The Salinger siblings captured the hearts of a generation with their emotionally turbulent journey on Party of Five from 1994 to 2000, navigating life, loss, and love after the tragic death of their parents. Today, in late 2024, the actors who brought Charlie, Bailey, Julia, and Claudia to life are making headlines with a mix of major career comebacks, extensive new projects, and intense personal drama that proves their lives are still as compelling as the show itself.
From a long-awaited television return for one star to a major franchise comeback for another, and a massive career pivot for the youngest sibling, the current activities of the original cast are anything but quiet. Get the latest, most up-to-date look at where the core cast members of the beloved Fox drama are now, nearly 30 years after the show first premiered.
The Original Salinger Siblings: A Complete Biography Snapshot
The core cast of Party of Five comprises four main actors who played the Salinger siblings, plus a key recurring character who became an honorary member of the family.
- Matthew Fox (Charlie Salinger):
- Full Name: Matthew Chandler Fox
- Born: July 14, 1966 (Age 58 as of late 2024)
- Birth Place: Abington, Pennsylvania, United States
- Key Roles After Po5: Jack Shephard on Lost (2004–2010), *Extinction* (2015), *Bone Tomahawk* (2015)
- Scott Wolf (Bailey Salinger):
- Full Name: Scott Richard Wolf
- Born: June 4, 1968 (Age 56 as of late 2024)
- Birth Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Key Roles After Po5: Dr. Jake Hartman on Everwood, Carson Drew on Nancy Drew, numerous Hallmark movies
- Neve Campbell (Julia Salinger):
- Full Name: Neve Adrianne Campbell
- Born: October 3, 1973 (Age 51 as of late 2024)
- Birth Place: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Key Roles After Po5: Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise, *The Company* (2003), *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2022)
- Lacey Chabert (Claudia Salinger):
- Full Name: Lacey Nicole Chabert
- Born: 1982 (Age 42 as of late 2024)
- Birth Place: Purvis, Mississippi, United States
- Key Roles After Po5: Gretchen Wieners in *Mean Girls* (2004), numerous Hallmark Channel films (over 40 to date)
- Michael Goorjian (Justin Thompson):
- Full Role: Julia Salinger’s boyfriend, Justin Thompson
- Key Roles After Po5: *SLC Punk!* (1998), *Broken* (2006), *Amerikatsi* (2022)
Matthew Fox and Neve Campbell: Major 2024/2025 Comebacks
For the two biggest stars of the show, 2024 and 2025 are shaping up to be years of high-profile returns to the small and big screens, respectively.
Matthew Fox’s Long-Awaited TV Return in *The Assassin*
Matthew Fox, who played the eldest Salinger sibling, Charlie, is making a significant return to television after a 14-year hiatus from primetime TV following the conclusion of his hit show Lost in 2010. This comeback is generating major buzz among fans and industry insiders.
The actor is set to star in and executive produce a new drama series titled *The Assassin* for Max (formerly HBO Max). The project, which was announced in August 2024, is described as an action-thriller, marking a pivot back to the high-stakes genre he excelled at in Lost. This new role is considered the perfect follow-up to his fame as Jack Shephard, promising a compelling watch for long-time fans.
Neve Campbell’s Triumphant *Scream 7* Return
Neve Campbell, who played the intellectual and rebellious Julia Salinger, is best known outside of Party of Five for her iconic role as final girl Sidney Prescott in the *Scream* horror franchise. In a major win for fans, Campbell announced her return for the upcoming *Scream 7* after having previously stepped away from the franchise due to a salary dispute for the 2023 installment.
Her decision to return was based on a combination of a new script and a new director, which she felt was the right reason to jump back on board. The October 2024 update confirms that she is not only starring but is also listed as an executive producer on the movie *Swan Song*, further cementing her status as a powerful force in Hollywood. Her involvement has single-handedly revitalized excitement for the horror series.
Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf: Hallmark Hits and Personal Battles
The middle Salinger siblings, Bailey and Claudia, have maintained the closest professional relationship, often reuniting for projects, even as one star faces significant personal challenges.
Lacey Chabert: The Reigning Queen of Hallmark
Lacey Chabert has transitioned from the child star of Party of Five and *Mean Girls* to become arguably the most recognizable face on the Hallmark Channel. Her commitment to the network is staggering: she recently finished filming her 40th film for Hallmark, a milestone that underscores her dominance in the TV movie space.
Her partnership with Hallmark Media is expansive and includes not just acting but also hosting and executive producing. She is set to host and executive produce a second season of her lifestyle series, *Celebrations with Lacey Chabert*, demonstrating her growing influence behind the camera as well.
Scott Wolf’s Personal Turmoil and Professional Reunions
Scott Wolf, who played the troubled but well-meaning Bailey Salinger, has faced a difficult period in his personal life in 2024. The actor is currently navigating an ongoing and highly public divorce from his wife, Kelley Wolf. Court records have revealed intense personal drama, including a restraining order that bars his estranged wife from contacting their children and requires her to stay at least 300 feet away from him. This challenging chapter has put a spotlight on the actor's private life.
Despite the personal turmoil, Wolf's professional life remains strong. He has been a fan favorite on the Hallmark Channel and has recently returned to television. Most notably, he has reunited with his former TV sister, Lacey Chabert, multiple times. They starred together in the 2023 Hallmark holiday film *A Merry Scottish Christmas*. Fans are also thrilled for their upcoming reunion at '90s Con in March 2025, proving the Salinger sibling bond is still strong three decades later. Wolf himself has expressed that he is "on board" for a full Party of Five reunion, stating that the cast has remained close since the show’s cancellation.
Michael Goorjian: From Teen Boyfriend to Award-Winning Filmmaker
Michael Goorjian, who played Julia's on-again, off-again boyfriend Justin Thompson, has carved out a unique and critically acclaimed career path that has shifted largely toward independent filmmaking and directing.
While still acting occasionally, Goorjian's main focus in recent years has been his work as a writer and director. His 2022 Armenian-language feature film, *Amerikatsi*, has garnered significant critical acclaim and was selected as Armenia's entry for the Academy Awards. Updates from early 2024 show the film is still being screened internationally, including in Belarus. Furthermore, Goorjian has been actively involved in the Armenian film community, hosting filmmaking workshops and being honored at events like the Armenian American Museum Horizon Gala in March 2024. This pivot highlights a successful creative evolution for the actor beyond his initial breakout role.
The Enduring Legacy of the Salinger Family
The enduring popularity of the *Party of Five* original cast, underscored by their major 2024/2025 news, is a testament to the show's powerful legacy. Whether it's Matthew Fox's return to a high-profile series, Neve Campbell's iconic horror comeback, Lacey Chabert's dominance in the TV movie landscape, or Scott Wolf's personal journey, the actors continue to captivate audiences.
The natural and professional reunions between the cast members, such as Chabert and Wolf's collaborations and their planned appearance at '90s Con, keep the hope of a full Salinger family reunion alive. For fans who grew up watching the siblings struggle and succeed, the current, fresh, and often dramatic updates on the original cast members prove that the story of the *Party of Five* is far from over.
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