‘Troop Beverly Hills’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Shelley Long, Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling and More

Credit: Gale Adler/Fries/Avanti/Weintraub/Kobal/Shutterstock

'Troop Beverly Hills’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Shelley Long, Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling and More

What a thrill! Troop Beverly Hills has captivated audiences since it hit theaters in 1989 due to its heartwarming message, hilarious lines and, of course, the iconic fashion by troop leader Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long). After her husband, Freddy Nefler (Craig T. Nelson) leaves her for a younger woman, Phyllis, a Beverly Hills socialite, must find something else to focus on. She decides to become the den mother to a group of Wilderness Girls in the area, including her daughter Hannah (Jenny Lewis). The girls include the daughters of some of the biggest names in Hollywood — a washed-up actor’s kid, a dictator’s baby girl and more. While leading the troop to get their patches — the jewelry appraisal patch is one of the most memorable ones — she finds purpose and confidence in herself. Phyllis, however, doesn’t do anything without making some noise, causing rival troop leader Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas) to send in a spy to try and sabotage the girls. Despite her best efforts, Phyllis and her band of rich misfits sell cookies in style, survive the muddy wilderness at the annual jamboree and prove that there is more to life than wealth and winning. Thirty years after the film made a splash with fans, some of the cast reunited to celebrate its staying power in March 2019. Tori Spelling, who played Jamie, one of the rival Red Feathers troop girls, recalled learning from her den mother Thomas, despite her mean demeanor onscreen. [jwplayer UagbulPY-zhNYySv2] “Obviously, I had a small part, but I just loved watching,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “On set, [Betty] was definitely my mentor and I was taking everything in the comedy. I mean, we did everything.” The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum added: “I had a great time. But it was the flip for me. I was coming from Beverly Hills, I grew up in Beverly Hills, then I was playing the opposite. We were from Culver City, which is super chic now, by the way.” Long explained that while they were filming, she “knew it was special as we were doing it.” The Cheers alum admitted you “never know how that’s going to translate” but the fact that everyone was “having a lot of fun” was a good sign. Kellie Martin, who played Beverly Hills trooper Emily, said when she watched it back as an adult, she understood why fans still love it. “I think it's amazing that it holds up. I actually just watched the movie for the first time in a long time and I couldn't believe how funny it was, because I didn't get the jokes when I was 12 years old,” she said. “It was like watching it for the first time because I really got all the jokes and appreciated all these amazing performances. It was totally over my head.” During the reunion at the Beverly Hills Hotel — which was where the troop “camped out” early on in the film — the stars also addressed rumors of a movie reunion. “I think we should do it,” Thomas said, noting there has been a script at Sony for years. Long chimed in saying, “We could have some cameos!” Scroll down to see what the cast of Troop Beverly Hills has been up to since selling cookies and singing campfire songs in the film.

Credit: Gale Adler/Fries/Avanti/Weintraub/Kobal/Shutterstock

'Troop Beverly Hills’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Shelley Long, Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling and More

What a thrill! Troop Beverly Hills has captivated audiences since it hit theaters in 1989 due to its heartwarming message, hilarious lines and, of course, the iconic fashion by troop leader Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long). After her husband, Freddy Nefler (Craig T. Nelson) leaves her for a younger woman, Phyllis, a Beverly Hills socialite, must find something else to focus on. She decides to become the den mother to a group of Wilderness Girls in the area, including her daughter Hannah (Jenny Lewis). The girls include the daughters of some of the biggest names in Hollywood — a washed-up actor’s kid, a dictator’s baby girl and more. While leading the troop to get their patches — the jewelry appraisal patch is one of the most memorable ones — she finds purpose and confidence in herself. Phyllis, however, doesn’t do anything without making some noise, causing rival troop leader Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas) to send in a spy to try and sabotage the girls. Despite her best efforts, Phyllis and her band of rich misfits sell cookies in style, survive the muddy wilderness at the annual jamboree and prove that there is more to life than wealth and winning. Thirty years after the film made a splash with fans, some of the cast reunited to celebrate its staying power in March 2019. Tori Spelling, who played Jamie, one of the rival Red Feathers troop girls, recalled learning from her den mother Thomas, despite her mean demeanor onscreen. [jwplayer UagbulPY-zhNYySv2] “Obviously, I had a small part, but I just loved watching,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “On set, [Betty] was definitely my mentor and I was taking everything in the comedy. I mean, we did everything.” The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum added: “I had a great time. But it was the flip for me. I was coming from Beverly Hills, I grew up in Beverly Hills, then I was playing the opposite. We were from Culver City, which is super chic now, by the way.” Long explained that while they were filming, she “knew it was special as we were doing it.” The Cheers alum admitted you “never know how that’s going to translate” but the fact that everyone was “having a lot of fun” was a good sign. Kellie Martin, who played Beverly Hills trooper Emily, said when she watched it back as an adult, she understood why fans still love it. “I think it's amazing that it holds up. I actually just watched the movie for the first time in a long time and I couldn't believe how funny it was, because I didn't get the jokes when I was 12 years old,” she said. “It was like watching it for the first time because I really got all the jokes and appreciated all these amazing performances. It was totally over my head.” During the reunion at the Beverly Hills Hotel — which was where the troop “camped out” early on in the film — the stars also addressed rumors of a movie reunion. “I think we should do it,” Thomas said, noting there has been a script at Sony for years. Long chimed in saying, “We could have some cameos!” Scroll down to see what the cast of Troop Beverly Hills has been up to since selling cookies and singing campfire songs in the film.

