Quirky and often inappropriate comedies are a tradition in Hollywood, but in the late ’90s, they became an escape, and many of these films were released and produced. Of course, the popularity of this type of movie may never have reached the plateau it has if not for American Pie and its subsequent films. These movies launched a ton of young actors into stardom, and we thought it would be cool to look at where our favorite stars from the American Pie films are now.
Alyson Hannigan – Michelle Flaherty
Alyson Hannigan had already hit it big with her role on the very popular show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but she had yet to conquer the big screen. After capturing the pivotal role of the band nerd, Michelle Flaherty certainly did that.
After her iconic role in the first American Pie film, she continued playing her role in the iconic ’90s teen vampire show, but she also guest-starred on several other shows, as well. Later, she would star in How I Met Your Mother for nine seasons.
Jason Biggs – Jim Levenstein
Jason Biggs scored the lead role of nerdy and slightly inexperienced Jim Levenstein. His character has a little thing for the foreign exchange student and decides to pursue her. Along the way, his dad and pals try to help him out.
This role helped Biggs score more roles in the 2000s in movies like Saving Silverman and Prozac Nation. He has also done work in television and even some voice work, as well. Recently he had a sitcom on Fox called Outmatched.
Mena Suvari – Heather
Mena Suvari played Heather, the love interest of Oz in the films. The character was a very innocent choir girl who ends up putting a kibosh in Oz’s plans. Mena would move from comedy to a more serious film after the first American Pie.
Her next big role was the critically acclaimed American Beauty, and from there, she would move on to star in several films. Along with this, she has also done some work in television, as well.
Chris Klein – Chris “Oz” Ostreicher
Chris Klein played Oz, who was looking to have his first experience with Heather, but things didn’t go as planned, and he wound up having real feelings for the girl. His role, like many of the other young stars, opened the door to more roles.
Since American Pie, he has added films like Rollerball and We Were Soldiers to his resume. He has also worked in television, as well, on shows like The Flash and Wilfred.
Tara Reid – Vicky Lathum
Tara Reid played the object of Kevin’s affection as his girlfriend. The character is troubled with the thought that her boyfriend is only with her for one thing, and it isn’t something she is sure she can give him.
Once the movie did so well, Tara moved on to be in several other films that were in the same vein as the American Pie movies. She did some television work, and for the past several years, she has starred in the sci-fi Sharknado films.
Thomas Ian Nicholas – Kevin Myers
Thomas Ian Nicholas was already a big child star when he landed the role of Kevin, the leader of the ragtag group of guys in American Pie. Kevin is set on having his first time with his girlfriend Vicki, and he is the instigator of the pact the guys make.
After American Pie, Thomas went on to work in both film and television. He starred in the original Party of Five for several episodes and starred in films like Rules of Attraction.
Jennifer Coolidge – Stifler’s Mom
In a movie about teens, you might think the parents would play a backseat to the main characters, but Stifler’s mom (played by Jennifer Coolidge) definitely did not. Playing the cougar, she flirted her way into a relationship with Finch.
Since playing this sultry role, Jennifer Coolidge has had roles in moves like Click and Legally Blonde. She has also had several roles on television series and has a whole slate of projects ready to come out.
Eddie Kaye Thomas – Paul Finch
Finch was the nerd in the group. He was simply just a nice guy who was played by Eddie Kaye Thomas. As the counterbalance to the loud Stifler, Finch ended up having a special relationship with Stifler’s mom.
After American Pie, the actor moved on to have roles in many television shows. Of late, he has been working as a voice artist on American Dad, and he has done several guest spots for a few television shows.
Molly Cheek – Jim’s Mom
Jim’s mother wasn’t as big a hit as his dad, but she was still a very important character. Molly Cheek, the actress who played Jim’s mom, is one of those actresses that you don’t see very regularly if you think about it.
She has had roles in movies like Drag Me to Hell and television shows like Cold Case and Becker. In the past few years, she hasn’t done much, though.
