Legally Blonde turns 20: Where are the cast now?

It’s been 20 years since Reese Witherspoon took on the patriarchy in a hot pink suit as icon Elle Woods in the 2001 chick flick Legally Blonde.

And, with a third sequel planned for release in May 2022, we wondered what the stars of the movie have been up to in the two decades since it hit screens. Where are the cast of Legally Blonde now?

Remind me: She starred as lead Elle Woods who, in an attempt to win back ex-boyfriend Warner, heads to Harvard Law School only to find out he’s engaged. Elle soon realises that Warner is literal trash, wins her first case, and graduates top of her class.
Most iconic moment: When her ex found out she got into Harvard, and she clapped back with, “What, like it’s hard?” Snaps for Elle.

Where is she now? Despite already having a 10 year acting career when she landed the role of Elle Woods, it was Legally Blonde that really catapulted Witherspoon into stardom. Following the success of the movie, she starred in several noughties rom coms including Sweet Home Alabama. She later won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Walk The Line in 2005.

In 2017 she starred in the hit HBO drama, Big Little Lies, and more recently alongside Kerry Washington in Little Fires Everywhere, executive producing both. Reese is also very active on social media, and you can catch her having fun with her family over on Instagram.

Remind me: He plays Warner Huntington III, who tells Elle, “If I want to be elected senator by the time I’m 30, I need to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn,” (gross). He ends up engaged to Vivian Kensington, who dumps him by the end of the movie. Warner graduates with no honours, so it’s Elle who has the last laugh.

Most iconic moment: Honestly, none. Warner = cancelled.

Where is he now? After Legally Blonde, Davis had several recurring roles in TV shows including Damages. He also played Alaric Saltzman in the hit series Vampire Diaries, from 2009-2017, and later in the spin-off series Legacies.

Remind me: She plays Paulette, Elle’s new bestie slash manicurist. Elle helps Paulette get her dog back from her ex husband, and fixes her up with her crush, the delivery guy.

Most iconic moment: Of course, it has to be the bend and snap scene. Bend…. and snap!

Where is she now? Coolidge was already a well known star on the big screen, having played Stifler’s mom in the 90s movie, American Pie. After the success of Legally Blonde, she reprised her role in all of the American Pie sequels, as well as serving iconic lines as Fiona in A Cinderella Story.

Remind me: Elle bumps into lawyer and eventual love interest Emmett, played by Wilson, during a disastrous first day at Harvard. Emmett supports Elle throughout the movie, and at the end, we find out he plans to propose to Elle on the night of her graduation.

Most iconic moment: When he reminds Elle of her worth and encourages her to stay at Harvard after Professor Callahan tries to take advantage of her.

Where is he now? Luke Wilson, younger brother to you-guessed-it Owen (yep, really), went on to have a successful acting career after Legally Blonde, starring in Vacancy, Death at a Funeral, and That 70s Show, to name a few. He’s also been hailed as somewhat of a hero, after pulling a 50-year-old woman from her burning car after a crash in LA a few years back.

Remind me: Selma plays Vivian Kensinton, Warner’s fiancé and total, er, bitch. Not only does she exclude Elle from joining her study group, she later tricks her into attending a party in fancy dress. But, by the end of the movie, the pair realise that women need to stick together. Vivian dumps Warner and becomes besties with Elle.

Most iconic moment: When she and Elle have a total heart-to-heart and bond over smashing the patriarchy. We’re so here for the sisterhood.

Where is she now? Blair starred alongside Witherspoon in the movie Cruel Intentions, just two years before Legally Blonde, and went on to have a busy acting career afterwards. You can catch her in the raunchy romcom The Sweetest Thing, or as Kris Jenner in Netflix’s The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. In 2018 Blair revealed she had been diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis), and has been undergoing intense treatment. A documentary following her experience is due for release this year.

Remind me: He plays Professor Callahan, who invites Elle and other students to join him on a case. He later attempts to seduce (read: take advantage of) Elle, which leaves her doubting her place on the case.

Most iconic moment: When he’s fired from the case and Elle takes over. BOY BYE 👋

Where is he now? Garber was no stranger to the big screen before Legally Blonde, and continued to rack up credits long after. He starred alongside Ben Affleck in the Oscar-winning movie Argo, and most recently had a recurring role in the TV series, Power.

Remind me: The second half of the movie centres around the trial of former sorority icon turned workout guru, Brooke Windham. She’s accused of murdering her husband, but is later exonerated thanks to Elle’s law/beauty know-how.

Most iconic moment: When she struts into the courtroom in a to-die-for pantsuit and tells Callahan he’s fired.

Where is she now? Since her role in Legally Blonde, Larter continued acting in a variety of movies and TV shows, including Final Destination 2, Resident Evil, and Heroes. She’s also married to How I Met Your Mother actor Hayes MacArthur, and they have two kids together.

Remind me: She plays the role of Chutney, daughter of Brooke’s husband (who she's accused of murdering). It later turns out that she’s the one who murdered her dad, after mistakenly shooting him instead of step-mom Brooke.

Most iconic moment: When it’s revealed her ‘I was in the shower’ alibi is BS. Everyone knows you can’t get your hair wet after a perm, duh!

Where is she now? In a post-Legally Blonde world, Cardellini went on to land several major roles including Velma in the live-action Scooby Doo Movie, as well as Brokeback Mountain, Avengers, and Mad Men. Most recently she starred as Judy alongside Christina Applegate in the hit Netflix series Dead to Me.