Side-By-Side Pics Of The Cast Of The Nanny, Then And Now

"The Nanny" is one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1990s. Created by and starring Fran Drescher, the series followed Fran Fine, who becomes a nanny for the children of a prominent Broadway producer. Fran's unique way of dealing with the children's problems, her slow-burn romance with patriarch Maxwell Sheffield, and excellent comedic chemistry with the entire ensemble cast all made the show beloved by many. Alongside Fran, the other women of "The Nanny" were the show's backbone, especially when it came to comedy. Lauren Lane's antagonistic C.C. Babcock proved to be the perfect verbal sparring partner for Fran and, more often, the family's butler Niles; Fran's mother Sylvia and grandmother Yetta (portrayed by Renée Taylor and Ann Morgan Guilbert, respectively) offered a dose of wacky family hijinks to every plot line; even Maxwell's daughters Grace (Madeline Zima) and Maggie (Nicholle Tom) held their own comedically as child actors.

That's not to mention the leading ladies' influential on-screen style. Fran Drescher's most iconic looks from "The Nanny" are still just as fashionable today, showcasing just how well the series has stood the test of time. The other women on the cast reflected the aesthetic of the decade in unique ways, solidifying a legacy as one of the best shows for fashion enthusiasts. Over three decades after the series' premiere, we're taking a look at some of the stars then and now to see just how much everyone has changed (or stayed the same). 

Many fashion trends from the early aughts and '90s are coming back in style, but Fran Fine's chic ensembles are eternally en vogue. Portrayed by Fran Drescher, Miss Fine was the central character of "The Nanny." Fran's street smarts, iconic wardrobe, larger-than-life hair, and recognizable voice made for an instantly lovable protagonist. Today in real life, Drescher is still fabulous but much more subdued than in her 1996 appearance. Throughout 2026, she has always been seen with flawless dark hair (though not as voluminous) and perfectly tailored ensembles. 

Every show has to have conflict — for the first seasons of "The Nanny," conflict typically came from Maxwell Sheffield's business partner C.C. Babcock. Despite being outshined by Fran's outfits, C.C.'s blond bob and business-chic style are as cool today as they were in 1995. C.C. was portrayed by Lauren Lane, who is now head of the acting department at Texas State University (though she made time for a 2019 cast reunion). Lane is still a stunning blond today, but her personal style is more laid-back than C.C.

Renée Taylor portrayed Sylvia Fine on "The Nanny," and quickly became a fan favorite. As Fran's overbearing yet incredibly charming mother, Sylvia often appeared to offer questionable dating advice and a sharp quip. To transform into Sylvia in 1998, Taylor wore dramatically teased-up blond wigs and brightly colored outfits. In real life, Taylor is much more subdued — though she does love to add glitz into her wardrobe, as seen backstage after a performance of her autobiographical play "My Life on a Diet" in 2018.

Rounding out the bombastic Fine women is Grandma Yetta, portrayed by the late actor Ann Morgan Guilbert. Guilbert portrayed Sylvia Fine's mother Yetta, who, despite being the matriarch, was just as eclectic as the rest of the Fines. Guilbert was only five years older than Renée Taylor, so she was cleverly styled in an over-the-top silver wig and thick-framed glasses to create a more realistic age gap aessthetic for the mother-daughter duo. In real life for a 2011 event, Guilbert's look was toned-down with a gray pixie cut and low-key glam. 

As the youngest cast member of "The Nanny," Madeline Zima changed quite a bit over the show's six-year run. Zima portrayed Grace (often called "Gracie" by Fran) Sheffield, Maxwell Sheffield's youngest child. Zima's performance was the most interesting of the child stars, as Grace was often the level-headed voice of reason thanks to her therapy experience (a novel concept in the '90s). In 2026, Zima is still recognizable as Grace thanks to her dark blond hair — though it is now flawlessly styled more often than not. 

Nicholle Tom portrayed Maxwell Sheffield's oldest daughter Maggie, and Fran helped her come out of her shell over the course of the show. Like Madeline Zima, we also got to see Tom grow up. As Maggie, Tom rocked a cropped blond bob, which went from flat to trendy towards the end of the show's run in 1998 (reflecting her character's journey). There are many useful tips for switching from blond hair to red hair, and Tom must have employed some of them for her 2025 transformation — her current fiery locks suit her complexion perfectly.