Ally McBeal, a famous cast: Where are the actors and actresses now?

'Ally McBeal' was a phenomenon of 90s and early 2000s television. From 1997 through 2002, it revolved around the life of a young lawyer, played to perfection by Calista Flockhart.

The series had a cast that was a bit unknown at the time but that fit like a glove. And it showed during awards season! All in all, they won 21 Emmys; as a comedy series, for individual cast members, and for writing and production.

Let's start with Ally McBeal. She was a Boston lawyer, a fervent believer in love, and a daydreamer to the point of often seeing a baby dancing to Blue Swede's 'Hooked on a Feeling' throughout the series.

For Calista Flockhart, 'Ally McBeal' was an enormous career boost. She became instantly world famous. After 'Ally McBeal,' we could see her in series like 'Brothers & Sisters', 'Supergirl', and movies like 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1999).  

In 2010, she married actor Harrison Ford, with whom she'd had a son, Liam in 2001. After that, Calista Flockhart gradually moved out of the spotlights.

Richard Fish was an eccentric lawyer who knew Ally from law school and offered her a job in his firm. To make things a bit awkward, Ally's ex Billy and his wife Georgia also worked at the firm. 

After playing Fish, Greg Germann appeared in numerous television series, the most important being ‘Ned & Stacey’ (1995 - 2017), ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (2013 - 2017), Friends from College’ (2017 - 2019), and ‘Grey's Anatomy’ (2017 - 2023).

Nelle was an ambitious lawyer who arrived at the firm in the second season of the series. She got into a relationship with one of the firm's partners, John Cage. 

The character Nelle made Portia known in Hollywood. She would appear in films and series such as ‘Nip/Tuck’ (2007 - 2009), ‘Scandal’ (2012), and ‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2019).

Having briefly been married to Mel Metcalfe in the 1990s, Portia de Rossi began a relationship with comedian and TV host Ellen DeGeneres in 2004. The couple got married in 2008 - an important cultural example in American society where same-sex marriage was just beginning to become legalized.

John was a weird, quirky but very smart lawyer, partner, and founder of the firm Cage & Fish. He struggled with his stutter by saying the word "Poughkeepsie," had a pet frog, and liked to flush the toilet with remote control because he preferred a "fresh bowl."

Peter MacNicol is one of those actors whose face always rings a bell but we don't know from where. After 'Ally McBeal,' he was a voice actor in cartoons such as 'Justice League Unlimited' (2004), ‘Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild’ (2005), ‘The Spectacular Spider-Man’ (2008–2009), while also appearing in series such as ‘Numb3rs’ (2005–2010), ‘Grey's Anatomy’ (2010 - 2011), ‘Veep’ (2012) and ‘All Rise’ (2019 - image). 

Ling Woo was a very particular, ferocious, and cold lawyer. In the series, she was somewhat of a villain, an anti-Ally, as she had no filter when she spoke nor did she have empathy with disabled people. Her relationship with Richard Fish was a strange one. Her character was never boring! 

Lucy Liu's role in 'Ally McBeal' was important for the representation of Asian-American actresses in Hollywood. She was also recognized for participating in 'Charlie's Angels' (2000-03) and 'Kill Bill' (2003). More recently, Liu participated in the hit series ‘Elementary’ (2019) and 'Why Women Kill' (2019), as well as the DC superhero movie 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' (2023).

Billy Thomas was Ally's first boyfriend from a very young age. They split up in college after Billy fell in love with Georgia. The old lovers would meet again when they started working at the same law firm, however. 

This actor has not had the same dominant presence in Hollywood as during his time in 'Ally McBeal.' Yet, he is still a familiar face on the small screen with appearances in 'Patriot' (2015 - 2018), 'American Gods' (2021), and 'Women of the Movement' (2022), among others. 

Georgia seemed to have it all. She was a competent lawyer at the firm Cage & Fish and the wife of Bill. At first, her relationship with Ally was a little awkward, but over time it became cordial and eventually even friendly.

When she took on the role of Georgia Thomas, Courtney Thorne-Smith was already a familiar face when she played Georgia Thomas. We all remember the love-struck Alison Parker from 'Melrose Place' (1992-7), and she may have even been the most famous cast member of 'Ally McBeal' in its first season.

After 'Ally McBeal,' Courtney Thorne-Smith participated in the hit series 'According to Jim' (2001 - 2009). She was also Alan Harper's girlfriend Lyndsey in 'Two and a Half Men' (2010 - 2015) and had the title role in the TV film saga 'Emma Fielding Mysteries' from 2017 to 2019.

Renée had an on-screen presence that always commanded attention. She was a very confident attorney and one of Ally's best friends and confidantes. She was also a former district attorney before opening her own practice.

This actress worked two jobs: one in the hospital ('E.R.' 1996-2001) and one in the law firm of 'Ally McBeal.' Due to mental health problems - diagnosed as bipolar disorder - she left the series in 2002. In 2012, Lisa Nicole Carson returned to TV to play her old character Renée Raddick for one episode of 'Harry's Law.' She also appeared in the series 'The New Edition Story' in 2017.

And how can we forget the peculiar and funny assistant Elaine Vassal, played by Jane Krakowski? She was a great investigator on all of Ally's cases. A free spirit at the firm Cage & Fish, she loved to attract attention with her extravagant wardrobe, her crazy inventions, and her singing talents!

Although she already had some roles here and there before 'Ally McBeal,' Jane Krakowski's career really took off after the series. She was a central cast member of '30 Rock' for seven seasons, starting in 2006, and she also appeared in 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' (2015-20), 'Dickinson' (2019-21), and 'Schmigadoon!' (2021-).

Larry Paul arrived at the firm in the fourth season of the series. He met Ally by chance as she went to consult with her therapist and instead encountered Larry, the new occupant of the office. The two, played by TV's biggest stars at the time, became a couple in the series.

Robert Downey Jr. was already an established actor before he joined 'Ally McBeal.' He was often associated with the so-called 'Brat Pack' of upcoming actors in the 80s, and he had been nominated for an Oscar for his lead role in 'Chaplin.'

Around his time on 'Ally McBeal,' Robert Downey Jr. was dealing with drug addictions. Despite his personal problems, he gave a performance that earned him a Golden Globe and SAG Award in 2001, as well as an Emmy nomination. 

After 'Ally McBeal,' Downey Jr. continued as a successful blockbuster actor in films like ‘Zodiac’ (2007), ‘Ironman’ (2008-10-13), ‘The Incredible Hulk’ (2008), 'Tropic Thunder' (2008), ‘Sherlock Holmes’ (2009),  ‘The Avengers’ (2012-15-18-19), and ‘Dr. Dolittle’ (2020), among many others.

And finally, we have to mention the appearance of music legend Barry White in some of the most memorable 'Ally McBeal' episodes. Apart from being present to sing his songs, he also accompanied us during all the seasons with his catchy 'You're the First, the Last, My Everything.'