01of 18
Reese Witherspoon
Tracy Bennett/MGM/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty
New Orleans-bornReese Witherspoonbegan her Hollywood career in the late 1990s with films likePleasantville(1998) andCruel Intentions(1999). However, her role as Elle Woods inLegally Blonde— andLegally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde— launched her into the A-list stratosphere, where she still resides.
The actress has gone on to star in other box-office hits likeSweet Home Alabama(2002) andWalk the Line(2005), for which she took home a Golden Globe and the Oscar for best actress. Her next Oscar nomination came forWild(2014), and she later served as an executive producer on HBO’sBig Little Liesalongside costarNicole Kidman.
The critically acclaimed series went on to win eightEmmy Awardsin 2017 and best limited series at theGolden Globesin 2018, leading to a hit second season.
She also does voiceovers (checkSing 2), gives her stamp of approval to novels through her book club and oversees theDraper Jamesapparel and accessories company. The mom of three is married to Jim Toth.
On Feb. 10, audiences can catch her return to the rom-com realm inNetflix’sYour Place or Minealongside Ashton Kutcher.
02of 18
Selma Blair
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Selma Blairfirst became a household name after her breakthrough performance inCruel Intentions(1999), in which she starred alongside Witherspoon.
The actress from Michigan then played Woods' enemy-turned-BFF Vivian Kensington inLegally Blonde. Shortly after, Blair appeared inThe Sweetest Thing(2002) andHellboy(2004).
In 2016, Blair took on the role ofKris JennerinThe People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Storyand appeared in the horror movieMom and Dad(2017).
The actress — who has one young son — has remained open about her health since announcing she wasdiagnosed with MSin October 2018. She documented her journey with the disease in the 2021 documentaryIntroducing, Selma Blair.
In 2022, she joined season 31 ofDancing with the Starswith partnerSasha Farber. The actress bowed out halfway through the season, saying she had “pushed as far as I could.”
For her final performance, the actress did “one last gentle dance” with Farber, a waltz to “What the World Needs Now.” Though the score would not count toward the competition,the pair earned 10s across the boardfor the season’s first perfect score.
03of 18Jennifer CoolidgeMGM/Everett; Michael Kovac/GettyJennifer Coolidgehaslit up the big screensince vamping it up as Stifler’s mom inAmerican Pie(1999).Coolidge continued her comedic career in films likeBest in Show(2000) and then became Elle Woods' manicurist and Bend and Snap trainee, Paulette, in 2001. Her portrayal of Hilary Duff’s over-the-top stepmother inA Cinderella Story(2004), won the actress a Teen Choice Award.Additionally, she made an appearance in all of theAmerican Piesequels, and played a recurring role on the ABC family dramaThe Secret Life of the American Teenager(2008-2012).The actress was also part of the Disney showGravity Falls(2012-2016) and on the comedy series2 Broke Girls(2012-2017) before earning extra acclaim for her role onThe White Lotusin 2021, which earned heran Emmy.For the series' second season, which premiered in 2022, Coolidge returned as Tanya McQuoid, and receivedGolden GlobeandCritics Choice Awardsfor her work, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.To the delight ofLegally Blondefans,she made a cameo as Paulette in Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” music videoin 2018.Coolidge’s voice acting accolades includeThe Fungies!on Netflix and the upcomingI Heart Arloon Netflix. She also played Carey Mulligan’s character’s mother inPromising Young Woman.In 2022, Coolidge played realtor Karen Calhoun inthe Ryan Murphy Netflix thriller,The Watcher. Audiences can currently catch the household name as she joinsJennifer Lopez,Josh DuhamelandLenny Kravitzin the new comedy thrillerShotgun Wedding.
03of 18
Jennifer Coolidge
MGM/Everett; Michael Kovac/Getty
Jennifer Coolidgehaslit up the big screensince vamping it up as Stifler’s mom inAmerican Pie(1999).
Coolidge continued her comedic career in films likeBest in Show(2000) and then became Elle Woods' manicurist and Bend and Snap trainee, Paulette, in 2001. Her portrayal of Hilary Duff’s over-the-top stepmother inA Cinderella Story(2004), won the actress a Teen Choice Award.
Additionally, she made an appearance in all of theAmerican Piesequels, and played a recurring role on the ABC family dramaThe Secret Life of the American Teenager(2008-2012).