Denise Faye – Danielle
Danielle was one of the girls in the sequel who Stifler and Jim were both infatuated with. She was the beautiful girl who they thought they had a shot with. Though the role was not as big as other roles, it still opened up some doors.
After American Pie 2, she went on to do lots of guest stints on television shows and continued her work on her first love… choreography. She has won awards for her choreography and even helped with Broadway shows like Guys and Dolls.
Fred Willard – Harold Flaherty
The hilarious Fred Willard would also make an appearance in American Wedding as Michelle’s father. As always, the actor relayed a perfectly timed comedic performance and kept working long after the film.
Though he recently passed away, his resume will have him in the top comedy actors of all time. After the American Wedding movie, he had key roles in major shows like Modern Family and Space Force.
Lisa Arturo – Amber
Amber was the best friend of Danielle and the young lady that they thought was in love with her best friend. The role of Amber was sort of small but very memorable. Actress Lisa Arturo would take this small part and parlay it into more roles.
She had roles on shows like Joey and CSI. Her most recent role has been on TV, where she has had bit parts on General Hospital and Ballers. She also has the main role in the television series The Virtual End.
Deborah Rush – Mary Flaherty
The supporting cast was very impressive, and in American Wedding, that includes the incomparable Deborah Rush. She played the role of Michelle’s mom and was a great asset to the comedic aspect of this movie.
Deborah Rush is a Broadway legend and a Tony nominee. She works consistently, playing several bit parts in movies and television shows.
Dania Ramirez – Selena
For the American Reunion installment of this series, the movie called for some old faces to show up, and who better than Michelle’s former friend and bad camo pal Selena! This was the only movie that Dania Ramirez appeared in, but she was still able to get a lot for it.
After this, she went onto have roles in movies like Premium Rush and television shows like Devious Maids. Recently, you might have seen her in the last Jumanji film as the Lady in Red.
Jay Harrington – Dr. Ron
Playing the abusive and egotistical Dr. Ron who is dating Oz’s old girlfriend Heather, Jay Harrington definitely left an impression on anyone who watched American Reunion. After humiliating Oz, he loses Heather.
Jay Harrington continued his career with long runs on series like Benched and Hot in Cleveland. Most recently, he has been playing Deacon on the hit TV series S.W.A.T. The movie role only served to give him a nice entry on his IMDB page.
Katrina Bowden – Mia
In American Reunion, Oz brings his girlfriend Mia, a supermodel, with him. This role was played by the stunning Katrina Bowden.
Though the role was small, the actress was able to use it to propel her to an even more iconic role, Cerie, the assistant on 30 Rock. Besides this role, she has most recently been enjoying time as Flo Fulton on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Tad Hilgenbrink – Matt Stifler
The straight-to-video spin-off Band Camp starred Matt Stifler, the younger brother of Steve. As the name indicated, it took place at the famous Tall Oaks Band Camp. Matt is a lot like his older brother – lacking confidence.
Tad Hilgenbrink, the young actor who played the role, had a short-lived career afterward. He starred in movies like Epic Movie and Disaster Movie, but after 2010 he seemingly disappeared from the screen.
Arielle Kebbel – Elyse
Elyse was Matt Stifler’s love interest in the film and was played by Arielle Kebbel. Elyse was the lead drummer in the band, and though they started off hating each other, she and Matt fell for each other.
The young actress has had a stellar career since. She has had roles in movies like Aquamarine and John Tucker Must Die. She has also had success in television, with roles in The Vampire Diaries, Ballers, and most recently, LincolnRhymes: Hunt For the Bone Collector.
Jason Earles – Ernie
Ernie was Stifler’s geeky roommate and the person who the troublemaker convinced to record other band camp members with a hidden camera. This film would come back to bite Stifler in the backside.
