From Silver Screens to Stardom: Unveiling the Remarkable Journey of the 'Made of Honor' Cast

2008's Made of Honor demonstrated to audiences that a best friend can also be a soulmate, even if the connection was formed under drunken circumstances. This beloved romantic comedy, featuring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, has achieved cult classic status among its viewers. The story follows Tom (Dempsey), a perpetual bachelor who finds himself in Hannah's (Monaghan) college dorm bed while dressed as Bill Clinton, leading to the blossoming of a deep friendship.

During the pre-wedding festivities in Scotland, Tom, who has been asked to be Hannah's maid of honor, realizes that he has developed feelings for her. As Hannah's engagement to Colin approaches, Tom must find a way to prevent the marriage. Reflecting on their initial meeting, Monaghan fondly remembers the strong connection she felt with Kevin McKidd, the Grey's Anatomy alum, back in September 2008.

"I had always wanted to try my hand at a full-fledged romantic comedy, and Patrick seemed like the perfect choice," the Nanny actress shared with Female First during that time. "I had been a long-time fan of Grey's Anatomy, so when I finally had the chance to meet Patrick, along with director Paul Weiland, I was immediately charmed by him."

She fondly remembered Dempsey as someone who was humble, easy-going, and had a great sense of humor. After their audition and improvisation together, it became evident that they would truly enjoy working together, which Monaghan confirmed they did.

During an interview, the Echoes star shared their experience of filming at Blenheim Palace in England and various landmarks in Scotland. Despite having a busy schedule with six-day work weeks, they were able to appreciate the beauty of the castles and historical sites where they shot. Additionally, they expressed their admiration for the charming town of Woodstock in England, which resembled a picturesque movie set.

She exclaimed, "Scotland was undoubtedly one of the most enchanting destinations I have ever visited; its beauty was simply breathtaking."

Over ten years later, Monaghan had a joyous reunion with her fellow movie bridesmaids, Busy Philipps and Whitney Cummings, on Busy Tonight. During their time together, they fondly recalled the mischievous adventures they had experienced during their trip to Scotland.

Cummings, who played Stephanie, mentioned during the April 2019 reunion that while shooting the movie, they were considered best friends but never had the opportunity to be in close proximity to you on screen. Philipps, who portrayed Melissa, admitted that despite the absence of shared scenes, there was a significant amount of drinking involved during the filming process.

"Did you notice how the darkness didn't set in until 2 a.m.? It posed quite a problem," Monaghan remarked. "We simply kept indulging in scotch, waiting for the sun to finally fade away … but the sun never did."

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‘Made of Honor’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan and More

Oh, Monica! Oh, Bill! 2008’s Made of Honor proved to fans that your best friend can be your soulmate — even if the friendship happened by drunk luck.

In this beloved romantic comedy, Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan star as the main characters who captivate the hearts of their audience. The story follows Tom, a perpetual bachelor, who finds himself in Hannah's college dorm bed while hilariously disguised as Bill Clinton. This chance encounter leads to the blossoming of an unexpected friendship between the two.

However, when Hannah announces her engagement to Colin, played by Kevin McKidd, she turns to Tom and asks him to take on the role of her maid of honor. As the wedding preparations unfold in the enchanting backdrop of Scotland, Tom slowly realizes that his feelings for Hannah go beyond friendship. Determined to prevent the marriage, he embarks on a journey to find a way to confess his love and win her heart.

Monaghan reminisced about her strong connection with the Grey's Anatomy star since their initial encounter in September 2008.

"I had yet to delve into a complete romantic comedy, so it was a goal of mine to do so, and Patrick was the perfect fit," the Nanny actress shared with Female First. "Being a fan of Grey's Anatomy for quite some time, I was thrilled to meet Patrick and [director] Paul Weiland. Patrick's charm was undeniable during that first meeting."

She remembered Dempsey as someone who was incredibly humble, relaxed, and able to make fun of himself. As they auditioned and improvised together, it quickly became apparent that they would enjoy each other's company, which Monaghan confirmed they truly did.

Additionally, The Echoes star shared her experience of filming at Blenheim Palace in England and various iconic landmarks in Scotland.

