"The Shining" twins reappear after 45 years—and they look nothing like you remember

If you’ve ever watched a scary movie in the dark, you’ve likely encountered the unnerving hallway of the Overlook Hotel.

The identical girls in blue dresses have haunted audiences for generations—with just one chilling line.

But while their image is frozen in cinematic history, the real-life sisters behind the scene have grown up and moved on.

Now, nearly 45 years later, fans are stunned to see what they look like today.



Lisa and Louise Burns—the actresses behind The Shining's legendary twins—are no longer children, but they’re still leaving a mark.

Though they only appeared in one unforgettable scene in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation, their roles became some of the most iconic in horror movie history.

Their eerie line—“Come play with us, Danny. Forever… and ever… and ever”—remains etched in pop culture.

Yet few know the surprising direction their lives have taken since.


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Lisa and Louise Burns—the actresses behind The Shining's legendary twins—are no longer children, but they’re still leaving a mark. Image source: Movieclips / YouTube


Despite their sudden fame, the Burns twins didn’t chase the spotlight.

Lisa became a lawyer. Louise pursued a career as a published scientist.

Both have stayed out of Hollywood but remain closely connected—to each other and to the horror community.

They often appear at fan events, share stories online, and maintain a dedicated Facebook page called The Shining Twins.



In interviews, they’ve described filming The Shining as magical—like being invited to “a very exclusive party.”

They remember playing between takes with co-stars Jack Nicholson and Danny Lloyd.

Contrary to his terrifying on-screen role, Nicholson was like a father figure, the twins say.

Even director Stanley Kubrick, known for his perfectionism, made the experience enjoyable for the 11-year-old sisters.


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The iconic scene—standing in a blood-splattered hallway—was filmed in a single take. Image source: Movieclips / YouTube


Their iconic scene—standing in a blood-splattered hallway—was filmed in a single take.

Why just once? The wardrobe department had only one set of those now-famous blue dresses.

Kubrick spent nearly a week preparing the shot, making sure everything was flawless.

Originally, the girls in Stephen King’s novel weren’t twins at all.

The decision to cast Lisa and Louise added a visual eeriness that became instantly legendary.



Today, the twins still look remarkably alike—but not like the haunting children from 1980.

They’ve attended conventions, joined documentary panels like Shine On, and participated in fan Q&As around the world.

In 2023, they even traveled to Comic Con in Northern Ireland to discuss their scene’s legacy.

And while they’ve moved far from acting, they haven’t strayed from the genre that made them famous.


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Today, the twins still look remarkably alike—but not like the haunting children from 1980. Image source: Shining Twins / Facebook


The Grady twins’ hallway moment has become a Halloween staple. Costume tutorials and DIY guides flood the internet each fall.

From YouTube to Pinterest, fans break down how to recreate the twins’ look—right down to the knee socks and blank stares.

Their influence has stretched into animation, with parodies in The Simpsons, Family Guy, and even The Angry Birds Movie.

Whether it’s Stewie Griffin mowing them down with a tricycle or green birds in blue dresses, their image endures.



While they left Hollywood behind, Lisa and Louise have never abandoned their connection to the film.

They remain grateful—and a bit amused—by the lasting legacy of their brief appearance.

They remind fans that sometimes, a single scene can echo for decades.

And that a spooky hallway moment can evolve into something strangely heartwarming.

More on this story:
Key Takeaways

  • Lisa and Louise Burns played the Grady twins in The Shining, and nearly 45 years later, they remain identical but look very different.
  • They left acting behind, with Lisa becoming a lawyer and Louise becoming a published scientist.
  • The twins regularly interact with horror fans, attend conventions, and share memories on social media.
  • Their scene has been parodied in shows like Family Guy, The Simpsons, and The Angry Birds Movie, and continues to inspire Halloween costumes.
Did the Grady twins give you chills back in 1980? Have you ever dressed like them for Halloween or spotted a clever parody on your favorite show? Maybe you’ve even met Lisa and Louise in person—tell us what that was like! Drop your stories, memories, and favorite Shining moments in the comments—we’d love to hear them.
 

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