"Catch Up with the Original Cast of Legally Blonde: From Health Struggles to Love Across the Years"

IT was the chickflick that had fans doing the ‘Bend and Snap’ and saying “orange is the new pink” – and now Legally Blonde is back.

Twenty five years after its release, Elle Woods has returned to screens with a brand-new prequel series on .

Legally Blonde captivated audiences when it was released in 2001 Credit: Alamy Some of the original cast reunited in June 2026 – and have had collectively starred in numerous films and TV shows since Credit: Getty

However, the original movie, which saw pink-wearing sorority queen Elle heading to Harvard Law School to win back ex-boyfriend Warner, remains a solid fan-favourite.

But what happened to the stars of the original 2001 movie?

Here, we take a look at the iconic line-up and what they’ve done since…

Selma Blair – Vivian Kensington

Actress Selma Blair, who played Elle’s law school nemesis-turned-friend, saw her career soar after Legally Blonde.

The actress, now 54, went on to star in films such as The Sweetest Thing and the Hellboy franchise, and also TV shows like The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

However, she has also had health struggles.

In 2018 she announced she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which can cause numbness, muscle weakness and vision changes.

Selma Blair was iconic as Elle’s Harvard nemesis Vivian Kensington Credit: Alamy Selma has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and is a fierce advocate for disability visibility Credit: Getty

Taking to social media, she wrote: “I have #multiplesclerosis. I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at , I have a job.

“A wonderful job. I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it.

“And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best.”

Since being diagnosed, she has become a fierce advocate for visibility, frequently appearing on red carpets with stylised canes, launching an adaptive clothing line, and even participating in .

In 2022, she penned the memoir, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up, and she also released a documentary about her health battle called Introducing, Selma Blair.

Holland Taylor – Professor Stromwell

Holland Taylor starred as the formidable Professor Stromwell Credit: Alamy Emmy-nominated Holland is in a long-term relationship with Sarah Paulson Credit: Getty

is well-respected in , and has starred in The Stand In, The Chair, and The Morning Show.

She also received four Emmy nominations for playing the role of Evelyn Harper on Two and a Half Men.

Since 2015, Holland, 83, has been in a relationship with star Sarah Paulson, with whom she has a

Sarah revealed that after nearly a decade together, they still do not live in the same house, but they maintain separate LA residences so they can have their own space.

Raquel Welch – Mrs Windham Vandermark

Raquel Welch played the glamorous Mrs Windham Vandermark Credit: Alamy Sadly Raquel passed away in 2023 Credit: Getty

Raquel Welch played the role of Mrs Windham Vandermark, whose son had died in the murder trial that Elle worked on.

After the hit movie, she appeared on a number of TV shows including American Family, Welcome to the Captain, and Date My Dad.

Meanwhile, she also had roles in House of Versace and The Ultimate Legacy and the film How to Be a Latin Lover.

Sadly, Raquel died from a cardiac arrest at the age 82 in February 2023, and was suffering from disease at the time of her death.

Victor Garber – Professor Callahan

Harvard’s sleazy Professor Callahan was played by Victor Garber Credit: Alamy Victor has gone on to star in Alias, Family Law, and Power Credit: Getty

Following his role as Elle’s Harvard professor, Victor Garber has been in a string of films since, including Tuck Everlasting, Milk, Argo, Rebel in the Rye, and Happiest Season.

Meanwhile, on TV, he’s been in Alias, Family Law, and Power, as well as the sequel spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost, and The Orville.

In his personal life, Victor, 77, has been with his partner, Canadian artist and model Rainer Andreesen, since 1999.

Early in his career, an agent told Victor that coming out would ruin his chances of being a leading man.

He quietly ignored the noise, stayed dedicated to his work, and in 2015, he and Rainer secretly eloped in Canada after 16 years together.

Victor is famously best friends with his Alias co-star , and officiated her 2005 private wedding to on a beach in the Turks and Caicos, as well as being godfather to Jennifer’s eldest daughter, Violet.

Reese Witherspoon – Elle Woods

The star of the franchise was Reese Witherspoon, who perfectly portrayed Elle Woods Credit: Alamy Reese has since launched her own production company, Hello Sunshine Credit: Getty

The star of the original movie, has gone on to dominate Hollywood, and even won an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in in 2005.

From movies like Wild in 2014 to Your Place or Mine in 2023, we’ve had numerous movies from the talented actress.