Monaghan expressed her amazement at shooting in exquisite castles, which was a fortunate opportunity considering their demanding work schedule. Not only did they get to experience the beauty of these historical locations, but they also had the chance to explore the charming town of Woodstock in England. Monaghan described it as the most adorable place she and Patrick had ever encountered, resembling a picturesque movie set. Furthermore, she couldn't help but gush about the enchanting atmosphere of Scotland, deeming it one of the most romantic places she had ever visited.

During the reunion on Busy Tonight in April 2019, Monaghan reunited with her fellow movie bridesmaids Busy Philipps and Whitney Cummings. Reflecting on their time filming the movie, Cummings, who portrayed Stephanie, mentioned that although they were portrayed as best friends in the film, they never actually had scenes together.

Philipps, who played the role of Melissa, admitted that even though there weren't many scenes where they were together, there was a considerable amount of drinking happening on set.

"Did you realize that it didn't actually become dark until 2 a.m.? That was a problem," Monaghan commented. "We simply kept drinking scotch until the sun finally set ... and the sun never set."

Scroll down to see what the Made of Honor cast has been doing since 2008:

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Patrick Dempsey

Dempsey played the role of Tom, who unknowingly harbors feelings of love for his best friend, Hannah. In addition to this role, the actor has appeared in various films such as Valentine's Day, Flypaper, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Bridget Jones's Baby, and Disenchanted. He also had a significant role as Dr. Derek Shepherd on the television series Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2015, with a brief reprisal of the character in season 17 episodes aired in 2021. Notably, Dempsey has showcased his talent on shows like SurrealEstate as Tom Quincy and Devils as Dominic Morgan. Furthermore, aside from his acting endeavors, Dempsey has also ventured into producing projects like Flypaper, Hurley, and Ways & Means.

In terms of his personal life, the Can't Buy Me Love actor was previously married to director Rocky Parker from 1987 to 1994. Following their divorce, he tied the knot with Jillian Fink in 1999. Together, the couple has three children: daughter Talula, born in 2002, and twin sons Darby and Sullivan, born in 2007.

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Michelle Monaghan

Iowa-born actress Michelle Monaghan portrayed the character of Hannah, a woman torn between her love for her best friend Tom and her engagement to Colin. Monaghan has since appeared in various films such as Blindsided, Playing It Cool, The Best of Me, Patriots Day, Sleepless, The Vanishing of Sidney Hall, Saint Judy, Every Breath You Take, and Blood. On television, she has played significant roles including Maggie Hart in True Detective, Sarah Lane in The Path, Eva Geller in Messiah, and Gina/Leni in Echoes. Monaghan also ventured into producing, starting with her debut in 2008 with the film Trucker, and later producing 17 episodes of The Path.

The Pixels actress has been married to graphic designer Peter White since 2005. The couple share two children: daughter Willow, born in 2008, and son Tommy, born in 2013.

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Kevin McKidd

McKidd, a native of the U.K., played the role of Colin, Hannah's fiancé from Scotland. In addition to his appearance in various films such as Comes a Bright Day, Home Sweet Hell, and Tulip Fever, he has lent his voice to characters in Brave, Toy Story That Time Forgot, and Star Wars: Rebels. However, McKidd is most recognized for his portrayal of Dr. Owen Hunt on Grey's Anatomy, a role he has been playing since 2008. He has also made appearances as the same character in a few episodes of Station 19 from 2020 to 2022. Aside from his acting career, the Scottish actor has also found success as a director, having directed over 30 episodes of Grey's Anatomy.

McKidd was previously married to Jane Parker from 1999 to 2017, and they have two children together. Their son Joseph was born in 2000, followed by their daughter Iona in 2002. In 2018, McKidd entered into his second marriage with Arielle Goldrath. However, the couple filed for divorce in December 2022. During their marriage, they welcomed a son named Aiden in 2018 and a daughter named Nava in 2019.

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Messina portrayed Dennis, one of Tom's closest friends and basketball buddies. He has also showcased his talent in various television shows such as Damages, The Newsroom, The Mindy Project, Sharp Objects, The Sinner, and Gaslit. On the big screen, Messina has been part of notable films like Julie & Julia, Argo, Cake, Blame, Love Is Love Is Love, The Secrets We Keep, Call Jane, and Dreamin’ Wild. In 2012, he ventured into producing with the films 28 Hotel Rooms and Fairhaven. Two years later, Messina took on the role of director for his debut film, Alex of Venice.

