The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (2024)

Twenty-five years ago, Lindsay Lohan made her film debut in the remake of The Parent Trap, playing identical twins Annie and Hallie.

The twins, separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, later discover each other for the first time at summer camp. The pair elaborately and successfully scheme to reunite their parents and rekindle their romance after they secretly switch places.

A remake of the 1961 original Disney film starring Hayley Mills, which was an adaptation of Erich Kastner’s novel Lottie and Lisa, the film was a box-office success and earned positive reviews, especially for its young star Lohan.

More than two decades later, fans still reminisce over the film that made Oreos dipped in peanut butter a childhood staple.

To celebrate the film’s 22nd anniversary in 2020, Katie Couric reunited the stars, along with writer-director Nancy Meyers and writer-producer Charles Shyer, on her Instagram channel, where they talked aboutfavorite scenes, lines and memories from making the movie.

And now, in honor of the film’s 25th anniversary, read on to see what the cast has been up to in the years since the movie hit theaters July 29, 1998.

  • Lindsay Lohan

    The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (1)


    Before Lindsay Lohan was Cady Heron in Mean Girls, her role in the 1998 classic playing the adorable redheaded twins, Annie and Hallie, brought her critical acclaim and commercial success. The film premiered when Lohan was just 12 years old.


    “I was so young, and it was just so fresh for me. It was my first movie audition. It was my first screen test, my first time in front of people like Nancy and Charles and on a sound stage,” Lohan told Couric.


    After The Parent Trap, Lohan went on to star in a number of films, including Herbie Fully Loaded, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen andFreaky Friday. She played herself in projects such as The Holiday, Glee, Scary Movie V and TV series Anger Management.


    In March 2022, Lohan partnered with Netflix for two new films in addition to that year’sFalling for Christmas.The deal marked the actress’ full-fledged return to acting after several years on and off the screen.

  • Dennis Quaid

    The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (2)


    Quaid plays the divorced father of Annie James and Hallie Parker, the latter of whom resides with him in Napa, California, where he owns a vineyard. When Annie meets him masquerading as Hallie, she learns he is engaged to gold digger Meredith Blake.


    “When it comes down to it, this movie just had some sort of stardust that was sprinkled on it,” Quaid told Couric of the movie’s enduring appeal.


    Quaid went on to star in several films, including Frequency, Far From Heavenand A Dog’s Purpose. He also had recurring roles in TV series like Vegas, The Art of More and Fortitude. More recently, the actor starred in Max’s Full Circle and will portray former President Ronald Reagan in Reagan.

  • Natasha Richardson

    The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (3)


    Before The Parent Trap, Richardson won a Tony Award for best performance in a musical, a Drama Desk Award for outstanding actress in a musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award for the 1998 Broadway revival of Cabaret. In The Parent Trap, Richardson plays Annie and Hallie’s mother, who resided in London and worked as a famous wedding dress designer. She went on to star in films including Waking Up in Reno and Maid in Manhattan.


    On March 16, 2009, at age 45, Richardson died from ahead injury while skiing.


    “Natasha had such an elegance and grace and she was so maternal to me,” Lohan told Couric of her onscreen mom.

  • Elaine Hendrix

    The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (4)


    Hendrix plays Meredith Blake, a publicist from San Francisco whom Nick hired for his vineyard, and they later get engaged. She earns the nickname “Cruella” from the twins, whodesperately want to get their parents back together.


    “Let’s talk about this because, at the time, yes, she was a nightmare,” Hendrix told Couric. “But Meredith has really come around now. There’s the whole generation who thinks Meredith is #goals. There was this online campaign and hashtag #JusticeforMeredithBlake. And I’m like, ‘Right on, yes! Meredith is getting her dues.'”


    Hendrix started her career as a professional dancer before an injury led her to pursue acting. She was a hip-hop dancer in videos for M.C. Hammer, Whodini, Keith Sweat and Cameo. She also starred in Get Smart, Good Intentions and Inspector Gadget 2. Most recently, she played the role of Alexis Carrington in the CW’s reboot of Dynasty.

  • Lisa Ann Walter

    The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (5)


    Walter plays Nick’s (Quaid) loving housekeeper, who helped raise Hallie and is the first one to recognize that the twins switched places. The Parent Trap marked one of the actress’ first feature roles. Toward the end of the film, she joins forces with Hallie and Annie to help reunite Nick and Elizabeth (Richardson).


    After the film, Walter went on to appear in films like Get Your Stuff, Bruce Almighty and Shall We Dance. She also guest-starred on several TV series, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Emeril, Breaking News, GLOW and Grey’s Anatomy. She currently stars in Quinta Brunson’s award-winning series Abbott Elementary.