Aside from just starring in films, Reese, 50 – mum to and sons Tennessee Toth and Deacon Phillippe – has also launched her own production company Hello Sunshine, which has been behind hit shows like Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Morning Show.

Reese, who is currently dating German financier Oliver Haarmann, has also had a key role in the new Elle prequel series on Amazon, working as a producer.

Jessica Cauffiel – Margot

Elle’s sorority pal Margot was played by Jessica Cauffiel Credit: Alamy Now Jessica is more commonly found writing and producing instead of being in front of the camera Credit: Getty

After starring in the movie as Elle’s friend Delta Nu sorority friend Margot, Jessica Cauffiel carried on her acting work.

Her credits include The Drew Carey Show and My Name Is Earl, along with White Chicks, Guess Who, and Hoot.

However, she has since left the acting world behind, with her last onscreen role being the short film Bed Ridden in 2009, which was produced by her father.

Now, Jessica, 50, focuses on writing, producing, and philanthropic work.

Alanna Ubach – Serena McGuire

Elle’s other Delta Nu best friend was Serena, played by Alanna Ubach Credit: Alamy Alanna has recently starred in the hit TV show Euphoria Credit: Getty

One of Elle’s other best pals was Serena, played by Alanna Ubach, now 50, who describes her career as an “easter egg hunt.”

Speaking to People ahead of the Elle prequel debut, she said: “When I was a kid, I wanted to be an Easter egg hunt.

“It was the only way I could explain it to my manager… I remember telling her, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if my career was an Easter egg hunt?

“Oh, wait a second. She played that person and that person? I didn’t know that.”

Since Legally Blonde, she’s gone on to star in Meet the Frockers. Waiting…, Bad Teacher, and Bombshell.

And her TV credits include , where she plays Suze Howard (Lexi and Cassie’s chaotic, wine-drinking mum), and she’s also been in Filthy Rich and The Flight Attendant.

In her personal life, Alanna has been happily married to multi-Grammy-winning record producer Thom Russo since 2014, and they have a young son born in 2017.

Luke Wilson – Emmett Richmond

Elle’s love interest – and later husband – Emmett Richmond was portrayed by Luke Wilson Credit: Alamy Luke has kept busy with movie and TV projects, but has never married or had kids Credit: Getty

Luke Wilson, who played Elle’s love interest and later husband Emmett, has done dozens of movies since 2001.

These range from Wes Anderson classics like The Royal Tenenbaums, to Charlie’s Angels, and comedies like Idiocracy.

Even Luke admitted that the sheer scale of Legally Blonde’s fandom initially caught him completely off guard.

Unlike his actor brother Owen Wilson, who has had highly publicised relationships, Luke, 54, prefers a more lowkey life – and has also never been married and does not have any children.

Jennifer Coolidge – Paulette Bonafonté

Elle’s beautician pal Paulette Bonafonté stole the show in the cult classic flick Credit: Alamy Jennifer was recently nominated for an Emmy for White Lotus Credit: Getty

Before Legally Blonde, where she starred as Elle’s beautician pal Paulette Bonafonté, was already a huge star after playing Stifler’s mum in American Pie.

However, she’s racked up numerous credits since, including A Cinderella Story and Click.

Her career recently had a resurgence with her having an Emmy-winning performance in .

Jennifer, 64, has never been married or had kids, but joked that after American Pie, she got “a whole new group of young guys.”

Matthew Davis – Warner Huntington III

Matthew Davis played Elle’s former boyfriend Warner Huntington III Credit: Alamy Matthew has starred as Alaric Saltzman on The Vampire Diaries Credit: Getty

After playing Elle’s ex-boyfriend Warner, actor Matthew Davis went into numerous TV roles, including Alaric Saltzman on The Vampire Diaries and continued the role on the spin-off, .

He also starred in the drama series Grosse Pointe Garden Society.

The actor, 48, has had two highly publicised marriages.

The first was a one-year to actress Leelee Sobieski in 2008.

A decade later, he made headlines for a whirlwind romance with actress Kiley Casciano, whom he spontaneously engaged to and married on the exact same day while shopping at Whole Foods.

The couple welcomed two daughters, Ripley and Dorothy, before officially finalising their after six years of marriage and agreeing to split joint custody.

The new prequel Elle has been released on Amazon Credit: Getty