The actor known for his role in Ira & Abby was previously married to Rosemarie DeWitt from 1995 to 2006. Messina later entered into a relationship with producer Jennifer Todd and together they have two children: Milo, born in 2008, and Giovanni, born in 2009.

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Busy Philipps

Busy Philipps, originally from Illinois, played the role of Melissa, a bridesmaid who attempts to have a romantic encounter with Tom while they are in Scotland. Apart from this, Philipps has had notable roles in various television shows such as Cougar Town, Vice Principals, The Thrilling Adventure Hour: Livestream, and Girls5Eva. She also made appearances in movies like Made in Cleveland, FML, and I Feel Pretty. In 2018, Philipps published her memoir titled "This Will Only Hurt a Little." A year later, her talk show on E!, Busy Tonight, concluded after running for seven months. In 2020, she launched her podcast called "Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best."

During a podcast episode in May 2022, the Dawson's Creek actress revealed that she and her husband, Marc Silverstein, had been separated since February 2021. The couple has two children together, Birdie and Cricket, who were born in 2008 and 2013, respectively.

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Cummings played the role of bridesmaid Stephanie in the movie. Her notable film credits include The Wedding Ringer, The Opening Act, Studio 666, and Good Mourning. Originally from Washington, D.C., she gained recognition for her work as a writer, producer, and actor on the television show Whitney, which aired from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, Cummings is the creator of CBS' 2 Broke Girls. She has also written and performed in several comedy shows, such as The Female Brain and Whitney Cummings: Can I Touch It?

Whitney Cummings

In 2017, Cummings published her debut book titled "I'm Fine ... And Other Lies". After two years, she introduced her "Good for You" podcast. In June 2023, the comedian revealed that she was pregnant with her first child, which came as a result of freezing her eggs in 2015.

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Emily Nelson

Nelson, who played Hilary, one of Hannah's bridesmaids, went on to have roles in Shadow of Fear, Sugar, and The Openers. In addition to her acting career, she has made guest appearances on popular shows such as The Mentalist, Bones, Melissa & Joey, and Shameless. Nelson also portrayed Hannah Reynolds on Code Black and had a recurring role as Margaret on True Detective. Apart from acting, she has produced films like Sugar and More Information Please. Nelson has also showcased her talent in stage plays including Cooking With Elvis, Home Free!, and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.

In addition to her work as a director for The Bloody Shame, Nelson is also actively involved as an acting coach and teacher. She has taught at renowned institutions such as AMDA | College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Young Storytellers Foundation.

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Quinlan, the actress who played Hannah’s mother, Joan, has had a successful career in television and film. She has appeared in popular shows like Prison Break, Chicago Fire, Blue, and Runaways. Additionally, she has showcased her talent in movies such as The River Why, Life’s an Itch, Elizabeth Blue, Saving My Bab, The Stairs, and Walking With Herb. Not only is she an accomplished actress, but Quinlan is also a multi-talented individual, as she has written, directed, and acted in the upcoming short film titled The Fixer-Upper. Despite its completion in 2023, the release date for this project is yet to be announced.

Quinlan has been married to actor Bruce Abbott since 1994. The Apollo 13 actress shares one child, son Tyler, with her husband.

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Sydney Pollack

Pollack portrayed the character of Tom's father, Thomas Sr., in the romantic comedy film. Unfortunately, Made of Honor marked his final acting role as he passed away at the age of 73 in May 2008. The family's representative confirmed that his death was a result of battling cancer.

Originally from Indiana, Pollack was renowned for his performances in movies such as Eyes Wide Shut and Husbands and Wives. However, he achieved even greater success as a director and producer. His notable works include Tootsie, Michael Clayton, and Out of Africa, for which he received an Academy Award for Best Director and the film won the prestigious Best Picture award in 1986. Tragically, his wife Claire Griswold also passed away in 2011. Together, they had three children named Rebecca, Rachel, and Steven.