Where Are The Actors In Lizzie McGuire Now? A 2024 Cast Update And Surprising Career Moves

The question "Where are the actors in *Lizzie McGuire* now?" has never been more relevant, as the former Disney Channel stars have navigated life beyond the iconic early 2000s show, with several making significant professional moves in late 2024. From a highly-anticipated but ultimately canceled Disney+ reboot to a major return to the music industry and surprising career changes, the main cast members—Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg, and the entire McGuire family—have found fresh success in a variety of fields, both in and out of Hollywood. The beloved series, which ran from 2001 to 2004, captured the hearts of a generation, and while a reunion was teased, the actors have each carved out unique and fascinating paths, proving that life after being a teen idol can lead to roles in major TV series, independent films, and even a career in urban planning.

The Core Cast: Biographies and 2024 Career Updates

This section provides a detailed look at the core actors from the original *Lizzie McGuire* series and their most recent, up-to-date projects as of late 2024.

Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire)

• Full Name: Hilary Erhard Duff
• Character: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Brooke McGuire / Animated Lizzie
• Date of Birth: September 28, 1987
• Current Status: Actress, singer, author, entrepreneur, and mother of four.
• 2024 Update: Duff made headlines in late 2024 by announcing her return to music after a 10-year hiatus, signing a new record deal. This creative resurgence will be the subject of a new, intimate docuseries directed and executive produced by Sam Wrench, known for his work on Taylor Swift's *The Eras Tour* film. She also recently wrapped up her starring role as Sophie in the Hulu sitcom *How I Met Your Father*, a spin-off of *How I Met Your Mother*, which ran for two seasons.

Adam Lamberg (David "Gordo" Gordon)

• Full Name: Adam Matthew Lamberg
• Character: David "Gordo" Gordon
• Date of Birth: September 14, 1984
• Current Status: Former actor, now a development associate and urban planner.
• 2024 Update: Lamberg’s career path is one of the most surprising. After largely stepping away from acting in 2008, he earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College. He currently works as a Development Associate at the Irish Arts Center in New York City, a role that combines his love for the arts with his background in non-profit management and urban planning. His brief return to reprise the role of Gordo for the canceled Disney+ revival was a major highlight for fans.

Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire)

• Full Name: Jacob "Jake" Thomas
• Character: Matthew "Matt" McGuire
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1990
• Current Status: Actor, writer, and director.
• 2024 Update: Thomas has a busy 2024 schedule, showcasing his versatility in both acting and writing. He is featured in the 2024 film *Holly by Nightfall*, which premiered at the Dallas International Film Festival. Additionally, he appeared in an episode of the long-running procedural drama *NCIS* in February 2024. Thomas is also an accomplished writer and director, often celebrating "oddballs and underdogs" in his own creative work.

Lalaine (Miranda Sanchez)

• Full Name: Lalaine Vergara-Paras
• Character: Miranda Isabella Sanchez
• Date of Birth: June 3, 1987
• Current Status: Actress, singer-songwriter, and bassist.
• 2024 Update: While Lalaine's acting credits have been less frequent in recent years, she remains active as a creative artist, focusing on her music career as a singer-songwriter and bassist. She has openly discussed the challenges of being a former child star and maintains a presence in the entertainment industry, often reflecting on her time as Lizzie’s best friend, Miranda Sanchez. She famously did not appear in *The Lizzie McGuire Movie* because she was filming the Disney Channel Original Movie *You Wish!*

The McGuire Parents: Still Acting and Producing

The show wouldn't have been the same without the quirky, supportive, and sometimes embarrassing McGuire parents, Jo and Sam. Both Hallie Todd and Robert Carradine have maintained active careers, with notable projects in 2024.

Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire)

• Character: Josephine "Jo" McGuire
• Date of Birth: January 7, 1962
• Current Status: Actress, acting coach, author, and producer.
• 2024 Update: Todd is listed with a 2024 acting project, *The Last Will & Testament of Candace Martin*. Beyond acting, she is a co-founder of In House Media Film Partners and works extensively as an acting coach and author, often collaborating with her husband, Glenn Withrow, and daughter, Ivy Withrow, on film projects.

Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire)

• Character: Samuel "Sam" McGuire
• Date of Birth: March 24, 1954
• Current Status: Veteran actor and producer.
• 2024 Update: Carradine has been busy in the film world in 2024. He stars in the film *The Night They Came Home*, which was released in early 2024, and he participated in an interview about the project in January. He also reunited with his former co-stars from the classic film *Revenge of the Nerds* for a convention appearance in August 2024, demonstrating his enduring legacy in Hollywood beyond his role as Lizzie's dad.

The Shocking Cancellation of the Disney+ Reboot

The most significant and disappointing event for the *Lizzie McGuire* cast and fans was the cancellation of the highly-anticipated Disney+ revival series in 2020. This event continues to define a major part of the cast's recent history and is a key piece of topical authority. The revival was announced in 2019, with Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg, Jake Thomas, Hallie Todd, and Robert Carradine all confirmed to reprise their roles, promising a true family reunion. The new series was set to follow 30-year-old Lizzie McGuire navigating life as an interior designer in New York City. However, production was halted after two episodes due to "creative disagreements." Hilary Duff publicly and privately lobbied for the series to move to Hulu, arguing that a mature 30-year-old Lizzie's story needed a more adult platform to be authentic, stating, "I’d be doing a disservice to everyone by limiting the realities of a 30-year-old’s journey to live under the ceiling of a PG rating.” Ultimately, Disney did not agree, and the project was officially scrapped. This decision left a sour note for fans who were eager to see the beloved characters, including the fan-favorite pairing of Lizzie and Gordo, finally get their adult story told.

The Legacy of Lizzie McGuire and Its Enduring Topical Authority

Despite the disappointing end to the revival, the legacy of *Lizzie McGuire* remains incredibly strong, with the cast frequently celebrating the show and their bond with one another. * Virtual Table Read: In a move that delighted fans during the 2020 lockdown, the main cast—including Duff, Lamberg, Lalaine, and the McGuire parents—reunited virtually for a table read of the fan-favorite episode "Between a Rock and a Bra Place." This reunion provided a brief, heartwarming glimpse of the cast back together. * The Power of Nostalgia: The show's enduring popularity is a testament to its honest portrayal of middle school life, which introduced a generation to concepts like body image, friendship drama, and navigating an internal monologue through the animated Lizzie. This topical relevance ensures that the actors' roles remain a constant talking point. * Post-Disney Success: The cast has successfully transitioned out of their Disney roles. Hilary Duff’s continued success in television with *Younger* and *How I Met Your Father* is a prime example of a former child star maintaining a major career. Adam Lamberg's deliberate choice to pivot to a non-acting career in the arts and urban planning is a unique and inspiring story for fans. The actors in *Lizzie McGuire* have proven that the show was just the first chapter in their diverse careers. From the return of Hilary Duff to the music scene in late 2024, to Jake Thomas's film festival appearances, and Adam Lamberg's unexpected career in New York City, the cast continues to make headlines and redefine their professional lives, keeping the spirit of the iconic Disney Channel series alive for a new generation.