9 Hilary Duff Films and TV Series From Her Disney Era and Later
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It's hard to believe it has been over 20 years since we were first introduced to one of the Disney Channel's hottest shows, Lizzie McGuire. The children's program stars Hilary Duff in a breakout role that paved the way for the actress' flourishing career and, what we later realized, started the Bitmoji trend with McGuire's cartoon avatar frequently appearing on-screen.
Duff was one of the leaders of Disney in the early 2000s, alongside stars like Christy Carlson Romano (Even Stevens) and Danielle Fishel (Boy Meets World), which also aired on the network during that time. Despite Lizzie McGuire only lasting a couple of seasons, it propelled Duff to global fame and gave her opportunities for many more projects thereafter. Hello, Younger, How I Met Your Father, and a slew of movie roles that made us adore Duff even more.
Not to mention, it had an impact on pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, who channeled the blonde beauty with her Halloween costume in 2024. (McGuire did teach us what dreams are made of.) And we can't blow past Duff's exuberant singing career. Her track “Come Clean” was the theme song for one of the first reality TV shows, Laguna Beach, that will forever be ingrained in our minds.
In addition to her musical career, let's take a closer look at some of Duff's films and television series from her time at Disney and afterward, including a few that may have slipped your mind (they certainly slipped ours during our research).
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) is a family comedy film that revolves around the chaotic life of the Baker family, who are parents to twelve children. The story follows Tom and Kate Baker as they navigate the challenges of raising such a large family while managing their careers and personal lives. As they face the ups and downs of family dynamics, the film showcases the importance of love, teamwork, and the humorous side of parenting in a bustling household.
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Duff put herself in the shoes of a teenager living in a hectic, disorganized home with 11 siblings (yes, double digits!) in the 2003 blockbuster Cheaper by the Dozen. The Texas native portrays one of the older kids of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt's characters, who continuously argues that too many people reside under one roof in their large family, giving her not enough time in front of the bathroom mirror.
Absolutely, Lorraine, portrayed by Duff, places a strong emphasis on her appearance, and it's hard to fault her for her stunning, flowing platinum hair and trendy fashion sense. In 2005, the full cast reunited for a sequel that once again showcased the Baker family's hectic everyday life, even as they tried to enjoy a peaceful vacation at the lake. The film's second chapter also features Eugene Levy and Carmen Electra, with returning favorites like Piper Perabo, Tom Welling, and Alyson Stoner.
In May 2020, much of the original cast reunited on TikTok, posing as their characters all grown up, and it gave fans some serious nostalgia. Duff even slathered on a green mud mask to mimic a funny scene from the movie with the film's soundtrack, “I'm Just A Kid” by Simply Plan, playing in the background. It's no wonder the TikTok went viral, and we're here for it.
Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004)是一部受欢迎的青少年情景喜剧，讲述了一个普通女孩在成长过程中面临的各种挑战和冒险。
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Jumping right into Duff's first TV series and what attracted many of her fans to her work: Lizzie McGuire. The comedy premiered on the Disney Channel in 2001 and lasted two seasons before its cancelation in 2004. Duff's character is all too relatable for teen girls trying to find their place in school and often yearning to be a part of the popular crowd (cough, cough, Kate Sanders and Ethan Craft).
Thankfully, McGuire had her BFFs Miranda and Gordo to lean on for support, something every middle schooler needs in their corner. The show led to the Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), which was also a big hit with fans and showed off Duff's amazing vocals as she impersonated her popstar lookalike Isabella. Only McGuire could live out every 14-year-old's fantasy and perform to a sold-out crowd at a massive concert venue in Rome and have a dreamy romance with an Italian singer.
Duff and her co-stars attempted a revival of the beloved series, showing what their characters are up to now as adults. However, the reboot was canceled in 2020 due to creative differences between Duff and Disney executives. We guess we'll just have to watch reruns of Lizzie McGuire on Disney+ to get our fix; at least, there's that.
How I Met Your Father (2022-2023) is a television series that serves as a sequel to the beloved sitcom How I Met Your Mother. The show follows a new group of friends navigating love and life in New York City, as the main character, Sophie, recounts to her son the story of how she met his father. This modern take on relationships and friendship explores themes of romance, personal growth, and the challenges of dating in today's world.
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Duff plays the lead character in the How I Met Your Mother sequel series, How I Met Your Father, which aired on Hulu from 2022-2023. Even with guest appearances from the original show's stars, Neil Patrick Harris and Colbie Smulders, the sitcom sadly couldn't be saved and ended after two seasons.
The new series shares a comparable concept with the original series, featuring Jason Segel, Josh Radnor, and Alyson Hannigan as well. It explores the journey of how Duff's character encountered the father of her children, with Kim Cattrall portraying her character's older version. The ensemble cast includes Francia Raisa, Chris Lowell, Tom Ainsley, Suraj Sharma, Tien Tran, and Josh Peck.
We never did learn who Sophia (Duff) ended up with, which is the entire point of the show, and disappointed fans who were loyal watchers. Their dreams of a revival were then crushed when Disney Television executive Craig Erwich told Deadline in May 2024 that he didn't have anything to share about a possible third season. It sounds like fans will have to make their own predictions as to the conclusion of Sophia's love story.