Jason Earles is now best known as Hannah Montana’s older brother, Jackson. This role was one of the biggest he had after the Band Camp film. He has done several projects with Disney and recently was in a show called Mood Swings.
Crystle Lightning – Chloe
Elyse’s friend Chloe was not in a big role, even though Crystle Lightning was able to use the role to get more work in the future. From the movie forward, she has worked on and off with small roles, including her latest appearance in the miniseries Trickster.
She has had a lot more success in the music world, where she is a DJ who has won some prestigious awards. She has even performed with Kendrick Lamar and Timbaland.
Rachel Veltri – Dani
The role of Dani was played by Rachel Veltri and was just sort of there to look pretty, not play a major role in the film. That didn’t stop the young actress from using the film to get even more roles.
However, most will probably recognize her for turning down money on For Love or Money. She has had small roles here and there, but since 2010, she has essentially been a ghost on the screen.
Timothy Stack – Mr. Nelson
Mr. Nelson was one of the supporting characters that made this movie as popular as it was. As one of the adult figures in the movie, this character was portrayed by Timothy Stack. Who can forget that hat!? The actor already had a good career, having roles in series like Son of a Beach and Scary Movie 3.
After the American Pie film, he continued with a long run on the very popular show My Name Is Earl. Most recently, he has had roles in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and New Yorkers in LA.
Meghan Heffern – Ashley
In the sequel to The Naked Mile, Meghan Heffern portrayed the role of Ashley. Having made it through high school, Erik Stifler finds his way to college, where he crushes hard on Ashley Thomas.
Meghan Heffern, the actress who played the role, has had roles on television shows like Almost Heroes and Wynonna Earp. She has also had parts in movies like Chloe and Red Rover. Currently, she is filming a new show that is set to release next year.
John White – Erik Stifler
Trying to keep all the American Pie films connected seems to have been done through the Stifler family. In The Naked Mile installment, this was in the form of the Stiflers’ cousin, Erik. In this film, the character has some goals he would like to achieve before graduating high school.
John White, the actor who portrayed the character, has continued to work consistently after the films, starting with the sequel to the film Beat House. His last major role was in 2019, though, and he doesn’t have anything that we could find on the docket for the coming year.
Shannon Elizabeth – Nadia
The foreign exchange student from what used to be Czechoslovakia was played by Shannon Elizabeth. The role was the object of Jim’s mad crush. Things didn’t work out with the characters, but their interactions are some of the most iconic scenes in the film.
The actress would move on after the films to star in many films, including Scary Movie and Thirteen Ghosts. She doesn’t act much anymore. Instead, she finds fulfillment running her animal rescue in South Africa.
Christopher McDonald – Mr. Stifler
Erik’s dad, Mr. Stifler, was played by well-known actor Christopher McDonald. Erik’s dad wants him to live up to the Stifler name in every way and is not afraid of saying it. When it comes to the man behind the character, his career continued to grow after the film.
Christopher McDonald has had pivotal roles in some iconic shows – From Boardwalk Empire to Texas Rising to The Good Wife. He is a face everyone knows, and most recently, the actor has been working on shows like Ballers and Mr. Iglesias.
Maria Ricossa – Mrs. Stifler
In The Naked Mile, you are introduced to this branch of the Stifler family’s mom, Mrs. Stifler. The role is not as large as others, but she is still a driving force in the storyline. Played by Maria Ricossa, the character deserves some mention.
The actress does, as well. After her stint in this lucrative movie franchise, she went on to have big roles in shows like The Strain and Blood and Water. In 2019 and 2020, she has been seen in Astronaut and Heart of the Holidays.
Steve Talley – Dwight Stifler
Another cousin of the illustrious Stifler clan, Dwight first appears in The Naked Mile but plays a more important role in Beta House, as he is actually the leader of the Beta House. This role was played by Steve Talley in both movies.
The actor has appeared in shows like Pretty Little Liars and The 100 since the movies. More recently, he has been in Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce and even did some voice work on American Dad!
