THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'A Walk to Remember' 21 years later

Before being cast as the reverend's daughter in "A Walk to Remember," Mandy Moore already made her mark as a successful pop singer and as Lana in "The Princess Diaries." Moore grew her acting career after "A Walk to Remember" by appearing in films such as "How to Deal," "Chasing Liberty," and "Because I Said

Updated
  • Since "A Walk to Remember" was released in 2002, the film's leading actors have grown their careers.
  • It was Mandy Moore's second major film, and she went on to major roles in movies and on TV.
  • The film also kick-started the careers of Shane West, Lauren German, and Clayne Crawford.

Mandy Moore played shy teen Jamie Sullivan, who has leukemia.

Mandy Moore as Jamie Sullivan in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Before being cast as the reverend's daughter in "A Walk to Remember," Mandy Moore already made her mark as a successful pop singer and as Lana in "The Princess Diaries."

After "A Walk to Remember," Moore continued to act in addition to growing her music career.

Mandy Moore is perhaps most recognizable for her role on "This Is Us." Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Moore grew her acting career after "A Walk to Remember" by appearing in films such as "How to Deal," "Chasing Liberty," and "Because I Said So."

She also earned her Disney-princess status by voicing Rapunzel in the 2010 animated film "Tangled." Her other voice-acting credits include "Racing Stripes" and "Brother Bear 2."

Moore recently starred as Rebecca Pearson on NBC's "This Is Us." But her television career includes a variety of credits including a guest appearance on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" and multi-episode arcs on HBO's "Entourage" and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy."

Alongside a successful acting career, Moore found time to record several albums, the most recent being "Silver Landings" in 2020. 

Shane West became a household name as bad boy Landon Carter.

Shane West as Landon Carter in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Shane West was relatively unknown when he was cast in "A Walk to Remember."

Prior to the film, he'd appeared in guest roles on a few 1990s TV shows. 

After "A Walk to Remember," West continued to work as an actor in film and on television.

Shane West played Michael on "Nikita" among other credits. Getty Images

West went on to appear in the film "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" alongside Sean Connery and was cast in other films including "What We Do Is Secret," "Red Sands," "Echelon Conspiracy" and "The Presence." 

West's success, however, has mostly been on television.

He played Eli Sammler on ABC's "Once and Again," was a series regular for five seasons on NBC's "ER," starred as Michael on The CW's "Nikita," and played John Alden on WGN's "Salem."

In 2019, he also appeared on multiple episodes of Fox's Batman prequel series "Gotham" as the villain, Bane.

His most recent credits are in "Escape the Field" and "Mid-Century."

Peter Coyote played Jamie's father, Reverend Sullivan.

Peter Coyote as Reverend Sullivan in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Peter Coyote had a long career as an actor before "A Walk to Remember," appearing in films like "E.T.," "Patch Adams," and "Erin Brockovich."

After "A Walk to Remember," Coyote continued to book jobs in film and on television.

Peter Coyote has written on two documentary series in addition to acting. Kelly Sullivan / Contributor

Coyote appeared in films such as "Femme Fatale," "Good Kill," and "No Deposit" after "A Walk to Remember."

He also played Uncle Charles in the "Return of the Living Dead" movies.

The actor made a mark on TV by narrating the History Channel's "The Color of War" and PBS' "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History."

He also played Virgil Webster on Fox's "The Inside," Warren Keaton on ABC's "Commander in Chief," Dennis Ryland on USA's "The 4400," and Mark August on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters." 

Most recently, he narrated "San Francisco Stories" and "Above and Below: The Life of Artist Tsherin Sherpa."

Well-known actress Daryl Hannah played Landon's mother, Cynthia Carter.

Daryl Hannah as Cynthia Carter in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Before landing the role of Landon's mother, Daryl Hannah was in hit films like "Blade Runner," "Splash," "Steel Magnolias," and "The Little Rascals" 

After "A Walk to Remember," Hannah continued to make hit films and star on TV.

Daryl Hannah can be seen in the "Kill Bill" series. Tim Mosenfelder / Contributor

One of Hannah's most notable roles after the film was Elle Driver in "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" and "Kill Bill: Vol. 2."

After the film series, she appeared in "Casa de Los Babys" and "Silver City" in addition to made-for-TV movies for SyFy, Hallmark Channel, and Spike.

Hannah also played Cherie Tranton on CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" and Angelica Turing on Netflix's "Sense8."

