The beloved '90s sitcom The Nanny has become a pop culture cult classic with its likeable
cast and hilarious script. Since its end, the cast of the show have gone on to have
various careers on-screen and off. Here are the stars you might not recognize from The
Nanny today.
Fran Drescher took the '90s era by storm with her iconic nasally voice and eccentric personality.
"You like? I borrowed it from my cousin, Miss Long Island 1989.”
Largely known for her comedy, Drescher became a powerhouse in the world of sitcoms when
she played the colorful Nanny Fine from Flushing who stumbled into the lives of the Sheffields.
Since The Nanny, the comedy queen has had a consistent run of sitcoms, though most of
them short-lived, including Living with Fran in 2005, Happily Divorced in 2011, and Indebted
in 2020, the last of which was canceled after one season. Though Drescher's professional
and personal lives have had ups and downs, from a divorce to a battle with uterine cancer,
she has continued to thrive on and off camera.
Maxwell Sheffield was the handsome theater producer with an accent that melted the hearts
of viewers since the first episode of The Nanny premiered. Played by Charles Shaughnessy
, the tense will-they, won't-they romance between Fran Fine and himself was the heartbeat
of the '90s comedy classic. Though the show ended in 1999, Shaughnessy has kept busy since
his days as playing Mr. Sheffield, with a myriad of roles, including a stint on Mad
Men in 2008, as Saint John Powell.
The London native has also found recent success on the SYFY series The Magicians, where he
guest-starred as Christopher Plover.
The Nanny found its dose of weekly witticisms from its sardonic butler, Niles. Daniel Davis
brought the character life, donning a British accent despite being born and raised in Arkansas.
His dynamic relationship with Mr. Sheffield's work partner, C.C. Babcock, gave the show
another layer of witty insults and comebacks, keeping audiences on their toes for six seasons.
"I see you're working hard as always, Miss Babcock."
Since The Nanny, Davis has had minor roles in TV and movies, as well as gigs on stage.
He's enjoyed stints in The Blacklist, Gotham, and The Prestige, to name a few. He also starred
in the play Noises Off in 2016. Though Davis is a seasoned actor with a decades-long career,
he is still best known for the punchy one-liners from The Nanny.
While not necessarily a fan favorite of The Nanny, C.C. Babcock held her own against the
eccentrics of Fran Fine and the sharp tongue of Niles. Played by Lauren Lane, Babcock found
herself in over-the-top situations, including a seasons-long battle with an unrequited crush
on theater producer Mr. Sheffield. While Lane hasn't appeared in anything as big as The
Nanny since the show ended, she has certainly kept busy with a slew of other projects, appearing
in shorts The Cutting Room in 2001 and Dress Code in 2019.
Lane found more success in the theater world, working closely with ZACH Theatre in Austin,
Texas, while simultaneously teaching at Texas State University. The comedy actress starred
in August: Osage County and The Vagina Monologues before appearing in the award-winning comedy
God of Carnage as Veronica Novak in 2011.
The oldest of the Sheffield children was the lovable shy teen Maggie, played by Nicholle
Tom. Maggie was known for breaking out of her shell after developing a close relationship
with Fran, allowing her character to blossom along the show's six-year run. Though finding
success in the early years of her career, Tom has had a slew of minor roles that have
kept her busy since the end of The Nanny, including a minor role in The Princess Diaries.
Tom also voiced Supergirl in the animated series Justice League Unlimited from 2004
to 2006.
Tom found footing in a larger part for the IFC series The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie
Woodman in 2006.
Benjamin Salisbury brought the mischievous little brother on The Nanny, Brighton Sheffield,
to life from a young age. He appeared in minor roles before landing the spot on the show,
where he grew up in front of the camera over the long-running hit sitcom's run. But finding
success at a young age didn't translate over into his older years as an actor, as Salisbury
has been largely missing from the limelight since his stint on The Nanny.
Aside from a few small roles, Salisbury was largely out of the public eye until the 2020
reunion table read for The Nanny, during which core members of the cast reunited to read
the script from the pilot episode.
Madeline Zima played the youngest Sheffield, Gracie, a precocious child who often found
herself in existential crises throughout the series, though she finds new meaning in life
when Fran Fine stumbles onto the scene. Zima has had an illustrious career since the show's
end, with various major and minor roles in TV and film, breaking out of the child star
mold and transforming into a full-blown actress.
The years following The Nanny saw the star grow up and eventually land a part in Californication
in 2007 as the rebellious Mia Lewis, shocking fans with scenes and further distancing herself
from her wholesome sitcom past. Zima also co-starred David Lynch's 2017 revival of the
cult classic Twin Peaks, and the Netflix drama You in 2019.
Hilarious and quick-witted, Renée Taylor dazzled on the small screen with her portrayal
of Fran Fine's mother, Sylvia Fine. Taylor's performance on The Nanny gave a lasting impression
on viewers, but her career has spanned decades, making her a long-time force in Hollywood.
Though Fran Drescher is best known for her iconic nasally voice, Taylor's is equally
iconic, and she has lent her voice to many characters over the years, although none are
as notable as her stint voicing Linda's mother Gloria in animated hit Bob's Burgers.
Since The Nanny, Taylor has also found success on the stage, adapting her own memoir into
the acclaimed one-woman show My Life on a Diet.
Val Toriello , played by Rachel Chagall , was Fran Fine's aloof but loveable best friend
and partner in crime throughout the series. Chagall's supporting role was another layer
of comedy gold for the sitcom, and she is easily still a fan favorite, as fans remember
how her plucky personality colored the lives of the Sheffields. Though her time on The
Nanny was lauded, the former comedy actress has only appeared in a few small roles since.
Though she hasn't acted much in recent years, Chagall reappeared to the public eye during
The Nanny table read in 2020, reprising her role as Val.
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus, even more List videos about your favorite
sitcom stars are coming soon. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you
don't miss a single one.