The Cast of The X-Files, Then and Now

The X-Files returns to televisions this week, so we're revisiting the show's stars to see how they're doing ("Still beautiful," in Gillian Anderson's case)
By People Staff
Updated January 20, 2016 05:00 PM

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GILLIAN ANDERSON

Credit: SGranitz/WireImage; Jason Merritt/Getty

Anderson was just 24 when she started playing Agent Dana Scully. Recently, she tackled a different kind of horror playing Hannibal Lecter's therapist on NBC's Hannibal.

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MITCH PILEGGI

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Pileggi, who played the FBI's Walter Skinner, followed The X-Files with roles in Grey's Anatomy and Sons of Anarchy.

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DAVID DUCHOVNY

Credit: Mark Seliger/FOX; Slaven Vlasic/Getty

Duchovny's big-screen career never really took off, but he led seven seasons of Showtime's Californication as debauched writer Hank Moody.

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DEAN HAGLUND

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Haglund kept up the role of conspiracy nut Richard 'Ringo' Langly when the group the character was a part of, The Lone Gunmen, received its own spin-off on Fox in 2001. It only ran for one season.

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ANNABETH GISH

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Gish, whose role on The X-Files was originally much smaller, also had a role on Sons of Anarchy, but can currently be seen on Pretty Little Liars.

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ROBERT PATRICK

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Patrick beat 100 other actors for the role of Agent John Doggett after Duchovny left the show. His piercing blue eyes, long rumored to be able to see the future, haven't aged a day.

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JAMES PICKENS JR.

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Pickens, who played the FBI's Deputy Director Alvin Kersh, joined Pileggi on Grey's Anatomy after The X-Files wrapped, providing another link between the two shows.

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WILLIAM B. DAVIS

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Davis had quit smoking cigarettes for 20 years when he picked up the pack as the show's villainous Cigarette Smoking Man. He switched to herbal cigarettes after two seasons back on the real deal.

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