The family behind The Parent Trap has united to honor Polly Holliday, who portrayed the Camp Walden director Marva Kulp Sr. in the beloved 1998 romantic comedy. Holliday passed away on September 9 at age 88, prompting heartfelt tributes from the film‘s director Nancy Meyers and star Lindsay Lohan, among others.
Nancy Meyers shared her sadness on Instagram the day after Holliday’s death, acknowledging the actress’s kindness and remarkable presence in The Parent Trap as well as her acclaimed role in All The President’s Men. Lohan responded under Meyers’ post, expressing her admiration for Holliday’s character and spirit.
Remembrances from The Parent Trap Cast
Lisa Ann Walter, who played Chessy—the nanny to one of Lohan’s twin characters—reflected on Holliday’s lesser-known role in the Watergate film, revealing she had only recently connected that it was Holliday she saw there. Walter praised Holliday’s performance, recalling her memorable role in The Parent Trap.
Known for her iconic role as Flo in the classic sitcom Alice, Holliday passed away at her Manhattan home, as confirmed by her agent Dennis Aspland. The Parent Trap continues to hold a special place in the hearts of its cast and devoted fans alike, preserving Holliday’s legacy within it.
Marking the film’s 26th anniversary, Lindsay Lohan described her experience on the film as “an incredible, life changing experience.” Walter echoed this sentiment, noting how the movie‘s enduring love deeply affects audiences and how grateful she is to have been part of it. Elaine Hendrix, another cast member, likewise expressed gratitude for the film’s lasting positive impact.
Lindsay Lohan’s Career Journey After The Parent Trap
Lindsay Lohan rose to fame after her breakthrough roles as twins Annie and Hallie in The Parent Trap, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s top young actors. She starred in hit movies such as Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, Just My Luck, and A Prairie Home Companion, establishing a versatile career early on.
Despite encountering personal setbacks—including two DUI arrests in 2007 and subsequent rehab stays—Lohan took breaks from Hollywood, relocating first to London and then Dubai. During this period, she ventured into entrepreneurship by opening two nightclubs in Greece. Later, she returned to the public eye with the MTV reality show Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club, which aired for one season, and served as a judge on the Australian edition of The Masked Singer.
In 2020, Lohan revived her music career with the release of the single Back to Me, her first new music in nearly 16 years since her debut album Speak. Recent years have seen her return to acting, starring in Netflix’s Falling For Christmas (2022) and Irish Wish (2024). She delighted fans further by reprising her Freaky Friday role alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in the upcoming 2025 sequel Freakier Friday.
Another significant milestone for Lohan is the birth of her first child, Luai, in July 2023 with husband Bader Shammas, marking a joyful personal chapter for the actress.
Dennis Quaid’s Career and Personal Life
Dennis Quaid, who played Nick in The Parent Trap, was already established as a sought-after leading man before the film’s release. Quaid’s career includes memorable roles in Frequency, The Day After Tomorrow, and Far From Heaven. Recently, he starred in Paramount+’s Happy Face series and the Oscar-nominated film The Substance in 2024. In addition to acting, Quaid has pursued music with his band Dennis Quaid and The Sharks since 2000.
On the personal front, Quaid was married to Meg Ryan for nearly a decade, with whom he shares a son, Jack. He later married real estate agent Kimberly Buffington, having twins Thomas and Zoe. Although the couple split twice, their divorce was finalized in 2018. In 2020, Quaid quietly married Laura Savoie, following an engagement in 2019 and a postponed wedding due to the pandemic. Addressing public curiosity about their 40-year age difference, Quaid has stated it “doesn’t really bother” them.
The Roles and Careers of Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter
Elaine Hendrix portrayed Meredith Blake, the stylish and antagonistic fiancée of Nicky in The Parent Trap, following her notable role in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Hendrix continued to act in television series such as FX’s Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and The CW’s Dynasty reboot. In addition to her acting, she is an active animal rights advocate and founded The Pet Matchmaker to rescue and rehome pets. Hendrix reunited with Lohan in the Freakier Friday sequel.
