"The Parent Trap" Is Officially 25 Years Old — Here Are 13 Side-By-Sides Of The Cast Then Vs. Now

Joanna Barnes, who appeared in The Parent Trap as Vicki, Meredith's mom, also starred in the original movie from 1961.

It's officially been 25 years (!!!!) since The Parent Trap hit theaters, and it's truly still one of my favorite movies ever. Directed by Nancy Meyers, the film gifted us with Lindsay Lohan's movie debut, a classic handshake, tie-dye girl, and so much more.

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So, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Parent Trap, here's the cast in their first big movie and TV roles vs. in the movie vs. now:

1. Lindsay Lohan's first role on Late Night with David Letterman in 1992:

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Lindsay's first onscreen credit was in a sketch on Late Night with David Letterman. She then appeared on some TV shows like Guiding Light and Sesame Street, before landing a recurring role on Another World.

Lindsay Lohan as Hallie Parker and Annie James in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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The Parent Trap marked Lindsay's first film role. She then went on to star in countless iconic movies in the 2000s like Life-Size, Freaky Friday, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Mean Girls, and more.

Lindsay Lohan now:

Lindsay Lohan / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Lindsay recently returned to acting in the Netflix movie Falling for Christmas. She just welcomed her first child.

2. Dennis Quaid's first major role in Breaking Away in 1979:

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After a few smaller/uncredited roles in movies, Dennis's first big role was in the movie Breaking Away. Then, he went on to star in movies like The Right Stuff, The Big Easy, Innerspace, Great Balls of Fire, and more.

Dennis Quaid as Nick Parker in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Dennis Quaid now:

Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images

Recently, Dennis has starred in TV shows like Vegas, Goliath, Full Circle, and more. Up next, he'll appear in a few movies and Taylor Sheridan's new series Lawmen: Bass Reeves.

3. Lisa Ann Walter's first role in My Wildest Dreams in 1995:

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Lisa's first onscreen credit was in the TV series My Wildest Dreams in 1995 alongside John Posey, Kelly Bishop, and more.

Lisa Ann Walter as Chessy in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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The Parent Trap was Lisa's second ever movie role.

Lisa Ann Walter now:

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Currently, Lisa stars as Melissa Schemmenti on Abbott Elementary, a role that has earned her critical acclaim.

4. Elaine Hendrix's first big role in Get Smart in 1995:

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Elaine appeared in various movies and shows in small roles before landing the part of Agent 66 on Get Smart in 1995. She also starred in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion in 1997.

Elaine Hendrix as Meredith Blake in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Elaine Hendrix now:

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Recently, Elaine starred as Alexis Carrington Colby on The CW's Dynasty. She also attended the 2023 SAG Awards alongside her Parent Trap costar Lisa Ann Walter, who she is still very good friends with. 

5. Simon Kunz's first big role in Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994:

Rank Film Distrubutors

After some small TV roles, Simon notably first appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral alongside Hugh Grant.  

Simon Kunz as Martin in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Simon Kunz now:

Simon Kunz / INstagram / Via instagram.com

After The Parent Trap, Simon has appeared in movies and shows like Captain America: The First Avenger, Sherlock, and more.

6. Kat Graham's first role as Jackie in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Kat's very first onscreen credit was in The Parent Trap in 1998. Then, she appeared in shows like Lizzie McGuire, Hannah Montana, and more.

Kat Graham now:

Arnold Jerocki / GC Images / Getty Images

Kat's most notable role was as Bonnie Bennett on The Vampire Diaries. She starred on the series for 171 episodes. Recently, she's starred in movies like Operation Christmas Drop, The Holiday Calendar, and more.

7. Maggie Wheeler's first notable role in Seinfeld in 1992:

NBC

After appearing in various TV shows, Maggie's first big role was on an episode of Seinfeld in 1992. Of course, she then went on to star on Ellen and Friends.

Maggie Wheeler as Marva Kulp Jr. in The Parent Trap in 1998:

Walt Disney Pictures

Maggie Wheeler now:

Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Maggie has gone to appear in countless shows like How I Met Your Mother, Archer, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Shameless. In 2021, she reunited with the Friends cast for the Friends: The Reunion TV special.

8. Hallie Meyers-Shyer's first role in Father of the Bride in 1991:

Touchstone Pictures

Hallie, who is the youngest daughter of Nancy Meyers, appeared in her mom's movie Father of the Bride in 1991 alongside her older sister.

Hallie Meyers-Shyer as Lindsay in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Fun fact: Hallie and Annie in The Parent Trap are named after Hallie and her sister Annie.

Hallie Meyers-Shyer now:

Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

In 2017, Hallie wrote and directed the movie Home Again starring Reese Witherspoon. She also wrote and directed the upcoming movie Goodrich starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis.

9. Michael Lohan's first role as Lost Boy at Camp in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Michael appeared in The Parent Trap alongside his sister Lindsay Lohan. Also in The Parent Trap, Lindsay and Michael's other siblings and their mom appear at the airport in London.

Michael Lohan now:

Mike Lohan / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Mike and his partner welcomed a baby girl in 2021.

10. Polly Holliday's first major role in All the President's Men in 1976:

Warner Bros

After various small roles in TV and film, Polly's first big role was in All the President's Men in 1976. Then, she notably starred in Gremlins in 1984 as Ruby Deagle and in Mrs. Doubtfire as Gloria Chaney in 1993.

Polly Holliday as Marva Kulp Sr. in The Parent Trap in 1998:

Walt Disney Pictures

Polly Holliday now:

Summit Entertainment

Polly's retired from acting with her last movie being Fair Game in 2010 alongside Naomi Watts and Sean Penn.

11. Ronnie Stevens's first notable role in The Avengers in 1961:

ITV / Via youtu.be

Ronnie served in World War II in the Royal Air Force and British Army's Royal Engineers before getting into acting. He appeared in countless TV shows and movies as small characters, with one of his notable roles coming when he appeared in the show The Avengers.

Ronnie Stevens as Grandfather in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Sadly, Ronnie died in 2006 at 81 years old.

12. Joanna Barnes's first major role in Auntie Mame in 1958:

Warner Bros / Via youtu.be

Joanna appeared in numerous TV episodes as small characters before her first notable role in Auntie Mame in 1958, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Then, she starred as Jane in Tarzan, the Ape Man. 

Joanna Barnes as Vicki Blake in The Parent Trap in 1998:

Walt Disney Pictures

Joanna's role in The Parent Trap was a nod to the original 1961 The Parent Trap, where she played Vicky, aka the Meredith Blake-like character in the OG movie. Joanna died in 2022 at 87 years old.

13. And finally, Natasha Richardson's first major role in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in 1985:

Granada Television / Via youtu.be

One of Natasha's earliest roles was in an episode of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in 1985. She then went on to star in Gothic, which earned her critical acclaim, The Handmaid's Tale, Nell, and more.

Natasha Richardson as Elizabeth James in The Parent Trap in 1998:

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Sadly, Natasha died in 2009 following a skiing accident.