‘Zoolander’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
Hansel, so hot right now! Zoolander wasn’t an overnight success when it first premiered in 2001, but it has since become a cult classic.
The comedy, which pokes fun at the world of male modeling, follows Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) as he tries to remain relevant when newcomer Hansel (Owen Wilson) eclipses him as the hottest model in the industry.
Despite their differences — Derek was old school with set poses, while Hansel was a thrill-seeker — the two men managed to foil the plot to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia at Mugatu’s (Will Ferrell) runway show.
While the film didn’t do so well at the box office and was banned in Malaysia and Singapore for the use of the fictional prime minister, Zoolander has since become iconic.
Derek’s blue steel pose, Mugatu’s ridiculous hair and the epic dance battle to save the world are just a few reasons fans still watch the movie more than two decades later. The biggest reason for its delayed success, however, could be attributed to the two lead characters — and the actors who portrayed them.
“Derek and Hansel are very simple characters,” Stiller told Esquire in March 2016, ahead of the release of Zoolander 2. “I don’t pretend to know what the secret is, why people connect with them. But I can guess at it; they are genuine and pretty innocent.”
The Meet the Parents star added: “It’s always very clear, if the scene is written correctly, how Derek will react to a situation. The audience has a certain innate expectation of how they want to see him be and, if you go outside of that, it’s pretty clear what areas Derek doesn’t work in.”
Wilson, for his part, recalled the slow burn with Zoolander, telling The Independent in February 2016 that he still gets recognized for his role in the film.
“I noticed that when I was traveling, there were a lot of people who came up to me quoting Zoolander,” the Texas native said at the time. “Ben said he had the same experience and a kind of following developed.”
The fashion satire movie also marked one of the first projects Owen and Stiller worked on together. They have starred in more than 10 films together as of 2021, including Starsky & Hutch and the Night at the Museum franchise.
“I don’t know if the relationship has developed over time. It’s a little like these characters [in Zoolander]. There isn’t a big arc,” the Wedding Crashers actor explained. “From when we first became friends, walking around New York, I think that we are still sort of laughing at the same things and our dynamic is still pretty similar.”
Scroll down to see what the cast of Zoolander has been doing since its 2001 release:
Stiller portrayed model Derek Zoolander in the comedy, which he also wrote and directed. He then starred in The Royal Tenenbaums, Along Came Polly, Starsky & Hutch, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and reprised his role as Greg Focker in Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers. The New York native portrayed Larry Daley in the Night of the Museum franchise and voicing Alex in the Madagascar films, before appearing in Tower Heist, The Watch and Zoolander 2. The Saturday Night Live alum also appeared on Arrested Development and has both producer and director experience. His writing credits include work on The Ben Stiller Show and Tropic Thunder. Stiller married Christine Taylor in 2000. After 17 years of marriage, they announced their separation in May 2017. The couple, who share daughter Ella and son Quinlin, confirmed in February 2022 that they were back together. Shutterstock (2)
Wilson played Derek’s model rival-tuned-friend Hansel in both Zoolander and Zoolander 2. He then starred in The Royal Tenenbaums — which he wrote and produced — Behind Enemy Lines, Starsky & Hutch, Around the World in 80 Days, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Wedding Crashers, Marley & Me, Midnight in Paris, The Internship, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Lost in London. The Texas native portrayed Kevin Rawley in the Meet the Parents films, Jedidiah in the Night at the Museum franchise and voiced Lightning McQueen in the Cars movies. Wilson also starred on Loki as Mobius. The producer is the father of two sons, Robert and Finn, and one daughter, Lyla. He welcomed Robert with Jade Duell in 2011, Finn with Caroline Lindqvist in 2014 and Lyla with Varunie Vongsvirates in 2018. Shutterstock (2)