Lisa Ann Walter, who played Hallie’s nurturing nanny Chessy, built a strong portfolio with roles in films like Bruce Almighty, Shall We Dance?, and War of the Worlds. Her television appearances include Grey’s Anatomy, GLOW, and The Odd Couple. Walter also authored a memoir titled The Best Thing About My Ass Is That It’s Behind Me and hosted her own radio talk show in Los Angeles. Despite their characters being rivals in The Parent Trap, Walter and Hendrix have maintained a close personal friendship, with Walter describing Hendrix as family in an interview:
Elaine is family. She knows all my kids, and we don’t need anybody else. We have each other. Elaine’s my sister now; I adopted her.
—Lisa Ann Walter, Actress
More recently, Walter gained recognition for her role as the edgy teacher Melissa Schemmenti on the Emmy-winning series Abbott Elementary.
Simon Kunz and Other Supporting Cast Members’ Achievements
Simon Kunz played Martin, the beloved butler to the twins in The Parent Trap. After this role, he appeared in acclaimed UK television series such as Midsomer Murders, Sherlock, and The Last Kingdom. Kunz also featured in the Marvel film Captain America: The First Avenger and more recent projects including F1: The Movie, Jericho Ridge, and Rose’s War.
Several other original cast members have continued to build notable careers. Maggie Wheeler, who played Marva Kulp Jr. in the film, is best known for her portrayal of Janice on Friends. She has guest-starred on numerous popular television series and lent her voice to animated shows and films.
Kat Graham, who had an early role as one of Annie’s camp friends, went on to star in The Vampire Diaries and acted in films like 17 Again and Tyler Perry’s Duplicity. She is also involved in wellness entrepreneurship alongside her husband Bryant Wood.
Lohan’s younger brother, Michael Lohan Jr., who appeared briefly as the only boy at camp in the film, transitioned into business after graduating from Ithaca College and has a family of his own.
Polly Holliday’s Legacy and Contributions to Entertainment
Polly Holliday held a memorable role in The Parent Trap as Marva Kulp Sr., running Camp Walden with a strict but caring hand. Her career spanned television and film, including her well-known portrayal of Flo on the TV sitcom Alice. Beyond The Parent Trap, she appeared in movies such as Stick It and The Heartbreak Kid, and TV appearances on shows including Home Improvement and The Client.
Holliday received critical recognition over her lifetime, being inducted into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame in 2000 and earning four Emmy nominations. Her passing in September 2025 at her Manhattan home marked the end of an era for a beloved character actress whose work inspired generations.
Nancy Meyers’ Influence as a Leading Rom-Com Filmmaker
Nancy Meyers, both director and writer of The Parent Trap, stands as one of Hollywood’s most successful female filmmakers in the romantic comedy genre. Following The Parent Trap, she helmed critically acclaimed movies including What Women Want, Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday, and It’s Complicated, the latter receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture in the Musical or Comedy category. She also directed The Intern and produced Home Again, a film created by her daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer.
Meyers frequently connects with fans by sharing behind-the-scenes insights from her films on social media. In 2020, she published a widely read Modern Love essay about her amicable post-divorce relationship with ex-husband Charles Shyer, who passed away in December 2024. Although involved in early stages of a rom-com project for Netflix in 2023, the studio ultimately parted ways before the film was completed.
Hallie Meyers-Shyer and Emerging Film Careers
Hallie Meyers-Shyer, daughter of Nancy Meyers, appeared in her mother’s films during her youth, including What Women Want and Father of the Bride, and played a camp cohort in The Parent Trap. She embarked on her own filmmaking career with the 2017 rom-com Home Again, starring Reese Witherspoon. Her own family includes son Julien Benedict, born in April 2021 with partner Ophir Tanz.
Expanding Beyond The Parent Trap: Cast Members’ Ongoing Success
Many actors from The Parent Trap continued to thrive long after the film’s release. Maggie Wheeler’s extensive TV career includes roles on ER, Friday Night Lights, and Shameless. Kat Graham advanced as both an actor and entrepreneur, while Michael Lohan Jr. transitioned from on-camera roles to business ventures. Elaine Hendrix remains active in acting and animal advocacy, and Lisa Ann Walter’s recent success with Abbott Elementary highlights her lasting presence in television.
The careers and lives of these talented individuals underscore the enduring legacy of The Parent Trap, a film that brought together an exceptional cast and creative team whose work continues to resonate with audiences.