The actress was also part of the Disney showGravity Falls(2012-2016) and on the comedy series2 Broke Girls(2012-2017) before earning extra acclaim for her role onThe White Lotusin 2021, which earned heran Emmy.
For the series' second season, which premiered in 2022, Coolidge returned as Tanya McQuoid, and receivedGolden GlobeandCritics Choice Awardsfor her work, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
To the delight ofLegally Blondefans,she made a cameo as Paulette in Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” music videoin 2018.
Coolidge’s voice acting accolades includeThe Fungies!on Netflix and the upcomingI Heart Arloon Netflix. She also played Carey Mulligan’s character’s mother inPromising Young Woman.
In 2022, Coolidge played realtor Karen Calhoun inthe Ryan Murphy Netflix thriller,The Watcher. Audiences can currently catch the household name as she joinsJennifer Lopez,Josh DuhamelandLenny Kravitzin the new comedy thrillerShotgun Wedding.
04of 18Luke WilsonTracy Bennett/Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock; Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images for Sony Pictures ClassicsLuke Wilsonmade his film debut in the independent movieBottle Rocket(1996), then made appearances inCharlie’s Angels(2000) andBlue Streak(1999) before his swoonworthy role as Emmett inLegally Blonde.Later in 2001, Wilson gave one of his most memorable performances as Richie inThe Royal Tenenbaums(2001). He also starred in films likeOld School(2003) and theLegally Blondesequel,Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde(2003).Though he’s kept a lower profile since the early aughts, Wilson continues to act — in the Showtime seriesRoadies(2016) and inBerlin, I Love You(2018) andThe Goldfinch(2019).Since 2020, the actor has starred in the superhero showStargirlon The CW – andrecently even teasedhe’d return forLegally Blonde 3.
04of 18
Luke Wilson
Tracy Bennett/Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock; Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Classics
Luke Wilsonmade his film debut in the independent movieBottle Rocket(1996), then made appearances inCharlie’s Angels(2000) andBlue Streak(1999) before his swoonworthy role as Emmett inLegally Blonde.
Later in 2001, Wilson gave one of his most memorable performances as Richie inThe Royal Tenenbaums(2001). He also starred in films likeOld School(2003) and theLegally Blondesequel,Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde(2003).
Though he’s kept a lower profile since the early aughts, Wilson continues to act — in the Showtime seriesRoadies(2016) and inBerlin, I Love You(2018) andThe Goldfinch(2019).
Since 2020, the actor has starred in the superhero showStargirlon The CW – andrecently even teasedhe’d return forLegally Blonde 3.
05of 18
Matthew Davis
MGM/Everett; Jim Spellman/WireImage
Before becoming Elle Woods' self-absorbed ex-boyfriend Warren, Davis made his film debut inTigerland(2000).
Davis also had a recurring role onDamages(2009-2010), and on the CBS police dramaCSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2013-2014).
The actor starred on The CW’sLegaciesfor its four seasons from 2018-2022, and the Hallmark Channel Christmas movieChristmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kissesin 2019.
Per IMDB, the actor is set to star in an upcoming film,Blunt, alongside Billy Zane, Amy Smart and Greer Grammer.
Davis and his wife, Kiley Casciano, welcomed their first daughter, Ripley Nightingale, in 2020 and in 2022 became a family of four with the birth of their second daughter, Dorothy Lavender.
06of 18
Linda Cardellini
MGM; Jon Kopaloff/Getty
Though she had already appeared on screen numerous times, Linda Cardellini had her breakout role in the beloved, though short-livedFreaks and Geeks,which ended after just one season in 2000.
The year after, in 2001, Cardellini played the daughter of the deceased Hayworth Windham, Chutney, inLegally Blonde— the woman Elle Woods famously questioned on the stand about her permed hair.
The Emmy nominee starred on the medical dramaER(2003-2009) and had a recurring role onMad Menfrom 2013-2015 as well as appearances in numerous films includingBrokeback Mountain(2005),A Simple Favor (2018),Green Book(2018),The Curse of La Llorona(2019). She even ventured into the Marvel universe as Laura Barton inAvengers: Age of Ultron(2015),Avengers: Endgame(2019) and the series,Hawkeye(2021).
As a voice actress, she has lent her skills toGravity Falls(2012-2016) andSanjay and Craig(2013-2016). From 2015-2017, she appeared on Netflix’sBloodlineand most recently, has starred alongside Christina Applegate in the streamer’s hit series,Dead to Me.
