The Ultimate 'Lizzie McGuire Movie' Cast: Where Are They Now In 2025 And The TRUTH About The Canceled Reboot

Two decades after the iconic moment Lizzie McGuire found her pop-star doppelgänger in Rome, the question of what happened to the beloved cast of The Lizzie McGuire Movie remains one of pop culture’s biggest curiosities. The film, which served as the grand finale to the Disney Channel series, cemented its place in nostalgia history, but the lives of its stars have taken fascinating, and sometimes unexpected, turns. As of December 2025, the cast is making headlines again, not just for their past roles, but for major new career moves, especially Hilary Duff's return to music, and the definitive, frustrating reason the highly anticipated Disney+ revival was ultimately scrapped.

The magic of Lizzie’s eighth-grade graduation trip—complete with the Colosseum, a Vespa, and an evil pop star named Paolo—is a core memory for an entire generation. Now, let’s dive into the current careers, personal lives, and recent updates from the actors who brought the McGuire family, Gordo, Ethan Craft, and even the formidable Miss Ungermeyer to life on the big screen.

The Complete Cast of The Lizzie McGuire Movie: A Biographical Snapshot

The core cast of the movie was a mix of the original TV series favorites and a few key additions for the Roman holiday adventure. Here is a quick look at the main players and their roles in the 2003 film, which was written by Susan Estelle Jansen, Ed Decter, and John J. Strauss, and based on characters created by Terri Minsky.

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• Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire / Isabella Parigi):
  • Role: The clumsy, lovable protagonist and her Italian pop-star lookalike.
  • Born: September 28, 1987, Houston, Texas.
  • Career Highlights: *A Cinderella Story*, *Cheaper by the Dozen*, *Younger*, *How I Met Your Father*.
• Adam Lamberg (David "Gordo" Gordon):
  • Role: Lizzie's loyal, intellectual best friend and eventual love interest.
  • Born: September 14, 1984, New York, New York.
  • Career Highlights: *The Lizzie McGuire Movie*, *Dead Man's Walk*.
• Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire):
  • Role: Lizzie's supportive and often goofy father.
  • Born: March 24, 1954, Hollywood, California.
  • Career Highlights: *Revenge of the Nerds*, *The Lizzie McGuire Movie*.
• Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire):
  • Role: Lizzie's understanding and sometimes overbearing mother.
  • Born: January 7, 1962, Los Angeles, California.
  • Career Highlights: *The Lizzie McGuire Movie*, *Brothers*.
• Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire):
  • Role: Lizzie's mischievous younger brother.
  • Born: May 30, 1990, Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • Career Highlights: *The Lizzie McGuire Movie*, *A.I. Artificial Intelligence*, *Cory in the House*.
• Yani Gellman (Paolo Valisari):
  • Role: The charming, yet villainous, Italian pop star.
  • Born: September 2, 1985, Miami, Florida.
  • Career Highlights: *The Lizzie McGuire Movie*, *Pretty Little Liars*, *90210*.
• Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft):
  • Role: The lovable, dim-witted heartthrob of the class.
  • Born: September 9, 1987, Los Angeles, California.
  • Career Highlights: *The Lizzie McGuire Movie*, professional water polo player.
• Alex Borstein (Miss Ungermeyer):
  • Role: Lizzie's strict, but secretly kind, chaperone.
  • Born: February 15, 1971, Highland Park, Illinois.
  • Career Highlights: *MADtv*, *Family Guy*, *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*.

Hilary Duff's 2025 Comeback and The Canceled Disney+ Revival

The biggest update surrounding the *Lizzie McGuire* universe is the highly publicized, and ultimately heartbreaking, cancellation of the Disney+ revival series.

The revival was set to follow a 30-year-old Lizzie McGuire navigating her life in New York City. The original family—Jo, Sam, and Matt McGuire—along with Gordo, were all set to reprise their roles, with the cast even reuniting for a table read and promotional announcements.

The Real Reason the Revival Fell Apart

The show was officially canceled due to "creative differences" between star Hilary Duff and Disney. According to reports and statements from the cast, the main conflict was over the maturity of the content. Duff, who was also a producer, wanted the show to reflect an authentic, adult Lizzie, dealing with real-life issues.

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Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire) later suggested the revival was simply "filming at the wrong time," indicating the creative vision did not align with Disney’s family-friendly platform for the character. The star herself stated that she wanted Lizzie's adult life to be "authentic," a vision that Disney was reportedly not on board with.

Duff's New Era: Music and Docuseries

While the revival is a closed chapter, Hilary Duff has continued her successful acting career, most recently starring in the Hulu series *How I Met Your Father*. However, the most recent and exciting news for fans is her long-awaited return to music after a decade-long hiatus.

In a major announcement, Duff signed a new record deal and revealed that she has a docuseries in development. The project, which will follow her journey back into the music world, is being directed and executive produced by Sam Wrench, the acclaimed director of Taylor Swift's *Eras Tour* film. This intimate project promises a candid look at her life and career, marking a significant new chapter for the star in 2025.

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Where Are the Rest of the Class of 2003 Now?

Beyond Lizzie, the rest of the cast members have followed diverse and often unexpected paths, moving far beyond their Disney Channel roots. Their current status highlights the varied career trajectories of former child stars.

Adam Lamberg (Gordo)

Adam Lamberg, who played the ever-loyal David "Gordo" Gordon, largely stepped away from acting after the film. He pursued a degree in geography from the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a master’s degree in public administration. He has worked in the New York Public Library system, choosing a path far removed from the Hollywood spotlight. His brief return to the spotlight for the canceled Disney+ revival proved his enduring connection to the character and the cast.

The McGuire Family (Jo, Sam, and Matt)

The actors who played the McGuire clan have maintained a close bond, with Jake Thomas (Matt) noting that he views Robert Carradine and Hallie Todd as an "aunt and uncle."

• Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire): A member of the famous Carradine acting family, he continues to work steadily in film and television roles, adding to his extensive resume that began long before *Lizzie McGuire*.
• Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire): In addition to acting, Todd is an accomplished acting coach and author, often focusing on helping young actors navigate the industry.
• Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire): Thomas has transitioned into directing and photography while continuing to act in various projects. His candid comments about the revival's cancellation provided fans with the freshest, most definitive closure on the project.

The Movie's Key Adversaries: Paolo and Miss Ungermeyer

The two most memorable additions to the movie's cast have also had successful, yet different, careers since the film’s release.

• Yani Gellman (Paolo Valisari): The actor who played the deceitful Italian pop star has continued his acting career with notable roles in popular TV series like *Pretty Little Liars* and *90210*. He has also been reported to have explored a career in law.
• Alex Borstein (Miss Ungermeyer): Borstein’s career has skyrocketed. She is best known today for her long-running, Emmy-winning role as Lois Griffin on *Family Guy* and her critically acclaimed, multi-Emmy-winning performance as Susie Myerson on Amazon’s hit series, *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*. Her work as the sassy chaperone remains a nostalgic favorite for fans.

The Unexpected Paths of Ethan Craft and Kate Sanders

Two of Lizzie's classmates, the dreamy Ethan Craft and the mean girl Kate Sanders, have taken the most surprising turns, with both actors stepping away from the full-time demands of Hollywood.

Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft)

After playing the charming but clueless Ethan Craft, Clayton Snyder left acting to focus on his passion for water polo, playing professionally for years and even competing internationally. More recently, he has returned to acting, balancing his personal life, including his marriage to actress Allegra Edwards, with new projects. As of 2025, he continues to act and is involved in projects like the upcoming film *Quarter*, which also stars Brooke Shields.

Ashlie Brillault (Kate Sanders)

Ashlie Brillault, who played Lizzie’s frenemy Kate Sanders, made a definitive exit from the acting world after the series and movie concluded. She pursued higher education, earning a degree in political science from California State University. Brillault then enrolled in law school and has since established a career in criminal justice and law enforcement, choosing a quiet, professional life far from the red carpet.

The Missing Piece: Miranda Sanchez and Lalaine

While not a part of *The Lizzie McGuire Movie* cast—Miranda was famously on vacation in Mexico during the trip to Rome—Lizzie’s other best friend is a crucial piece of the topical puzzle. Lalaine Vergara-Paras, who played Miranda Sanchez, has focused on her music career as a singer-songwriter and bassist. She has also taken on smaller acting roles and was part of the virtual cast reunion during the pandemic, proving that the friendship between the core trio remains strong, even if her character missed the Roman adventure.

The enduring legacy of *The Lizzie McGuire Movie* is less about the pop-star fantasy and more about the authentic, complex relationships between the core cast. Despite the cancellation of the highly anticipated reboot, the stars continue to thrive in their respective fields, from Hilary Duff’s return to the music charts to the unexpected legal careers of some of her former classmates, proving that the cast's real-life journeys are just as compelling as Lizzie’s Roman holiday.