'Legally Blonde' cast then and now: Here's what the stars are up to 20 years on

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

Legally Blonde debuted on the big screen 20 years ago this month!

The story of Elle Woods — a once bubbly sorority girl turned top law student — told girls everywhere that they could achieve their dreams, all while wearing head-to-toe pink.

It's still as much as an iconic film today as it was back in 2001. So in honour of everyone's favourite lawyer, we take a look back at the cast of the hit rom-com, and see what they're up to now...

size-full wp-image-1263116693
(Credit: Alamy)

Reese Witherspoon — Elle Woods

Following the blockbuster success of Legally Blonde, Witherspoon — who was already an established actress at the time — went onto star in a slew of hits, including Sweet Home Alabama (2002) and Walk the Line (2005).

In recent years, she's turned her hand to producing under her own production company, Hello Sunshine, which has been responsible for the likes of Wild, Gone Girl and Lucy in the Sky.

Her most notable roles in the last few years include the television show Big Little Lies, and Hulu's limited series, Little Fires Everywhere — both of which she produced and starred in.

size-full wp-image-1263116595
(Credit: Alamy)

Luke Wilson — Emmett Richmond

After playing Elle Woods' love interest at Harvard Law, Wilson has enjoyed a number of high-profile acting gigs.

He starred in several Wes Anderson films, including The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), as well as Charlie's Angels (2000), and Old School (2019).

Recently, the Wilson brother has had roles in The Goldfinch (2019) and The Swing of Things (2020).

size-full wp-image-1263116601
(Credit: Alamy)

Jennifer Coolidge — Paulette

The Paulette actress followed up her role as Elle Woods' BFF with a number of similarly incredible roles, including the television show, Glee, Promising Young Woman (2020) and Austenland (2013).

Jennifer's Coolidge's status as a pop-culture icon, however, was cemented when she played herself in Ariana Grande's music video for Thank U Next, which was a homage to some of the Noughties' most memorable and nostalgic moments.

size-full wp-image-1263116605
(Credit: Alamy)

Selma Blair — Vivienne Kensington

Hollywood actor Selma Blair has gone onto star in a variety of television shows, including playing Kris Jenner in American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson, and Anger Management.

In 2018, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It's something that she's continued to be courageously open about on social media.

size-full wp-image-1263116646
(Credit: Alamy)

Matthew Davis — Warner Huntington III

Following his role as Elle Woods' smarmy boyfriend, Matthew Davis snapped up a role in CW The Vampire Diaries, where he placed Alaric Saltzman.

He also appeared as the vampire hunter in the show's two spin-offs, The Origins and Legacies.

size-full wp-image-1263116649
(Credit: Alamy)

Ali Larter — Brooke Taylor-Windham

Following her role in Legally Blonde, Ali Larter — who previously starred in Varsity Blues — played Niki Sanders in Heroes for four years.

Larter also took a number of roles in other TV shows including Legends and Pitch, and she is currently starring in the drama The Rookie as Grace Sawyer.

size-full wp-image-1263116653
(Credit: Alamy)

Holland Taylor — Professor Elspeth Stromwell

Prior to playing stern law professor, Elspeth Stromwell, Taylor was known for her roles in Ally McBeal and Two and a Half Men.

Since then, the theatre and film actress appeared in Gloria Bell (2018), To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), and Netflix's mini-series, Hollywood, which debuted last year.

size-full wp-image-1263116665
(Credit: Alamy)

Victor Garber — Professor Callahan

Before starring in Legally Blonde, Garber played Mr Andrews in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster, Titanic.

Since then, he's had several notable roles in TV shows including, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and The Orville. Most recently, he guest-starred as Moira former co-star in the final season of the hit show, Schitt's Creek.

size-full wp-image-1263116666
(Credit: Alamy)

Linda Cardellini — Chutney

Linda Cardellini has had a slew of iconic roles outside of Legally Blonde. She played a central character in the short-lived cult television show, Freaks and Geeks, and she also played Velma in the Scooby-Doo live-action films.

As well as this, she has starred in Avengers: Endgame, Green Book, and Daddy's Home, and she's currently a lead role in the widely popular Netflix series, Dead to Me.

size-full wp-image-1263116668
(Credit: Alamy)
Feature image credit: Alamy