She welcomed her first daughter, Lilah-Rose, in 2012 with partner Steve Rodriguez.
07of 18Ali LarterMGM; Randy Shropshire/GettyBefore appearing as fitness instructor and accused killer Brooke Taylor Windham,inLegally BlondeAli Larterhad already cemented her place in Hollywood.The actress had her first major role in 1999’sVarsity Bluesas Darcy and in 2000 appeared in her first of twoFinal Destinationmovies as Clear Rivers. AfterLegally Blonde, Larter went on to star as Claire in three of theResident Evilfilms:Resident Evil: Extinction(2007), Resident Evil: Afterlife(2010) andResident Evil: The Final Chapter( 2016). In 2009, Larter appeared opposite Beyoncé and Idris Elba inObsessed.Larter has also earned her fair share of roles on the small screen includingHeroes, which she starred in with Hayden Panetteire and Milo Ventimiglia for four seasons from 2006-2010, and a recurring role onThe Rookie.Most recently she appeared inThe Haterand per IMDB, is set to star in two upcoming projects:The Man in the White VanandSpin the Bottle.Larter shares two children, Vivienne and Theodore, with husband Hayes MacArthur.
07of 18
Ali Larter
MGM; Randy Shropshire/Getty
Before appearing as fitness instructor and accused killer Brooke Taylor Windham,inLegally BlondeAli Larterhad already cemented her place in Hollywood.
The actress had her first major role in 1999’sVarsity Bluesas Darcy and in 2000 appeared in her first of twoFinal Destinationmovies as Clear Rivers. AfterLegally Blonde, Larter went on to star as Claire in three of theResident Evilfilms:Resident Evil: Extinction(2007), Resident Evil: Afterlife(2010) andResident Evil: The Final Chapter( 2016). In 2009, Larter appeared opposite Beyoncé and Idris Elba inObsessed.
Larter has also earned her fair share of roles on the small screen includingHeroes, which she starred in with Hayden Panetteire and Milo Ventimiglia for four seasons from 2006-2010, and a recurring role onThe Rookie.
Most recently she appeared inThe Haterand per IMDB, is set to star in two upcoming projects:The Man in the White VanandSpin the Bottle.
Larter shares two children, Vivienne and Theodore, with husband Hayes MacArthur.
08of 18
Holland Taylor
MGM/Everett; Evans Vestal Ward/NBC/Getty
Emmy winner Holland Taylor has appeared on stage and screen for more than six decades since starting on Broadway after graduating college.
She appeared alongside Tom Hanks in the series that gave him his start,Bosom Buddies, from 1980-1982 and later with Téa Leon onThe Naked Truthfrom 1995-1998, and worked steadily on the big screen as well.
From 1998-2003, Holland gave an Emmy-winning performance as Judge Roberta Kittleson onThe Practice, which was quite fitting with her role inLegally Blondeas a law professor.
Holland liveswith her partner, Sarah Paulson, and their rescue dog Winnie — officially Winnifred T. Paulson.
09of 18
Victor Garber
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Before appearing as Professor Callahan inLegally Blonde,Victor Garberwas a household name, having appeared in numerous notable films.
Since his first billed role in 1973’sGodspellhe has been featured inSleepless in Seattle(1993),The First Wives Club(1996),Cinderella(1997) andTitanic(1997).
Just afterLegally Blondehit theaters, Garber began his tenure playing Jack Bristow onAliasalongside friendJennifer Garnerfrom 2001-2006.
From 2021-2022, he also starred inFamily Law.
In 2015, after 16 years together, he and artist/model Rainer Andreesen eloped in Tofino, Canada.
10of 18MoonieMGM/EverettElle Woods' four-legged sidekick, Bruiser, was the perfect complement to all of her iconic looks. Moonie, the adorable Chihuahua who per IMDB played the pup in both films,died in 2016.Witherspoon took a moment to mourn the dog’s passing with a sweet post on Instagram.“He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved,” she wrote at the time. “I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky.“Before his death, Moonie accompanied Witherspoon whenshe received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.“My very, very famous costar Bruiser — I mean, he came all the way out of his kennel,” Witherspoon said during the event. “He’s a very busy working dog and he managed to show up today.”
10of 18
Moonie
MGM/Everett
Elle Woods' four-legged sidekick, Bruiser, was the perfect complement to all of her iconic looks. Moonie, the adorable Chihuahua who per IMDB played the pup in both films,died in 2016.
