Few teen romantic comedies define a generation quite like She’s All That (1999), the quintessential high school makeover story that turned its young ensemble into instant 90s icons. Decades later, the film’s cast—from the jock to the artist to the supporting players who became superstars—are experiencing a massive career resurgence, with multiple high-profile projects slated for 2025. As of December 2025, the biggest news is the long-awaited professional reunion of the film’s lead couple, alongside a slate of blockbuster sequels and critically acclaimed stage roles for their co-stars, proving that the stars of North Shore High are still all that, and more.
The film, which successfully modernized the classic play Pygmalion, launched or cemented the careers of nearly a dozen major Hollywood players. While the movie remains a nostalgic favorite for its iconic dance sequence and the unforgettable transformation of Laney Boggs, the current careers of the cast members are perhaps even more fascinating, featuring major roles in Marvel, Oscar-nominated films, and a return to the horror franchises that first made them famous.
The Complete Biography and Latest Projects of the She’s All That Cast
The 1999 ensemble cast was a who’s who of rising talent, many of whom have gone on to become household names. This list provides a snapshot of their career-defining role in She’s All That and their most recent, up-to-date career highlights.
Freddie Prinze Jr. (Zack Siler)
- Role in Film: Zack Siler, the popular high school jock and student body president who makes a bet to turn an "un-datable" girl into the prom queen.
- Date of Birth: March 8, 1976 (Age 49 in 2025)
- Key Career Highlights: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Scooby-Doo (2002), Voice of Kanan Jarrus in Star Wars Rebels.
- Latest Projects (2024-2025): Prinze Jr. is making a major return to his horror roots, confirmed to be reprising his role as Ray Bronson in the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel, set for release in July 2025. Crucially, he is also co-starring with Rachael Leigh Cook in the new holiday film, The Christmas (working title), marking their first on-screen reunion since the 1999 classic.
Rachael Leigh Cook (Laney Boggs)
- Role in Film: Laney Boggs, the "un-datable" art student who becomes the subject of Zack’s bet.
- Date of Birth: October 4, 1979 (Age 46 in 2025)
- Key Career Highlights: Josie and the Pussycats (2001), Numerous Hallmark and Netflix holiday films (e.g., Love, Guaranteed), Voice of Chelsea Cunningham in Robot Chicken.
- Latest Projects (2024-2025): Cook remains a staple in the rom-com genre. She signed a major development deal with MarVista Entertainment in 2023. She is starring in the feature-length romantic comedy There She Goes, which recently began production, and the highly anticipated reunion film with Prinze Jr., The Christmas.
Matthew Lillard (Brock Hudson)
- Role in Film: Brock Hudson, the star of MTV’s The Real World and a rival to Zack Siler.
- Date of Birth: January 24, 1970 (Age 55 in 2025)
- Key Career Highlights: Scream (1996), Voice of Shaggy Rogers since 2002, Thirteen Ghosts (2001), TV series Good Girls.
- Latest Projects (2024-2025): Lillard’s career is surging with major franchise roles. He is set to star in the highly anticipated sequel, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, which is slated for a December 2025 release. He is also part of the star-studded cast of Mike Flanagan’s upcoming film, The Life of Chuck. Furthermore, he is in talks to potentially reprise his iconic role as Shaggy in a new live-action Scooby-Doo show.
Kieran Culkin (Simon Boggs)
- Role in Film: Simon Boggs, Laney's quirky younger brother.
- Date of Birth: September 30, 1982 (Age 43 in 2025)
- Key Career Highlights: Igby Goes Down (2002), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), and his Emmy and Golden Globe-winning role as Roman Roy in the HBO series Succession.
- Latest Projects (2024-2025): Following the massive success of Succession, Culkin is focusing on stage and film. His critical success continued with the buddy comedy film A Real Pain in 2024. He is also set to lead a major Broadway revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, which will officially open in March 2025.
Gabrielle Union (Katie)
- Role in Film: Katie, one of Taylor Vaughan’s friends.
- Date of Birth: October 29, 1972 (Age 53 in 2025)
- Key Career Highlights: Bring It On (2000), Bad Boys II (2003), TV series Being Mary Jane, and children's book author.
- Latest Projects (2024-2025): Union continues to be a major force in Hollywood as both an actress and producer. She produced the 2024 rom-com The Idea of You and is set to star in the upcoming movie Riff Raff. Additionally, she and her husband, Dwyane Wade, have a new home renovation show coming to HGTV.
Paul Walker (Dean Sampson Jr.)
- Role in Film: Dean Sampson Jr., Zack’s friend who initiates the bet.
