Swimfan cast: Where are they now?

Swimfan, then and now

The year 2002 was a great one for film: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, A Beautiful Mind, Monster's Ball...and the critically-panned thriller Swimfan all hit the big — er, blue — screen. No, really, the screen is tinted blue throughout the entire film. Fatal Attraction comparisons aside, Swimfan's psycho-drama for the teens is unironic camp at its best — and here's what the cast is up to now.

Erika Christensen (Madison Bell)

After fulfilling the arc of every mistress in a thrilling love-triangle drama (read: super dead), Erika Christensen had a few roles on the short-lived TV dramas Six Degrees and Wicked City.

However, you'll definitely remember her more as Julie, the youngest daughter of the Braverman family on NBC's Parenthood, for which she won a Gracie Award in 2014. The actress has gone on to star on the ABC dramas Ten Days in the Valley and Will Trent.

Jesse Bradford (Ben Cronin)

Though he starred in all the teen movies of your dreams in the late-'90s and early-'00s — Romeo + Juliet (1996), Bring It On (2000), Clockstoppers (2002), and, of course, Swimfan — Jesse Bradford seems to have graduated from the teen circuit.

Since Swimfan, Bradford has gotten out of the pool and taken on more mature material including Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers (2006), an arc on The West Wing, an appearance in I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009), and a role on the short-lived sitcom Guys With Kids.

Bradford also had a recurring role on USA's Shooter and starred alongside Katie Lowes in the 2022 Hulu rom-com Merry Kiss Cam.

Shiri Appleby (Amy Miller)

After the excessive campiness of Swimfan, Amy (Shiri Appleby) left high school and Ben Cronin behind (let's be honest, he was kind of the worst) and ended up featuring in some super grown-up movies like Havoc (2005) and Charlie Wilson's War (2007).

Appleby also had a controversial guest arc on Lena Dunham's Girls as Adam's (Adam Driver) girlfriend, as well as a recurring role on Chicago Fire. She seems to have found her calling in television, starring in Lifetime's critically acclaimed UnREAL as conflicted reality show producer Rachel Goldberg, which earned her a Critics Choice nomination. In addition to acting, she has worked as a television director, helming episodes of UnREAL, New Amsterdam, The Wonder Years, Young Sheldon, and more.

Appleby has also periodically taken on film roles, in such projects as The Meddler (2016) and Your Place or Mine (2023).

Clayne Crawford (Josh)

The resident jock frenemy doesn't last through the end of the film (was that really a surprise?) but the actor who portrayed him went on to thrive in film and television.

Clayne Crawford's notable films include A Walk to Remember (2002), A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004), The Perfect Host (2010), and The Killing of Two Lovers (2020). He also costarred with Damon Wayans on Fox's Lethal Weapon reboot — though, after reported misbehavior on the set, he was fired after two seasons.

The actor also starred on the critically acclaimed Sundance drama Rectify, for which he earned a Critics Choice nomination.

Dan Hedaya (Coach Simkins)

Both before and after his take on the standard unpleasant high school coach, Dan Hedaya has enjoyed a successful career as a staple character actor on film (with a handful of guest roles on TV as well, including turns on Gotham, The Mindy Project, Blue Bloods, and Odd Mom Out).

Still, he's remembered best for his pre-Swimfan role as Cher Horowitz's (Alicia Silverstone) father, litigator Mel Horowitz, in 1995's Clueless. Additional film appearances include The Humbling (2014) and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).

James DeBello (Christopher)

The true hero (and Armie Hammer lookalike) of this story didn't quite get his due as a breakout star, unfortunately.

Since playing Madison's cousin, James DeBello appeared as Cliff in National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze (2003) and National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 (2006) alongside Danielle Fishel. He also starred in Eli Roth's 2002 horror film Cabin Fever in addition to a slew of independent films over the years.