Today is Hilary Duff's 35th birthday, so what better way to celebrate than to look back at what happened to the cast of Lizzie McGuire. Despite having just two seasons, the Disney series developed a cult following and a movie was even released in 2003.
Star of the show was Lizzie, played by Duff, a 13-year-old schoolgirl whose inner thoughts were shown to viewers through a cartoon version of herself who could speak to the audience. The hit series was nominated for two Emmy Awards but ended after 65 episodes - and there was a revival in the works to show Lizzie navigating her life in her 30s, but it was controversially scrapped.
Hilary and may of the original cast were due to reprise their roles and production had begun, but it entered hiatus when the show runner left and Hilary confirmed the reboot had been officially cancelled in December 2020. It's believed disagreements with Disney about mature storylines were to blame, with Hilary revealing she would be doing the character and it's fans a disservice to limit "the realities of a 30 year old's journey to live under the ceiling of a PG rating".
Lizzie won't be returning to our screens with her friends and family any time soon, but here's a look at what happened to the original cast members.
Hilary Duff - Lizzie McGuire
Hilary Duff became a household name in 2001 while playing the role of Lizzie, a shy and clumsy girl who was trying to find her place in the world and become popular at school.
The actress, who is celebrating her 35th birthday today, also hit the big screen in The Lizzie McGuire Movie in 2003, which peaked at number two at the domestic box office.
It's been non-stop for Hilary since then, with the child star appearing in the movies Cadet Kelly, Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story throughout the 00s.
Since then she has transitioned into more adult-themed roles in films such as War, inc, According to Greta and The Haunting of Sharon Tate.
From 2015 to 2021 she starred in American comedy series Younger and now producers and stars in How I Met Your Father as Sophie.
If that wasn't enough, the actress rose to prominense in the music industry with debut studio album Santa Cluas Lane in 2002 - and has sold an estimaed 15 million records worldwide with five albums in total.
She has also co-authored a trilogy of novels, got her own fashion lines and invested in a number of businesses ranging from cosmetics to children's products.
Hilary’s love life dominated the headlines at the start of her career and in 2001 she confirmed she was dating fellow teen idol, pop star Aaron Carter, which became a dramatic on/off relationship over the years.
The pair would go on to be involved in a love triangle with Lindsay Lohan, causing Hilary's feud with the Mean Girls actress, before the couple called it quits for good in 2004.
Hilary gave birth to her first child, a son, in March 2012 with her then husband, Canadian hockey player Mike Comrie, but they got divorced in February 2016.
She went on to marry songwriter Matthew Korma in 2019 and they have two daughters together.
Hilary was gutted when the Lizze McGuire reboot was axed, writing: "I know the efforts and conversations have been everything trying to make a reboot work, but sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen.
"I want any reboot of Lizzie to be honest and authentic to who Lizzie would be today. It’s what the character deserves.
"We can all take a moment to mourn the amazing woman she would have been and the adventures we would have taken with her. I’m very sad, but I promise everyone tried their best and the stars just didn’t align."
Jake Thomas - Matt McGuire
Knoxville-born Jake Thomas starred as Lizzie's prankster younger brother Matt McGuire in both the series and movie.
Crafty Matt was always coming up with devious schemes to cause trouble around the house, but he was a loyal sibling to Lizzie, as he also targeted his big sister's enemies.
Jake was only 11-years-old when the show began in 2001, and two decades later he's become almost unrecognisable.
The child star enjoyed a series of brief roles in other hit US shows once Lizzie McGuire came to an end, appearing in ER, CSI: Miami, Rules of Engagement and Cold Case.
His since landed small parts on TV movies in recent years, and was announced as one of the cast members to reprise his role on the reboot of the Lizzie McGuire series before it was sadly cancelled.
Jake regularly updates his followers on his low-key lifestyle on Instagram, and the former TV star now rocks a moustache, and sometimes pokes fun at his time on the hugely successful show.
In 2019 he dug out a bomber jacket, which was far too small for the 32-year-old actor, which had 'Team McGuire' on the back.
