Every princess needs a grounded, albeit eccentric, best friend. Heather Matarazzo played Lilly Moscovitz, the socially conscious, fast-talking, and fiercely loyal companion to Mia. Matarazzo provided the perfect "alternative" foil to the royal glitz, ensuring the film stayed rooted in its San Francisco high school reality. Her character’s TV show, "Shut Up and Listen," became a fan-favorite detail of the film’s quirky universe. Hector Elizondo as Joe
: To achieve Mia's pre-makeover look, Hathaway had to wear a massive, frizzy clip-in hairpiece that the crew nicknamed " The Beast ".
Long before he was known primarily as the frontman of the band Rooney, Robert Schwartzman stole hearts as Michael Moscovitz. As Lilly’s brother and Mia’s secret admirer, Michael represented the "boy who saw her before she was a princess." The scene where he brings Mia a M&M pizza remains one of the most romantic moments in teen cinema history. Mandy Moore as Lana Thomas
(Mia Thermopolis) : In her film debut at age 18, Hathaway won the role after literally falling off a chair during her audition, proving to director Garry Marshall that she had the perfect "klutzy" energy for Mia. Julie Andrews princess diaries 2001 cast
The 2001 release of The Princess Diaries didn't just give us a classic coming-of-age story; it launched a Hollywood icon and redefined the modern fairy tale. Based on Meg Cabot’s popular novel series, the film told the story of Mia Thermopolis, a socially awkward San Francisco teenager who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a small European kingdom called Genovia.
(Josh Bryant) : The "backstabbing" popular guy Mia originally had a crush on. Caroline Goodall (Helen Thermopolis) : Mia's artistic and supportive mother. Fun Facts & "The Beast"
(Michael Moscovitz) : The M&M-obsessed love interest and Lilly’s brother. Mandy Moore Every princess needs a grounded, albeit eccentric, best
(Joe) : The Queen’s head of security and Mia's "knight in a limousine." Marshall famously cast Elizondo in every film he directed Robert Schwartzman
The Princess Diaries was a massive box-office success, grossing over $165 million worldwide. It spawned a successful sequel in 2004, which saw most of the main cast return. Even decades later, the cast remains close, with Hathaway and Andrews frequently expressing interest in returning for a long-rumored third installment.
A frequent collaborator with director Garry Marshall, Hector Elizondo played Joe, the Head of Security and the Queen’s confidant. Joe served as a father figure to Mia, offering quiet wisdom and unwavering support. The subtle, romantic tension between Joe and Queen Clarisse was a highlight for older viewers, adding a layer of sophisticated charm to the family-friendly plot. Robert Schwartzman as Michael Moscovitz Her character’s TV show, "Shut Up and Listen,"
(Queen Clarisse Renaldi) : The legendary star of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music improvised many of her character's sharpest one-liners and served as a real-life mentor to Hathaway on set. Supporting Royalty (and San Franciscans) Heather Matarazzo
The Princess Diaries, released in 2001, featured a talented young cast. The main characters included:
: During the iconic makeover, the stylist Paulo (Larry Miller) jokes that "the cucumber does nothing," a line that remains a fan favorite for its comedic timing. The Princess Diaries (2001) - IMDb