It's one of those questions that hits you while you're staring at the screen, mesmerized by the sheer volume of David Bowie's hair and the tightest leggings in cinematic history. You’re watching Jareth the Goblin King twirl crystal balls and tempt Sarah with a peach, and you think: Wait, how old was this man? He looks ageless. He looks like a 19th-century romantic poet who just walked out of a 1980s hair salon. Honestly, the math is a bit more straightforward than the film's shifting staircases, but it adds a whole different layer to the movie's vibe when you realize the actual age gap between the leads.
The Short Answer: David Bowie's Age During Labyrinth
When Labyrinth hit theaters on June 27, 1986, David Bowie was 39 years old.
But movies aren't made in a day. Principal photography for the film actually kicked off on April 15, 1985, at Elstree Studios in the UK. Since Bowie was born on January 8, 1947, he was 38 years old when he first stepped onto that set as Jareth. He celebrated his 39th birthday just months before the movie’s premiere.
So, while he was pushing 40, he was still very much in the prime of his "Thin White Duke" era handsomeness, even if he was dressed like a high-fantasy pirate.
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The Age Gap: Jareth vs. Sarah
You've probably noticed it. The tension in Labyrinth is... a lot. It’s a coming-of-age story, sure, but the dynamic between Jareth and Sarah (played by Jennifer Connelly) feels heavy.
While Bowie was 38 during filming, Jennifer Connelly was only 14 years old. She turned 15 during the production year.
Basically, you have a man in his late 30s playing an eternal magical being who is essentially trying to "woo" a young teenager into staying in his kingdom forever. Jim Henson actually spoke about this choice. He wanted someone with a "disturbing aspect" and "maturity" to represent the adult world that Sarah was so afraid of entering.
Bowie didn't just play a villain; he played the personification of adult temptation and the loss of childhood. It's supposed to feel a little uncomfortable.
Why Bowie? (He Almost Wasn't the King)
It’s hard to imagine anyone else in those wigs. But Jim Henson didn't just have Bowie on his list. The production considered a few other massive names:
- Michael Jackson: Can you imagine the "Magic Dance" with MJ?
- Prince: It would have been a very different, much more purple Labyrinth.
- Mick Jagger: Probably would have brought a much grittier energy.
- Sting: He had the look, but did he have the "goblin" in him?
Henson’s children actually helped sway the vote toward Bowie. They told their dad that David had the exact right "otherworldly" quality. They were right. Bowie brought a weird mixture of theatricality and genuine menace that made Jareth iconic rather than just a guy in a costume.
The Physicality: Was That Really Him?
If you’re wondering how a 38-year-old rock star learned to do those insane crystal ball tricks—he didn't.
Actually, those weren't his hands. Juggler Michael Moschen was the real wizard. He had to crouch behind Bowie, literally sticking his arms through the sleeves of Jareth’s cloak. Because Moschen couldn't see what he was doing, he performed those "contact juggling" moves completely blind.
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Bowie just had to stand there, looking cool and not flinching while a guy's arms were under his armpits. That takes a specific kind of talent.
The "Magic Dance" Secret
By the time they filmed the "Magic Dance" sequence, Bowie was fully leaning into the role. Fun fact: the baby noises you hear in that song? Those aren't from Toby Froud (the actual baby).
Toby wasn't making the right gurgling sounds on cue, so Bowie just did them himself in the recording studio. So, when you hear that "goo-goo" sound, you’re actually listening to a 39-year-old rock legend imitating a toddler.
The Legacy of a 39-Year-Old Goblin King
Labyrinth didn't blow up at the box office immediately. It was sort of a "flop" at first. People didn't quite get the mix of puppets, synth-pop, and the slightly creepy sexual tension. But as the 80s turned into the 90s, the film became a cult staple.
Why? Because Bowie’s age worked for him. He wasn't a "boy." He was a man who looked like he had lived a thousand years and seen everything.
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What You Should Do Now
If you're feeling a bit nostalgic or just realized you haven't seen the movie in a decade, here’s how to dive back in:
- Watch the "Inside the Labyrinth" Documentary: It shows Bowie on set, and you can see him interacting with the puppets. He looks like he’s having the time of his life.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Songs like "As the World Falls Down" are actually some of Bowie's most underrated 80s work.
- Look for the 40th Anniversary Screenings: Since it's 2026, many theaters are doing special 40-year anniversary runs of the film. Seeing Jareth on a big screen is a completely different experience than watching it on your phone.
Bowie might have been 39, but in the world of the Underground, he was—and still is—timeless.