Cast of Friday Night of Lights: Where Are They Now?

“Clear eyes, full hearts, never lose.” Who can ever forget this line? And is there someone more inspiring than the best high school football coach in a TV series, Coach Taylor? Yes, I’m talking about Friday Night Lights. The show that has captivated audience’s hearts and made us want to visit Texas and do the accent. After the show’s final episode aired in 2011, its fans are still clamoring for an encore on the big screen. Unfortunately, nothing is in the works (for now!) but since its viewers have become so attached with the actors and the characters they portrayed, it’s interesting to know where they are now.  

Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor

Chandler is as busy as ever with TV shows and movies here and there. You’ve probably noted his small but plot-changing role in the Oscar-nominated movie The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013. And even though you don’t see him much on TV, you may still catch his voice in the shows Robot Chicken (as Mongo / Man) and American Dad! (as Coach Keegan).

Connie Britton as Tami Taylor

Mrs. Coach Taylor has filmed a lot of movies and TV shows after her stint in FNL. The most popular one would be the cult hit series American Horror Story, Season 1, where she played as the wife (Vivien Harmon) of Doug McDermott in 2011; and in Nashville (as Rayna Jaymes) from 2012 to 2014. 

Aimee Teegarden as Julie Taylor

We’ve seen her grow up through FNL’s five seasons, and no one can get enough of this young beauty. The 25-year-old actress/producer was part of the latest installment of Scream in 2011 as Jenny Randall. After that, she’s had a succession of TV shows and TV movies, particularly Star-Crossed as Emery Whitehill and Aim High as Amanda Miles.

Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins

The hot stud that was the center of women problems in FNL has taken on more mature roles with John Carter (2012) and Battleship (2012). With all eyes on Kitsch, it must be hard for him to get away from the bad reception of his movies. But who cares? He’s still a busy paid actor with two projects for 2014 alone: Almost Heroes 3D (voice) and The Normal Heart, a TV movie.

Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen

The late-bloomer quarterback has a lot of projects going on for him, such as The Purge: Anarchy and Devil’s Due set for 2014. Gilford also acted alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2013 movie The Last Stand as a young and idealistic police officer.

Minka Kelly as Lyla Garrity

We didn’t see much of the brunette beauty after she has gone on to university (and broke Riggins’ heart in the process), but you can bet that she has still that wonderful charm Lyla Garrity has to make grown men cry. Her longest stint is in the TV series Almost Human as sexy detective Valerie Stahl. 

Adrianne Palicki as Tyra Collette

I don’t know about you but I really wanted her to end up with Landry (Saracen’s best friend) than Riggins, but since the finale didn’t really say what’s gonna happen, who knows? The statuesque Palicki has been busy with the TV series About a Boy as Dr. Samantha Lake, and she’s also going to reprise the role of Jaye in G.I. Joe 3.