Where Are The Beautiful Girls Now? The Star-Studded Cast Of The 1996 Cult Classic, Updated For 2025

Few '90s films capture the raw, messy nostalgia of early adulthood and the struggle to grow up quite like the 1996 romantic comedy-drama, Beautiful Girls. Directed by Ted Demme and written by Scott Rosenberg, the film brought together an astonishing ensemble cast—many of whom were on the cusp of superstardom—to tell the story of a group of friends reuniting in the snowy, fictional town of Knights Ridge, Massachusetts, for their high school reunion.

As of late , the film continues to generate discussion, particularly around its central themes of arrested development, gender dynamics, and the controversial relationship between Willie Conway and the 13-year-old Marty. More than two decades later, the careers of its stars have evolved dramatically, from Oscar winners to Broadway debuts and popular podcasts. Here is a look at the full cast and their most recent projects, solidifying the film's legacy as a true cult classic.

The Beautiful Girls Cast: A Complete Biography and Career Update (2025)

The strength of Beautiful Girls lies in its incredible ensemble. Here is a detailed profile of the main cast members, detailing their role in the film and their current career trajectory, including upcoming projects for 2024 and 2025.

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• Timothy Hutton as Willie Conway: The film's protagonist, a New York jazz pianist who returns home for his high school reunion, prompting his existential crisis. Willie is engaged to Tracy (Annabeth Gish) but finds himself drawn into philosophical conversations with his 13-year-old neighbor, Marty.
  • Current Status: Hutton, an Academy Award winner for *Ordinary People*, has had a prolific career in film and television, including the popular series *Leverage*. His most recent series was *Almost Family*, which was cancelled after one season.
• Matt Dillon as Tommy "Birdman" Rowland: The town's resident "beautiful girl" enthusiast, a snowplow driver stuck in a relationship with Sharon (Mira Sorvino) while still pining for his high school flame.
  • Current Status: Dillon remains an active and respected figure in Hollywood. He recently appeared in Wes Anderson's *Asteroid City*. His upcoming projects include the films *American Dreamer* (2024) and *The Island* (2024), and the 2025 project *Being Maria*.
• Natalie Portman as Marty: The precocious and insightful 13-year-old neighbor who offers Willie a brutally honest perspective on the nature of men and "beautiful girls." This role was a crucial early performance for Portman.
  • Current Status: Portman is one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, an Oscar winner for *Black Swan*. She continues to blend high-profile film roles with her deep commitment to activism, recently speaking on behalf of the Spotlight Initiative at the United Nations. Her recent work includes the animated call-to-arms film *Arco*.
• Uma Thurman as Andrea: A stunning, mysterious bartender from Boston who shakes up the dynamics of the local bar, The Stool and the Stein, and challenges the men's outdated views on women.
  • Current Status: Thurman's career is as strong as ever, having recently starred in *Red, White & Royal Blue* (2023) and *The Kill Room* (2023). She has upcoming projects slated for 2024 and 2025, including the film *Oh, Canada* (2024) and the highly anticipated *The King of Kings* (2025).
• Mira Sorvino as Sharon Swensen: Tommy's sharp-witted and long-suffering girlfriend who is tired of his immaturity and obsession with "beautiful girls."
  • Current Status: An Academy Award winner for *Mighty Aphrodite*, Sorvino recently made a high-profile Broadway debut, stepping into the iconic role of Roxie Hart in the musical *Chicago* in late 2024, with performances continuing into 2025. She also continues to discuss a long-awaited sequel to the cult classic *Romy and Michele's High School Reunion*.
• Michael Rapaport as Paul Kirkwood: The loud-mouthed, often insensitive friend known for his controversial views on women and supermodels, delivering some of the film's most quoted lines.
  • Current Status: Rapaport is a prolific actor and is highly active in the podcasting world as the host of the popular *I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast*, where he shares his strong opinions on sports, film, and life.
• Martha Plimpton as Jan: The pragmatic, grounded member of the group, married to Paul, who provides a voice of reason and frustration with the men's inability to grow up.
  • Current Status: Plimpton is a highly respected actress in film, television, and theater. She has recently appeared in the TV series *Sprung* and the British limited series *A Town Called Malice*. Her work remains deeply rooted in the theater, where she has a distinguished career.
• Rosie O'Donnell as Gina Barrisano: A friend of the group who provides comic relief and a no-nonsense perspective on relationships.
  • Current Status: O'Donnell remains a prominent comedian and television personality. She recently performed her stand-up special, *Rosie O'Donnell: A Heartfelt Stand Up*, and continues to appear in various TV projects.

The Enduring Legacy of the Beautiful Girls Soundtrack

Beyond the stellar cast and sharp script by Scott Rosenberg, the Beautiful Girls soundtrack is consistently cited as a major element of its enduring cult status. The music perfectly encapsulated the mid-90s indie and alternative rock scene, acting as a crucial character in the film's atmosphere.

The soundtrack is a veritable time capsule of the decade, featuring a mix of soulful classics and contemporary rock. Key tracks include the soulful cover of "That's How Strong My Love Is" by Roland Gift, "Be for Real" by The Afghan Whigs, and "Easy to Be Stupid" by Howlin' Maggie. The inclusion of Kiss's "Beth" and Pete Droge's "Beautiful Girl" cemented the film's blend of wistful nostalgia and modern angst, making the album a must-listen for '90s film aficionados.

Why the 'Beautiful Girls' Controversy Makes it a Must-Watch Today

The film's most controversial and talked-about storyline—the platonic, yet deeply unsettling, connection between Willie Conway (Timothy Hutton), a man in his late twenties, and his 13-year-old neighbor, Marty (Natalie Portman)—is precisely why the film is still discussed today. The dynamic is not romantic, but rather a philosophical exchange where the adult male seeks wisdom from a child who is ironically more mature than he is.

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Many recent analyses note that the film's depiction of this relationship, while critical of Willie's immaturity, would likely prevent the movie from being made in the current cultural climate, prompting a deeper look at its themes. The dialogue, particularly Marty's famous line about men's inability to see women as anything other than "beautiful girls," forces the audience to confront the gender dynamics and arrested development of the male characters.

The film expertly uses this controversy to explore the broader theme of masculinity in crisis. The men—Willie, Tommy, Paul, and Kevin (Max Perlich)—are trapped in a liminal space, unable to transition from longing for their past high school glory to accepting the responsibilities of adulthood. Marty's character serves as a moral and intellectual compass, highlighting the immaturity of the men who are obsessed with the idea of a "beautiful girl" rather than a real, complex partner. This complex, flawed, and honest portrayal of the struggle to grow up is the film's enduring power.

The Topical Authority of a '90s Ensemble Masterpiece

Beautiful Girls is a definitive example of the 1990s ensemble dramedy, a genre popularized by studios like Miramax. Its success paved the way for other character-driven films that focused on existential crises and small-town nostalgia. The film's writer, Scott Rosenberg, went on to pen major screenplays like *Con Air* and *High Fidelity*, but Beautiful Girls remains a favorite for its sharp, naturalistic dialogue and its incisive look at relationships.

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The film's legacy is further cemented by the careers it helped launch or solidify. Natalie Portman's performance as Marty is frequently highlighted as one of her best early roles, showcasing the depth that would lead her to an Oscar. The film is a crucial piece of '90s cinema, a movie that, despite its flaws and cultural challenges, offers a timeless reflection on the fear of responsibility, the pull of the past, and the elusive nature of happiness.