Christopher Guest combines his talented ensemble cast from Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind for this improvised comedy, Best in Show. His cast shines throughout this comedy masterpiece, from Catherine O’Hara as a condescending trophy wife to Fred Willard as an eccentric color commentator.
Some have gone on to more traditional roles since the film’s 2000 premiere; here’s what they’re up to now.
John Michael Higgins
Best in Show comprises an impressive roster of iconic actors and actresses, many of whom have gone on to appear in other movies or television shows, earning Emmy Award nominations along the way. You can learn more about them by clicking their names; photos and additional information about each actor/actress are available on their pages.
Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy collaborated on this mockumentary that parodied the world of dog shows with its humorous mockumentary format, featuring an ensemble cast. The movie proved both commercially successful and earned critical acclaim, an outstanding showcase for Guest’s gift for improvisation comedy.
Catherine O’Hara stars as Cookie Fleck, an unconventional woman with a Norwich terrier named Beatrice who marries Eugene Levy despite having two left feet (though Eugene doesn’t mind). Scott Donlan, a gay couple with their pet Shih Tzu named Miss Agnes, takes great pride in their pet and believes she will win the competition.
John Michael Higgins is an American actor and voice actor best known for his roles on Laverne & Shirley as Leonard Kosnowski and Spinal Tap’s David St. Hubbins (both on Laverne & Shirley). Additionally, he has made guest appearances on Young Sheldon and Teachers and is currently appearing as Chuck Pierce on the NBC sitcom Great News.
He voices Judge Mentok in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, and 2401 Penitent Tangent from Halo 2. Additionally, he has appeared in films like Fun with Dick and Jane Plus One Book Club and Making Babies.
Michael McKean
Christopher Guest’s Best in Show remains a hilarious look at competitive dog shows after two decades, boasting an array of comedy legends such as those seen in Waiting for Guffman; its cast also includes many talented improvisers; James McKean stands out among them and plays a pivotal role in making this film work.
He’s best known for playing Lenny Kosnowski on Laverne & Shirley, but he also had multiple recurring roles across movies and TV shows. Guest has often collaborated with him, co-starring in This Is Spinal Tap A Mighty Wind, among others. This gifted composer/musician/writer has also written for numerous films.
McKean has also appeared on Arrested Development and Spinal Tap. Additionally, he played David St. Hubbins in the movie version. Additionally, he’s had roles as Sleazy MC for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and as one of Jerry & Marge Go Large’s retiree neighbors.
Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara round out the cast of Best in Show. Levy may be best known to modern audiences for his role as Jonny Rose on American Pie and for co-creating Schitt’s Creek on Netflix with his son Dan. Additionally, Levy had a recurring role on Scrubs and several movies and TV shows.
O’Hara is another well-known face in the Best in Show cast, best known for her roles as Cookie Fleck on Josie and the Pussycats, Superman Returns, and Boston Legal; however, she also excels at writing and improvising.
Catherine O’Hara
Catherine O’Hara is an award-winning actress best known for her comedic performances. Since 1974, she has been performing and began with improvisational comedy – appearing with Second City Toronto and SCTV sketch shows and voice work in Tim Burton’s stop-motion fantasy film, The Nightmare Before Christmas.
O’Hara made several appearances in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind, as part of an award-winning comedy trio with Guest and Eugene Levy that became one of the most successful comedy trios of the 90s.
Best in Show stars O’Hara as Cookie Guggelman Fleck, whose long list of former relationships is one of its running gags. She and Levy play a husband-and-wife team who write songs about Winky the Terrier before competing at dog shows; these characters act as an allegory for competitive dog fanciers who often exhibit vast wealth and social isolation.
Parker Posey makes for a highly comedic Meg Swan in Best in Show. Her character pokes fun at contestants’ misguided music careers, ventriloquism, and “American B**ch” magazine for lesbian purebred pet owners.
Posey has recently appeared in various films and television shows as the lead character on NBC’s Schitt’s Creek. She and her co-stars are receiving critical acclaim for the series; Posey herself has received multiple nominations and awards, including an Emmy nod, Golden Globe win, and even nominations to run for President! Her performance on Schitt’s Creek stands as some of her finest work to date.
Parker Posey
Parker Posey has enjoyed a distinguished and prolific acting career. She has appeared in countless films and TV shows, such as Christopher Guest’s comedy Best in Show. Additionally, she’s widely recognized for her role on Will and Grace on NBC and numerous Broadway plays starring her, such as Taller Than a Dwarf by Elaine May and Hurlyburly by David Rabe.
She is best known for her roles in big-screen films like Dazed and Confused and American Pie, for which she won several awards and nominations.
Best in Show stars Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara as two acclaimed actors who make for an entertaining look into competitive dog shows with its hilarious antics, featuring many comedy stars – not to mention its cast of hilarious comedians – making for a fantastic mockumentary film that will please lovers of dogs or mockumentary films alike.
Christopher Guest and co-writer Eugene Levy follow up their 1996 hit Waiting for Guffman by creating another competition-themed film; many of the same stars reprised their roles for this hilarious look at dog show life.
Parker Posey stands out as an outstanding performer in this film. Her performance as both actress and comedian while still maintaining her trademark vulnerability is truly exceptional. Posey is known to masterfully access the innermost emotions of her characters to produce flawless portrayals; additionally, she’s known as a warm and welcoming colleague who’s great fun to work with – this makes working with her even easier! Her future in entertainment remains bright; watch for more stars to emerge soon enough!
Jennifer Coolidge
Christopher Guest brings back many of his talented improv players from Waiting for Guffman for this hilarious takedown of competitive dog shows. The cast improvises much of its dialogue; these scenes are supplemented with interviews that feature comedy icons or people with other forms of success who provide consultations themselves.
John Michael Higgins, known for playing Scott Donlan on Best in Show, is now an accomplished character actor. His credits include roles in modern comedies such as Community and Arrested Development, Broadway productions, and being known for appearing in American Pie film series films.
Catherine O’Hara, best known for playing Cookie Fleck in Best in Show, has enjoyed an extensive career both on television and film. She became an Emmy Award winner as part of Schitt’s Creek and has appeared as an actor in many other comedic flicks.
Coolidge, best known for her roles as Tanya McQuoid in the American Pie film series and Legally Blonde and as Jodi in Jerry Seinfeld’s series, where she portrays a masseuse with several men as clients, is also an established comedy actress.
Michael McKean and Eugene Levy co-wrote this film together, with Michael best known for his starring role on Schitt’s Creek, while Levy has multiple comedy credits.
Parker Posey plays the hysterically hilarious Parker Posey as part of a neurotic couple who compete in a dog show. Her husband suffers from high-stress levels and nervous ticks, while Parker herself has an addiction to chocolate. Parker Posey’s performance was an astounding combination of pathos and silliness that proved popular enough that she went on to star in several comedy movies and TV shows, including Role Models, Single All the Way, and Wreck-It Ralph.