- Date of Death: November 30, 2013 (Aged 40)
- Key Career Highlights: The Fast & Furious franchise, Varsity Blues (1999), Pleasantville (1998).
- Legacy: Walker’s legacy continues through his family and the foundation he established, Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW).
Other Notable Cast Members and Their Current Paths
- Anna Paquin (Mackenzie Siler): Zack’s younger sister. Paquin, an Oscar winner for The Piano, has had major roles in the X-Men franchise (Rogue) and the HBO series True Blood. Her recent work includes the film A Bit of Light (2024).
- Jodi Lyn O’Keefe (Taylor Vaughan): The popular, self-absorbed girlfriend. O’Keefe is known for roles in the TV series Prison Break and The Vampire Diaries.
- Elden Henson (Jesse Jackson): Laney's friend. Henson is best known for playing Foggy Nelson in the Marvel/Netflix series Daredevil (2015–2018) and the upcoming Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again (2025).
- Dulé Hill (Preston): One of Zack's friends. Hill is a prolific TV actor, known for roles in The West Wing and Psych, and recently starred in the TV series The Wonder Years.
- Usher Raymond (School DJ): The famous musician had a small role as the school DJ. Usher continues to be a global music superstar, headlining the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show and releasing his ninth studio album, Coming Home.
Behind the Scenes: 5 Shocking Facts That Make the Film a Cult Classic
Beyond the simple plot, She’s All That is steeped in Hollywood lore and surprising trivia that adds to its topical authority and cult status. Understanding these details reveals how close the film came to being completely different.
1. The Iconic Dance Scene Was Almost Cut
The famous prom dance sequence, set to Fatboy Slim's "The Rockafeller Skank," is arguably the most memorable part of the film. However, the sequence was not in the original script. Director Robert Iscove fought to include it, and it was only added at the last minute with the help of Usher, who played the school DJ and helped facilitate the scene.
2. The Controversial M. Night Shyamalan Connection
One of the most persistent pieces of movie trivia is the claim that M. Night Shyamalan, the director known for films like The Sixth Sense, wrote the script. While he did a rewrite of the script, the Writers Guild of America ultimately credited R. Lee Fleming Jr. as the sole writer. The extent of Shyamalan's contribution remains a point of debate, but he did confirm he worked on a draft.
3. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Non-Speaking Cameo
The film features a quick, uncredited cameo by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was dating Freddie Prinze Jr. at the time (they later married). She was on set visiting her boyfriend and appears briefly in the cafeteria scene. Gellar, who was already a massive star from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reportedly refused to speak any lines, opting for a silent appearance.
4. Laney Boggs’ "Falafel Hat" Was Rachael Leigh Cook’s Idea
Laney’s early look is defined by her glasses and the distinctive, slightly odd hat she wears. Rachael Leigh Cook revealed that the hat, which she affectionately calls the "falafel hat," was her own request. She wanted a specific, quirky element to make her character’s "un-datable" look more distinctive and memorable before the big makeover.
5. Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Casting Changed the Entire Script Direction
The original script for She’s All That was reportedly much darker and less of a traditional romantic comedy. When Freddie Prinze Jr. was cast as Zack Siler, the producers decided to lean into his established persona as a charming, wholesome heartthrob. This led to a significant rewrite to lighten the tone and focus more on the romance, fundamentally changing the film's genre and ultimate success.
The Legacy and Enduring Popularity of the 90s Teen Movie
The enduring popularity of She’s All That is a testament to its perfect capture of the late 90s zeitgeist and its surprisingly deep cast. While the film’s premise—that a beautiful, intelligent girl simply needs to remove her glasses and change her clothes to be desirable—is often criticized today, its core themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the arbitrary nature of high school popularity continue to resonate with new audiences.
The film’s influence is so strong that it spawned a gender-flipped remake, Netflix’s He’s All That (2021), which featured Rachael Leigh Cook and Matthew Lillard in new, supporting roles, further bridging the gap between the original and modern teen cinema. The fact that the original cast members—especially Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, Matthew Lillard, and Kieran Culkin—are all enjoying major, high-profile projects in 2024 and 2025 speaks volumes about the talent that was assembled for this classic teen flick.
The upcoming reunion of Prinze Jr. and Cook in a new romantic comedy is the ultimate payoff for fans who grew up on their on-screen chemistry. It solidifies She’s All That not just as a nostalgic memory, but as a genuine launchpad for careers that continue to shape the landscape of film and television today. From blockbuster sequels to Emmy-winning dramas, the cast of North Shore High is proving that they are still very much relevant in the 21st century.
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