Catch Up With the Original ‘Father of the Bride’ Cast, Then & Now

It’s one of those iconic movies everyone knows, but it’s also hilariously poignant, thanks to its crafty storytelling and all-star cast. Father of the Bride is the 1991 remake of the 1951 Spencer Tracy classic that resonated with audiences to the tune of $90 million at the box office, mostly for its heartfelt portrayal of family relationships and the comedic yet touching journey of a father coming to terms with his daughter’s impending marriage.

The legendary Steve Martin stars in the Father of the Bride cast and serves as the story’s heart as the family patriarch who can’t accept that daddy’s little girl is all grown up. Martin’s portrayal of George Banks is funny and moving, capturing the essence of a loving father dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of his daughter Annie’s (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) wedding.

George is stunned when Annie returns home from studying abroad only to announce that she’s engaged to Bryan (George Newbern). As George grapples with the reality of losing his little girl, he finds himself navigating the overwhelming and often humorous challenges of wedding planning, from meeting the in-laws to dealing with an eccentric European wedding planner. Martin Short performs brilliantly as the over-the-top Franck Eggelhoffer (that’s “FRONK” not “Frank),” and Diane Keaton as Nina Banks, George’s supportive and understanding wife, adds depth to the family dynamic. B.D. Wong hilariously completes the ensemble as Eggelhoffer’s assistant.

The film’s success led to a 1995 sequel, Father of the Bride Part II, which continues the story as George deals with the news that his daughter is pregnant and his wife is also expecting.

If you’re a fan of the film like we are and wondering where the main cast members are now, keep reading for the scoop on the Father of the Bride cast, then and now!

Steve Martin as George Banks: Father of the Bride Cast

A true comedic legend, Steve Martin cut his chops doing standup in the early 1970s before landing his breakthrough movie role in The Jerk. He was also a guest starring player on Saturday Night Live (SNL), which endeared him to audiences for his hilarious recurring skits and catchphrases like “I’m a wild and crazy guy!”

While regularly performing live to packed houses, he also had several bestselling comedy albums. A slew of hit films followed, continuing his massive success well into the 1980s, which included Father of the Bride and others like Parenthood, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and Three Amigos (which he co-starred in with Short).

At the turn of the 21st century, nearly four decades into his career, Martin continued cranking out blockbuster hits, including Cheaper By the Dozen and The Pink Panther, earning awards and accolades along the way. The multi-talented star dabbled in writing with his autobiography and an art book and even released a bluegrass album playing the banjo.

In 2015, Martin teamed up again with longtime friend Martin Short for an ongoing two-man touring show where the duo could showcase their onstage chemistry and antics for live audiences. Today, Martin and his friend Short also star in the hit Hulu mystery series Only Murders in the Building, which is currently in its 4th season. The 78-year-old has a new documentary about his life on Apple TV.

“I have this theory that as you age, you either become your worst self or your best self,” he recently shared with CBS News. “And I feel like I’ve become my better self, and I can see other people becoming their worst self. They become more hostile. They become more difficult. And it’s a pretty clear line, for me.”

Martin Short as Franck Eggelhoffer

Canadian actor and comedian Martin Short has had great success in theater and as a sketch comedian on Second City Television alongside comic geniuses Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis, John Candy, Eugene Levy, and SNL, like his friend Steve Martin. Self-created characters like the neurotic Ed Grimley were so popular they carried through from one show to the other, almost like an alter-ego for the quirky actor. But Short really hit his stride in the 1980s with films like Three Amigos, Innerspace, and Three Fugitives.

His supporting role in Father of the Bride was one of the movie’s most memorable. Short has said he based the role off a real-life wedding planner to the stars, but his mysterious ‘supposed to be German but could be French’ accent adds to the film’s charm and was a hit with fans.

Known for his high-energy performances and distinctive comedic style, Short’s ability to create and embody a wide range of characters has made him a beloved figure in comedy. His work spans sketch comedy, sitcoms, movies, and live performances, showcasing his adaptability and talent. Today, the 74-year-old is a Golden Globe nominee for his work in Only Murders and touring through the end of the year with Martin.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie Banks: Father of the Bride Cast

Williams-Paisley endeared audiences as Annie, the 22-year-old bride ready to fly the nest, much to the chagrin of her father, George, who couldn’t let go. Father of the Bride was the breakthrough role for the actress, who went on to star in the hit sitcom According to Jim opposite Jim Belushi from 2001 to 2008 and for two seasons on the hit ABC drama Nashville while reprising her role as Annie for the movie’s sequel in 2005.

She had a recurring role on the Jon Cryer sitcom Two and a Half Men and starred in TV movies for the Lifetime, Hallmark, and ABC Family channels, and The Christmas Chronicles, and Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings on Netflix. Williams-Paisley also transitioned from small screen to stage with the Broadway shows The Vagina Monologues and The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

In 2016, she published a New York Times bestselling memoir, Where the Light Gets In, chronicling the impact of her mother’s battle with dementia. She’s also a spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Association and is involved in various animal rescue organizations, food insecurity efforts in Tennessee, and Sean Penn’s relief efforts in Haiti.

The 52-year-old lives with her husband, country singer Brad Paisley, and their two teenage sons in Franklin, Tennessee.

Diane Keaton as Nina Banks

Steve Martin and Martin Short weren’t the only legendary actors to grace the Father of the Bride cast—Oscar-winner Diane Keaton played George’s wife and Annie’s mom, Nina. Keaton gained fame in the 1970s with her roles in Woody Allen films like Annie Hall, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Keaton is also known for her roles in The Godfather trilogy, Reds, Something’s Gotta Give, and The First Wives Club.

Keaton’s portrayal of Nina in both films of the Father of the Bride franchise is warm, supportive, and level-headed. Her performance adds emotional depth and charm to the family-centered comedy, providing a calming counterbalance to her husband’s comedic overreactions to their daughter’s wedding and subsequent pregnancy.

Despite starring alongside Hollywood greats like Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson, and Marlon Brando, it was her Father of the Bride co-stars that Keaton gushed about while promoting her 2022 film Mack & Rita. “Steven, Marty, I mean, they’ve got their television show [Only Murders in the Building] now. I mean, they’re giants and they’re just incredibly great actors and funny and smart and all that,” Keaton shared with US Weekly. “We all know that, and it works. How they’re doing it on TV is pretty remarkable.”

Besides acting, she is a director, producer, author, and a notable style icon known for her distinctive fashion sense. She never married and adopted two now-grown children when she was in her 50s. The 78-year-old says she doesn’t date and lives happily as a single woman. “I’ve had a lot of independence, and nobody’s telling me what to do,” she told InStyle in 2019. “I had a mother who encouraged that and helped me achieve what I wanted. I’ve followed the paths I’ve wanted to follow. I like redoing houses, I like architecture, I like visuals, I like fashion, I like all of it.”