10 Shocking Secrets And Updates On The Cast Of 'My Sister's Keeper': Where Are They Now In 2025?
Few films elicit the raw, emotional response of My Sister’s Keeper, the 2009 legal melodrama based on the best-selling novel by Jodi Picoult. The story of the Fitzgerald family, centered on a medical emancipation lawsuit, became a cultural touchstone that explored the ethical dilemmas of designer babies, chronic illness, and the nature of selfless love. As of late 2025, over 15 years since its release, the film’s cast has seen dramatic life changes, from career comebacks and new marriages to tragic personal loss, making their current status more compelling than the film's controversial ending.
This deep dive explores the current lives and latest projects of the talented ensemble, revealing major career shifts, poignant tributes, and the surprising behind-the-scenes drama that continues to define the legacy of this tear-jerking cinematic experience. The actors who brought Sara, Anna, and Kate Fitzgerald to life are busier than ever, navigating Hollywood, new parenthood, and high-profile legal battles.
The Fitzgerald Family & Key Players: A Complete Cast Biography
The emotional core of My Sister's Keeper rested entirely on the shoulders of its leading actors, who portrayed the deeply fractured yet loving Fitzgerald family. Here is a look at the core cast, their roles, and a snapshot of their careers.
- Cameron Diaz (Sara Fitzgerald)
- Role: The fiercely protective, former lawyer mother who dedicates her life to saving her sick daughter, Kate.
- Born: August 30, 1972 (San Diego, California)
- Career Highlights: The Mask (1994), There's Something About Mary (1998), Charlie's Angels (2000), Shrek franchise (voice of Fiona). She retired from acting in 2014 before a recent, high-profile comeback.
- Abigail Breslin (Anna Fitzgerald)
- Role: The "savior sibling" who sues her parents for medical emancipation to gain control over her own body.
- Born: April 14, 1996 (New York City, New York)
- Career Highlights: Oscar-nominated role in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Zombieland (2009), Scream Queens (TV series).
- Sofia Vassilieva (Kate Fitzgerald)
- Role: The older sister suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), whose illness drives the entire family's conflict.
- Born: October 22, 1992 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
- Career Highlights: Ariel DuBois in the TV series Medium, title role in Eloise at the Plaza (2003).
- Jason Patric (Brian Fitzgerald)
- Role: The firefighter father who often acts as the emotional anchor and mediator between his wife and children.
- Born: June 17, 1966 (Queens, New York)
- Career Highlights: The Lost Boys (1987), Rush (1991), Sleepers (1996), and numerous stage roles.
- Alec Baldwin (Campbell Alexander)
- Role: The high-profile, seizure-prone lawyer Anna hires to represent her in the emancipation lawsuit.
- Born: April 3, 1958 (Amityville, New York)
- Career Highlights: Beetlejuice (1988), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Emmy-winning role as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, and his well-known impersonation of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
- Evan Ellingson (Jesse Fitzgerald)
- Role: The quiet, troubled older brother whose artistic expression and hidden pain provide a subtle counter-narrative to the family drama.
- Born: July 1, 1988 (La Verne, California)
- Career Highlights: Recurring role on 24, and a main cast member on CSI: Miami.
The Cast of My Sister's Keeper: Where Are They Now? (2025 Updates)
The film’s main actors have experienced a fascinating divergence in their careers and personal lives since 2009, with several major headlines dominating their public presence in the last few years.
Cameron Diaz’s Hollywood Comeback and New Projects
Cameron Diaz, who delivered a career-defining dramatic performance as the unyielding mother Sara Fitzgerald, had famously stepped away from acting in 2014 to focus on family and wellness.
The Big Return: Diaz officially ended her retirement in 2022 and has since lined up major projects with Netflix. Her first film back, the action-comedy Back in Action, is slated for a 2025 release and co-stars Jamie Foxx. This is a significant pivot back to the action-comedy genre that made her a global superstar. Furthermore, she is set to star in another Netflix action-comedy titled Bad Day, confirming her full-fledged return to the industry.
Her return has been highly anticipated, demonstrating that her performance in My Sister's Keeper, which earned her critical praise for its emotional depth, was not her final act in Hollywood.
Abigail Breslin's New Chapter and Poignant Tributes
Abigail Breslin, who played the protagonist Anna, has transitioned successfully from a child star to a respected adult actress. Her personal life recently made headlines.
Recent Marriage: Breslin married her longtime partner, Ira Kunyansky, in a private ceremony in early 2023. She has continued to work steadily in the horror and thriller genres, with recent credits including the film Miranda's Victim (2023).
A Co-Star's Tragedy: In late 2023, Breslin shared a heartfelt tribute to her co-star, Evan Ellingson (Jesse Fitzgerald), following his tragic death at the age of 35. Ellingson, who was known for his roles in My Sister's Keeper and CSI: Miami, passed away at a sober-living home in Fontana, California. Breslin’s public mourning highlighted the close bonds formed on the set and provided a somber, recent update on a key member of the cast.
Sofia Vassilieva and the Supporting Cast’s Latest Roles
Sofia Vassilieva, who portrayed the leukemia-stricken Kate Fitzgerald, has maintained a steady career in television and film since the movie's release, focusing on mature, dramatic roles.
Post-Keeper Career: Vassilieva is best known for her long-running role as Ariel DuBois in the TV series Medium. In recent years, she has appeared in films like the thriller 13 Minutes (2021) and the crime drama The Little Things (2021), starring Denzel Washington.
Jason Patric: The on-screen father, Jason Patric, has embraced a career in action and thriller films. His 2024 filmography includes the action-thriller Armor, where he co-stars with Sylvester Stallone, and a role in the highly anticipated horror sequel Terrifier 3, showing a versatile shift in genres.
Alec Baldwin: Alec Baldwin's career continues to be defined by his high-profile legal troubles and the completion of the Western film Rust, which is slated for a 2024 release. The production's tragic on-set incident has led to an upcoming 2025 documentary, *The Trial of Alec Baldwin*, which will explore the aftermath of the event. This situation casts a long shadow over his recent professional life.
Joan Cusack: The talented character actress, who played Judge De Salvo, has focused heavily on voice work, notably in the Toy Story franchise, and had a major role in the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019). She remains a respected figure in Hollywood, often taking on supporting roles that elevate any project.
The Shocking Controversy That Still Haunts The Film
While the performances of the My Sister’s Keeper cast were widely praised, the film's production remains controversial due to a radical departure from its source material—a fact that continues to be discussed in film circles and by the book’s dedicated fanbase.
The Infamous Ending Change
In Jodi Picoult’s original 2004 novel, the character who dies is Anna Fitzgerald, the "savior sibling," after she wins her medical emancipation lawsuit. The film, however, reverses this pivotal plot point: Kate Fitzgerald, the daughter with leukemia, dies.
Author's Reaction: Novelist Jodi Picoult has been vocal about her displeasure with the change. She described the experience of working on the film as "terrible," stating that director Nick Cassavetes "pretty much threw me off the set" when she raised concerns about the revised ending. This creative disagreement fundamentally alters the central theme of the story, transforming the narrative from a commentary on destiny and control into a more conventional tearjerker about illness.
The Fanning Sisters' Recasting Scandal
Another piece of behind-the-scenes trivia that adds to the film's legacy is the initial casting choice. Dakota Fanning was originally cast as Kate Fitzgerald, with her real-life sister, Elle Fanning, set to play Anna Fitzgerald. However, Dakota Fanning reportedly dropped out of the project because she refused to shave her head for the role, a requirement for portraying Kate's chemotherapy treatment. This led to both sisters withdrawing and the eventual casting of Sofia Vassilieva and Abigail Breslin, who both shaved their heads to fully commit to the emotionally demanding roles.
The commitment of the final cast, particularly Vassilieva and Breslin, is often cited as a testament to their dedication, contrasting sharply with the initial reluctance of the Fanning sisters and cementing the final cast as the definitive representation of the Fitzgerald family.
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