Steel Magnolias is a 1989 film with a star-studded cast. The classic film follows a group of women whose lives intertwine within their small Louisiana community.
Daryl Hannah is Annelle Dupuy, who arrives as a young beautician who lends a helping hand in the salon of Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton). Shelby Eatenton, played by Julia Roberts, is a bride-to-be getting her hair done at Truvy’s, accompanied by her mother, M’Lynn Eatenton, played by Sally Field.
Also apart of beauty salon bunch is prickly Ouiser Boudreaux, played by Shirley MacLaine, and Clairee Belcher, the widow of the former mayor, played by Olympia Dukakis.
As time goes on and the group of women endure love and loss, the power of friendship is evident amongst them.
Here, take a look at the Steel Magnolias cast then and now.
Steel Magnolias cast, then and now
Dolly Parton as Truvy Jones
After her role as salon owner Truvy Jones, Dolly Parton has continued to enjoy a successful career in both the film industry as well as the music industry.
Some of the movies and series you may have seen her in over the years include Straight Talk (1992), Heavens to Betsy, Unlikely Angel (1996) and Joyful Noise (2012), to name a few. She also played a big role in creating the soundtrack for the 2018 film, Dumplin‘.
Musically, her career continued to flourish after the film. Her most recent body of work was the 2023 album, Rockstar, in which she collaborated with various artists to bring to life some of the greatest songs of the rock genre.
Another one of her recent endeavors was the Dolly Parton Pet Gala, in which many of Hollywood’s biggest stars joined her on the pink carpet with their adorable pups in tow to partake in the variety show which featured music, a doggy fashion show and more.
Julia Roberts as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie
Julia Roberts, who played the lovely bride-to-be in the film and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role, also went on to have great success in Hollywood after her performance in Steel Magnolias.
After her time as Shelby, Julia Roberts took on perhaps her most well-known roles in movies like Pretty Woman (1990), My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), Erin Brockovich (2000) and the list goes on.
Her catalog of movies throughout the 90s and 2000s earned her leading lady status, specifically in the romance and rom-com genres.
The more recent films you can see her in are Leave the World Behind (2023) alongside Ethan Hawke and Ticket to Paradise (2022) with none other than George Clooney.
Sally Field as M’Lynn Eatenton
Another accomplished member of the Steel Magnolias cast, Sally Field also continued to take on some of her most celebrated roles in the wake of this 1989 release.
Already an accomplished actor prior to Steel Magnolias, some of her notable works after came in favorites like Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Forrest Gump (1994), Lincoln (2012) and more, her most recent acting role being in 80 for Brady with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Rita Moreno.
Field has also enjoyed a career on the stage as well as the screen, playing the part of Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie on Broadway in 2017. Additionally, she penned a memoir released in 2018 titled In Pieces. What can’t she do?
Shirley MacLaine as Ouiser Boudreaux in the Steel Magnolias cast
Shirley MacLaine brought to life the character of Ouiser Boudreaux in the Steel Magnolias cast. After this film, she took on some of her most celebrated roles in movies like Postcard From the Edge (1990) with Meryl Streep, Used People (1992), The Evening Star (1996), Bewitched (2005) and this list goes on.
As for television, she appeared in popular series throughout the 2000s including Downton Abbey, Glee, and most recently in 2022, Only Murders in the Building alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin.
Over the years since Steel Magnolias, MacLaine has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Emmy, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Kennedy Center Honor and more.
Olympia Dukakis as Clairee Belcher
Prior to Steel Magnolias, Olympia Dukakis won an Academy Award for her role in the movie Moonstruck — and her success didn’t stop there.
She could later be seen in films such as The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000), In the Land of Women (2007) and Cloudburst (2011), as well as in TV shows like Center of the Universe, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Sex & Violence and more.
She also had a successful career on the stage, and even penned an autobiography, Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress. She was the subject of the 2018 documentary, Olympia, that chronicled her life, before she sadly passed in 2021.
