Tim Burton, who idolized him.
* **Notable Films (career highlights):**
* **House of Wax (1953):** One of the first major 3D films and a horror landmark.
* **The Fly (1958):** A classic of science fiction horror.
* **The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971):** A campy horror masterpiece.
* **The Pit and the Pendulum (1961):** One of his many famous Edgar Allan Poe adaptations with director Roger Corman.
### 4. Dianne Wiest (Peg Boggs)
* **Status in 1990:** She was the most decorated "prestige" actor in the cast, known for her high-level talent and awards success.
* **Notable Films (at the time):**
* **Hannah and Her Sisters (1986):** For which she won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
* **Parenthood (1989):** Earned her another Oscar nomination just a year before *Scissorhands*.
* **The Lost Boys (1987):** A popular vampire hit where she played the mother.
(Note: This summary was generated by Gemini 3.0 Flash + Search)