The Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade cast brought together a mix of familiar faces and talented newcomers, creating an exciting ensemble for the iconic action-adventure franchise.
Summary
- The casting of Sean Connery as Indiana Jones’ father was essential to the central theme of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and proved to be a genius choice.
- Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Indiana Jones allowed for character development and revealed more of Indy’s personality and history, unlike in previous installments.
- Denholm Elliott’s character, Marcus Brody, provided comic relief and served as a reliable sidekick for Indiana Jones, appearing in several films following The Last Crusade.
The Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade cast featured both familiar faces and actors new to the franchise. This sequel to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom took a more lighthearted approach, bringing back the spirit of the series. Director Steven Spielberg and creator George Lucas went through an extensive process to develop the film’s plot, eventually finding inspiration in the idea of exploring the father-son relationship alongside Indy’s quest for the Holy Grail.
The casting of Indiana Jones’ father was crucial in capturing the essence of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Spielberg had always envisioned Sean Connery in the role, and despite some initial hesitation, Connery’s involvement proved to be a stroke of genius. While the film added another highlight to the already impressive careers of Connery and Harrison Ford, the rest of the cast also delivered exceptional performances, elevating the adventure to new heights.
7 Harrison Ford – Indiana Jones
Get ready for an epic adventure as Harrison Ford returns as Indiana Jones in the thrilling movie, The Last Crusade. Set in 1938, Indy embarks on a mission to recover the Holy Grail and find his missing father. This installment delves deeper into Indy’s personality and history, bringing about exciting character changes that were missing in the previous films.
Harrison Ford is undeniably one of the greatest movie stars of all time, and his career continued to soar even after The Last Crusade. He went on to star in blockbuster hits like Patriot Games, The Fugitive, Air Force One, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Ford reprised his role as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008 and the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023. Currently, he can be seen in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking.
6 Sean Connery – Dr. Henry Jones

Prepare to be captivated by the legendary Sean Connery as he portrays Dr. Henry Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Joining the adventure halfway through the film, Dr. Jones teams up with his son to race against the Nazis in search of the Holy Grail. With his vast knowledge and daring spirit, Henry proves to be just as much of a historian, archaeologist, and adventurer as his son. Together, they retrieve the Grail and narrowly escape with their lives.
Connery, already renowned for his iconic role as James Bond, brought his charisma and talent to the Indiana Jones franchise at the age of 59. Following The Last Crusade, Connery continued to shine in films like The Hunt for Red October, Highlander II, and The Rock. His final on-screen role was in the 2003 film The League of Extraordinary Gentleman before retiring. Sadly, Connery passed away in 2020 at the age of 90, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
5 Denholm Elliott – Marcus Brody

Get ready to join Marcus Brody once again in the thrilling adventure of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Denholm Elliott reprises his role as Marcus, bringing both comic relief and unwavering support to Indy as they search for Henry. Marcus stands by Indy’s side until the very end, witnessing the hero’s triumphant retrieval of the Holy Grail from the treacherous temple. Elliott’s incredible talent extended beyond the Indiana Jones franchise, with notable appearances in films like Toy Soldiers. Sadly, the world lost this accomplished British character actor in 1992 at the age of 70. His legacy lives on, as his passing was incorporated into the storyline of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
4 River Phoenix – Young Indiana Jones

Experience the origins of Indiana Jones as River Phoenix takes on the role of a young Indy in the prologue of The Last Crusade. Watch as a teenage Indy outwits grave robbers, embarking on a thrilling chase that unveils the secrets behind his iconic hat and whip skills. Phoenix’s portrayal of Indy’s younger self was so impressive that it earned him the recommendation of Harrison Ford himself, after their collaboration in The Mosquito Coast. Despite this success, Phoenix declined the opportunity to play Indy in the television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, as he had no interest in pursuing a career in television. Instead, he went on to star alongside Keanu Reeves in the independent film My Own Private Idaho. Tragically, Phoenix’s life was cut short in 1993 due to drug intoxication, leaving behind a remarkable legacy at the age of 23.
3 Julian Glover – Walter Donovan

Prepare to face the cunning and treacherous Walter Donovan, the main antagonist in The Last Crusade. This American business executive is the mastermind behind Indy’s quest for the Holy Grail and the search for his father. However, as the movie unfolds, it is revealed that Donovan is in league with the Nazis and has been using the Joneses to further his own agenda. In a fitting twist of fate, Donovan meets his demise after drinking from the wrong cup.
Julian Glover, the talented theater actor, brings Donovan to life with his remarkable performance. Beyond his role in Indiana Jones, Glover has left his mark on the entertainment industry with notable appearances such as voicing Aragog in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, portraying Triopas in Troy, and embodying Andris Davis in Tár. On the small screen, he captivated audiences as Grand Maester Pycelle in Game of Thrones. In 2023, Glover reunited with George Lucas for a special appearance in one episode of the Disney+ series Willow, a prequel to the beloved film.
2 Alison Doody – Dr. Elsa Schneider

Prepare to be captivated by Alison Doody’s mesmerizing performance as Dr. Elsa Schneider in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. At first, she appears to be a trusted ally of Indiana and Henry Jones, but her true allegiance is revealed when she betrays them for the Nazis. Elsa’s cunning plan involves intentionally selecting the wrong grail for the villain Walter Donovan. However, her insatiable greed ultimately leads to her downfall as she reaches for the grail instead of accepting Indy’s help to escape the crumbling temple.
Before joining the Indiana Jones franchise, Doody showcased her talent as Bond girl Jenny Flex in A View to a Kill. While she has had smaller roles in British productions, she also made appearances in films like Major League II. Her most recent credit is the delightful British comedy-drama Beaver Falls.
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John Rhys-Davies – Sallah

Rejoice as Sallah, portrayed by the talented John Rhys-Davies, makes a triumphant return in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Sallah reunites with Marcus in Turkey to assist in the search for crucial information about the grail’s whereabouts. Throughout the film, he stands alongside the heroes, fighting against the Nazis, and ultimately finds himself at the temple alongside Indy, Henry, and the rest during the thrilling climax.
Following his appearance in The Last Crusade, John Rhys-Davies continued to shine in supporting roles in various films. Additionally, he showcased his vocal talents in animated features for renowned studios like Disney and Warner Bros. However, he truly reclaimed the spotlight with his iconic portrayal of Gimli in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rhys-Davies reprised his beloved role as Sallah in the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023, solidifying his status as the only supporting character from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to join Harrison Ford’s final portrayal of the legendary archaeologist.