Revisiting the Cast of 'The Wedding Planner': Where Are They Now?
Discover the whereabouts of the beloved cast of 'The Wedding Planner'! Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, and more stars from the 2001 romantic comedy Uncover the exciting journeys of these talented actors since their iconic roles in the film Get ready for some surprising updates!
Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey displayed exceptional chemistry in the romantic comedy, The Wedding Planner, solidifying their status as a perfect on-screen couple. Directed by Adam Shankman, this beloved film revolves around Mary Fiore (Lopez), a highly successful and ambitious wedding planner. Despite a career triumph, she becomes involved in an accident that introduces her to Steve Edison (McConaughey), who unbeknownst to her, is the groom in the prestigious wedding she is preparing for.
The heartwarming movie was released in theaters during Super Bowl weekend in 2001. However, this did not discourage viewers from flocking to see it, ultimately making The Wedding Planner a resounding success. Fast forward to present day, Lopez and McConaughey recently virtually reunited to reflect on their time working on the film.
"I absolutely adore that movie," Lopez expressed to McConaughey in January 2021. "It's incredible how many people approach me and say that The Wedding Planner is their favorite movie. It's really special when amidst all the films I've done, that one still holds a special place in their hearts."
McConaughey reiterated his former co-star's belief, stating that he continues to be recognized globally for the film. He even hinted at a potential revival of the romantic comedy genre in the near future, with Lopez potentially spearheading the movement. He emphasized that especially now, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, people crave 90 minutes of pure escapism and pleasure, where they know the couple will ultimately end up together.
The actor from Interstellar praised The Wedding Planner for its "lightness" and described it as buoyant. He mentioned that the film gives the feeling of dancing across the clouds and experiencing a Saturday evening every day on set. Lopez and McConaughey had great chemistry in the movie. However, on the film's 20th anniversary, Shankman revealed that Minnie Driver was initially considered for Lopez's role.
"I initially didn't see Jennifer as someone who would be interested in romantic comedies; she appeared tough to me. However, my agency insisted that we meet because she had read the script and expressed a genuine desire to be a part of it," the filmmaker shared with Yahoo! Entertainment in January 2021. He went on to reveal that he was completely captivated by Lopez after their introduction.
Despite his initial skepticism, the filmmaker soon realized that the Hustlers actress was the perfect choice for the role. "She had ambition and a deep understanding of the feminine and girly aspects of the film, while also recognizing the underlying drive behind it," Shankman added. "There were numerous qualities in the real-life Jennifer that truly resonated with the character."
Scroll down to discover the current endeavors of The Wedding Planner cast members.
Credit: Ron Batzdorff/Columbia/Intermedia/Pacifica/Kobal/Shutterstock
'The Wedding Planner' Cast: Where Are They Now?
“You saved my shoe. I mean, my life.” Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey proved they were a match made in rom-com heaven with The Wedding Planner.
Released on Super Bowl weekend in 2001, The Wedding Planner quickly became a beloved film directed by Adam Shankman. The story revolves around Mary Fiore (played by Lopez), a successful wedding planner, who unexpectedly finds herself injured and unexpectedly drawn to Steve Edison (played by McConaughey). As luck would have it, Steve turns out to be the groom in the prestigious wedding Mary is working on. Despite being released during a busy weekend, The Wedding Planner became a huge success, reaching No. 1 at the box office. Recently, Lopez and McConaughey virtually reunited to reflect on their time filming the heartwarming movie.
Lopez expressed her love for the movie to McConaughey in January 2021. She mentioned that many people approach her and express that "The Wedding Planner" is their favorite film. She considers it special that amidst her numerous films, this one is frequently brought up. McConaughey agreed with his former co-star and shared that he still receives recognition for the movie worldwide. He even predicted a possible resurgence of the romantic comedy genre in the future, with Lopez as the lead.
"Particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, individuals are seeking a 90-minute escape filled with joy and pleasure. They anticipate the eventual union of the couple, but enjoy witnessing the journey."
