Where Is the Cast ofMiss CongenialityNow? See What the Stars Have Been Up to 25 Years Since the Film's Release

Mar. 15, 2025

(L): Sandra Bullock as Gracie in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Sandra Bullock attends the UK screening of ‘The Lost City’ on March 31, 2022, in London.Photo:Ron Batzdorff/Castle Rock/Fortis/Kobal/Shutterstock; Mike Marsland/WireImage

Ron Batzdorff/Castle Rock/Fortis/Kobal/Shutterstock; Mike Marsland/WireImage

It’s been over two decades sinceMiss Congenialitywas released in 2000, but its comedic legacy lives on.

Upon its release,Miss Congenialitybecame a massive box office hit, earning $107 million, according toForbes. Its success led to a 2005 sequel, in which many characters reprised their roles.

In the years sinceMiss Congenialitydebuted, the cast members have pursued various ventures and expanded their families. From new roles to their lives off-screen, here’s where the stars ofMiss Congenialityare now.

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Sandra Bullock as Gracie Hart

When Bullock starred as FBI agent Gracie Hart inMiss Congeniality, it was just the beginning of her successful career.

In addition to reprising her role in the film’s 2005 sequel, the actress went on to lead 2009’sThe Proposaland 2013’sGravity.One of Bullock’s most acclaimed roles since portraying Gracie came in 2009’sThe Blind Side, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

More recently, Bullock starred alongsideChanning Tatumin 2022’sThe Lost City.

Outside of the big screen, Bullock married Jesse James in 2005, though they finalized their divorce in 2010. She began datingBryan Randallin 2015, and they stayed happily together until he died in 2023 from a “three-year battle with ALS,” his family told PEOPLE in a statement at the time.

Bullock has also been busy raising her two kids — son Louis and daughter Laila — whom she welcomed via adoption in 2010 and 2015, respectively.

While she hasn’t retired from acting, Bullock said in a March 2022 interview withEntertainment Tonightthat she was taking a step back from career to spend time with her kids.

“Right now, and I don’t know how long that will be, I need to be inthe place that makes me happiest,” Bullock said. “I take my job very seriously when I’m at work. It’s 24/7 and I just want to be 24/7 with my babies and my family.”

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Benjamin Bratt as Eric Matthews

(L): Benjamin Bratt as Eric in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Benjamin Bratt attends the Los Angeles special screening of Netflix’s ‘Mother Of The Bride’ at The Bay Theater on May 8, 2024, in Pacific Palisades, Calif.Warner Brothers/Getty

Warner Brothers/Getty

Bratt has also had various voice acting roles, including 2009’sCloudy with a Chance of Meatballsand its 2013 sequel, 2013’sDespicable Me 2and 2017’sCoco.As for television, Bratt starred inLaw & OrderandPrivate Practice.

In 2002, he married his wifeTalisa Soto, whom he met at a film audition in the early 1990s and later costarred with in 2001’sPiñero.The pair share two kids: daughter Sophia, born in 2002, and son Mateo, born in 2005.

03of 08Heather Burns as Cheryl Frasier(L): Heather Burns in as Cheryl in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Heather Burns attends ‘Hold On To Me Darling’ opening night at Lucille Lortel Theatre on Oct. 16, 2024, in New York City.Warner Bros; John Lamparski/GettyAfter Burns portrayed Cheryl Frasier — aka ‘Miss Rhode Island’ — inMiss Congenialityand its sequel, the actress worked on 2011’sWhat’s Your Number?. She also had roles in television seriesTwenty Good Years,Save MeandBored to Death.In April 2021, Burns reflected on her role inMiss Congenialityto PEOPLE — specifically her memorable line describing April 25th as her perfect date — and said that she is “grateful for the day.““It gives me a chance to connect with fans of the film and old friends,” she said. “I love having been a part of something that has been meaningful for so long to so many people.“As for her personal life, Burns welcomed a son in 2016 with her husband, actor Ajay Naidu.

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Heather Burns as Cheryl Frasier

(L): Heather Burns in as Cheryl in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Heather Burns attends ‘Hold On To Me Darling’ opening night at Lucille Lortel Theatre on Oct. 16, 2024, in New York City.Warner Bros; John Lamparski/Getty

Warner Bros; John Lamparski/Getty

After Burns portrayed Cheryl Frasier — aka ‘Miss Rhode Island’ — inMiss Congenialityand its sequel, the actress worked on 2011’sWhat’s Your Number?. She also had roles in television seriesTwenty Good Years,Save MeandBored to Death.

