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.
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.
Sally Field
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shirley MacLaine
Prior to 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.
