She made “fetch” happen — and then built an entire second career on Christmas movies. Lacey Chabert went from child star on Party of Five to pop-culture icon as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, then reinvented herself as the undisputed “Queen of Hallmark,” starring in more than 30 films for the network. Few actresses have navigated three decades of Hollywood with such staying power.
Lacey Chabert is an American actress born September 30, 1982, in Purvis, Mississippi, best known as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls and as a Hallmark Channel star. A former child actress from Party of Five and voice of Eliza Thornberry, her net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million as of 2026.
TL;DR: Lacey Chabert rose to fame as Claudia Salinger on Party of Five (1994–2000), became a pop-culture icon as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls (2004), voiced Eliza Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys, and earned the title “Queen of Hallmark” with 30+ films for the network. Married to David Nehdar since 2013, she has one daughter.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Lacey Nicole Chabert |
| Born | September 30, 1982, Purvis, Mississippi |
| Age | 44 years old (as of October 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, Voice Actress |
| Known For | Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls; Hallmark Channel films |
| Spouse | David Nehdar (married 2013) |
| Children | One daughter |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at approximately $4 million (2026 estimate) |
How did Lacey Chabert become famous?
Her stardom started remarkably early. Born Lacey Nicole Chabert in Purvis, Mississippi, to Tony Chabert (of Cajun Louisiana heritage) and Julie Chabert, she showed stage confidence as a small child — winning the “World’s Baby Petite” pageant title in 1985. By age nine she had made her Broadway debut as young Cosette in Les Misérables, and at 11 she landed the role that made her a star: Claudia Salinger, the gifted young violinist on the Fox drama Party of Five (1994–2000), a performance that earned her a Young Artist Award.
She transitioned to film with roles in Lost in Space (1998) and Not Another Teen Movie (2001), but her defining moment came in 2004 as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls — the insecure, gossip-loving member of the Plastics whose desperate “fetch” catchphrase became one of the most quoted lines in teen-comedy history. The film grossed over $130 million and cemented her pop-culture status. At the same time, she was building a parallel career in voice acting, most famously as Eliza Thornberry in Nickelodeon’s The Wild Thornberrys (1998–2004) and as Meg Griffin in the first season of Family Guy. Fans of iconic 2000s actresses may also enjoy our profile of Hayley Atwell, another performer who moved seamlessly between genres.
Why is Lacey Chabert called the Queen of Hallmark?
While many actresses treat television movies as a fallback, Lacey Chabert turned them into an empire. Beginning around 2010, she became one of the Hallmark Channel’s most prolific leading ladies, starring in more than 30 original films — from A Christmas Melody (2015) to Winter in Vail (2020) and the popular Wedding Veil trilogy — with premieres regularly drawing around 2 million viewers. The network’s audience adores her warm, sincere screen presence, and she has earned the unofficial title “Queen of Hallmark.”
The Hallmark years also gave her a rare kind of career stability in an industry that discards former child stars. She has spoken about how much she enjoys the genre’s optimism, and her Christmas films have become genuine holiday traditions for millions of families. Fellow stars of feel-good television include Christina Hendricks, whose own career took an unexpected and celebrated turn.
Who is Lacey Chabert married to?
Lacey Chabert married businessman David Nehdar in December 2013 in a private ceremony, and they have one daughter, Julia, born in 2016. She keeps her family life deliberately out of the spotlight — her husband rarely appears publicly, and she has said she prefers to let her work speak for itself.
According to her biography, Chabert grew up in a close-knit family with siblings Wendy, Chrissy, and T.J.; her eldest sister Wendy sadly passed away in 2021 (Lacey Chabert – Wikipedia). That family-first grounding is part of what makes her Hallmark persona feel so genuine to audiences.
What is Lacey Chabert doing now?
As of 2026, Lacey Chabert continues to headline Hallmark productions while occasionally returning to voice acting — the field that first showcased her range as a teenager. Now in her 40s, she remains one of the network’s signature stars, and her Mean Girls legacy keeps her relevant to younger audiences too: memes, reunion buzz, and the film’s enduring quotability mean Gretchen Wieners will never quite retire, even as Chabert the actress keeps evolving.
What is Lacey Chabert’s net worth?
Lacey Chabert’s net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million as of 2026. That estimate reflects three decades of work: child-star salaries from Party of Five, the Mean Girls payday, years of voice-acting fees, and — most significantly — more than 30 Hallmark Channel films, where she commands one of the network’s top salaries. It is a fortune built on consistency rather than blockbusters, and it keeps growing with every holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lacey Chabert?
She was born on September 30, 1982, in Purvis, Mississippi, making her 44 years old as of October 2026.
Is Lacey Chabert married?
Yes. She married David Nehdar in December 2013, and they have one daughter, Julia, born in 2016.
What is Lacey Chabert best known for?
She is best known for playing Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls (2004), Claudia Salinger on Party of Five, voicing Eliza Thornberry, and starring in 30+ Hallmark Channel movies.
Why is she called the Queen of Hallmark?
She has starred in more than 30 original Hallmark Channel films since 2010, making her one of the network’s most prolific and beloved leading ladies.
What is her net worth in 2026?
Her net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million, earned across her acting, voice work, and Hallmark career.