Dennis Quaid Reacts to Elaine Hendrix’s Parent Trap Routine on DWTS

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Dennis Quaid is proud of Meredith Blake’s brilliant, beyond brilliant waltz.

The 71-year-old actor complimented his former *The Parent Trap* co-stars, Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter, on their performance during “Dedication Night” on *Dancing With the Stars* on October 13th. He noted that they always find a way to reunite, even for a fun recreation of a scene from their movie.

Honestly, one of my favorite moments from the recent episode was when Elaine rang the bell! Dennis actually told TopMob News it was a really difficult scene to film, but the payoff – Lisa walking in and saying ‘You rang?’ – is just pure comedy gold. It still makes me laugh thinking about it!

The famous scene from the 1998 movie was the highlight of Elaine’s dance. After Elaine, 54, and her partner Alan Bersten began their waltz, she brought her friend Lisa, 62, onto the dance floor while referencing the memorable moment.

The actors, who starred in the movie with Lindsay Lohan and the late Natasha Richardson, had fun revisiting the scene on *Dancing with the Stars*. However, their original comedic timing and connection from the first filming was truly special.

Lisa described it as beautiful and concise, while Dennis said it was enjoyable every day.

Elaine agreed, remembering the six months they dedicated to fully embodying their famous characters.

The actor from *Freakier Friday* said that movies aren’t made the same way these days. They spent six months filming on location, traveling to amazing places and enjoying fantastic food and company.

Elaine and Lisa drew inspiration for their dance from their years of friendship, letting cherished memories guide their performance.

As I always say, ‘Jobs and relationships change, but a true friendship lasts forever,'” explained the *Abbott Elementary* star. “A best friend is the person you always turn to, someone you can always count on. Knowing that support will always be there is comforting and secure. If you don’t have that person, find one!”

And Elaine is confident that she’s found that bond in Lisa. 

“We really have each other’s backs,” she explained with a laugh. “Lisa always jokes that a friend will help you with a move, but a *best* friend will help you hide a body… and she claims to know where all the hidden ones are!”

Keep reading to see more cast members from The Parent Trap…

Lindsay Lohan first gained recognition playing twins Annie and Hallie, and quickly became a popular young actress in Hollywood. She starred in hit movies like *Freaky Friday*, *Mean Girls*, *Just My Luck*, and *A Prairie Home Companion*.

Following struggles with legal issues and rehab in 2007, Lindsay Lohan stepped away from Hollywood. She briefly returned for roles playing Elizabeth Taylor in the 2012 Lifetime movie *Liz & Dick* and appearing in the 2013 film *The Canyons*, before relocating to London and then Dubai. Lohan reinvented herself as an entrepreneur, opening nightclubs in Greece, and attempted a comeback with her own MTV reality show, *Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club*, which lasted only one season – similar to her previous short-lived series *Lindsay* on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. More recently, she’s been a judge on the Australian version of *The Masked Singer*.

Lindsay Lohan made a comeback to music in April 2020 with the release of her pop song “Back to Me.” It had been nearly 16 years since she first launched her music career with the album *Speak*.

Lindsay Lohan returned to acting in 2022 with the Netflix film *Falling for Christmas*, and followed that up with *Irish Wish* in 2024. Then, to the delight of her fans, she reprised her role in *Freaky Friday* for *Freakier Friday* in 2025, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.

Lindsay had a wonderful milestone in July 2023 – she and her husband, Bader Shammas, welcomed their first child, Luai!

Dennis Quaid is a talented actor and musician with a successful career spanning decades. Before becoming famous for *The Parent Trap*, he was already a popular leading man in Hollywood. He’s continued to star in many hit movies, including *Frequency*, *The Day After Tomorrow*, and *Far From Heaven*. More recently, he appeared in the Paramount+ series *Happy Face* and the 2024 Oscar-nominated film *The Substance*. Beyond acting, Quaid has also been the frontman for the band Dennis Quaid and The Sharks since 2000. He’s a devoted father who even moved across the Atlantic to reconnect with an old flame – a true romantic leading man!

Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan divorced in 2000 after nearly a decade of marriage. They have one son together, Jack. In 2004, Quaid married Kimberly Buffington, and they had twins, Thomas and Zoe, in 2007. After separating in 2012 and briefly reconciling in 2013, they divorced for good in 2016, with the divorce finalized in 2018.

In October 2019, Quaid got engaged to Laura Savoie. They secretly married in June 2020, having postponed their original April wedding due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Following the engagement, Quaid defended their relationship, stating that their 40-year age difference didn’t bother them.

Remember Meredith Blake from *The Parent Trap*? That was Elaine Hendrix, and she really nailed the role of the glamorous, slightly mean fiancée! This followed a similar character she played in the 1997 film *Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion*. What a fantastic actress!

After *The Parent Trap*, Hendrix continued to appear on television, with roles on shows like FX’s *Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll*, *90210*, and *Anger Management*. In 2019, she took on the famous role of Alexis Carrington in The CW’s reboot of *Dynasty*. More recently, she was in 2024’s *A New York Story* and even reunited with Lindsay Lohan for *Freakier Friday*.

Beyond acting, Hendrix is a passionate animal rights advocate. She founded The Pet Matchmaker, an organization dedicated to rescuing animals and finding them loving homes.