Jake, who lists his job titles as 'actor, director and photographer' on his Instagram bio, recently revealed a snap from a shoot he was working on, telling his followers he had just directed a toy commercial.
Lalaine - Miranda Sanchez
Lalaine starred opposite Duff as Lizzie McGuire's best friend, Miranda Sanchez, who had dreams of becoming a musician.
The 35-year-old left the show before filming was wrapped on the final season to work on other projects such as the Disney Channel movie You Wish!, so missed the final six episodes and the movie.
During Lizzie McGuire's run she also played a slayer-in-training on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and released her only album, Inside Story, but it saw little commercial success.
Lalaine has also appeared in the mvoies, One Night Alone, The Man With the Red Balloon , and Definition Please, as well as episodes of the web series Off the Clock and Raymond & Lane.
Adam Lamberg - David 'Gordo' Gordon
Adam Lamberg became a fan favourite with his portrayal of the straight A student David Gordon, better known as 'Gordo'.
Lizzie's other best friend had a passion for filmmaking and soon developed feelings for the lead character.
After starring in the movie, Adam appeared in 2005 film What Do We Eat? and Beautiful Loser in 2008 but then appeared to take a step back from acting.
In 2019, it was revealed the 38-year-old was working at the Irish Arts Centre in Manhattan before he joined the short-lived reboot series of the hit Disney show.
Proving their friendship was as strong behind the cameras as it was on screen, cast mate Hilary Duff shared pictures of the pair looking happy to be reunited on the set of the now cancelled revival.
Ashlie Brillault - Kate Sanders
Originally one of Lizzie’s best friends, Kate Sanders is the stereotypical high school Mean Girl throughout the franchise.
Ashlie Brillault's character was the popular girl who became Lizzie and Miranda's 'frenemy'.
Retiring from acting when the show came to an end in 2004, former child star Ashlie has kept an exceptionally low profile and now works as a criminal defence lawyer.
She earned a law degree from the University of Denver and went on to pursue a career in the field.
The mum-of-one was not confirmed for the ill-fated reboot but did rejoin the cast for the virtual table read in 2020 which raised funds for frontline responders throughout the pandemic.
Robert Carradine - Sam McGuire
Before taking on the role of the under pressure dad to Lizzie and Matt, Robert Carradine had already appeared in many movies, including Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and The Cowboys with legendary actor, John Wayne.
Sam McGuire often struggled with the pressure of raising a teenager and was a bit slow-minded.
Since starring in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Robert has appeared in reality TV shows such as Celebrity Wife Swap and hosted King of the Nerds with his former Revenge of the Nerds co-star, Curtis Armstrong.
He's also popped up in Robot Chicken, ER, Law & Order and had a role in Django Unchained.
Outside of work, Robert is a huge motorcycle fan and also ran the Rolex 24 race at Daytona in 200, finishing 61st overall.
Hallie Todd - Jo McGuire
Since playing the role of Jo McGuire in the hit Lizzie McGuire franchise, Hallie Todd has continued to work in the industry behind the scenes.
The mother-of-one often works alongside her producer husband Glenn Withrow and most recently starred in The Last Champion which she also co-wrote and produced.
Before the show's cancelation, Hallie was set to reprise her role of Lizzie and Jake’s mum for the Lizzie McGuire reboot.
Alex Borstein - Ms. Angela Ungermeyer
While a generation may know Alex Borstein as Lizzie McGuire’s school principal Ms. Angela Ungermeyer, millions will also recognise her as the voice behind Lois Griffin on the animated comedy, Family Guy.
As well as playing the long-suffering wife of Peter Griffin, in the years since Lizzie McGuire was last on our screens, Alex has gone on to win two Primetime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Susie Myerson in the comedy-drama series, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.
Outside of acting, Alex is a mother of two children, Barnaby Borstein Douglas and Henrietta Borstein Douglas, which she co-parents with her ex-husband, actor Jackson Douglous.
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