The Cast of ‘The Parent Trap’ Remake, Then and Now (2024)

FAQs

Is there two versions of The Parent Trap? ›

The original 1961 film received positive critical response, and was deemed a success. Starting in 1986 three television sequels were produced and released as a part of The Magical World of Disney series. The 1998 film received critical acclaim and was a hit for the studio financially.

Are Hallie and Annie the same person in real life? ›

Contrary to some popular rumors, Lindsay Lohan never had a twin sister and used a double for some of The Parent Trap scenes. The New York native starred as both Halle and Annie in the 1998 remake of the film alongside Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson.

Who starred in the remake of Parent Trap? ›

Twenty-five years ago, Lindsay Lohan made her film debut in the remake of 'The Parent Trap,' playing identical twins Annie and Hallie. Twenty-five years ago, Lindsay Lohan made her film debut in the remake of The Parent Trap, playing identical twins Annie and Hallie.

Which version of Parent Trap is better? ›

Lohan's adaptation of The Parent Trap is much more timeless because there aren't any noticeably outdated comments. This version was also funnier and less solemn than the original, making it better for its target audience. Another main point that makes Lohan's version more memorable is the villain.

Is Parent Trap 2 out? ›

The Parent Trap II is a 1986 television film. It is a sequel to the 1961 film The Parent Trap. It aired on July 26, 1986 on the Disney Channel as a part of its "Sunday Night Movie".

What scene was removed from Parent Trap? ›

The January 28, 2024 ABC broadcast removes the scene where Annie dives into the lake naked. The 2024 ABC telecast removes all scenes in which Elizabeth is seen smoking or drinking. A version shown on the Disney channel also edits the piercing scene as well as the the following two scenes: When Annie says "Oh my God!

Has The Parent Trap ever happened in real life? ›

"The Parent Trap" may seem like a fantasy for some children of divorce, with two sisters plotting to get their parents back together. However, something like that actually happened for one family in Cincinnati. Scott Gaede and Julie Shore are the parents of two daughters and divorced nearly 10 years ago.

Why is Parent Trap only dedicated to Hallie? ›

As the end credits begin rolling, the caption "For Hallie" is a dedication to Nancy Meyers's daughter. During the end credits, pictures from Nick and Liz's wedding are shown.

Is Chessy Nick's sister in The Parent Trap? ›

Pets. Chessy is Nick Parker's housekeeper and Hallie's nanny in the 1998 remake of the The Parent Trap.

Where can I watch Parent Trap 2? ›

  • Disney's Official Site.
  • Film Streaming.

Who is the blonde girl in Parent Trap? ›

The Parent Trap (1998) - Chéri Ballinger as Blonde Girl at Camp - IMDb.

Who is the blonde model in Parent Trap? ›

Kirsebom appeared in Batman and Robin in 1997 as Nora Fries and played the bridal gown model in the 1998 movie The Parent Trap, starring Lindsay Lohan, Natasha Richardson, and Dennis Quaid. She was also featured in the Disney Channel's Model Behavior with Justin Timberlake and Maggie Lawson.

What are the inappropriate scenes in The Parent Trap? ›

Parents Need to Know

Wine is consumed in several scenes, and the twins' mother gets slightly drunk before she faces her ex-husband. An ear-piercing scene results in an "ewww" moment, and a poker game results in a girl's embarrassing naked dive into a lake (a very wide shot).

Are Alyssa and Amanda related? ›

Alyssa and Amanda are two little girls who are identical, but complete strangers, that accidentally meet one day.

Did the Olsen twins play in Parent Trap? ›

Because the original version of The Parent Trap in the '60s cast Hayley Mills in both roles. Having Lindsay Lohan do the same thing followed in the tradition. Adding to the Olsen twins can't act, already made similar movie, and the hook of the original was the actress playing both parts…

What is the original version of The Parent Trap? ›

The Parent Trap is a 1961 American romantic comedy film written and directed by David Swift. It stars Hayley Mills (in a dual role) as a pair of teenage twins plotting to reunite their divorced parents by switching places with each other. Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith play the parents.

Is The Parent Trap the same as It Takes Two? ›

The Parent Trap is more directly an adaptation of the German book "Lisa and Lottie." I guess you could argue that It Takes Two is also based on Lisa and Lottie but I argue that it's more likely that it tried to be a remake of the Parent Trap before Disney remade it with Lindsay Lohan.

Is the original Parent Trap the same girl? ›

In both the 1961 Parent Trap and the 1998 remake, one actor was cast to play both twins. While millennials contemplated getting their ear pierced with a sewing needle and an apple like Lindsey Lohan, their mothers weighed the short haircut of Hayley Mills of the original.

Where can I watch The Parent Trap 2? ›

  • Disney's Official Site.
  • Film Streaming.

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