Chicago cast now – 'new face' claims, cancer heartache and messy divorce

Based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name, 2002 Hollywood film Chicago brought the story of murderous starlets to the silver screen and opened the door to a newfound audience.

Following the story of convicted criminal Roxy Hart played by the legendary Renée Zellweger, Chicago gave a fun and energetic portrayal of convicted criminals with big hopes of becoming stars during the jazz era.

Exploring the themes of celebrity culture, scandal, and corruption, the captivating movie grossed an astonishing $171million (£127m) in the United States and Canada, as well $136, (£101m) in other territories.

In addition to this, Chicago was also the highest-grossing live-action musical with $306m (£228m), a record that was later broken by Mamma Mia! in 2008.

With all the hype that surrounded the film many years ago, Daily Star has taken a look at where the cast is now.

Renée Zellweger as Roxy Hart

Actress Renée Zellweger gave an Oscar-nominated performance playing the role of the unforgettable Roxy Hart.

Despite being a seasoned actor before taking on the part, Renée described the role as “terrifying” and said “it was such an insular experience of growth and trying”.

The actress was certainly committed to the role and lost an incredible amount of weight for it.

After the film, Renée continued to achieve worldwide recognition and success.

Appearing in films such as the sequel to Bridget Jones’s Diary, Cinderella Man and Miss Potter, the star was certainly booked and busy during the early noughties.

However, after the release of the film My Own Love Song, Renée decided to take a six-year hiatus from screen acting.

Talking to British Vogue in 2016 about her absence, she said: “I was fatigued and wasn’t taking the time I needed to recover between projects, and it caught up with me […] I got sick of the sound of my own voice.”

However, Renée’s comeback caused much controversy as many believed she had a “new face” when she returned to Hollywood and looked unrecognisable.

Talking to People magazine at the time regarding her look, the star said she was happy that people think she looked different.

“It seems the folks who come digging around for some nefarious truth which doesn’t exist won’t get off my porch until I answer the door,” she said in her statement, calling the media hype “silly”.

Away from the limelight, the Hollywood legend was in a relationship with musician Doyle Bramhall from 2012 to 2019.

But in June 2021, she was reported to be dating English television presenter Ant Anstead.

Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones played the role of charismatic showgirl Velma Kelly who is arrested for the murders of her husband Charlie and her sister after she discovered them in bed together.

Catherine also gave an incredible performance which was certainly one to remember.

Following the success of Chicago, the star voiced the part of Princess Marina in Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas alongside actor Brad Pitt.

She also appeared in films No Reservations and The Rebound.

But although she was riding high in her career, Catherine decided to take a three-year sabbatical from acting but made her screen comeback in Lay the Favorite in 2012.

Away from acting, Catherine’s personal life has always been the centre of media attention.

Having married Hollywood icon Michael Douglas, the pair who share two children together have often caused much intrigue.

In 2010, Fatal Attraction actor Michael was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and Catherine faced an emotionally turbulent time due to it.

Talking about her rough patch she said at the time: “When you get sideswiped like that [with the illness] it’s an obvious trigger for your balance to be a little bit off – not sleeping, worry, stress.”

This trigger also led to Catherine suffering from depression, and despite her initial apprehension to be open, she spoke publicly about having bipolar disorder.

In 2011 and 2013 the actress sought treatment by checking herself into hospital.

Due to the stress and the impact of both their illnesses, the couple decided to live separately in 2013, though without taking legal action towards separation or divorce.

However, they reconciled in 2014 and told fans and the press that they are now “stronger than ever”.

Richard Gere as Billy Flynn

American actor Richard Gere played the role of Billy Flynn who was a duplicitous, smooth-talking lawyer who turns his clients into celebrities to gain public support for them.

The role was clearly big boots to fill and filmmakers originally wanted Michael Jackson to play the role. They also offered the part to John Travolta however he turned it down.

Following the success of the film, and after winning his first Golden Globe award for the role, Richard continued to have a steady career but he also starred in films that were deemed to be flops.

In September 2013, after 11 years of marriage, the actor split from his wife Carey Lowell. The pair spent three years in highly contested divorce proceedings in New York County Supreme Court.

However, in early April 2018, Gere married Spanish activist Alejandra Silva and in August 2018 they announced that they were expecting their first child. together.

In April 2020, the birth of their second son was reported by the press.

Richard also has a child from his first marriage.

Queen Latifah as Matron “Mama” Morton

Musician and actress Queen Latifah played the corrupt but nurturing matron of the Cook County Jail.

Queen Latifah was already known for her singing and rapping capabilities but, after Chicago, she was certainly catapulted into Hollywood royalty

In 2003, the actress went on to star alongside Steve Martin in Bringing Down the House. She also appeared in Hairspray and Last Holiday.

Away from the limelight, the Ice Age star was often the centre of controversy as many questions surrounded her regarding her sexuality.

However, Latifah refused to address speculation around her personal life.

Speaking to The New York Times in 2008, she said: “I don’t feel like I need to share my personal life, and I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not.”

In 2021, while at the BET Awards 2021, during her acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award, she publicly acknowledged her partner Eboni Nichols and son Rebel for the first time, ending the speech with “happy Pride!”.

John C. Reilly as Amos Hart

Actor John C. Reilly played the loveable role of Amos Hart who was Roxie’s devoted husband in the movie.

The star has continued to have a steady career and has also voiced animated films too.

After Chicago’s release, as a lover of comedy, John also made sure he continued to embark on his comedic career and appeared in Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! from 2007 to 2010.

He also starred in parody bio-pic Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, singing various songs, parodying musicians Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and others.

In 2018, the star went on to appear in Stan & Ollie where he played one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Talking about his career previously in 2019, the actor said: “I am a sensitive person, I am not up to the task of being as macho as Gene Hackman!”

Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine

Comedic actress Christine Baranski played reporter Mary Sunshine who couldn’t wait to get her hands on a sensational story.

The star continued to have a prolific career in Hollywood and received further recognition for her role as Tanya Chesham-Leigh in the hit musical film Mamma Mia! in 2008 and its sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 10 years later.

From 2009 to 2016, the Hollywood star played the role of Diane Lockhart, a top litigator and senior partner of a Chicago law firm on the CBS series The Good Wife.

Not only this but the star was also nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for six seasons of the series, in the years of 2010 to 2015.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk