The17 AgainCast, Then and Now: See Where the Stars of the 2009 Comedy Are Today — and What They’ve Said About Matthew Perry and Michelle Trachtenberg’s Sudden Deaths

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry and Sterling Knight in ‘17 Again’ (2009).Photo:Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock

More than a decade after its release,17 Againcontinues to be a relatable tale.

Like so many do on set, the cast and crew of17 Againestablished long-lasting friendships — making the losses of Perry and Trachtenberg even more devastating.

Perry diedat age 54 of an accidental drug overdose on Oct. 28, 2023. Less than two years later, Trachtenberg, who had been dealing with persistent health issues,died at age 39on Feb. 26 andher cause of deathwas ruled as “undetermined.”

During Efron’sHollywood Walk of Fame ceremonytwo short months after Perry’s death, he spoke about how “kind and generous” the actor was to him while filming17 Again.

“Collaborating with him — it was so much fun and really did propel me and motivate me in so many ways,” Efron added. “It really pushed me into the next chapter of my career, and for that, thank you so much, Matthew. Thinking about you a lot today.”

More recently, fellow17 AgaincostarThomas Lennonreflected following Trachtenberg career following her sudden death. “Michelle lit up every scene in17 Again. Such a skilled dramatic actress, but she could switch to comedy with the ease of a figure skater,” he said.

Here’s everything to know about where the cast of17 Againis now.

01of 09

Matthew Perry as Mike O’Donnell

Matthew Perry in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Matthew Perry attends the 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Party on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Robin L Marshall/WireImage

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Robin L Marshall/WireImage

Afterstruggling with addictionfor years, Perry died at age 39 on Oct. 28, 2023 of an accidental overdose.

He never married or had kids, but he was in a serious relationship withMolly Hurwitz, which ended in June 2021 when they called off their engagement.

A year after his sudden death, PEOPLE spoke with Perry’s mom,Suzanne Morrison, and his stepfather Keith Morrison. They both agreed that the actor “truly didn’t” know how beloved he was among fans.

02of 09Zac Efron as Mike O’DonnellZac Efron in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Zac Efron attends the premiere of “A Family Affair” on June 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Phillip Faraone/WireImageZac Efron skyrocketed to fame as Troy Bolton in Disney’sHigh School Musicalfranchise. Doors soon began opening for the actor, including the opportunity to play the teenage version of Perry’s Mike O’Donnell in17 Again.Since 2009, Efron has appeared in a number of successful films, such asThe Lucky One(2012),Neighbors(2014),Baywatch(2017) andThe Iron Claw(2023).More recently, the actor traveled around the world for his Netflix docuseriesDown to Earthalongside his brother,TraitorsstarDylan Efron.There was one project, however, that never got made — abiopic about Perrystarring Efron. PEOPLE learned in November 2023 that theFriendsactor wanted Efron to play him again “because he did such a good job” the first time around.“I’m honored to hear he was thinking of me to play him,” theRicky Stanickystar told PEOPLE that same month. “We’ll see.I’d be honored to do it.""[Perry] was a mentor to me, and we made a really cool film together,” he continued. “I looked up to him, I learned comedic timing from that guy.”

02of 09

Zac Efron as Mike O’Donnell

Zac Efron in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Zac Efron attends the premiere of “A Family Affair” on June 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Zac Efron skyrocketed to fame as Troy Bolton in Disney’sHigh School Musicalfranchise. Doors soon began opening for the actor, including the opportunity to play the teenage version of Perry’s Mike O’Donnell in17 Again.

Since 2009, Efron has appeared in a number of successful films, such asThe Lucky One(2012),Neighbors(2014),Baywatch(2017) andThe Iron Claw(2023).

More recently, the actor traveled around the world for his Netflix docuseriesDown to Earthalongside his brother,TraitorsstarDylan Efron.

There was one project, however, that never got made — abiopic about Perrystarring Efron. PEOPLE learned in November 2023 that theFriendsactor wanted Efron to play him again “because he did such a good job” the first time around.

“I’m honored to hear he was thinking of me to play him,” theRicky Stanickystar told PEOPLE that same month. “We’ll see.I’d be honored to do it.”

“[Perry] was a mentor to me, and we made a really cool film together,” he continued. “I looked up to him, I learned comedic timing from that guy.”

03of 09Leslie Mann as ScarletLeslie Mann in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Leslie Mann attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Amy Sussman/GettyLeslie Mann had been acting for nearly two decades before she landed the role of Scarlet — Mike O’Donnell’s wife — on17 Again.Mann’s career didn’t slow down from there. She went on to star in fan-favorite films likeThis is 40(2012),The Other Woman(2014),How to Be Single(2016) andBlockers(2018). She then appeared alongside her youngest daughter, Iris, in Netflix’sThe Bubble(2023).She’s not passing the acting torch quite yet, butMann and her husband, fellow actorJudd Apatow, whom she’s been married to since 1997, haveraised two burgeoning stars. Maude, their oldest daughter, currently stars on HBO’sEuphoria.

03of 09

Leslie Mann as Scarlet

Leslie Mann in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Leslie Mann attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Amy Sussman/Getty

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Amy Sussman/Getty

Leslie Mann had been acting for nearly two decades before she landed the role of Scarlet — Mike O’Donnell’s wife — on17 Again.

Mann’s career didn’t slow down from there. She went on to star in fan-favorite films likeThis is 40(2012),The Other Woman(2014),How to Be Single(2016) andBlockers(2018). She then appeared alongside her youngest daughter, Iris, in Netflix’sThe Bubble(2023).

She’s not passing the acting torch quite yet, butMann and her husband, fellow actorJudd Apatow, whom she’s been married to since 1997, haveraised two burgeoning stars. Maude, their oldest daughter, currently stars on HBO’sEuphoria.

04of 09Michelle Trachtenberg as MaggieMichelle Trachtenberg in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Michelle Trachtenberg at the 15 Years of Siriano Party at Nic’s On Beverly on November 2, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Gilbert Flores/WWD via GettyMichelle Trachtenberg was cast as Georgina Sparks onGossip Girla year before she played Maggie, Michael O’Donnell and Scarlet’s daughter, in17 Again.After The CW teen drama series wrapped in 2012, she regularly voiced characters inRobot ChickenandHuman Kind Of. Trachtenberg also appeared in two episodes of the 2021Gossip Girlreboot.Trachtenberg died at age 39 on Feb. 26. A source told PEOPLE that she’d recently undergone aliver transplantand had been “really sick” for roughly a year.“I will miss you Michelle,” Leslie Mann wrote on her Instagram Stories after learning the news.Up until her death, Trachtenberg was in a relationship with talent agentJay Cohen. The couple was first linked in October 2020.

04of 09

Michelle Trachtenberg as Maggie

Michelle Trachtenberg in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Michelle Trachtenberg at the 15 Years of Siriano Party at Nic’s On Beverly on November 2, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty

Michelle Trachtenberg was cast as Georgina Sparks onGossip Girla year before she played Maggie, Michael O’Donnell and Scarlet’s daughter, in17 Again.

After The CW teen drama series wrapped in 2012, she regularly voiced characters inRobot ChickenandHuman Kind Of. Trachtenberg also appeared in two episodes of the 2021Gossip Girlreboot.

Trachtenberg died at age 39 on Feb. 26. A source told PEOPLE that she’d recently undergone aliver transplantand had been “really sick” for roughly a year.

“I will miss you Michelle,” Leslie Mann wrote on her Instagram Stories after learning the news.

Up until her death, Trachtenberg was in a relationship with talent agentJay Cohen. The couple was first linked in October 2020.

05of 09Sterling Knight as AlexSterling Knight in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Sterling Knight attends the premiere Of “Living Among Us” on February 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Albert L. Ortega/GettySterling Knight appeared in 34 episodes ofEvebefore he was cast in17 Againas Michael O’Donnell and Scarlet’s son Alex.The actor is probably best known for his role as Chad Dylan Cooper on Disney’sSonny With a Chanceand its spinoffSo Random!.Knight was also a guest star on Melissa & Joey for a total of 31 episodes.

