Cast of Sister Act: Full Cast & Where They Are Now

Few films from the early ’90s still spark the kind of warm, music-filled nostalgia that Sister Act does. Whoopi Goldberg’s turn as a disco diva forced into witness protection among nuns became an unlikely classic, and over three decades the franchise spawned a sequel and a growing fan base wondering where everyone ended up. That question got a partial answer in 2024, when a reunion on The View brought several cast members together to celebrate what would have been the 30th anniversary of Sister Act 2.

Lead Actress: Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris · Mother Superior: Maggie Smith · Vince LaRocca: Harvey Keitel · Sister Mary Lazarus: Mary Wickes · Sister Act 2 Release: 1993

Here’s a quick-reference table of key facts about the franchise:

Who is in the Cast of Sister Act 2?

Main Returning Stars

• Whoopi Goldberg as Sister Mary Clarence (Deloris van Cartier)
• Kathy Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick
• Wendy Makkena as Sister Mary Robert
• Sheryl Lee Ralph as Florence Watson
• Maggie Smith as Reverend Mother

The core cast from the original film returned for the sequel, which brought Deloris back to a Catholic school setting where her musical talents once again became central to the plot. Whoopi Goldberg reprised her role as the witness-protection nun who can’t resist getting the students involved in choir, and the chemistry among the returning cast members gave the sequel much of its warmth.

New Additions

• Lauryn Hill as Rita Watson
• Jennifer Love Hewitt as Margaret
• Alana Ubach as Maria
• Ryan Toby as Ahmal

The sequel introduced a new generation of student characters, most notably Lauryn Hill in what became one of her early acting roles. At 18 years old during filming, Hill brought credibility to the musical elements as Rita Watson, the lead student singer whose voice anchors several key choir sequences. The cast also included Jennifer Love Hewitt, then just 14, playing Margaret, a student who initially resists the choir program.

Who are the Singers in the Sister Act Cast?

Choir Nuns

The soundtrack’s power comes from the blend of professional performers and the on-screen cast members. Carmen Twillie provided the vocal performance for some sequences, and the choir arrangements feature contributions from multiple session singers whose voices became synonymous with the franchise’s uplifting tone.

• Carmen Twillie (vocal performances)
• Marketta Kimbrell (Sister Mary Robert’s singing voice)

Student Singers

The student choir featured several young performers who have gone on to notable careers. Lauryn Hill’s role as Rita Watson stands out most prominently—she was already building her musical reputation before the film, and her appearance in Sister Act 2 coincided with the early stages of what would become a landmark career. The group also included Alana Ubach as Maria, whose performances in the choir scenes demonstrated strong vocal abilities.

Who Played the Nuns in Sister Act?

Reverend Mother

Maggie Smith’s portrayal of the Reverend Mother set the tone for the franchise’s humor, with her dry wit and reluctant tolerance of Deloris’s disruption providing the backbone of the films’ comedic dynamics. At 59 during the Sister Act 2 filming, Smith brought decades of acting gravitas to a role that could have easily become one-dimensional.

Supporting Sisters

• Kathy Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick
• Wendy Makkena as Sister Mary Robert
• Mary Wickes as Sister Mary Lazarus

Kathy Najimy’s Sister Mary Patrick provided the most enthusiastic support for Deloris’s choir ambitions, creating a counterbalance to the Reverend Mother’s skepticism. Wendy Makkena’s Sister Mary Robert offered a gentler, more contemplative presence among the nuns. Mary Wickes played Sister Mary Lazarus, and her involvement in Sister Act 2 marked a continuation of her collaboration with the franchise’s creators.

Where Are the Sister Act Cast Members Now?

Whoopi Goldberg Updates

Born November 13, 1955, in New York City, Whoopi Goldberg was 38 during Sister Act 2’s production. She has continued to build on her decades-long career, appearing in films across multiple genres and taking on prominent hosting roles. In 2024, she returned as a co-moderator on The View, where she helped facilitate the reunion that brought together several of her former co-stars to celebrate the sequel’s 30th anniversary.

Maggie Smith Career

Maggie Smith, born December 21, 1934, has accumulated a career spanning more than six decades, with Sister Act representing just one chapter in a body of work that includes multiple Academy Award nominations and wins. Her post-Sister Act career continued with prominent roles in television and film, cementing her reputation as one of Britain’s most respected actors.

Who Were the Students and Kids in Sister Act?

Student Choir

The student choir in Sister Act 2 featured young performers whose careers took various paths after the film’s release. At the center stood Lauryn Hill, born May 26, 1975, in South Orange, New Jersey, who played Rita Watson at age 18. Her performance in the film came just before her breakthrough work with The Fugees and the subsequent release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which would establish her as one of the defining voices of 1990s music.

Tanya Trotter, credited as Tanya Blount in the film, played student Tanya and has since built a career in music as one half of the country duo The War and Treaty. She attended the 2024 reunion on The View, where she performed with her musical partner.

Youth Roles

• Jennifer Love Hewitt as Margaret (14 during filming)
• Ryan Toby as Ahmal (17 during filming)
• Alana Ubach as Maria (18 during filming)

Jennifer Love Hewitt, born February 21, 1979, in Waco, Texas, launched a successful acting career following her Sister Act 2 appearance, starring in films and television series throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Ryan Toby, born in 1976, appeared in the film at 17 and later pursued music and acting projects. Alana Ubach, born October 3, 1975, in Downey, California, played Maria at 18 and continued working in entertainment.

The 2024 Reunion and Franchise Future

The cast reunion on The View in 2024 brought together Whoopi Goldberg, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Ryan Toby, and Tanya Trotter for a celebration of Sister Act 2’s 30th anniversary. The cast performed an emotional reenactment of “Oh Happy Day,” with Whoopi Goldberg receiving embraces from her co-stars in a visibly moving moment.

Notably absent from the reunion was Lauryn Hill, whose continued fame and relative separation from reunion-style events meant fans did not get to see her reconnect with the cast on that occasion. However, her role in the film remains one of the most discussed aspects whenever the franchise comes up in media coverage.

Confirmed and Unconfirmed Information

What the Cast Has Said

“Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit celebrated its 30th anniversary in June 2024—and fans were more than willing to toast the movie’s success.”

— Us Weekly

“At the end, a visibly emotional Goldberg was embraced by Ralph and other co-stars.”

— The Atlanta Voice

The reunion coverage highlighted the enduring affection fans hold for the franchise, with performers returning to discuss their experiences decades after the original filming. The emotional reunion demonstrated that the chemistry among cast members translated into genuine relationships that have endured over time.

Summary

The Sister Act franchise brought together a remarkable collection of talent that has continued to resonate with audiences for more than three decades. From Whoopi Goldberg’s energetic lead performance to the supporting cast who grounded the films in warmth and humor, the cast collectively created something that has outlasted typical musical comedy expectations. The 2024 reunion on The View showed that several members remain active and connected to their shared history, while the announcement of Sister Act 3 suggests the franchise still has chapters to write. For fans who grew up with these films, the prospect of new content alongside the confirmed returning cast members creates genuine anticipation about what the next installment might bring.