‘Just Friends’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Friend zoned! The cast of Just Friends has kept audiences laughing for more than 15 years after the film — which showed Ryan Reynolds as overweight teen-turned-womanizer, Chris Brander — initially hit theaters in 2005. In the rom-com, Chris is reunited with his high school best friend, Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart), after finding himself stuck at home for the holidays. When Chris’s flight to Paris with singer Samantha James (Anna Faris) gets rerouted to New Jersey following a plane fire, he is forced to face his former crush — who told him as a teenager that she wasn’t interested in him romantically — and another high school pal, Dusty Dinkleman (Chris Klein), who also loved Jamie. Chris’ insecurities of being the rejected fat kid creep in when Dusty makes a move on Jamie in front of him. Meanwhile, Chris is stuck with caring for Samantha who is obsessed with him and whom he wants nothing to do with. Chris Marquette, who played Mike Brander, celebrated this film’s 15-year anniversary with a throwback photo from the comedy in November 2020. “Happy anniversary #justfriends,” he wrote alongside a snap of Faris’ character prying information from him. [jwplayer xE48UlGT-zhNYySv2] Marquette joked, “You’ll always be fat to me @vancityreynolds,” before noting how “grateful” he was to be a part of the movie. “Was a blast to work with the master of rom-com @rogerkumble and the extraordinarily talented @smarthouse26 @annafaris @iamchrisklein,” he added. Reynolds, for his part, paid homage to his character’s iconic musical moment in which he sings “I Swear” by All-4-One, while making his TikTok debut in June 2021. “I swear you will be disappointed by this account,” the Deadpool star jokingly captioned his first video, which showed him doing a lip-sync to the track. Reynolds embodied his rom-com character as he sang to the screen in a similar fashion to the way that Chris belted out the song in his mirror during the beginning of the movie. In the film, Chris gave a passionate performance while thinking about his crush, which included spirit finger moves that Reynolds also reenacted in his video. Scroll down to see what the main cast of Just Friends has been up to since 2005:

Reynolds played lovestruck Chris Brander, who had a major crush on his BFF, Jamie, in high school. He then starred in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Proposal, Green Lantern, Life, Free Guy, and Red Notice. Reynolds also plays Deadpool in the superhero franchise and has voiced Guy in The Croods films. The Canada native has more than 15 producing credits to his name, including Deadpool (which he also co-wrote), Match Made in Hell, and the upcoming films Shotgun Wedding, Spirited and Clue. He acquired a stake in Aviator American Gin in 2018 and Mint Mobile in 2019. The Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place alum is a co-owner of Welsh football club Wrexham AFC with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Rob McElhenney.

Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2011. He wed Blake Lively in 2012 and they have since welcomed three daughters: James, Inez, and Betty. Us confirmed in September 2022 that the Free Guy actor and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress are expecting their fourth child.

The former model portrayed Jamie Palamino, who was best friends with Chris, but never thought of him anything other than a pal. She went on to star in 12 Dates of Christmas, Bad Country, The Single Moms Club, Love at First Glance, The Brawler and 13 Minutes. The California native had a recurring role on Robot Chicken, Shameless and Justified before landing the role of Barbara Whitmore on Stargirl in 2020.

Smart wed Trading Spaces star Carter Oosterhouse in 2011. Five years later, they welcomed their daughter Flora via surrogate.

Faris played popstar Samantha James, who Chris is supposed to sign to his company’s record label, before their trip to Paris goes awry. She appeared in Southern Belles, Brokeback Mountain and Waiting… the same year that Just Friends came out. The Maryland native went on to star in Scary Movie 4, The House Bunny and Overboard, and voiced Sam Sparks in the Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs movies and Jeanette in the Alvin and the Chipmunks films. She portrayed Christy on Mom from 2013 to 2020. Faris launched her “Anna Faris Is Unqualified” podcast in 2015, two years before she released her memoir, Unqualified.

The Summer Madness actress was married to Ben Indra from 2004 to 2008 and to actor Chris Pratt from 2009 to 2018. Faris shares son Jack with the Guardians of the Galaxy star. She confirmed in July 2021 that she secretly wed Michael Barrett earlier that year.

Klein played Dusty Dinkleman, who also had a crush on Jamie. He then starred in American Dreamz, Day Zero, Caught in the Crossfire, American Reunion, Game of Aces and Benchwarmers 2: Breaking Balls. The Illinois native’s TV credits include Welcome to the Captain, Wilfred, The Flash and Sweet Magnolias.

The American Pie star married Laina Rose Thyfault in 2015. They welcomed their son, Frederick, in 2016, and daughter Isla in 2018.

Marquette portrayed Chris’ younger brother, Mike Brander, who is tasked to take care of Samantha while in town. The Florida native then appeared in Fanboys, Race to Witch Mountain, The Odd Way Home, Bad Country, Parker’s Anchor and Faith Based. He played Carlos on All Wrong and Chris Lucado on Barry before landing the role of Ridge on The Fugitive in 2020. He launched the “Coogan Chronicles” podcast with AJ Trauth in October 2020.

The Girl Next Door actor welcomed daughter Josie in January 2020 with his wife, Nora-Jane Noone, whom he wed in July 2019.

The actress played Chris and Mike’s mom, Carol Brander. Hagerty then starred in She’s the Man, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Instant Family, Marriage Story, Noelle and Somebody I Used to Know. The Ohio native had a recurring role on Trial & Error, Family Guy and Black Monday.

The Airplane! star was married to Peter Burki from 1986 to 1991. She wed Richard Kagan in 1999.