«25 Years of the Movie Miss Congeniality: How the Actors Have Changed»
14 december 2025 в 21:13
**News Rewrite:**
The film «Miss Congeniality» won our hearts upon its release on December 22, 2000. Sandra Bullock brilliantly portrayed Grace Hart, who goes undercover as Miss New Jersey Gracie Lou Freebush in the Miss USA beauty pageant. Although she didn’t win the crown, she still managed to save the day.
December 22 marks the 25th anniversary of this beloved film. Since the release of «Miss Congeniality», - the stars of the film have appeared in other blockbusters, won Oscars, and much more. Let’s take a look at the actors then and now.
**Sandra Bullock**
Sandra Bullock, 56, played the one and only Grace Hart in the 2000 comedy. For her role, Sandra was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. She returned for the sequel in 2005.
Over the past two decades, Sandra has starred in numerous successful comedies, including «Two Weeks Notice», - «The Proposal», - and «The Heat». She made a dramatic turn in the sports drama «The Blind Side» in 2009 and won an Oscar for Best Actress. Among her other notable films are «Gravity», - «Murder by Numbers», - and «Bird Box».
After relationships with Tate Donovan, Ryan Gosling, and Matthew McConaughey, Sandra married «Monster Garage» host Jesse James in 2005. Their marriage ended in 2010 following allegations of Jesse’s infidelity. Sandra has adopted a son and a daughter. Since 2015, she has been dating photographer Bryan Randall.
**Benjamin Bratt**
Benjamin Bratt, 56, played the charming Eric Matthews, Sandra’s love interest in «Miss Congeniality». He did not return for the sequel. The actor has taken on notable roles in both live-action films and animated features. He is known for his role as Jonathan Pangborn in the Marvel Universe. His other major films include «Traffic», - «Catwoman», - «Pinero», - and more. He has also voiced characters in animated films such as «Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs», - «Coco», - and «Despicable Me 2».
Benjamin has also been a popular television actor. He played Javier Delgado, Gloria and Manny’s father, in several episodes of «Modern Family». He has also appeared in «Private Practice», - «24: Live Another Day», - and «Star».
At the time of «Miss Congeniality’s» release, he was dating Julia Roberts. They broke up in 2001 after three years together. In 2002, he married Talisa Soto, and they have two children.
**Michael Caine**
Sir Michael Caine, 87, is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. His career spans 60 years. He played the iconic beauty pageant coach Victor Melling in «Miss Congeniality». He did not return for the sequel.
In the same year that «Miss Congeniality» was released, Michael won his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. In 2002, he received his sixth Oscar nomination for «The Quiet American». He became even more famous for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan’s «Dark Knight» trilogy.
Michael has appeared in many other Nolan films, including «Inception», - «Interstellar», - «The Prestige», - and «Tenet». He has also starred in films such as «Now You See Me», - «Kingsman: The Secret Service», - and «Going in Style».
**Candice Bergen**
Candice Bergen, 74, played the villainous Kathy Morningside in «Miss Congeniality». Candice was already a successful actress before the film’s release and continued to land major roles. After «Miss Congeniality», - she starred in «Sweet Home Alabama», - «The Women», - «Wedding Crashers», - «Book Club», - «Sex and the City», - and more.
Candice joined the cast of «Boston Legal» in 2005 and played Shirley Schmidt for five seasons of the show. This role reunited her with her «Miss Congeniality» co-star William Shatner. Candice received Emmy nominations for her work.
The actress returned to her role as Murphy Brown in the 2018 reboot of «Murphy Brown». The show was canceled after one season. Her latest role was in the 2020 film «Let Them All Talk»
The film «Miss Congeniality» won our hearts upon its release on December 22, 2000. Sandra Bullock brilliantly portrayed Grace Hart, who goes undercover as Miss New Jersey Gracie Lou Freebush in the Miss USA beauty pageant. Although she didn’t win the crown, she still managed to save the day.
December 22 marks the 25th anniversary of this beloved film. Since the release of «Miss Congeniality», - the stars of the film have appeared in other blockbusters, won Oscars, and much more. Let’s take a look at the actors then and now.
**Sandra Bullock**
Sandra Bullock, 56, played the one and only Grace Hart in the 2000 comedy. For her role, Sandra was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. She returned for the sequel in 2005.
Over the past two decades, Sandra has starred in numerous successful comedies, including «Two Weeks Notice», - «The Proposal», - and «The Heat». She made a dramatic turn in the sports drama «The Blind Side» in 2009 and won an Oscar for Best Actress. Among her other notable films are «Gravity», - «Murder by Numbers», - and «Bird Box».
After relationships with Tate Donovan, Ryan Gosling, and Matthew McConaughey, Sandra married «Monster Garage» host Jesse James in 2005. Their marriage ended in 2010 following allegations of Jesse’s infidelity. Sandra has adopted a son and a daughter. Since 2015, she has been dating photographer Bryan Randall.
**Benjamin Bratt**
Benjamin Bratt, 56, played the charming Eric Matthews, Sandra’s love interest in «Miss Congeniality». He did not return for the sequel. The actor has taken on notable roles in both live-action films and animated features. He is known for his role as Jonathan Pangborn in the Marvel Universe. His other major films include «Traffic», - «Catwoman», - «Pinero», - and more. He has also voiced characters in animated films such as «Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs», - «Coco», - and «Despicable Me 2».
Benjamin has also been a popular television actor. He played Javier Delgado, Gloria and Manny’s father, in several episodes of «Modern Family». He has also appeared in «Private Practice», - «24: Live Another Day», - and «Star».
At the time of «Miss Congeniality’s» release, he was dating Julia Roberts. They broke up in 2001 after three years together. In 2002, he married Talisa Soto, and they have two children.
**Michael Caine**
Sir Michael Caine, 87, is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. His career spans 60 years. He played the iconic beauty pageant coach Victor Melling in «Miss Congeniality». He did not return for the sequel.
In the same year that «Miss Congeniality» was released, Michael won his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. In 2002, he received his sixth Oscar nomination for «The Quiet American». He became even more famous for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan’s «Dark Knight» trilogy.
Michael has appeared in many other Nolan films, including «Inception», - «Interstellar», - «The Prestige», - and «Tenet». He has also starred in films such as «Now You See Me», - «Kingsman: The Secret Service», - and «Going in Style».
**Candice Bergen**
Candice Bergen, 74, played the villainous Kathy Morningside in «Miss Congeniality». Candice was already a successful actress before the film’s release and continued to land major roles. After «Miss Congeniality», - she starred in «Sweet Home Alabama», - «The Women», - «Wedding Crashers», - «Book Club», - «Sex and the City», - and more.
Candice joined the cast of «Boston Legal» in 2005 and played Shirley Schmidt for five seasons of the show. This role reunited her with her «Miss Congeniality» co-star William Shatner. Candice received Emmy nominations for her work.
The actress returned to her role as Murphy Brown in the 2018 reboot of «Murphy Brown». The show was canceled after one season. Her latest role was in the 2020 film «Let Them All Talk»
© Puhova Marina
