What Everyone From ‘Steel Magnolias’ Is Doing Now
You Won’t Believe What the Cast of ‘Steel Magnolias’ Looks Like Today.Nearly 30 years ago, a group of strong, feisty Southern women made their way into America’s heart by way of a little film called Steel Magnolias. It made us laugh. It made us cry. Perhaps most of all, it made us realize you’ve gotta love the ones you’ve got while you’ve got ‘em.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 18: Actress Julia Roberts and Daniel Moder attend the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 18, 2014, in Los Angeles, California.
In addition to the universal themes of friendship and loss, the film boasted an ensemble cast. It was one of the first big roles for both Julia Roberts and Daryl Hannah, helping to pave the way for two major Hollywood stars. Respected veteran actors Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine lit up the screen with their sarcastic back-and-forth banter. And Sally Field charmed as a family matriarch facing the unthinkable.With Field’s birthday coming up, we started to think about where life has taken the Magnolias since the film’s release in 1989. Here’s what we dug up about this incredible cast today.Field no longer has the brown football-helmet hair her character, M’Lynn Eatenton, was known for, but she’s still just as stellar an actor as she was during her days as Shelby’s mom. She hasn’t slowed down, that’s for sure. Some of her most memorable roles over the years include those in the films Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire and Lincoln, as well as the TV series Brothers & Sisters. This year, she starred in the Netflix original film Little Evil.
Outside acting, Field is a passionate philanthropist and social justice advocate. She raises awareness about osteoporosis, having been diagnosed herself in 2005, and she is an outspoken champion for women’s and LGBTQ rights.
Steel Magnolias Where Are They Now: Tom Skerritt
Tom Skerritt
In Steel Magnolias, Tom Skerritt played patriarch Drum Eatenton — a man who would do anything for his daughter, including shoot fireworks at the pigeons infringing upon her wedding day. In real life, he is a prolific actor, having nearly 200 acting credits under his belt. He is perhaps best known for playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the ’90s series Picket Fences, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award. Fun fact: He played Sally Field’s husband once more from 2006 to 2009 as her late husband on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters.Now 85, Skerritt still appears to be rockin’ and rollin’ along. In recent years, he has enjoyed cameos on popular TV series such as The Good Wife and Madam Secretary. And in 2017 alone, Skerritt starred in two feature films.Steel Magnolias Where Are They Now: Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Although Julia Roberts was a relative unknown when she starred as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, Steel Magnolias helped put her on the map. The following year would bring Roberts’ true breakout role as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman. In the years since, seminal roles in films like Notting Hill; Runaway Bride; Erin Brockovich; Charlie Wilson’s War; Eat, Pray, Love; and August: Osage County have solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s top talents. Her many awards include an Academy Award, a Critics Choice Award, three Golden Globes, and a SAG Award.In 2002, Roberts wed cameraman Danny Moder, whom she met on the set of 2000’s The Mexican. Together, the couple has three children.
Steel Magnolias Where Are They Now Dylan McDermott
Dylan McDermott
Steel Magnolias saw Dylan McDermott star as handsome Louisiana lawyer Jackson Latcherie, married to Julia Roberts’ Shelby. Although he wasn’t featured prominently on-screen in the film, McDermott has made up for it in the time since with starring roles in hit TV series such as The Practice, The Grid, Dark Blue, American Horror Story, and Hostages. McDermott is also slated to star in a new series called LA>Vegas, which will debut during the 2017–2018 TV season.In 2014, he starred in the short-lived series Stalker, and while it only lasted one season, it led to McDermott meeting his current fiancée, Maggie Q. He has two daughters with ex-wife Shiva Rose.
Steel Magnolias Where Are They Now: Shirley Maclaine
Shirley MacLaine
Before starring as the curmudgeonly Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias, Shirley MacLaine already had an impressive body of work for which she was known — including her Best Actress Award-winning turn in 1983’s Terms of Endearment. One of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars, MacLaine has won and been nominated for a slew of awards. In 2013, she received the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Today, at 83 years old, MacLaine remains a busy working actor with five films currently in production.
MacLaine isn’t without controversy, though. Her comments on everything from the existence of UFOs to the cause of the Holocaust have drawn criticism.Steel Magnolias Where Are They Now: Olympia Dukakis
Olympia Dukakis
The late ’80s and the early ’90s proved to be instrumental in Olympia Dukakis’ career. The revered actor landed the role of Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias after winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her work in 1987’s Moonstruck. She then followed the success of those roles up with memorable turns in the Look Who’s Talking films, Mighty Aphrodite, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Sinatra, and more… a lot more. Dukakis currently has over 100 acting credits. At present, she has six films in varying stages of production.
Steel Magnolias Where Are They Now: Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton sure has come a long way since sharing a one-room shack in rural Appalachia with 11 siblings. Steel Magnolias’ hairstylist Truvy Jones is one of Parton’s most memorable acting roles, but certainly not her only credit. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and 9 to 5 came before it, and parts in The Beverly Hillbillies, Hannah Montana, Joyful Noise, and more came after it. Parton’s most recent acting roles to create buzz was her cameos in the 2015 TV movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors and 2016’s Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love — both of which she executive produced.
Outside acting and producing, Parton continues to perform as one of country music’s most treasured artists. She is also a charitable giver of both time and resources, with one example of her philanthropy being her children’s book program, the Imagination Library.