Credit: Gale Adler/Fries/Avanti/Weintraub/Kobal/Shutterstock; YouTube

Shelley Long

Long played troop leader Phyllis Nefler while starring on Cheers as Diane Chambers at the same time. She then starred in The Brady Bunch Movie, A Very Brady Sequel, Honeymoon With Mom, Love Again, Different Flowers (which she produced) and The Christmas Trap. The Indiana native appeared on Good Advice, Kelly Kelly and Fraiser before playing DeDe Pritchett on Modern Family from 2009 to 2018.

The Golden Globes winner was married to Bruce Tyson from 1981 to 2004. They share daughter Juliana.

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Craig T. Nelson

Nelson portrayed Phyllis’ ex Freddy Nefler the same year he appeared in Turner & Hooch and landed the role of Coach Hayden Fox on Coach, which ran from 1989 to 1997. The Washington native then appeared in The Family Stone, Blades of Glory, The Proposal, Get Hard, Gold and Book Club. He also voiced Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible in the Incredibles franchise. The Emmy-winning actor starred as Chief Jack Mannion on The District, Zeek Braverman on Parenthood and had recurring roles on My Name Is Earl and Grace and Frankie before playing Coach Dale Ballard on Young Sheldon. He served as an executive producer on Coach and consulting producer on The District, in addition to directing episodes of both projects.

Nelson shared three children — two sons and a daughter — with ex-wife Robin Nelson. He married freelance writer Doria Cook-Nelson in 1987.

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Betty Thomas

Thomas played Phyllis’ nemesis Velda Plendor who was the leader of the rival troop the Red Feathers. The Missouri native took a break from acting after Troop Beverly Hills, returning in 2018 for an episode of Kidding. She switched to directing in 1989, working on The Brady Bunch Movie, which Long starred in, Doctor Doolittle, John Tucker Must Die, Dream On, Audrey and two episodes of Grace and Frankie. She has also produced films including Can’t Hardly Wait, Charlie’s Angels and Surviving Christmas.

Thomas is married to Douglas Thomas.

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Mary Gross

Gross played assistant troop leader Annie Herman, who befriends Phyllis after initially being ordered to spy on her by Velda. The same year, the actress played Abigail MacIntyre on The People Next Door. She then appeared in There Goes the Neighborhood, The Santa Clause, Practical Magic and Adopting Terror. The Chicago native’s TV credits include Detention, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boston Legal and General Hospital. Gross, who was a writer for 19 episodes of Saturday Night Live in the ‘80s, stepped away from acting in 2012.

Credit: YouTube; Tyler Golden/Peacock

Ami Foster

Foster portrayed troop member Claire Sprantz, the daughter of a romance novelist and lawyer. The child actress then appeared on episodes of The Wonder Years, Empty Nest, Step by Step and CBS Schoolbreak Special and was featured on the soundtrack for You Don’t Look 40, Charlie Brown! before stepping back from acting in 1994. She reprised her role as Margaux on the 2021 revival of Punky Brewster, having starred on the original series for four seasons.

Foster is currently raising two children, Tessa and Brock in Orange County, California with her firefighter husband Trent DeFries.

Credit: Gale Adler/Fries/Avanti/Weintraub/Kobal/Shutterstock; Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Carla Gugino

Playing troop member Chica Barnfell, whose parents were so busy they forgot her birthday, was Gugino’s fourth acting role. She then starred on Falcon Crest, The Buccaneers, Spin City, Chicago Hope, Karen Sisco, Entourage, Californication, Wayward Pines, The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor. She also appeared in Miami Rhapsody, The War at Home, the Spy Kids franchise, American Gangster, Race to Witch Mountain, Wolves and Gunpowder Milkshake. The Florida native has worked a producer on Judas Kiss, Telle Tale and Jett.