05of 09

Sterling Knight as Alex

Sterling Knight in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Sterling Knight attends the premiere Of “Living Among Us” on February 1, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Sterling Knight appeared in 34 episodes ofEvebefore he was cast in17 Againas Michael O’Donnell and Scarlet’s son Alex.

The actor is probably best known for his role as Chad Dylan Cooper on Disney’sSonny With a Chanceand its spinoffSo Random!.Knight was also a guest star on Melissa & Joey for a total of 31 episodes.

06of 09

Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold

Thomas Lennon in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Thomas Lennon arrives at the premiere Of “UNFROSTED” on April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Thomas Lennon, who plays Mike O’Donnell’s best friend Ned Gold in17 Again, is known for his comedic prowess — and he’s got the acting credits to prove it.

The actor has been married to his wife, Jenny Robertson,since 2002.

07of 09Melora Hardin as Principal Jane MastersonMelora Hardin in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Melora Hardin at the Opening Night of “Redwood” on Broadway on February 13, 2025 in New York City.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Stephanie Augello/Variety via GettyMelora Hardinplayed principal Jane Masterson in17 Again, but she is best known for portraying Jan Levinson inThe Officeand Jacqueline Carlyle inThe Bold Type.In November 2024, Hardin ended her run as Francine Blake in the Broadway playMcNeal, which starredRobert Downey Jr.as the titular character.Hardin is an award-winning actress but she also has an eye for interiors. In April 2023, she launched acollage-style wallpaper line, telling PEOPLE that designing keeps her “creatively stimulated.“TheTransparentstar has been married to English actor Gildart Jackson since 1997. The couple share two daughters, Rory and Piper.

07of 09

Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson

Melora Hardin in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Melora Hardin at the Opening Night of “Redwood” on Broadway on February 13, 2025 in New York City.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Melora Hardinplayed principal Jane Masterson in17 Again, but she is best known for portraying Jan Levinson inThe Officeand Jacqueline Carlyle inThe Bold Type.

In November 2024, Hardin ended her run as Francine Blake in the Broadway playMcNeal, which starredRobert Downey Jr.as the titular character.

Hardin is an award-winning actress but she also has an eye for interiors. In April 2023, she launched acollage-style wallpaper line, telling PEOPLE that designing keeps her “creatively stimulated.”

TheTransparentstar has been married to English actor Gildart Jackson since 1997. The couple share two daughters, Rory and Piper.

08of 09

Jim Gaffigan as Coach Murphy

Jim Gaffigan in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Jim Gaffigan attends the SNL 50th Anniversary Special on February 16, 2025 in New York City.©New Line/courtesy Everett Collection ; NBC/Jamie McCarthy via Getty

©New Line/courtesy Everett Collection ; NBC/Jamie McCarthy via Getty

The comedian has been married to his wife,Jeannie Gaffigan, since 2003. The pair sharefive kids.

09of 09Hunter Parrish as StanHunter Parrish in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Hunter Parrish attends the Cast photo call for the Vineyard Theatre production of “Good Grief” on September 12, 2018 at the Vineyard Theatre in New York City.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Walter McBride/GettyHunter Parrishplayed Stan — Maggie’s boyfriend in17 Again.While his role was fairly minor in the comedy, Parrish later starred in the hit seriesWeeds, oppositeMary-Louise Parkerfor eight seasons. He has also appeared inGood Girls Revolt,QuanticoandThe Other Black Girl.Parrish has been married to his wife,Kathryn Wahl, since 2015. They share a daughter named Meadow.

09of 09

Hunter Parrish as Stan

Hunter Parrish in ‘17 Again’ (2009) ; Hunter Parrish attends the Cast photo call for the Vineyard Theatre production of “Good Grief” on September 12, 2018 at the Vineyard Theatre in New York City.Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Walter McBride/Getty

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Walter McBride/Getty

Hunter Parrishplayed Stan — Maggie’s boyfriend in17 Again.

While his role was fairly minor in the comedy, Parrish later starred in the hit seriesWeeds, oppositeMary-Louise Parkerfor eight seasons. He has also appeared inGood Girls Revolt,QuanticoandThe Other Black Girl.

Parrish has been married to his wife,Kathryn Wahl, since 2015. They share a daughter named Meadow.

source: people.com