PHOTOS: The Cast of ‘The American President’ Then & Now

We are taking a look at “The American President,” which premiered in theaters in November 1995. This political romance movie was something that hooked many fans. The late Rob Reiner was the director, and Aaron Sorkin wrote the movie.

We got to see Michael Douglas play President Andrew Shepherd, with Annette Bening playing Sydney Ellen Wade, the lobbyist who wins over his heart. The ensemble featured some big names, including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, and Richard Dreyfuss.

It’s been 30 years since this movie first won over fans, so what does “The American President” cast look like now? Check it out below.

Michael Douglas as President Andrew Shepherd

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The star of the movie, Michael Douglas, played President Andrew Shepherd. President Shepherd was the charming type of leader who also seemed to have some swagger.

At the time of this premiere, Douglas was already someone people recognized. He had a plethora of hit movies under his belt, like “Fatal Attraction”, “Basic Instinct,” and “Wall Street.” Many fans noticed the shift in roles, as he went from the bad boy to the more down-to-earth character in “The American President.”

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We don’t see as much of Douglas nowadays, but he is still a busy man. Douglas had a role in the 2025 movie “Looking Through Water.” He also played Benjamin Franklin in the 2024 Apple TV+ miniseries “Franklin.”

You can also find Douglas running his production company, Further Films, and spending time with his family.

Annette Bening as Sydney Ellen Wade

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Annette Bening starred as Sydney Ellen Wade, an environmental lobbyist who just moved to Washington, D.C. She happens to steal the president’s heart during the movie, but also the hearts of all the viewers, too.

Bening was considered one of Hollywood’s most intelligent leading ladies. This performance seemed to confirm that thought. 

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At 67, Bening remains a shining presence in front of the camera. She received several award nominations for her role in the 2023 Netflix movie “Nyad.”

She isn’t slowing down either, as she has signed on to star in the TV series “The Dutton Ranch,” which is a spinoff of the hit TV show “Yellowstone.” The show is set to premiere in 2026, with this being the first big TV role in Bening’s career.

Martin Sheen as A.J. MacInerney

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A.J. MacInerney was the President’s Chief of Staff in the movie, and he was played by Martin Sheen. This happened to be good practice for Sheen, who went on to star as President Josiah Bartlet in the hit TV show “The West Wing.”

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Sheen has been acting for decades and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. We still see him in movies and on television. He starred in the 2024 comedy “Lost & Found in Cleveland,” and was part of the “Wild Cards” cast in 2025.

Michael J. Fox as Lewis Rothschild

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At this point, Michael J. Fox was known for his teen roles and comedy roles. He wanted to take on more serious and mature roles, so he signed on to play Lewis Rothschild, the president’s trusty and quick-witted aide.

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Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the 1990s. However, he remains employed, even landing a role during the third season of the hit Apple TV+ comedy-drama “Shrinking.” He also ventured into writing, with the book “Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum” and his memoir titled “Lucky Man.”

Richard Dreyfuss as Senator Bob Rumson

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Richard Dreyfuss played Senator Bob Rumson, the political rival of President Shepherd. Dreyfuss came into the movie having already won an Oscar, so he was bringing some seriousness and star power to the role. He was also known for playing these strong, morally challenged-type characters.

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Dreyfuss is now 78 years old and still working in the business. While he was in the 2025 thriller “Into the Deep,” he had to postpone a July 2025 appearance at SharkCon. This was due to a case of bronchitis.

Why ‘The American President’ Still Matters

Because of its insightful writing, outstanding acting, and fantastic perspective on public duty and personal life, “The American President” is still a popular political romance. Thirty years later, the film still has an impact thanks to the cast’s long-lasting careers and their contributions to entertainment and other fields.

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