It’s been over twenty years since Lizzie McGuire hopped on a plane to Rome, got mistaken for an Italian pop star, and performed "What Dreams Are Made Of" at the Colosseum. Honestly, that movie was a cultural reset for anyone growing up in the early 2000s. We all remember the chunky highlights, the butterfly clips, and the absolute betrayal of Paolo Valisari. But while we’re still humming that soundtrack in our cars, the Lizzie McGuire movie cast has moved on to some pretty wild, and occasionally very normal, things.
Some are winning Emmys. Others are basically ghosts in the industry.
Hilary Duff is Having a Massive 2026
If you’ve been following the news lately, you know Hilary Duff is having a huge moment. She isn't just a "Disney legend" anymore. After the 2024 end of How I Met Your Father, she took a breather, but 2026 is officially her year of the "pop comeback."
She just released her new single "Mature" in late 2025, and it’s currently climbing the charts. It’s a weirdly beautiful track where her present self basically has a conversation with her younger self. She even has a new album titled luck... or something scheduled for release on February 20, 2026.
The biggest news? She’s actually going on tour.
The "Small Rooms, Big Nerves" tour kicks off in London on January 19, 2026. It’s her first time performing live in over a decade. Fans are losing their minds. She’s playing intimate venues like the Brooklyn Paramount and the Wiltern in LA. It’s a far cry from the Colosseum, but seeing her back on stage feels right.
Whatever Happened to Gordo?
Adam Lamberg, who played David "Gordo" Gordon, is the one everyone asks about. Why did he disappear?
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After the movie, Adam basically decided he was done with the Hollywood machine. He did a couple of indie films like Beautiful Loser in 2008, but then he just... stopped. He went to UC Berkeley, got a degree in Geography, and eventually a master’s in Public Administration.
For a long time, he was working at the Irish Arts Center in New York City.
We almost had him back. When Disney announced the Lizzie McGuire reboot in 2019, Adam was confirmed to return. We even saw photos of him on set with Hilary. But as we all know, the reboot was scrapped because Disney thought it was "too adult" (Lizzie having an affair? Disney wasn't ready). Since that heartbreak, Adam has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, reportedly working in fundraising and events in NYC. He’s happy being a civilian, and honestly, you have to respect the hustle of leaving fame behind for a master’s degree.
The Villain We Loved to Hate: Yani Gellman
Paolo. Just saying the name makes people want to boo. Yani Gellman played the lip-syncing Italian fraud with such "charming dirtbag" energy that we never saw the twist coming.
Yani didn't stop acting, though.
You probably recognized him as Garrett Reynolds in Pretty Little Liars or Diego in 90210. He’s stayed busy in the TV circuit for years. Most recently, he’s been popping up in thriller movies and guest spots on procedurals. He’s also a director now. It’s funny because in real life, Yani is actually a talented singer and musician—the complete opposite of Paolo who couldn't hit a note to save his life.
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Miss Ungermeyer is an Absolute Icon
Alex Borstein was arguably the best part of the movie. Her performance as the drill-sergeant chaperone Miss Ungermeyer was comedic gold. "You want a piece of the Ungermeyer?"
Since 2003, Alex has become a literal powerhouse.
- She won multiple Emmys for playing Susie Myerson in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
- She’s still the voice of Lois Griffin on Family Guy (which is entering its 24th season in 2026).
- She’s currently touring her own comedy specials, like Corsets & Clown Suits.
She is the most successful member of the Lizzie McGuire movie cast in terms of critical acclaim. Seeing her go from a Disney Channel chaperone to a three-time Emmy winner is the kind of career trajectory you love to see.
The Rest of the McGuire Clan
What about the family? They were the heart of the show, even if they were stuck back in the States (mostly) during the movie.
- Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire): Lizzie's annoying little brother is now a 36-year-old photographer and director. He still acts occasionally, but he’s found a huge niche in commercial photography and behind-the-scenes work. He’s also very active on social media, often leaning into the nostalgia of the show.
- Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire): Robert has a massive legacy outside of Lizzie (hello, Revenge of the Nerds), but he’s kept a lower profile lately. He’s been involved in some reality TV and smaller film projects, though he mostly stays away from the major Hollywood circuit.
- Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire): Hallie is still working! She actually runs an acting studio and has written books about the craft. She and her family produced a film called The Last Champion a few years back. She’s still that supportive "TV mom" in real life, often checking in on her former co-stars.
The Kate Sanders Redemption Arc
Ashlie Brillault, who played the "mean girl" Kate Sanders, did the most "normal" thing possible. She quit acting immediately after the movie wrapped. She went to law school, got her J.D., and is now a practicing attorney in California. She’s a mom and lives a completely private life.
It’s kind of iconic to play the most popular girl in school and then just decide to go argue in a courtroom instead.
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Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft) also took a detour. He became a high-level water polo player, competing for the US National Team and playing professionally in Europe. He eventually returned to acting and has done a lot of digital series and short films. He also works in real estate. Basically, Ethan Craft grew up to be a very busy, very fit guy who still has that "great hair."
Why Does This Cast Still Matter?
The reason we’re still talking about the Lizzie McGuire movie cast in 2026 isn't just nostalgia. It’s because they represent a specific era of "clean" stardom that actually felt reachable.
The movie was filmed in the fall of 2002 on location in Rome. It had a budget of $17 million and made over $55 million. For a Disney Channel spin-off, those numbers were huge. It proved that Lizzie wasn't just a TV character; she was a brand.
But there’s a bittersweet layer to it all. The fact that the 2020 reboot was canceled because Disney and Hilary Duff couldn't agree on how "adult" Lizzie should be is still a sore spot for fans. We wanted to see Lizzie in her 30s dealing with real problems. Disney wanted her to stay the girl who talks to a cartoon version of herself.
Instead, we have to piece together her "adult" life through Hilary’s music. If you listen to her new 2026 track "Roommates," which she co-wrote with her husband Matthew Koma, you get a glimpse of that maturity. It’s about the exhaustion of long-term partnership—a far cry from "Hey Now."
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you’re looking to catch up with the cast this year, here is your checklist:
- Hilary Duff: Grab tickets for her "Small Rooms, Big Nerves" tour if there are any left (they’re mostly sold out). Her new album drops February 20.
- Adam Lamberg: Don't look for him on TikTok. He’s not there. Just appreciate the 2003 Gordo for the legend he was.
- Alex Borstein: Check out her 2026 comedy tour dates; her live shows are notoriously filthy and hilarious.
- Streaming: The movie is still on Disney+, and honestly, it holds up. The CGI on the cartoon Lizzie is a bit dated, but the vibes are immaculate.
The legacy of the film is less about the "pop star" fantasy and more about the friendship between Lizzie and Gordo. Even in 2026, that final kiss on the rooftop in Rome remains one of the most satisfying moments in teen movie history. We might never get that reboot, but seeing the cast thrive in their own separate, weird, and wonderful ways is a pretty good consolation prize.
To dive deeper into the nostalgia, you can check out the audiobook Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire, narrated by Lalaine (Miranda), which gives some incredible behind-the-scenes tea on why this era of Disney was so intense.