Kimberly J. Brown’s favorite memories of Debbie Reynolds include an afternoon spent pretending to fly. On the final day of filming the original Halloweentown, the two actresses shared a broomstick rig, with Reynolds keeping her young costar entertained between takes.
Brown, 41, recalled the experience during an October 27 interview at Raising Cane’s Halloween event in Salem, Massachusetts. The gathering at Salem Common celebrated the unveiling of a record-breaking jack-o’-lantern.
Twenty-eight years after the 1998 movie premiered, Brown still remembers the excitement of working alongside the Hollywood veteran. Reynolds played Aggie Cromwell, the grandmother who helps Brown’s Marnie Piper discover her family’s magical heritage.
Reynolds died in December 2016 at 84. Brown has continued sharing stories about her generosity, including the encouragement that shaped how she celebrated Halloween away from the set.
Reynolds Told Stories While They Waited to Film
The flying sequence involved a T-shaped structure in front of a blue screen. Brown and Reynolds were secured to the broom with seat belts while the platform moved from side to side.
During breaks, they stayed on the rig together. Reynolds told stories, made Brown laugh and ensured that Brown’s father photographed them, leaving her with pictures of their afternoon together.
“Debbie Reynolds was always just a constant light and source of giggles on set, really,” Brown told The Mirror US in the interview published November 1.
Brown Says a Fifth Film Is in Early Development
The interview followed news that Disney Channel and Disney+ are developing a fifth Halloweentown movie. TheWrap reported October 22 that Lily Houghton and Ryan Koehn are writing a script based on characters created by original screenwriter Paul Bernbaum.
Brown said the only information she had received was that the project remained in “early, early development.” No cast or release date has been announced.
She played Marnie in the first three films, returning for Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge in 2001 and Halloweentown High in 2004. Sara Paxton took over the role in 2006’s Return to Halloweentown.
Brown and Daniel Kountz Celebrated Their Sequel’s Anniversary
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Brown’s ties to the franchise also include her marriage to Daniel Kountz, who played Marnie’s adversary Kal in the second movie.
The actors met during that production but did not become a couple until years later. They reconnected in 2016 while working on comedy sketches for Brown’s YouTube channel and married on April 19, 2024.
On October 21, Brown shared a playful Instagram reel marking the sequel’s 25th anniversary. The video paired footage from the movie with a present-day appearance by the couple, accompanied by a caption joking about her words coming back to haunt her.
Reynolds Inspired Brown to Greet Trick-or-Treaters as Marnie
At 90s Con in March 2025, Brown recalled how Reynolds greeted trick-or-treaters dressed as Aggie, inspiring her to answer her own door as Marnie. According to PEOPLE, Brown stopped after people began visiting her home outside Halloween.
Reynolds also helped her keep Marnie’s custom-made cloak. Brown recalled that her costar repeatedly asked producers to let her take it home until they agreed.