The actor from Interstellar proceeded to commend The Wedding Planner for its delightful nature, stating, "We don't encounter this as frequently anymore, but The Wedding Planner exudes buoyancy for a specific reason. It allows you to glide across the clouds, evoking a sense of Saturday evening every day on set. When watching these movies, it feels like a perpetual Saturday, and the goal is to avoid the Monday blues."
When the film celebrated its 20th anniversary, Shankman disclosed that although Lopez and McConaughey had undeniable chemistry, they weren't his initial selection for the lead roles. Surprisingly, Minnie Driver was considered for Lopez's role. Shankman admitted that he initially underestimated Lopez's ability to excel in romantic comedies, perceiving her as too tough. However, upon meeting with her and witnessing her passion for the script, he was completely captivated by Lopez. This revelation came from an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment in January 2021.
Unbeknownst to him initially, the Hustlers actress proved to be an ideal choice. "Not only was she ambitious and well-versed in the feminine and girly elements of the film, but she also understood the core of it," Shankman explained. "There were numerous aspects of the real-life Jennifer that truly resonated with the character."
As for Lopez, she had always been captivated by the notion of a fairy-tale ending. "Despite the challenges we've faced this year, miracles still occur," she shared with McConaughey during their video reunion in January 2021. "Love conquers all. Things can turn out well. Without a doubt, all of that."
Scroll down to find out what the cast of The Wedding Planner is doing now:
Credit: Columbia/Intermedia/Pacifica/Kobal/Shutterstock; ABC/WDTV
Jennifer Lopez (Mary Fiore)
The New Yorker's second studio album, J.Lo, was released simultaneously with the film The Wedding Planner, establishing her as the first woman to achieve a No. 1 hit on both the music charts and at the box office. She later starred in Maid in Manhattan (2002), Gigli (2003), Monster-in-Law (2005), Second Act (2018), and Hustlers (2019), garnering a Golden Globe nomination for the latter. In addition to J.Lo, she has released seven successful albums from 1999 to 2014.
Lopez has twin children, Max and Emme, with her former husband Marc Anthony. They ended their seven-year marriage in 2011, with their divorce becoming final in 2014. Prior to Anthony, she was married to Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998 and Cris Judd from 2001 to 2002. In April 2021, she called off her two-year engagement with Alex Rodriguez and rekindled her relationship with Ben Affleck, to whom she was engaged from 2002 to 2004.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Matthew McConaughey (Steve Edison)
During the 2000s, the actor, originally from Texas, became a well-known face in romantic comedies with his performances in films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Failure to Launch (2006), Fool's Gold (2008), and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009). As time went on, he transitioned into more serious roles, such as in Mud (2012) and Dallas Buyers Club (2013), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Prior to publishing his memoir, Greenlights, in 2020, McConaughey was also recognized with an Emmy nomination for his work on HBO's True Detective.
The actor from Sing, who married Camila Alves in 2012, has three children with his wife. In addition, he is a partial owner of the Austin FC soccer team and briefly contemplated running for governor of Texas in 2021.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras (Fran Donolly)
Before delving into her acting career, the Oregon native secured the title of Miss Teen USA in 1990. She graced the screens of the soap opera Santa Barbara from 1992 to 1993, leading her to prominent roles in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), House on Haunted Hill (1999), and Shopgirl (2005). With her husband, Pete Sampras, whom she united with in 2000, she cherishes their two children. However, in December 2022, Wilson-Sampras confronted the troublesome battle of ovarian cancer, a revelation she only shared with the public in October 2023.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Justin Chambers (Massimo)
Chambers gained notable recognition for his portrayal of Dr. Alex Karev on the popular ABC series Grey's Anatomy, which aired from 2005 to 2020. Prior to his acting career, the actor, hailing from Ohio, ventured into modeling and worked with renowned brands such as Calvin Klein, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Keisha Chambers, his wife, who used to work as a booker for a modeling agency. The couple exchanged vows in 1993 and have since welcomed five children into their lives: Isabella (born in December 1994), twins Maya and Kaila (born in June 1997), Eva (born in March 1999), and Jackson (born in January 2002).