Witherspoon took a moment to mourn the dog’s passing with a sweet post on Instagram.
“He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved,” she wrote at the time. “I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky.”
Before his death, Moonie accompanied Witherspoon whenshe received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.
“My very, very famous costar Bruiser — I mean, he came all the way out of his kennel,” Witherspoon said during the event. “He’s a very busy working dog and he managed to show up today.”
11of 18
Alanna Ubach
MGM; Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
From 2015-2018 audiences watched her as Jo onGirlfriends' Guide to Divorceand more recently she played Suze,Sydney SweeneyandMaude Apatow’s on-screen mom, in HBO’sEuphoria. She also appeared in 2019’sBombshellas judge Jeanine Pirro.
Per IMDB, she is set to appear in the upcomingLegally Blondefilm.
She and her husband, Thomas Russo Jr., welcomed a son, Thomas Rodolfo Russo III, in 2017.
12of 18
Jessica Cauffiel
MGM; J. Strauss/WireImage
Before appearing as Elle Woods' pal, Margot, inLegally Blonde,Jessica Cauffiel had landed a few roles on screen including two episodes ofFrasier.
Cauffiel has stayed out of the spotlight for the last decade, with her last onscreen credit being 2009’sIce Dreamsbut per IMDB, she is set to appear in the upcomingLegally Blonde 3.
13of 18
Bruce Thomas
MGM; John Sciulli/Getty
Prior to appearing in bothLegally Blondefilms as the UPS Guy who Jennifer Coolidge can’t stop thinking about, Thomas had already landed a few roles on the big and small screen includingArmy of Darkness(1992),Beverly Hills, 90210(1996-1998) andThe Bold and the Beautiful(1999).
His next big role afterLegally Blondecame onKyle XYin which he played Stephen Trager for the duration of the show’s three seasons, from 2006-2009. He also appeared in 2011’sHall Pass.
14of 18
Regina King
MGM/Everett; Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/Getty
Multi-hyphenate award winnerRegina Kinghas been acting for nearly three decades starting with her role on227from 1985-1990. From there she scored role after role includingBoyz n the Hood(1991),Poetic Justice(1993),Jerry Maguire(1996) andHow Stella Got Her Groove Back(1998).
After appearing inLegally Blonde 2as Grace Rossiter, she played Hillary Duff’s confidant inA Cinderella Storyand made an appearance in another fan-favorite sequel,Miss Congeniality 2,in 2005. In 2004, King starred in the award-winning film,Ray, as Margie Hendricks.
Her performance in 2018’sIf Beale Street Could Talkwon her both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best supporting actress.
King has also won four Emmys, two of which came for her performance on theAmerican Crimeanthology series in 2015 and 2016. In 2018, she received an Emmy for outstanding lead actress on Netflix’sSeven Secondsand another in 2020 for HBO’sWatchmen. She made her feature directorial debut with the Amazon Prime filmOne Night in Miamiin 2020 and has also directed episodes ofScandal,Being Mary Jane,This Is Us,InsecureandShameless.
Per IMDB, in 2023, King is setto appear as Shirley ChisholminShirley.
King shares one son, Ian Alexander Jr, with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr. Ian Jr.died on Jan. 20, 2022.
15of 18Sally FieldMGM/Everett; Phillip Faraone/GettySally Field landed her first major onscreen role nearly six decades ago inGidgetand from there the jobs just kept coming. While her career was mostly in television at first, with roles in series likeThe Flying Nun(1967-1970) andThe Girl with Something Extra(1973-1974), in the ’70s she began cementing her place as a big-screen star.She has starred in numerous classic films likeSteel Magnolias(1989),Mrs. Doubtfire(1993),Forrest Gump(1994) and in 2003 entered theLegally Blondeuniverse as Congressman Rudd in the sequel.Field has a total of three career Oscar nominations and two wins, for her performances inPlaces in the Heart(1984) andNorma Rae(1979). Her performance in 2012’sLincolngarnered both an Oscar and Golden Globe nod. That same year, she portrayed Aunt May inThe Amazing Spider-Man— a role she reprised inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2in 2014.She also starred on ABC’sBrothers & Sistersfor the show’s five seasons from 2006-2011 and in 2018, wrote a memoir titledIn Pieces.Now, audiences can catch the actress in theTom Brady-produced film80 For BradyalongsideJane Fonda,Lily TomlinandRita Moreno.On Feb. 26, she will be honored with the SAG Lifetime achievement award atthe ceremony,The Hollywood Reporterannounced.
