Tear Jerker ‘Steel Magnolias’ Turns 35, See What the Stars Are Up To Now Plus New 4K Release

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced the debut of Steel Magnolias on 4K Ultra HD for April 23 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of this star-studded release.

Released in November of 1989, Magnolias tells the story of Shelby (Julia Roberts) who is newly married and joyfully planning for a new arrival, but her mom M’lynn (Sally Field) is worried at the possibility of losing her only daughter during childbirth because of some of the challenges she faces. M’Lynn turns to her four closest friends (Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis) for strength. Laughter and tears are part of the film in this heartwarming story of life, love and loss in a small Louisiana parish.

We decided to take a quick peek at what these stars are doing now.

Julia Roberts (56)

Julia Roberts Now and Then

After her Oscar nomination for Magnolias, she was Oscar-nominated for Pretty Woman and August Osage County and she won the award for her performance in Erin Brockovich. Her most recent performance was in the 2023 film apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behind alongside Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke.

Sally Field (77)

Sally Field now and then

She had two Oscar wins when she came to Magnolias for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart. Since Magnolias, she was nominated for her role in Lincoln (2012). Her most recent role was in 2023’s 80 for Brady alongside talented women Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Rita Moreno.

Dolly Parton (78)

Dolly Parton now and then Steel Magnolias

Has been busy! Taking the stage at halftime during the Dallas Cowboys’ traditional Thanksgiving Day football game in 2023 performing in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit that left young and old mesmerized. She also released a new rock album called Rockstar, a Duncan Hines baking line, was inducted to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, produced a book about her clothing and is rolling out a new fashion line of pet clothing phew!

Shirley MacLaine (89)

STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Shirley MacLaine then and now

She won the Oscar in 1984 for Terms of Endearment and had 5 other nominations in hand when she got to Magnolias. According to IMDB, she has two projects in the works and we saw her last in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.

Daryl Hannah (63)

Daryl Hannah now and then

Married to rocker Neil Young, her last role was on Roku series The Now in 2021. Leading up to Magnolias she had memorable roles in Wall StreetSplashRoxanne and Blade Runner.

Olympia Dukakis

Olympia Dukakis Steel Magnolias and in 2019

Unfortunately, she left us in 2021 at 89 years young. The Oscar winner for her supporting performance in Moonstruck before her Magnolias role, worked regularly for years and played Anna in the 2019 series Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City on Netflix.

The details on this 4K release coming April 23

Steel Magnolias 4K Box ArtNewly remastered in 4K from the original camera negative, with Dolby Vision

All-new Dolby Atmos audio + 5.1 + 2-channel surround

Special Features include Steel Magnolias 1990 TV Pilot, Director’s Commentary, In Full Bloom: Remembering Steel Magnolias, 10 Deleted Scenes, Theatrical Trailer

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