Fran Drescher and the cast of 'The Nanny': Where are they now?

In November 2023, it's 30 years since the first episode of 'The Nanny' aired. Many of us remember the quirkiness of nanny Fran Fine, who suddenly arrived and wreaked havoc in the haughty and elegant Sheffield family home.

Sometimes, the actors and actresses of a cult TV series never duplicate the success they had with the show. But that doesn't mean we forget about them! Let's check out what happened to the cast and how they are today... after three decades.

Let's start with her, the absolute protagonist of 'The Nanny'. From 1993 to 1999, she kept us company with her irony and joy: Fran Fine, a Jewish woman from New York. Let's find out what happened to her.

Born in 1957, today the beautiful Fran Drescher is in her sixties! Despite the passing of time she continues to be in splendid shape, as can be seen in this photograph from June 2022.

Twelve years after the end of the sitcom that made her globally famous, Fran Drescher produced another series, 'Happily Divorced' with her ex-husband Peter Marc Jacobson. The show takes its cue from their true story: What happens when the man comes out right after the divorce?

The likable actress also took part in various film productions. Among her best-known films are: 'The Beautician and the Beast' (1997), 'Picking Up the Pieces' (2000), 'Safe Spaces' (2019), and 'The Christmas Setup' (2020).

In July 2023, a video of Fran Drescher's fiery speech as president of the Sag-Aftra actor's union went viral. She called the greed of the Hollywood studios "disgusting" and explained why the actors were likely to join the Writers Guild of America in a big strike.

"Wake up and smell the coffee," she told the studios, as cited by The Guardian. "We demand respect! You cannot exist without us!" What a life path for the feisty nanny we got to know in the 90s!

Nanny Fran went to work for Maxwell Sheffield, or better, pronounced with Fran's nasal voice: Mr. Sheffield! He was a well-known Broadway impresario, a widower, and a father of three who would eventually fall in love with the nanny.

Mr. Shieffield was brought to life by the actor Charles Shaughnessy, born in 1955. Since then, he has appeared in several highly successful TV series including 'Mad Men' (2008), 'The Mentalist' (2008), 'Castle' (2012), and 'Modern Family' (2019), although he never managed to achieve the same success of the 90s.

Another much-loved character of 'The Nanny' (though not for his affability) was undoubtedly Niles, the cynical English butler who gave us really funny and memorable duets together with the contemptuous CC Babcock. After so much hatred, deep down, great love would eventually be born for them too.

Behind Niles was actor Daniel Davis. Like most of the actors in the cast, he never stopped acting. We saw him play a small part in Christopher Nolan's 'The Prestige' (2006) and in other famous sitcoms such as 'Ugly Betty' (2006) and 'The Blacklist' (2013).

Since we have just mentioned her, let's have a look at what CC Babcock, the 'villain' of 'The Nanny,' is doing today. In the series, she tried everything to mess up the love story between Miss Fran and Mr. Shieffield, because she too, at some point, was in love with him.

Unlike her colleagues, Lauren Lane chose theater over TV after her experience with 'The Nanny.' She currently works with the Department of Theater and Dance at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

To make Fran Fine's character even more out of the ordinary, her quirky family came into the picture as well. Her mother Sylvia and her aunt Yetta made for unforgettable TV moments.

Renée Taylor played the role of the hilarious Sylvia Fine. Having reached the respectable age of 90, she boasts a very long career in both cinema and television, both before and after 'The Nanny.' Among the best-known on the big screen are 'The Errand Boy' (1961), 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' (1991), and 'Alfie' (2004), while on TV she starred in  'Love Boat' (1986), 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' (1996), and 'How I Met Your Mother' (2009-12).

The legendary Aunt Yetta was played by Ann Morgan Guilbert, the true fashion icon of the sitcom. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 87, leaving behind a career spanning more than 50 years. Among her most important projects, there's 'The D. Van Dyke Show' (1961 – 1966), 'Grumpier Old Men' (1995), and 'Please Give' (2010).

Other important characters of 'The Nanny' were undoubtedly the three children of Mr. Sheffield. Maggie was the eldest, an adolescent, and her storylines were about insecurities and first loves. She found in Nanny Fran a true friend and ally to confide in.

The beautiful Maggie was played by Nicholle Tom, who was only 15 when 'The Nanny' began. By then, she had already participated in the 'Beethoven' movies. After 'The Nanny,' she continued to work mainly in television, landing small roles in successful TV series such as 'Criminal Minds' (2005) and 'Cold Case' (2003). She was also in the romantic comedy film 'The Princess Diaries' in 2001.

The second son of the family, Brighton, liked to make jokes and pull pranks on his two sisters.

Little Brighton was played by Benjamin Salisbury, who has had very little acting work since his success with 'The Nanny'. The last movie he took part in was 'Pledge of Allegiance' (2003).

And here we are with the last protagonist of the cast of 'The Nanny', little Grace. Unlike her sister and brother, Grace had few memories of her late mother, was very introverted, and had an imaginary friend.

Actress Madeline Zima never stopped working after the famous sitcom ended. Some of her most famous films include 'A Cinderella Story' (2004), 'The Collector' (2009), and 'Bliss' (2021).

As for TV, she took part in series like 'Gilmore Girls' (2001), 'Grey's Anatomy' (2007), 'Betas' (2013-14), 'Twin Peaks' (2017), and 'Doom Patrol' (2022).

However, her biggest role was in 'Californication' (2007-2011), where she played David Duchovny's nemesis, the teenager Mia. She also played Gretchen Berg in the series 'Heroes' from 2009 to 2010.

As you may have noticed, apart from Madeline Zima, most actors and actresses in the cast have had smaller roles in later TV work than their famous parts in 'The Nanny.' But, then again, who needs anything else after that level of success in a sitcom?