She’s been dating Venezuelan film director Sebastian Gutierrez since 2005.

Credit: YouTube; Courtesy of Heather Hopper/Instagram

Heather Hopper

Hopper’s Tessa DiBlasio was always talking about her therapy sessions during troop meetings. The actress then starred on Good Morning, Miss Bliss before appearing on episodes of Married… With Children, Beverly Hills, 90210, Miss Match and Passions. She also starred on Elvira’s Haunted Hill before stepping back from acting in 2004.

Hopper welcomed her daughter in 1998 and has lived a relatively private life in California ever since. She did, however, reunite with the Troop Beverly Hills cast for their 30th anniversary in 2019.

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Kellie Martin

Martin’s Emily Coleman was the daughter of an out of work actor whose life was made better by Phyllis’ involvement as troop leader. The California native then starred as Daphne on A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, played Becca Thatcher on Life Goes On and voiced Molly Tazmanian Devil on Taz-Mania. She also appeared on Christy, Crisis Center, ER, Mystery Woman, Army Wives and The Guest Book before becoming the lead on the Hailey Dean Mystery franchise on the Hallmark Channel. Martin is also a writer, director and producer, having worked on the Emma Fielding Mysteries and Hailey Dean Mystery films. In February 2014, she released her book, Madam: A Novel of New Orleans, with Cari Lynn.

Martin has been married to researcher Keith Christian since 1999. They share two children, Margaret and Olivia.

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Jenny Lewis

Lewis played Phyllis and Freddy’s daughter Hannah Nefler who split her time between her estranged parents. The Nevada native then starred on Shannon’s Deal and Brooklyn Bridge. She also appeared in Big Girls Don’t Cry… They Get Even, Sweet Temptation, Foxfire, Pleasantville, Don’s Plum, Bolt and had a cameo on A Very Murray Christmas. Lewis has released four records as a solo artist.

The actress has also been part of the Rilo Kiley band, The Postal Service and Nice as F—k. She has directed, written and produced multiple video shorts, including Jenny Lewis: Just One of the Guys and Jenny Lewis’ On the Line Online.

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Emily Schulman

Schulman played spoiled trooper Tiffany Honigam, who was the daughter of a plastic surgeon. The child actress was in her final season of Small Wonder when she appeared in Troop Beverly Hills. She then starred in Caddie Woodlawn, Christy and the spinoff series by the same name from 1994 to 1995. She stopped acting the same year.

The Los Angeles native later became a commercial talent agent at ACME Talent. She is now teaching acting and raising her three children with husband Derek Webster.

Credit: YouTube; Courtesy of Tasha Scott/Instagram

Tasha Scott

Scott portrayed Jasmine Shaker, who famously impersonated Tina Turner to sell cookies in Beverly Hills. She then appeared in Kiss Shot and Camp Cucamonga. The Kentucky native popped up in episodes of Snoops and Full House before playing Tasha Mosely on South Central and Theresa on The Parent ‘Hood.’ Scott played Dorthy in the U.S. national tour of The Wiz from 1996 to 1997.

She took a break from acting in 1997 but returned in 2015 for Troop Hood and later starred in Bluest Moon. In 2018, she released an EP titled Moon Child.

Credit: YouTube; Courtesy of Aquilina Soriano/Facebook

Aquilina Soriano

Soriano’s role as Lily Marcigan, the daughter of a happy dictator of an unknown country, was her second acting role. She then appeared in an episode of Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Blossom and Unhappily Ever After. She stepped back from acting in 1996.

She is now an activist for the Filipino community, working as the executive director of the Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California since 2012.

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Shelley Morrison

Morrison played the Nefler’s maid, Rosa, who helped the wilderness girls through all their training. She then starred in Cries from the Heart, Fools Rush In, Shark Tale and Club Oscar. The New York native played Rosario Salazar on Will & Grace and Mrs. Portillo on Handy Manny.

She died in December 2019 from heart failure at the age of 83. She is survived by documentary filmmaker husband Walter Dominguez.

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Tori Spelling

Spelling played Jamie, one of the Red Feather troop members. She then appeared in a few episodes of Saved By the Bell, before landing the role of Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210. The California native also starred in The House of Yes, Scream 2, Kiss the Bride and The Last Sharknando: It’s About Time. She reunited with former Beverly Hills, 90210 costar Jennie Garth on Mystery Girls before playing a heightened version of herself on BH90210. She has released six books, starred on multiple reality shows including True Tori and competed on The Masked Singer in 2019. She and Garth are also cohosts of the “90210MG” podcast.

Spelling married Dean McDermott in 2006 and they share five children: sons Liam, Finn and Beau and daughters Stella and Hattie.