Honestly, it’s hard to believe it has been almost thirty years since Jim Carrey beat himself up in a boardroom bathroom. You remember the scene. He’s throwing himself against walls, kicking his own behind, and trying to wrestle a blue pen that just won't cooperate. Liar Liar wasn't just another 1990s comedy; it was the moment the world realized Jim Carrey could actually play a "normal" human being, even if that human being was a pathologically dishonest lawyer named Fletcher Reede.
The cast of Liar Liar the movie was this weirdly perfect alchemy of character actors, legendary comedians, and a kid who basically became the moral compass for an entire generation of viewers.
Looking back from 2026, some of these careers took turns nobody saw coming. We’re talking about actors who left Hollywood for sports radio, others who became staples of the Law & Order universe, and some who, sadly, we’ve lost along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to "the claw" or why the kid who played Max suddenly vanished from the big screen, you're in the right spot.
Jim Carrey: The Man Who Went from Rubber Face to "Power-Resting"
Let’s start with the big guy. In 1997, Jim Carrey was the biggest star on the planet. He’d just come off a string of hits like Ace Ventura and The Mask, but Liar Liar was different because it forced him to use his physical comedy to tell a story about a dad failing his son.
Fast forward to 2026. Jim is 64 now. He has spent the last few years being pretty vocal about his "retirement." He calls it "power-resting." It’s a vibe.
He did come back for the Sonic the Hedgehog movies because, well, Dr. Robotnik is basically a live-action cartoon, and that’s Jim’s bread and butter. But mostly, he’s been painting and living a quiet life. He recently sold his long-time Los Angeles estate, further fueling the idea that he’s done with the Hollywood rat race unless a script written in "gold ink" shows up on his doorstep.
Maura Tierney as Audrey Reede
Maura Tierney played the "straight man" to Carrey’s chaos. As Audrey, she had the impossible task of being the ex-wife who still sort of cared but was totally done with the lies.
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If you turn on your TV right now, there’s a massive chance you’ll see her. She’s currently starring as Lt. Jessica Brady in the original Law & Order. It’s a huge career pivot from her days on ER and NewsRadio. Just this month, she participated in an "explosive" crossover event with SVU.
She’s also been getting a ton of awards buzz lately for her role in The Iron Claw and the summer blockbuster Twisters. She is arguably more active now than she was in the late '90s.
Whatever Happened to the Kid? (Justin Cooper)
This is the question everyone asks. Max Reede. The kid who made the wish that ruined (and saved) his dad's life.
Justin Cooper was everywhere for a minute. He was in Full House, The Boys Are Back, and he even took over the role of Dennis in Dennis the Menace Strikes Again. But then, around 2003, he just... stopped.
He didn't have a "child star meltdown." He just grew up and realized he liked the other side of the microphone. Today, Justin Cooper is a successful executive producer for The Ben Maller Show on Fox Sports Radio.
- Then: Wishing for a day where his dad couldn't lie.
- Now: Producing sports talk radio and living a completely private life away from the cameras.
It’s kind of refreshing, isn't it?
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The Villains and the Victims: Jennifer Tilly and Cary Elwes
You can't talk about the cast of Liar Liar the movie without mentioning Samantha Cole. Jennifer Tilly was iconic. Her performance was so over-the-top and perfect as the gold-digging client who truly didn't care about the truth as long as she got her settlement.
Jennifer is still a total legend. She’s been the voice of Tiffany in the Chucky franchise for decades and is a world-class poker player. Seriously, she has a World Series of Poker bracelet. She’s basically living her best life, alternating between horror conventions and high-stakes tables.
Then there’s Cary Elwes. He played Jerry, the guy who liked "the claw." Jerry was supposed to be the "boring" alternative to Fletcher, but Elwes played him with such earnestness that you almost felt bad for him.
Cary Elwes never stopped working. You’ve seen him in Stranger Things as the corrupt Mayor Kline and in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. He even wrote a best-selling book about making The Princess Bride. He’s one of those actors who just gets better with age, like a fine wine or a really well-made sword.
The Supporting Heroes We Miss
We have to take a second for the late Anne Haney. She played Greta, Fletcher’s loyal secretary who finally had enough. Her comedic timing during the "I’ve had better" scene was impeccable. Sadly, Anne passed away in 2001, but her legacy as one of the best character actresses in the business lives on.
Swoosie Kurtz, who played the opposing counsel Dana Appleton, is still a powerhouse. Most recently, she’s been seen in Call Me Kat and Man with a Plan. She remains one of the most decorated stage and screen actresses in the group.
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Why the Liar Liar Cast Still Matters Today
Most comedies from 1997 feel dated. The jokes don't land, or the "edginess" feels cringe. But Liar Liar holds up.
Why? Because the cast played it real. Even when Jim Carrey was literally wrestling himself in a bathroom, the stakes felt high because the people around him—Maura Tierney, Justin Cooper, even the judge played by Jason Bernard—reacted like they were dealing with a man having a genuine mental breakdown.
The movie works because it’s a story about a family. The supernatural "truth" element is just the vehicle.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're feeling nostalgic after reading about the cast of Liar Liar the movie, here is how you can catch up with them in 2026:
- Watch the Law & Order Crossover: Check out Maura Tierney’s latest episodes on NBC or Peacock to see her in "detective mode."
- Listen to Fox Sports Radio: If you want to support the former Max Reede, tune into The Ben Maller Show late at night.
- Check out Sonic 3: See Jim Carrey’s latest (and potentially last) big-screen performance as Dr. Robotnik.
- Follow Jennifer Tilly on Socials: She is genuinely one of the most entertaining celebrities to follow, especially when she’s at a poker tournament.
The truth is, this cast was a "lightning in a bottle" moment. They took a goofy premise and turned it into a heart-wrenching, hilarious classic that still makes us think twice before we tell a "white lie" to our kids.
To keep the nostalgia going, your best move is to head over to your favorite streaming service. Liar Liar is frequently on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Give it a re-watch with the kids—it’s one of the few PG-13 comedies that actually feels like it has something important to say about being a grown-up.