Lacey Chabert has had a long career in show business. Starting out as Erica Kane’s daughter on All My Children, the actress became a popular child star in the 1990s. Today, she is one of the most popular leading actresses in Hallmark Channel original movies, including the network’s holiday movies. Chabert also lends her voice to animated cartoons and television programs.
Regardless of how fans know her, they are following her well-rounded career. Chabert can do it all and she is not just a “mean girl” or the Queen of Hallmark Channel movies.
Claudia Salinger: Party Of Five (1994 - 2000) – 6.8
Party of Five was a popular family drama series in the 1990s, focusing on the Salinger siblings as they become orphans after their parents tragically die in a car accident. The siblings are all different, but they must work together to survive on their own.
At the start of the series, Chabert played 11-year-old Claudia, a child musical prodigy. As she grows older, she struggles to find her own way in life. What does she want to do with her life? Fans who watched the drama in the 90s will always remember Chabert from the emotional, yet hopeful, show.
Coorah: Kulipari: An Army Of Frogs (2016) – 6.9
Fans might not know that Chabert spends just as much time inside a recording booth, performing voiceover work for animated shows, as she does in front of the camera. For example, from 1998 to 2004, she starred as Eliza Thornberry on the popular Nickelodeon animated series, The Wild Thornberrys.
In 2016, Chabert starred as Coorah in the short-lived Netflix animated series, Kulipari: An Army of Frogs. The show focused on a group of frogs in the hidden village of Amphibilands. For years, they lived comfortably on their own, protected by an elite group of poison frogs called Kulipari. However, that all changes due to threats from an army of scorpions and the powerful Spider Queen. Only the hero, Darel, can save everyone. Chabert voices Coorah, Darel’s close friend who has skills in medicine. The show only had 13 episodes, but it was a fun adventure.
Gina Kell: The Color Of Rain (2014) – 7.0
Chabert is one of the most popular leading actresses in Hallmark Channel’s original movies. She often stars in fun, lighthearted holiday romances, so it’s rare for her to star in a tragic love story for the channel.
In the emotional 2014 film, The Color of Rain, Chabert stars as Gina Kell, a widow whose husband died from cancer on Christmas Day. She starts volunteering at her kids’ elementary school to cope with the loss. That’s where she meets fellow widower Michael Spehn (Warren Christie). Together, the families grow close and Gina and Michael learn that it is possible to find love again.
Tess Harper: Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Murder (2019) – 7.0
When Chabert isn’t starring in Hallmark Channel romances, she’s starring in a murder mystery series for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Crossword Mysteries. Tess Harper is a crossword puzzle editor and she finds clues for a murder mystery based on a crossword puzzle left behind. She teams up with detective Logan O’Connor (Brennan Elliott) to solve the case.
The series has resulted in two sequels, including Proposing Murder. Tess dives further into Logan’s murder investigations. The movie adds more suspense and thrilling adventures to the series.
Gretchen Wieners: Mean Girls (2004) – 7.0
Chabert is also well known for co-starring in the 2004 teen comedy, Mean Girls. Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) experiences public school in America for the first time, and she realizes it’s drastically different than her life in Africa.
She somehow becomes “friends” with the clique known as “the Plastics,” led by Regina George (Rachel McAdams). Chabert plays Gretchen Wieners, Regina’s closest friend and she spends the whole movie wanting Regina’s acceptance. She loves to gossip, which sometimes backfires on her. Regina might have been the queen of North Shore High School, but many fans agree that Gretchen was truly the best character in the movie.
Jenny Fintley: All Of My Heart: The Wedding (2018) – 7.1
In 2014, Chabert starred as Jenny Fintley in the Hallmark Channel original movie, All of My Heart. Jenny is a caterer who unexpectedly inherits a country cottage. She becomes instant enemies with a Wall Street trader, Brian Howell (Brennan Elliott), as she tries to restore the cottage into an inn. However, like most Hallmark Channel movies, they become an adorable couple.
Their love story continues in two movie sequels, including the 2018 conclusion, All of My Heart: The Wedding. As Jenny and Brian’s wedding approaches, they might have to sell their inn due to financial issues. Fans loved Jenny’s charming personality in the series.
Princess Xiao: Kung Fu Panda: The Paws Of Destiny (2019) – 7.6
In 2019, Chabert performed voice work as Princess Xiao for the short-lived Amazon Prime Video web series, Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny. As a part of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, the animated show followed four young pandas as they accidentally absorb the spirits of ancient kung fu masters. Can they learn kung fu and be like their ancestors?
Chabert voiced Princess Xiao for 10 episodes of the show’s first and only season. It might not be the most memorable show of Chabert’s career, but she helped entertain children as the respectful, caring Princess Xiao. She always saw the good in others, just like many of Chabert’s roles.
Meg Griffin: Family Guy (1999 - 2000) – 8.1
Family Guy is one of the longest-running animated sitcoms on television. The show follows the comical, twisted adventures of the Griffin family. Chabert was the original voice actress for Meg Griffin, the oldest daughter in the Griffin family. Meg is sometimes neglected by the family and bullied by her schoolmates.
Chabert left the show after its first season due to her commitment to Party of Five. She was replaced by Mila Kunis, who further developed Meg into the character fans know and love.
Gwen Stacy: The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008 - 2009) – 8.1
The animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man follows Peter Parker (voiced by Josh Keaton) as a teenager as he learns about his powers as Spider-Man. At the same time, he tries his best to keep his superpower a secret from his friends, including Gwen Stacy, voiced by Chabert.
In the Spider-Man comic strips, Gwen is a college student who is murdered by the Green Goblin. Her death haunts Peter. Chabert delivered a memorable performance as Gwen, including some changes from the original comic strips. She played the character for the show’s two seasons.
Zatanna Zatara: Young Justice (2011 - 2019) – 8.6
The Cartoon Network series Young Justice focuses on a group of teenage superheroes and their sidekicks who serve as a younger version of the Justice League. During the show’s first two seasons, Chabert voiced Zatanna Zatara, the daughter of Giovanni “John” Zatara featured in the Action Comics.
Zatanna is a skilled magician, clearly inheriting her father’s abilities. Eventually, Chabert left the show to pursue other interests, and Zatanna joined the Justice League. In 2019, Chabert returned to the show for three episodes and fans were delighted to hear her voice again in the fun superhero cartoon.