Celebrities Who Recreated Their Most Iconic Roles Over the Years

More On: movies

Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Tisdale and more stars have enjoyed returning to some of their most memorable characters — see the photos

Blast from the past! Viewers once had to wait for a sequel or the continuation of a series in order to get another glimpse of their favorite characters, but thanks to social media, many celebrities are giving their fans just what they want to see by bringing their classic performances back to life.

Many actors will take any excuse to revisit their favorite characters. Some are celebrating a milestone, like when Reese Witherspoon recreated the infamous “Bend and Snap” for the 15th anniversary of Legally Blonde in 2016. Others have tried to bring attention to a good cause, such as the cast of New Girl, who reunited to encourage fans to vote in the 2020 presidential election.

Not only did the New Girl cast try to get fans to vote, but so did the women of One Tree Hill. Nearly 10 years after the One Tree Hill series finale aired in 2012, former costars stars Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz reunited on Zoom to help make a difference on #registerafriend day.

In July 2020, the three women joined the Zoom call as their respective characters – Brooke (Bush), Haley (Lenz) and Peyton (Burton) – to catch up and keep their fans updated on what they have been missing these last eight years. Haley was in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, stressed about her kids coloring on the walls, while Peyton mentioned that she has a school board meeting. Brooke, for her part, was working on a campaign and even showed off the button she gave out to her classmates when she was running for student council president in high school.

“It’s Register a Friend Day, I just had to check! I didn’t want to shame anyone, but, you know, friends don’t let friends not vote,” Bush said in character.

Rolling with the times, celebs are hopping on the popular social media platform TikTok and bringing their iconic roles with them. Longtime fans are quick to “like” and comment on the quick, 60-second recreations of classic scenes they can watch on repeat. When Drew Barrymore donned her pink prom dress and braces to bring back Josie Grossie from the hit ‘90s romantic comedy Never Been Kissed in August 2020, she applied the awkward teen’s dance moves, gestures and responses to a modern trend on TikTok.

Scroll down to see more celebs who have recreated their most beloved roles.

Credit: Courtesy Elaine Hendrix/TikTok

Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter

In September 2021, the Parent Trap legends reunited 23 years later and recreated a scene from the movie via TikTok. “Chessy?” Hendrix said in character, while ringing the bell. “It’s such a big house and all. Chessy!” Walter entered and rolled her eyes, joking, “You rang?” They then both broke character and smiled.

Credit: Courtesy Alicia Silverstone/TikTok

Alicia Silverstone

The actress joined the TikTok world with a bang by hilariously imitating her famous quote from the 1995 movie Clueless. In the original scene, Silverstone fends off a high school suitor by shouting, “Ew. Get off of me. As if!” In the new interpretation, Silverstone teamed up with her son, Bear, while wearing her recognizable blazer from the movie. “Ugh! As if... I wouldn't join TikTok. 😉💛😘 #Clueless #AsIf,” she captioned the video.

Credit: Courtesy Reese Witherspoon/Instagram

Reese Witherspoon

For the 15th anniversary of Legally Blonde in July 2016, Witherspoon revived Elle Woods with the famous “Bend and Snap” move, which was one of Elle’s suggestions for getting men’s attention. Joking that she’ll be “doing the bend and snap” for fans for decades to come, Witherspoon noted via social media at the time, “I have had so many women say, ‘I went to law school because of ‘Legally Blonde.’ It actually had a meaningful story. And it was about female empowerment. It wasn’t necessarily about the girl getting the guy.”

Credit: Courtesy Zooey Deschanel/Instagram

'New Girl' Cast

Former costars of the Fox hit New Girl used the 2020 presidential election to jointly promote the vote. Cast members Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris and Zoe Lister-Jones reunited ahead of Election Day in November 2020 as their corresponding characters Jessica Day, Nick Miller, Winston Bishop and Fawn Moscato.

"This message has been approved by Fawn Moscato," Deschanel captioned her Instagram post. "VOTE!! & vote early!"

Credit: Courtesy Crista Allen/TikTok

Crista Allen

The 13 Going on 30 actress channeled her flirty and fun side while recreating Jennifer Garner’s scene as Jenna Rink in the early 2000’s rom-com. Allen played Garner’s younger self in the film and made a shot-for-shot parallel of the memorable “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” scene where Jenna is getting ready for a big party.