Ferrell played eccentric designer Mugatu in the comedy and its 2016 sequel. He also starred in Old School, Elf, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Kicking & Screaming, Blades of Glory, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Step Brothers, The Other Guys, Get Hard, Daddy’s Home, Holmes & Watson and Zeroville. Ferrell voiced the titular character in Megamind and appeared on The Office, Eastbound & Down, The Spoils of Babylon and The Shrink Next Door. The California native has more than 80 producing credits to his name, including Booksmart, Drunk History, Succession and Dead to Me. He is also a writer, having worked on Funny or Die Presents… and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. The Saturday Night Live alum married Viveca Paulin in 2000. They share three sons: Magnus, Mattias and Axel. Shutterstock (2)
The actress portrayed Mugatu’s henchwoman, Katinka, who becomes the main antagonist in Zoolander 2. Jovovich then starred in No Good Deed, Stone, Survivor, Shock and Awe, Paradise Hills, Hellboy, The Rookies, Monster Hunter and the Resident Evil franchise. The Ukraine-born star served as an executive producer on 2011’s Faces in the Crowd before making her directorial debut in SOHN – Signal five years later. Jovovich released two studio albums and four singles from 1994 to 2012. The model shares three daughters, Ever, Dashiel, and Osian, with husband Paul W.S. Anderson. The couple, who wed in 2009, welcomed their youngest child in 2020. Shutterstock (2)
Ben Stiller’s father, Jerry, played Derek’s longtime manager, Maury Ballstein. He then voiced Pretty Boy on Teacher’s Pet and its 2004 movie by the same name. The New York native starred on The King of Queens for nine seasons and both acted and produced the web series Stiller & Meara alongside his late wife, Anne Meara. He later appeared in Hairspray, The Heartbreak Kid, Swinging With the Finkels, Excuse Me for Living, Cousins and voiced Harvey in Planes: Fire & Rescue. Jerry reprised his role as Maury in 2016’s Zoolander 2 before stepping back from acting. The comedian died in May 2020 at the age of 92. He is survived by Ben and his sister, Amy Stiller. Shutterstock (2)
Taylor portrayed journalist Matilda Jeffries, who despite all odds falls for Derek. The actress then appeared in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Room 6, License to Wed, The First Time, Zoolander 2, Little Boxes and Friendsgiving. The Pennsylvania native had recurring roles on Burning Love, Arrested Development and Search Party. Taylor wrote and produced 2020’s Celebrity Escape Room. The star married Ben in 2000 and separated in 2017. After five years apart, the twosome revealed in February 2022 they were back on. They share two children: daughter Ella, born in 2002, and son Quinlin, born in 2005. Shutterstock (2)
Graham’s role as Mugatu’s assistant, Todd, was his first acting role. He then played Frederick in Sweet Home Alabama before appearing in Confessions of an Action Star, Hitch, Trophy Kids and Zoolander 2. The Missouri native also had roles on The Comeback, Hug-O-Gram, LA to Vegas and Katy Keene. His theater credits include playing Phil D’Armano in the original Broadway cast of The Wild Party and Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. In 2005, Graham won a Grammy for Best Classical Album for Songs of Innocence and of Experience as a soloist. Shutterstock (2)
Voight played Derek’s judgmental father, Larry Zoolander. The Oscar winner the appeared in Holes, Glory Road, Transformers, Four Christmases, Dracula: The Dark Prince, American Wrestler: The Wizard, JL Ranch, Roe v. Wade and the National Treasure films. He starred on 24, Lone Star and Ray Donovan. Voight is also a writer, director and producer. The New York native was married twice: to Lauri Peters from 1962 to 1967 and to Marcheline Bertrand from 1971 to 1980. The Emmy-nominated actor shares daughter Angelina Jolie and son James Haven with Bertrand. Shutterstock (2)
Vaughn had a small role as Derek’s miner brother Luke Zoolander. He then starred in Old School, Starsky & Hutch, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Wedding Crashers, The Break-Up, Fred Claus, Four Christmases, The Dilemma, The Internship, Delivery Man, Hacksaw Ridge, Freaky and Queenpins. The Minnesota native also appeared on True Detective, F Is for Family and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Vaughn’s writer and producer credits include Couples Retreat, The Internship, Sullivan & Son and F Is for Family. The comedy actor married Kyla Weber in 2010. The couple share two children: Lochlyn and Vernon. Shutterstock (2)
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