‘Hairspray’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Updates On Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes & More After 16 Years

                                                                                                          By:
                                                                                                          July 20, 2023 8:36AM EDT

                                                                                                          You can’t stop this beat! The 2007 film adaptation of ‘Hairspray’ remains a musical classic. So, where is the cast today? Get updates on all your favorite ‘Hairspray’ stars.

                                                                                                          1 of 10

                                                                                                          ‘Hairspray’ Cast: Zac Efron & More

                                                                                                          ‘Hairspray’ Cast: Zac Efron & More
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Good morning, Baltimore! The 2007 film ‘Hairspray’ was a critical and commercial hit. The movie was based on the 2002 Broadway musical, which had adapted the 1988 film. After its release on July 20, 2007, ‘Hairspray’ went on to gross over $200 million at the box office.

                                                                                                          ‘Hairspray’ featured an amazing ensemble cast, which included Zac Efron as Link Larkin. Zac continued to lean into his musical side with the release of ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’ in 2008. Since ‘Hairspray,’ Zac’s star status has only risen. He’s starred in movies like ‘Neighbors,’ ‘Baywatch,’ ‘The Greatest Showman,’ and more. Since 2020, Zac has starred in the Netflix docuseries ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron.’

                                                                                                          The cast of ‘Hairspray’ also included John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Elijah Kelley, Nikki Blonsky, and more. So, where is the cast today? HollywoodLife has all the updates about the ‘Hairspray’ cast.

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          2 of 10

                                                                                                          Amanda Bynes

                                                                                                          Amanda Bynes
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/Snorlax / MEGA

                                                                                                          Amanda Bynes starred Penny Pingleton in the ‘Hairspray’ film. She starred in ‘Sydney White’ the same year as ‘Hairspray.’ He final film role was ‘Easy A’ in 2010. She then announced an indefinite hiatus from acting. Following struggles with her mental health and legal issues, Amanda was in a conservatorship from 2013 to 2022.

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          3 of 10

                                                                                                          Nikki Blonsky

                                                                                                          Nikki Blonsky
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/MOVI Inc. / MEGA

                                                                                                          Nikki Blonsky starred as Tracy Turnblad, and her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination. ‘Hairspray’ marked her feature film debut. She went on to star in the ABC Family series ‘Huge,’ and she appeared in ‘Smash’ season 2. Nikki came out as gay in a 2020 TikTok video and announced her engagement in 2022.

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          4 of 10

                                                                                                          John Travolta

                                                                                                          John Travolta
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/MEGA

                                                                                                          John Travolta played Tracy Turnblad’s mom, Edna Turnblad, in the 2007 film. He was nominated for a Golden Globe. The ‘Grease’ icon has continued to star in films over the years, including ‘Old Dogs,’ ‘Savages,’ and more. He notably played Robert Shapiro in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.’ John’s beloved wife, Kelly Preston, died in 2020 at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer.

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          5 of 10

                                                                                                          Michelle Pfeiffer

                                                                                                          Michelle Pfeiffer
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/ Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Michelle Pfeiffer starred as Velma Von Tussle. The ‘Batman Returns’ actress has gone on to star in movies like ‘Murder on the Orient Express,’ ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,’ and ‘Ant-Man’ movies. She starred as former First Lady Betty Ford in the 2022 Showtime limited series ‘The First Lady.’

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          6 of 10

                                                                                                          Brittany Snow

                                                                                                          Brittany Snow
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/Steven/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Brittany Snow starred as Amber Von Tussle, Velma’s daughter. Brittany continued to immerse herself in musical roles playing Chloe in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ trilogy. She was praised for her performance in the 2022 film ‘X.’ She recently starred in the 2023 film ‘The Good Half’ with Nick Jonas.

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          7 of 10

                                                                                                          Christopher Walken

                                                                                                          Christopher Walken
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Christopher Walken starred as Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy’s father. ‘Hairspray’ reunited him with his ‘Batman Returns’ co-star Michelle Pfeiffer. The acting legend has starred in countless films over the years. He’s starring alongside Timothee Chalamet and Austin Butler in the highly-anticipated ‘Dune: Part Two.’

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          8 of 10

                                                                                                          Queen Latifah

                                                                                                          Queen Latifah
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/Castel Franck/ABACA/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Queen Latifah starred as ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle Stubbs. Queen Latifah has continue to flex her comedy skills on the big screen with roles in ’22 Jump Street’ and ‘Girls Trip.’ She notably played blues singer Bessie Smith in the 2015 HBO film ‘Bessie.’ She played Carlotta in the FOX series ‘Star.’ Since 2021 she has starred in the CBS revival of ‘The Equalizer.’

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          9 of 10

                                                                                                          James Marsden

                                                                                                          James Marsden
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/Castel Franck/ABACA/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          James Marsden starred as Corny Collins in the 2007 film. The same year as ‘Hairspray,’ James starred in the hit Disney movie ‘Enchanted.’ He reprised the role of Edward in the 2022 sequel. He starred with Katherine Heigl in the hit rom-com ’27 Dresses.’ In 2016, he began starring as Teddy in the HBO series ‘Westworld.’ He joined the cast of ‘Dead to Me’ in 2019. He played himself in the hit Freevee series ‘Jury Duty’ and recently earned an Emmy nomination for his performance.

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:08PM
                                                                                                          10 of 10

                                                                                                          Elijah Kelley

                                                                                                          Elijah Kelley
                                                                                                          New Line/Everett Collection/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Elijah Kelley starred as Seaweed J. Stubbs. Since ‘Hairspray,’ he joined the cast of ‘The Wiz Live!’ in 2015. He had a recurring role on ‘Star’ alongside Queen Latifah. He also starred in the 2013 film ‘The Butler.’

                                                                                                          July 19, 2023, 2:07PM