Elaine Hendrix Shares the Special Reason Why She’s Grateful for “The Parent Trap” 28 Years Later (Exclusive)

Lily Brown, Sabienna BowmanWed, September 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

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Elaine Hendrix at The Walt Disney Company 78th Emmy Awards Party held at Vibiana on Sept. 14, 2026Credit: Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty -

Elaine Hendrix says meeting Lisa Ann Walter on set gave her a best friend for life

Hendrix never expected Meredith Blake to become such an enduring pop culture figure

She is open to joining Walter onscreen in Abbott Elementary but says the decision is not hers

Meredith Blake may have been The Parent Trap’s ultimate villain, but Elaine Hendrix walked away from the beloved 1998 movie with something far more valuable: a best friend for life.

Twenty-eight years after the Nancy Meyers classic hit theaters, Hendrix, 55, still looks back on her time making the film with plenty of fondness. And while she never could have predicted just how iconic Meredith — the stylish woman who nearly came between reunited twins Hallie and Annie’s parents — would become, the most special part of the experience was something that happened behind the scenes.

“If I had to choose one, I would say it’s finding my bestie,” Hendrix tells PEOPLE, referring to Lisa Ann Walter, who played Chessy, the longtime housekeeper and confidante to Elizabeth James (Natasha Richardson). “Lisa Ann Walter and I met on that movie. I just can’t even imagine what my life would be like without her. I don’t even want to try to imagine that. So that takes the number one spot.”

Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter on April 27, 2026Credit: Oliver Rodriguez/Shutterstock

In The Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan made her film debut playing identical twins, who were separated when their parents divorced and eventually discover each other at summer camp. After realizing they’re sisters, the twins secretly switch places and hatch a plan to reunite their parents, Nick Parker (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth, while attempting to prevent Nick from marrying Meredith.

Hendrix couldn’t have known at the time just how much staying power the movie — or her character — would have.

Lisa Ann Walter, Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid and Elaine Hendrix in ‘The Parent Trap’Credit: Disney

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“That movie was made back in the day when they were really still making movies,” she says. “I mean, we filmed six months on that and we were in incredible locations in a beautiful wardrobe, and with a fantastic cast, and Nancy and Charles just really knowing how to make top-notch movies.”

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She adds, “We could have never predicted the legs that it would have. Certainly how my character ended up becoming this iconic figure, I just would’ve never known all of that.”

Elaine Hendrix in ‘The Parent Trap’Credit: Disney

Meredith may have been the woman standing between Nick and Elizabeth’s happily-ever-after, but Hendrix’s real-life experience on the film gave her something much more lasting.

“I just can’t even imagine what my life would be like without her,” she says of Walter, 63.

The two have remained close in the years since filming wrapped, supporting each other through career milestones, from Hendrix’s season of Dancing with the Stars to red carpet appearances. Now, with Walter starring on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, Hendrix is more than ready for the chance to reunite with her best friend onscreen.

“Yeah, I get asked that a lot and that is also above my pay grade,” Hendrix says when asked about appearing on the sitcom. “I don’t actually call the shots on those things. And so, I don’t know. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t, but I’m always game. That would be amazing just because I know everyone now on the show, and of course I love Lisa.”

For now, the actress recently joined ABC’s R.J. Decker as Janis, an attorney who was revealed to be the person behind the murder of Victor, answering a mystery that had been hanging over the series. The role also gave Hendrix another chance to work within the Disney family, something she’s particularly happy about after years of projects with the company.

“I’m always happy to be in the ABC Disney family. Oh my gosh, I’ve done many, many, many, many projects for them. And so I’m always happy to be in the House of the Mouse,” she jokes.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”