In April 2021, Burns reflected on her role inMiss Congenialityto PEOPLE — specifically her memorable line describing April 25th as her perfect date — and said that she is “grateful for the day.”

“It gives me a chance to connect with fans of the film and old friends,” she said. “I love having been a part of something that has been meaningful for so long to so many people.”

As for her personal life, Burns welcomed a son in 2016 with her husband, actor Ajay Naidu.

04of 08William Shatner as Stan Fields(L): William Shatner as Stan in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): William Shatner attends the 22nd Annual Visual Effects Society Awards at The Beverly Hilton on Feb. 21, 2024, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Warner Bros; Olivia Wong/GettyWith over seven decades of acting experience, portraying pageant emcee Stan Fields inMiss Congenialitywas just one of many projects Shatner starred in throughout his career.AfterMiss Congeniality, the actor — who is most known for his role in theStar Trekfilms throughout the 1980s — appeared in several films, including 2002’sShoot or Be Shotand2003’sA Carol Christmas.He has since appeared in various television shows, includingBoston Legal, The PracticeandMasters of the Universe: Revolution.Shatner’s career isn’t the only place he’s reaching for the stars — he alsotook an actual trip to space! In October 2021, he became theoldest person to ever go to spaceat 90 years old when he went aboardJeff Bezos' Blue Originspace shuttle.Although he had multiple marriages (and kids!) prior to his role inMiss Congeniality, Shatner wed Elizabeth Martin in February 2001, though they finalized their divorce settlement in March 2020.

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William Shatner as Stan Fields

(L): William Shatner as Stan in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): William Shatner attends the 22nd Annual Visual Effects Society Awards at The Beverly Hilton on Feb. 21, 2024, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Warner Bros; Olivia Wong/Getty

Warner Bros; Olivia Wong/Getty

With over seven decades of acting experience, portraying pageant emcee Stan Fields inMiss Congenialitywas just one of many projects Shatner starred in throughout his career.

AfterMiss Congeniality, the actor — who is most known for his role in theStar Trekfilms throughout the 1980s — appeared in several films, including 2002’sShoot or Be Shotand2003’sA Carol Christmas.

He has since appeared in various television shows, includingBoston Legal, The PracticeandMasters of the Universe: Revolution.

Shatner’s career isn’t the only place he’s reaching for the stars — he alsotook an actual trip to space! In October 2021, he became theoldest person to ever go to spaceat 90 years old when he went aboardJeff Bezos' Blue Originspace shuttle.

Although he had multiple marriages (and kids!) prior to his role inMiss Congeniality, Shatner wed Elizabeth Martin in February 2001, though they finalized their divorce settlement in March 2020.

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Michael Caine as Victor Melling

In October 2023, the Oscar-winning actor announced onBBC Radio 4’s Todayshow that he wasretiring from acting.

“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and it’s got incredible reviews. The only parts I’m likely to get now are old men,” Caine explained. “And I thought, well I might as well leave with all this — what have I got to do to beat this?”

When he appeared inMiss Congeniality,Caine was already married to his wifeShakira Caineand the father oftwo daughters: Dominique, whom he shared with ex-wife Patricia Haines, and Natasha, whom he welcomed with Shakira.

06of 08Candice Bergen as Kathy Morningside(L): Candice Bergen as Kathy in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Candice Bergen at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles.Warner Bros; Scott Kirkland/DisneyCandice Bergen, who played Kathy Morningside, continued appearing in comedic television shows and movies for years to come.The actress had roles in 2002’sSweet Home Alabama, 2008’sSex and the City, 2009’sBride Warsand 2018’sBook Club, among others. As for television, she appeared inBoston LegalandMurphy Brown, which she had also been starring in at the time ofMiss Congeniality.Bergen also made waves in the Broadway revivals of 2012’sThe Best Manand 2014’sLove Letters.When it comes to her romantic life, after her first husband died in 1995, Bergen married Marshall Rose in 2000 — the same year thatMiss Congenialitywas released.

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Candice Bergen as Kathy Morningside

(L): Candice Bergen as Kathy in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Candice Bergen at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles.Warner Bros; Scott Kirkland/Disney

Warner Bros; Scott Kirkland/Disney

Candice Bergen, who played Kathy Morningside, continued appearing in comedic television shows and movies for years to come.

The actress had roles in 2002’sSweet Home Alabama, 2008’sSex and the City, 2009’sBride Warsand 2018’sBook Club, among others. As for television, she appeared inBoston LegalandMurphy Brown, which she had also been starring in at the time ofMiss Congeniality.

Bergen also made waves in the Broadway revivals of 2012’sThe Best Manand 2014’sLove Letters.

When it comes to her romantic life, after her first husband died in 1995, Bergen married Marshall Rose in 2000 — the same year thatMiss Congenialitywas released.

07of 08Ernie Hudson as Harry McDonald(L): Ernie Hudson as Harry in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Ernie Hudson attends the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys at Peacock Theater on Jan. 6, 2024 in Los Angeles.Warner Bros; Frazer Harrison/GettyErnie Hudsonwas already a seasoned actor when he appeared inMiss Congenialityas FBI assistant director Harry McDonald — but he stayed just as booked and busy after.After rising to fame in the originalGhostbustersmovie and sequel in the 1980s, the actor starred in 2021’sGhostbusters: Afterlifeand 2024’sGhostbusters: Frozen Empire.As for television, Hudson appeared inThe Family Business, Desperate Housewives, Grace and FrankieandThe Secret Life of the American Teenager.Hudson remainsmarried to his wife Linda Kingsberg, who he has been with for over four decades, and together they share two kids. Hudson is also a father to two from his previous marriage to Jeannie Moore.

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Ernie Hudson as Harry McDonald

(L): Ernie Hudson as Harry in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Ernie Hudson attends the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys at Peacock Theater on Jan. 6, 2024 in Los Angeles.Warner Bros; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Warner Bros; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Ernie Hudsonwas already a seasoned actor when he appeared inMiss Congenialityas FBI assistant director Harry McDonald — but he stayed just as booked and busy after.

After rising to fame in the originalGhostbustersmovie and sequel in the 1980s, the actor starred in 2021’sGhostbusters: Afterlifeand 2024’sGhostbusters: Frozen Empire.

As for television, Hudson appeared inThe Family Business, Desperate Housewives, Grace and FrankieandThe Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Hudson remainsmarried to his wife Linda Kingsberg, who he has been with for over four decades, and together they share two kids. Hudson is also a father to two from his previous marriage to Jeannie Moore.

08of 08Melissa De Sousa as Karen Krantz(L): Melissa De Sousa as Karen in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Melissa De Sousa at Hollywood Pantages Theatre on Feb. 14, 2024 in Hollywood, Calif.Warner Bros; Unique Nicole/GettyMelissa De Sousa, who stepped into the role of ‘Miss New York’ or Karen, appeared in several television shows after starring inMiss Congeniality.The actress had guest roles inCastle,ShamelessandElementary,and appeared in Peacock’s 2022 seriesThe Best Man: The Final Chapters.Years after taking on the ‘Miss New York’ role, De Sousa continues to think fondly of her time inMiss Congeniality.“Will always cherish this moment in time! So much fun working on this movie and with the amazing #SandraBullock,” the actress wrote onInstagramin October 2019.

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Melissa De Sousa as Karen Krantz

(L): Melissa De Sousa as Karen in 2000’s ‘Miss Congeniality.’ ; (R): Melissa De Sousa at Hollywood Pantages Theatre on Feb. 14, 2024 in Hollywood, Calif.Warner Bros; Unique Nicole/Getty

Warner Bros; Unique Nicole/Getty

Melissa De Sousa, who stepped into the role of ‘Miss New York’ or Karen, appeared in several television shows after starring inMiss Congeniality.

The actress had guest roles inCastle,ShamelessandElementary,and appeared in Peacock’s 2022 seriesThe Best Man: The Final Chapters.

Years after taking on the ‘Miss New York’ role, De Sousa continues to think fondly of her time inMiss Congeniality.

“Will always cherish this moment in time! So much fun working on this movie and with the amazing #SandraBullock,” the actress wrote onInstagramin October 2019.

source: people.com