Back in the heady days of 2009, when streaming numbers had just overtaken DVD rentals for Netflix and just before the worst effects of the 2008 crash were really starting to bite, 20th Century Fox released the feel-good comedy I Love You, Beth Cooper. The classic teen romp had a tight but talented cast that elevated the Chris Columbus vehicle from just another high school film into a sleeper hit, almost rivaling the impact of Superbad which had come out a couple of years earlier to fill the American Pie-shaped void in popular culture.
While the cast was a combination of up-and-coming names and established actors, in the decade plus since the film’s release its stars have gone on to have successful careers, with some working consistently while others have retreated a little more into the shadows. If you were a geek in 2009 who was hoping to get the girl (or boy) and found solace in I Love You, Beth Cooper, or if you just enjoyed the film and want to know what happened to the cast, then read ahead to find out where the I Love You Beth Cooper cast is now.
Hayden Panettiere – Beth Cooper
When I Love You, Beth Cooper was released, Hayden Panettiere wasn’t just the star of the movie but by far the hottest name in the cast. After a successful child acting career that included roles in Ally McBeal, Malcolm in the Middle, and Remember the Titans, and while trying to push her fledgeling musical career off the ground, she was cast as Claire Bennet in the NBC series Heroes, launching her profile into the stratosphere.
After her turn as the popular yet complex Beth she worked consistently for a few years, delivering excellent performances in the television series Nashville and being one of the only bright spots in Scream 4. However, Panettiere was desperate to show off her range, telling Contactmusic “If I don’t get out of this category [cheerleader] pretty quickly, it will just get more and more difficult to be seen as anything besides a cheerleader.” While Nashville gave her a chance to display her acting talents, jobs in other productions weren’t coming as easily, although she did take on the controversial role of Amanda Knox in the film of the same name. During this time she also began an on-again, off-again relationship with former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she has a daughter.
Panettiere has been open about her mental health struggles, with the biggest example of this being a candid interview she did with Good Morning America about suffering from post-partum depression after the birth of her daughter. This all culminated in a break from acting and the limelight in general. However, fans will be happy to know that she’s recently appeared in the newest film in the Scream franchise, and she continues to do important activism work around women’s mental health and domestic violence.
Paul Rust – Dennis Cooverman
While Panettiere was already an established star by the time I Love You, Beth Cooper was released, her geeky co-star Paul Rust was still making a name for himself in Hollywood and beyond. Prior to the film he’d had small roles in massive hits like Semi-Pro and Inglorious Basterds, but his turn as valedictorian Dennis Cooverman was his first chance at being a leading man in a major film – and he grasped it with both hands, delivering a humorous yet real performance as the lovestruck Dennis.
Rust has since garnered a fair amount of acclaim by being involved in several well-received productions, including writing and starring in the Judd Apatow-produced Love on Netflix (he wrote the show alongside his wife, fellow comedy writer Lesley Arfin). However, for the most part he’s gone back to his comedy roots, writing for series like Arrested Development and continuing to perform improv with the Upright Citizens Brigade, which has produced a slew of incredible comedic actors like Aubrey Plaza, Ben Schwartz, and Donald Glover. He also had several smaller roles in film and television, and co-wrote and acted in Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, so it’s been a successful few years for the comedic actor.
Jack Carpenter – Rich Munsch
When he took on the role of sexually confused Rich Munsch, Jack Carpenter wasn’t exactly a big name, but with this hilarious performance his acting career since has been more consistent than explosive in the past few years. In the time since I Love You, Beth Cooper, Jack has had parts in shows like Law and Order and The Good Wife, the latter of which gave him a five-episode run. His biggest role since the film was in the 2016 Gilmore Girls mini-series, which took viewers back to Stars Hollow for one last time.
Lauren Storm – Treece
Lauren Storm had a whole host of excellent credits to her name as a child actor before taking on the role of Beth’s friend Treece in I Love You Beth Cooper. Another Malcolm in the Middle alum, she’d also had roles in shows like 24 and CSI: Miami by the time she was cast in the film, as well as co-starring in Whore with Megan Fox the previous year.
However, since I Love You, Beth Cooper Lauren seems to be focusing more on being an acting coach and supporting causes she feels are closest to her heart, raising money for organizations like the Make a Wish Foundation. Her last acting gig was in 2017.
Lauren London – Cammy
Lauren London was already one of the most famous cast members of I Love You, Beth Cooper thanks to her appearances in music videos with superstars like Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, and Pharrell Williams, as well as a big role in the film ATL and appearances in shows like 90210 and Everybody Hates Chris. After appearing as Beth’s popular friend Cammy she’s been a mainstay on both the big and small screen, having scored parts in multiple films and television shows, as well as landing the starring role in the CW show The Game. Recently, she starred alongside Jonah Hill in the Netflix film You People, which has been one of the early streaming hits of 2023.
Shawn Roberts – Kevin
The villain of I Love You, Beth Cooper and also one of the funniest performers in it, Shawn Roberts probably has the longest resume of the cast, with dozens of credits to his name across film and television. Before taking on the role of Beth’s soldier boyfriend in the film, the Canadian actor had worked on tons of iconic children’s and teen television shows, including Goosebumps, Degrassi: The Next Generation, and Flash Gordon. His big screen roles were just as impressive too, having worked on Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Jumper, and even the 2000 X-Men film.
After playing meathead Kevin, Roberts went on to carve a bit of a niche out for himself in the zombie film world, with roles in the Resident Evil franchise and a slew of other films about our undead friends. He’s been steadily working in television as well, with his most recent appearance being on the CBC show Murdoch Mysteries in 2022.
Alan Ruck – Mr. C
While Hayden Panattiere was the hottest name in I Love You, Beth Cooper, Alan Ruck had undoubtedly been in the most popular film out of all the cast, having played Cameron in the iconic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Between that unforgettable role and becoming the slightly inappropriate, albeit loving, dad in I Love You, Beth Cooper, he was also in Speed and Twister – quite the resume!
Since the 2009 teen comedy Ruck has worked on a number of highly successful films and television shows, but his best, most popular, and most recent role is as Connor Roy on HBO’s Succession. His portrayal of the slightly dim yet incredibly entitled eldest child of the Roy clan has led to praise from viewers and critics, while also giving him the chance to show off a surprising range. The eagerly anticipated fourth season of Succession will be out in March this year, so we’ll be seeing Ruck back on our screens in no time.
Marie Avgeropoulos – Valli Wooley
Avgeropoulos was practically an acting newbie when she landed the role of vain, rich Valli in I Love You, Beth Cooper. Prior to the 2009 comedy, she’d only acted in commercials in her native Canada, a job she only got after going to an open casting with a friend, but since the film’s success she’s been getting consistent work in film and television on both sides of the border.
In 2015, after a few bit-part roles in television in the U.S. and Canada (and dating Twilight star Taylor Lautner), she was given a leading role in the post-apocalyptic CW series The 100. The series ran for exactly 100 episodes and Avgeropoulos appeared in 95 as the fiercely independent Octavia. Since the show was cancelled in 2020 she hasn’t worked much, although is slated to appear in the John Kennedy Toole biopic Butterfly in the Typewriter alongside Nick Offerman.