Most recently, she appeared on Roku's "The Now" and in "The American Connection."

Newbie actor Lauren German played Landon's ex-girlfriend, Belinda.

Lauren German as Belinda in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Prior to her role in "A Walk to Remember," Lauren German only had a few credits to her name including the films "Down to You" and "Shotgun Love Dolls."

She'd also booked guest-star roles on shows like The WB's "7th Heaven."

After "A Walk to Remember," German appeared in a handful of films and made her mark on the TV industry.

Lauren German found success on television. Jason LaVeris / Contributor

Following her role as Belinda, German was cast in films like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Standing Still," "Hostel: Part II," and "Dark Country."

She even worked with West again in the 2007 film "What We Do Is Secret."

German found her biggest success on TV, appearing on UPN's "Sex, Love & Secrets," "Hawaii Five-0," NBC's "Chicago P.D.," NBC's "Chicago Fire" and Fox/Netflix's "Lucifer."

Clayne Crawford played Landon's friend, Dean.

Clayne Crawford as Dean in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

With only two credits to his name — a film called "One Blood Planet" and an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" —  Clayne Crawford was just starting his career when he joined West and Moore in "A Walk to Remember."

After "A Walk to Remember," Crawford went on to appear in movies and on television.

Clayne Crawford continues to act. Bryan Steffy / Contributor

After "A Walk to Remember," Crawford booked roles in films like "Swimfan," "A Love Song for Bobby Long," "The Great Raid," and "The Perfect Host."

Today, audiences know Crawford as Martin Riggs on Fox's "Lethal Weapon."

He also appeared on other shows like CBS' "CSI: Miami," CBS's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," Fox's "24," and FX's "Justified."

His most recent credit is "The Integrity of Joseph Chambers."

Al Thompson played Landon's friend Eric.

Al Thompson as Eric in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Prior to landing the role of Eric, actor Al Thompson acted in a variety of shows and movies including "Flawless," "The Royal Tenenbaums,"  and NBC's "Law & Order."

After "A Walk to Remember," Thompson continued to act across TV and film.

Al Thompson has appeared on many TV shows like "Entangled With You." Jim Spellman / Contributor

Thompson's most notable role after "A Walk to Remember" was Ted in the 2003 romantic comedy "Love Don't Cost a Thing."

He also starred in films like "Liberty Kid," "The Pill," and "Song One."

Some of the highlights of his TV career include roles on Fox's "The Cleveland Show" and HardlyWorkingTV's "Entangled With You."

Most recently, he appeared in "Maya and Her Lover" and "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile."

Paz de la Huerta played Tracie, one of the popular girls in school.

Paz de la Huerta as Tracie in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Before her role in "A Walk to Remember," Paz de la Huerta had credits on TV shows like "Law & Order," ABC's "The Practice," and ABC's "The Wonderful World of Disney."

She also appeared in "The Cider House Rules," "Riding in Cars with Boys," and "The Object of My Affection."

After "A Walk to Remember," de la Huerta's resume grew with additional TV and film credits.

Paz de la Huerta is perhaps best-known for 2009's "Enter the Void." Foc Kan / Contributor

Some of de la Huerta's film credits following "A Walk to Remember" include "Fierce People," "The Tripper," "Anamorph," "Choke," and "Enter the Void."

As far as TV, she appeared on an episode of Canal+'s "X Femmes" before booking a multi-episode arc on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."

Most recently, De la Huerta appeared in "Puppy Love."

Established actor David Lee Smith played Landon's estranged father, Dr. Carter.

David Lee Smith as Dr. Carter in "A Walk to Remember." Warner Bros. Pictures

Before working alongside West in "A Walk to Remember," David Lee Smith acted on hit TV shows throughout the 1990s.

He appeared on soap operas like ABC's "All My Children," ABC's "One Life to Live," and CBS' "As the World Turns" in addition to prime-time shows like NBC's "Suddenly Susan," NBC's "Just Shoot Me," and ABC's "Dharma & Greg."

After "A Walk to Remember," Smith worked on many projects.

David Lee Smith appeared in "The Man from Earth." Falling Sky Entertainment

Some of Smith's top movie credits following "A Walk to Remember" include "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," "Zodiac," and "The Man from Earth."

Additionally, throughout the 2000s, Smith had reoccurring roles on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "CSI: Miami."

Some of his more recent projects include "A Walk With Grace" and "Mank."

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