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Judy Greer (Penny Nicholson)
Alongside her role in The Wedding Planner, Greer has also appeared in other notable films such as What Women Want (2000), 13 Going on 30 (2004), 27 Dresses (2008), Love & Other Drugs (2010), Carrie (2013), Ant-Man (2015), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Halloween (2018), and Halloween Kills (2021). Furthermore, she has made appearances on various television shows including Archer, The Big Bang Theory, Arrested Development, and Kidding. In 2011, The I Don't Know What You Know Me From author tied the knot with Dean E. Johnsen and happily took on the role of stepmother to his two children from a previous relationship.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Alex Rocco (Salvatore Fiore)
The renowned late actor, known for his notable portrayal of Moe Greene in The Godfather, achieved further acclaim receiving an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his outstanding performance in the ‘80s series, The Famous Teddy Z. Tragically, Rocco passed away at the age of 79 in July 2015 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Credit: YouTube; Christopher Smith/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Joanna Gleason (Mrs. Donelly)
Alongside her appearances on popular television shows such as Friends, The West Wing, The Good Wife, and The Affair, this Canadian star also showcased her talent in notable films like Boogie Nights (1987), Sex and the City (2008), and The Skeleton Twins (2014). Moreover, her exceptional acting skills led her to win a prestigious Tony Award in 1988 for originating the role of the Baker’s Wife in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Throughout her career, she has been married three times. Her first marriage was to acting coach Paul G. Gleason from 1975 to 1982, followed by Michael Bennahum from 1984 to 1990. Currently, she is happily married to Chris Sarandon, whom she wed in 1994. Notably, she has a son named Aaron David Gleason with her first husband.
Credit: YouTube; Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Charles Kimbrough (Mr. Donelly)
The ‘80s TV series Murphy Brown saw the Minnesota native, who played Jim Dial, nominated for an Emmy. In the ‘70s, he starred in Sondheim’s Company, which earned him a Tony nomination. Additionally, Kimbrough was an original cast member of Sunday in the Park with George. Alongside his stage work, he has lent his voice to animated roles in films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire, among others. Prior to his 2015 death, Kimbrough was married twice, first to Mary Jane Wilson (1961-1991) and then to Beth Howland (2002-2015).
Credit: YouTube; Mediapunch/Shutterstock
Fred Willard (Basil St. Mosely)
The beloved star of Anchorman became renowned for his performances in beloved comedies, both on the big screen and television. From Best in Show to Modern Family, Willard left an indelible mark on the industry. Sadly, he passed away in May 2020 at the age of 86 due to cardiac arrest. His last appearance was in the Netflix series Space Force.
Credit: YouTube
Lou Myers (Burt Weinberg)
The NAACP Image Award winner worked on both stage and screen until his 2013 death. Myers was 77 years old when he succumbed to pneumonia.
Credit: YouTube; Warren Toda/EPA/Shutterstock
Frances Bay (Dottie)
Starting her career on the radio in the 1930s, the late character actress went on to make a name for herself in the world of film and television. Many remember her for her role as Happy's grandmother in the 1994 comedy Happy Gilmore, which featured Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, and Julie Bowen. In 2008, Bay was honored with an induction into Canada's Walk of Fame. Sadly, she passed away three years later at the age of 92 due to pneumonia.
Credit: YouTube; Ryan Miller/Shutterstock
Kevin Pollak (Dr. John Dojny)
Pollak's illustrious career spans over 80 films, showcasing his versatile acting skills. Notable among these are A Few Good Men (1992), That Thing You Do! (1996), She's All That (1999), and The Big Year (2011). In 2017, he embarked on a new venture, portraying the character of Moishe Maisel in Amazon’s acclaimed series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Prior to this, Pollak was in a long-term marital union with comedian Lucy Webb for a decade before parting ways in 2005. The dissolution of their marriage was finalized in 2008.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Kathy Najimy (Geri)
With an array of credits ranging from Sister Act to Hocus Pocus, this California-born individual boasts a diverse and impressive resume, even lending their voice talents to Fox's King of the Hill. Beyond their acting career, this Veep veteran takes a passionate stand on a variety of important causes, including LGBTQ rights, AIDS awareness, domestic violence, gender equality, and civil rights. Excitement builds as they delve into the highly anticipated production of the Hocus Pocus sequel, scheduled for release in the autumn of 2022.