Lisa Ann Walter is known for her role as the humorous and kind nanny Chessy on the show Hallie. She’s also appeared in films such as *Bruce Almighty*, *Shall We Dance?*, and *War of Worlds*, as well as making guest appearances on television shows like *Grey’s Anatomy*, *GLOW*, and *The Odd Couple*.

The comedian published her memoir, titled *The Best Thing About My Ass Is That It’s Behind Me*, in 2011. For the next three years, until 2014, she also hosted her own talk radio show, *The Fabulous Lisa Ann Walter Show*, on KFI in Los Angeles.

Even though Walter and Hendrix played rivals on screen, they’ve stayed close friends in real life. Walter told *Vanity Fair* that Elaine is like family to him, explaining, “She knows all my kids, and we don’t need anyone else. We have each other. I consider Elaine my sister now; she’s family.”

Walter is currently most famous for playing the sharp and unconventional teacher Melissa Schemmenti in the Emmy Award-winning comedy, *Abbott Elementary*.

Simon Kunz, who won fans as the butler Martin in Chessy, went on to appear in popular British TV shows like *Midsomer Murders*, *Sherlock*, and *The Last Kingdom*. He also had a minor role in the film *Captain America: The First Avenger*.

More recently, he’s had small roles in F1: The Movie, Jericho Ridge and Rose’s War. 

Though Polly Holliday was a strict and organized leader as Marva Sr. at Camp Walden, she’s most remembered for her witty and spirited role on the popular 1970s TV show, *Alice*.

Following her role in *The Parent Trap*, the actress became well-known for films like *Stick It* and *The Heartbreak Kid*. She also made appearances on television shows including *Home Improvement* and *The Client*.

In 2000, Holliday was honored with induction into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame, and she has also been nominated for four Emmy Awards.

She passed away at age 88 in September 2025.

Most people recognize Maggie Wheeler as Janice, the unforgettable character she played on *Friends*. Interestingly, she actually first tried out for the role of Monica!

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe how much I adore Alison Wheeler! She was Marva Jr. at Camp Walden, and honestly, that role was perfection, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg! This woman is *everywhere*! I’ve seen her pop up in so many of my favorite shows – like, seriously, *ER*, *Friday Night Lights*, even *Shameless*! And her voice? Incredible! She’s done voice work for *Archer*, all those amazing Batman cartoons, and she was even in the new *Addams Family* movie! I swear, she’s a legend and deserves all the recognition!

She’s has been married to Daniel Borden Wheeler since 1990 and the couple has two children together.

Nancy Meyers is one of the most successful women directing movies in Hollywood, and she’s known as a leading director of romantic comedies.

She’s a successful director, writer, and producer known for popular films like *What Women Want*, *Something’s Gotta Give*, *The Holiday*, *It’s Complicated* (which received a Golden Globe nomination), and *The Intern*. These films often sparked desire for better homes, lifestyles, and relationships among viewers. She also produced *Home Again* in 2017, a film written and directed by her daughter.

I absolutely love following Nancy Meyers on Instagram – she always gives us such a fun peek behind the scenes of her movies! I especially remember her incredibly moving *Modern Love* essay from February 2020 about how she and her ex-husband, Charles Shyer, stayed friends even after their divorce. It really resonated with so many people and went viral. It was heartbreaking to learn that Charles passed away in December 2024, but his friendship with Nancy was so beautifully portrayed in that piece.

In 2023, she began working on a romantic comedy for Netflix, but Netflix ultimately decided to move forward without her before the movie was finished.

Before Hallie Meyers-Shyer became a filmmaker herself, directing the 2017 romantic comedy *Home Again* starring Reese Witherspoon, she frequently appeared in her mother’s movies like *What Women Want* and *Father of the Bride*. She even had a small role in *The Parent Trap*, playing one of the girls at summer camp with Annie.

Fun fact: Her sister’s name is Annie, and Lohan’s twin characters were named after the siblings. 

She and partner Ophir Tanz welcomed son Julien Benedict in April 2021.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I always love discovering fun facts about our favorite stars! Did you know Kat Graham, who you probably recognize from *The Vampire Diaries*, actually had a small role in the original *Parent Trap* movie? She played one of Annie’s best friends at camp – it was one of her very first big on-screen appearances! She even told InStyle she held onto her camp shirt as a keepsake, which I think is absolutely adorable.

Besides playing Bonnie on *The Vampire Diaries*, Kat Graham has been in films such as *17 Again*, *How It Ends*, and *Operation Christmas Drop*, as well as Tyler Perry’s *Duplicity*. She also provided the voice for April O’Neill in *Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*.

In 2023, she married Bryant Wood, a longtime friend and co-founder, alongside Graham and Frank Elaridi, of the wellness company Modern Nirvana.

Remember the young boy who seemed lost at camp in the movie, and turned out to be the only boy there? That was actually Lindsay Lohan’s younger brother, Michael Lohan Jr.!

After a brief appearance on the reality show *Living Lohan*, he pursued a business career following his graduation from Ithaca College. He married Nina Ginsberg in 2017, and they had a daughter, Isabel Scarlet, in 2021.

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2025-10-15 21:49