15of 18
Sally Field
MGM/Everett; Phillip Faraone/Getty
Sally Field landed her first major onscreen role nearly six decades ago inGidgetand from there the jobs just kept coming. While her career was mostly in television at first, with roles in series likeThe Flying Nun(1967-1970) andThe Girl with Something Extra(1973-1974), in the ’70s she began cementing her place as a big-screen star.
She has starred in numerous classic films likeSteel Magnolias(1989),Mrs. Doubtfire(1993),Forrest Gump(1994) and in 2003 entered theLegally Blondeuniverse as Congressman Rudd in the sequel.
Field has a total of three career Oscar nominations and two wins, for her performances inPlaces in the Heart(1984) andNorma Rae(1979). Her performance in 2012’sLincolngarnered both an Oscar and Golden Globe nod. That same year, she portrayed Aunt May inThe Amazing Spider-Man— a role she reprised inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2in 2014.
She also starred on ABC’sBrothers & Sistersfor the show’s five seasons from 2006-2011 and in 2018, wrote a memoir titledIn Pieces.
Now, audiences can catch the actress in theTom Brady-produced film80 For BradyalongsideJane Fonda,Lily TomlinandRita Moreno.
On Feb. 26, she will be honored with the SAG Lifetime achievement award atthe ceremony,The Hollywood Reporterannounced.
16of 18Bob NewhartMGM/Everett; Presley Ann/FilmMagicWhenBob Newhartstepped into the role of Elle Woods' doorman inLegally Blonde 2, he was already a certified icon. With a career spanning six decades, the comedian has had not one, but three, eponymous shows:The Bob Newhart Show(1972-1978),Newhart (1982-1990)andBob(1992-1993).In addition to his role inLegally Blonde 2,Newhart portrayed Papa Elf inElf— which also came out in 2003. Since then, he has had guest appearances on the big and small screen includingDesperate Housewives(2005),NCIS(2011),Hot in Cleveland(2015) and bothThe Big Bang Theory(2013-2018) andYoung Sheldon(2017-2020). In 2011, he was also featured inHorrible Bosses.
16of 18
Bob Newhart
MGM/Everett; Presley Ann/FilmMagic
WhenBob Newhartstepped into the role of Elle Woods' doorman inLegally Blonde 2, he was already a certified icon. With a career spanning six decades, the comedian has had not one, but three, eponymous shows:The Bob Newhart Show(1972-1978),Newhart (1982-1990)andBob(1992-1993).
In addition to his role inLegally Blonde 2,Newhart portrayed Papa Elf inElf— which also came out in 2003. Since then, he has had guest appearances on the big and small screen includingDesperate Housewives(2005),NCIS(2011),Hot in Cleveland(2015) and bothThe Big Bang Theory(2013-2018) andYoung Sheldon(2017-2020). In 2011, he was also featured inHorrible Bosses.
17of 18
Dana Ivey
MGM/Everett; Gary Gershoff/WireImage
The five-time Tony nominee alsooriginated numerous roles on Broadway, according toPlaybill, including inMacbeth(1981),Sunday in the Park with George(1984) andWaiting in the Wings(1999).
SinceLegally Blonde, audiences have seen Ivey in episodes ofSex and the City(2004),Monk(2005),Ugly Betty(2010) andBoardwalk Empire(2010). Her most recent Broadway appearance was as Miss Prism inThe Importance of Being Earnestin 2011.
On the big screen, the actress has appeared in films likeDid You Hear About the Morgans?(2009),The Help(2011) andOcean’s Eight(2018).
18of 18
Bruce McGill
MGM/Everett; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Veteran actor, Bruce McGill, appeared in theLegally Blondesequel as Stanford Marks after years in the industry.
In the years sinceLegally Blonde, McGill has continued to have a vibrant career on screen including inCinderella Man(2005),W.(2008),Law Abiding Citizen(2009) andLincoln(2012), and from 2010-2016, he starred alongside Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander inRizzoli & Isles.
More recently, McGill was featured in Prime Video’sReacher(2022) and reunited with his old costar Angie Harmon in the Lifetime’sBuried in Barstow(2022).
source: people.com
