What happened to the cast of Legally Blonde? From becoming a Hollywood heavyweight to getting a life-changing diagnosis to a tragic death - as the prequel airs

Legally Blonde was a generation-defining movie that even 25 years after its release.

The film follows Elle Woods, a fashionable sorority president who gets dumped by her boyfriend for being 'too blonde'.

Determined to win him back, she studies for the LSATs, gets into Harvard Law School, and discovers her own brilliance, ultimately realising her true worth.

Over the years, the movie has only grown in stature. It spawned a sequel, a Broadway musical, and now, a brand-new prequel series. 

But what happened to the cast of the original film?

From going on to become a Hollywood heavyweight to getting a life-changing diagnosis, the Daily Mail takes a look at the varied fates of the stars.

Reese Witherspoon (Elle Woods)

Since landing the role of Elle, Reese Witherspoon has

After the film, she continued to balance commercial hits with critically acclaimed roles. 

She won an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line in 2005 and later earned praise for films like Wild in 2014.

Away from acting, her production company Hello Sunshine, has become a major force behind female-driven storytelling. 

The star has gone on to lead and produce TV projects like Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Morning Show.

Most recently, Reese appeared in films like A Wrinkle in Time and Your Place or Mine. 

She is also producing the prequel series Elle, which will explore the character’s high school years and premiere in 2026.

Luke Wilson (Emmett Richmond)

Luke Wilson entered Legally Blonde already known for his collaborations with filmmaker Wes Anderson, including Bottle Rocket and Rushmore. 

After the film, he continued to build a steady career across both comedy and drama.

He appeared in popular films like Old School and The Royal Tenenbaums, while also taking on television roles in series such as Enlightened.

More recently, the Texas-born actor has continued to work on the big screen, appearing in The Goldfinch, All the Bright Places, The Cleaner, and Miranda's Victim, and landed roles on series Roadies and Stargirl.

Jennifer Coolidge (Paulette Bonafonté)

Jennifer Coolidge already had a long comedy career before the movie and was best .

However, she nearly stole the movie as Paulette in Legally Blonde. 

The star, who is a regular in Christopher Guest's mockumentaries like Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, has built up a huge résumé in film and on TV since.

These include roles in A Cinderella Story, Click, and all of the American Pie sequels.

Her career reached new heights in recent years thanks to her Emmy-winning performance in The White Lotus.

The performance earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe, catapulting her from cult-comedy status to widespread mainstream acclaim.

Matthew Davis (Warner Huntington III)

After Legally Blonde, Matthew Davis transitioned into television, where he found lasting success.

He became widely known for his role as Alaric Saltzman on The Vampire Diaries (2009), and later reprised the role in the spin-off Legacies.

In April 2024, it was announced that Matthew would star in the NBC drama series Grosse Pointe Garden Society. 

Selma Blair (Vivian Kensington)

After Legally Blonde, Selma Blair’s career

She starred in films like The Sweetest Thing and the Hellboy franchise, showing her range across comedy and action. 

On TV, she delivered memorable performances in projects like The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

In 2018, Blair revealed her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system condition that damages nerves, . 

MS can cause muscle weakness, vision changes, numbness and memory loss.

At the time, she had taken to social media and penned: 'I have #multiplesclerosis. I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at Netflix, I have a job. 

'A wonderful job. I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it. 

'And I laugh and I don't know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best,' Blair had continued. 

During an interview with New Beauty in January 2026, she offered a positive update on her health battle. 

'I'm relapse-free. I found the right treatment for me, finally. It took many years and a lot of false starts. But I didn't give up.' 

She expressed that she was able to 'find the right doctor' while sharing she is still in the process of 'healing.'

'When I go out, I realize: I'm the grown-up in the room. If we're not going to be the ones cheerleading or having a good time, who is? I think we can have a responsibility to bring whatever joy we can.'

Blair had also expressed that she was 'excited' for what is in store for her in 2026.

'I hope for a whole turning of the page. People are mired in what they can't do or the things they fear.'

The Legally Blonde actress added, 'But we're still standing. We're okay. I want a shift toward people being kind and supportive again. I think people are craving connection.' 

Since being diagnosed, as part of her advocacy work, the actress launched an adaptive clothing line with long-time friend and designer Isaac Mizrahi in 2023.

She continues to act, having earned credits for two films in the After series, Netflix's Another Life, and Far More.

She also wrote her 2022 memoir, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up.

Victor Garber (Professor Callahan)

Victor Garber has long been one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, and his career has only continued to grow since the movie.

He's since had roles in Tuck Everlasting, Milk, Argo, Rebel in the Rye, and Happiest Season. 

On TV, Victor's credits include his lead roles as Jack Bristow on Alias from 2001 to 2006 and as Harry Svensson on Family Law from 2021 to 2022. 

He joined the Arrowverse in 2015, playing Dr. Martin Stein on DC's Legends of Tomorrow and The Flash.

He's also had recurring roles on Power, as well as the sequel spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost, and The Orville.

Ali Larter (Brooke Taylor Windham)

After the movie, Ali Larter became a staple of early 2000s genre films, including the Resident Evil series.

Soon after, she starred in Final Destination, Obsessed, three Resident Evil films — Extinction, Afterlife, and The Final Chapter — and The Last Victim. 

On TV, she had roles on Heroes from 2006 to 2010; Legends in 2014; and The Rookie from 2019 to 2020.

Most recently, she starred in Taylor Sheridan's Landman.

Holland Taylor (Professor Stromwell)

Before playing Professor Stromwell, Holland Taylor had an impressive film, TV, and stage résumé.

And after the movie, she has had roles in Disney's two animated Cinderella sequels, the second and third Spy Kids films; and 2008's Baby Mama. 

On screen, she had main roles as Judge Roberta Kittleson on The Practice, for which she won an Emmy in 1999. 

She also received four Emmy nominations for Evelyn Harper on Two and a Half Men.

Her Hollywood credits include The Stand In, The Chair, and The Morning Show.

Jessica Cauffiel (Margot)

After Legally Blonde, Jessica Cauffiel had stints on The Drew Carey Show and My Name Is Earl.

She also had roles in the films White Chicks, Guess Who, and Hoot. 

Her latest onscreen credit is the short film Bed Ridden in 2009, which was produced by her father. 

She then transitioned primarily to writing, producing, and philanthropic work.

Alanna Ubach (Serena McGuire)

Alanna Ubach went on to have roles in Meet the Frockers. Waiting..., Bad Teacher, and Bobmshell.

On TV, she's starred in Filthy Rich, Euphoria, and The Flight Attendant. 

The actress has also done voiceover work for projects like Coco, Monsters at Work, Puppy Dog Pals, among others. 

Linda Cardellini (Chutney)

Post-Blonde, Linda Cardellini starred as Velma in the live-action Scooby-Doo films.

She also appeared in Brokeback Mountain, Welcome to Me, Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Curse of La Llorona, and Avengers: Endgame. 

On TV, she had main or recurring roles on ER, Mad Men, Bloodline, Regular Show, Dead to Me, and Hawkeye.

Raquel Welch (Mrs. Windham Vandermark) 

After Legally Blonde, Raquel Welch appeared on the series American Family, Welcome to the Captain, and Date My Dad.

She also starred in TV movies such as House of Versace and The Ultimate Legacy and the film How to Be a Latin Lover.

Raquel died from a cardiac arrest at 82 in February 2023.

At the time of her death, she was also suffering from Alzheimer's disease