See the Cast of ‘Almost Famous’ Then and Now

'Almost Famous' is a sweet and sentimental look at a teenage journalist's travels with a rock band on the rise and the groupies  -- er, Band-Aids -- who love them.

Based on writer/director Cameron Crowe's own experiences as a 15-year-old music writer for Rolling Stone magazine in the early '70s, the acclaimed coming-of-age tale featured a bevy of future stars.

See what the actors who brought 'Almost Famous' to life are up to now below.

Patrick Fugit, William Miller

Then: Patrick Fugit made his big screen debut as wide-eyed teenage rock journalist William Miller. He followed that up with appearances in 'White Oleander,' 'Saved' and 'Spun.'

Now: Fugit reunited with Cameron Crowe in the 2011 film 'We Bought A Zoo' and will be in the upcoming comedy 'Thanks For Sharing.' The Utah native also plays in the Salt Lake City-area band Mushman.

Kate Hudson, Penny Lane

Then: In what was her breakout role, Kate Hudson snagged an Academy Award nomination for playing Band-Aid leader Penny Lane. 2000 was a big year for the daughter of Goldie Hawn, as she also starred in 'Gossip,' 'Dr. T And The Women' and 'About Adam.'

Now: Hudson recently played recurring character Cassandra Jones on 'Glee.' The 34-year-old was married to Black Crowes' frontman Chris Robinson from 2000 to 2007, and is currently engaged to Muse singer Matthew Bellamy with whom she has a son.

Billy Crudup, Russell Hammond

Then: Billy Crudup broke hearts as Stillwater's "golden god" Russell Hammond, a character that is reportedly based at least partially on Eagles member Glenn Frey. Crudup had been known for his starring roles in 'Sleepers' and 'Jesus' Son.' In 2004, he became tabloid fodder when he left pregnant girlfriend Mary-Louise Parker for Claire Danes.

Now: Crudup, who is no longer with Danes, will be in the crime thriller 'Blood Ties.' The Tony award-winner is also a regular on Broadway.

Frances McDormand, Elaine Miller

Then: Seasoned actress Frances McDormand was William's mom Elaine, who took a Nancy Reagan-like hard line toward any type of drug use. She had made her film debut in the 1984 Coen Brothers film 'Blood Simple,' which was directed by her husband Joel Coen.

Now: McDormand starred with Matt Damon in the 2013 drama 'Promised Land.' In 2011, she won a Tony award for her performance in the play 'Good People.'

Jason Lee, Jeff Bebe

Then: Jason Lee played cantankerous Stillwater singer Jeff Bebe. The former skateboarding star had been known for a trio of Kevin Smith movies -- 'Mallrats,' 'Chasing Amy' and 'Dogma.'

Now: Between 2005 and 2009, Lee starred as the titular character on the sitcom 'My Name Is Earl.' His next television series, 'Memphis Beat,' wasn't as successful and was cancelled after a season. He will be in the upcoming Selena Gomez comedy 'Behaving Badly.'

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lester Bangs

Then: Hoffman added to his reputation as one of the finest character actors in the business with his deft portrayal of music critic Lester Bangs. In 2006, he won an Academy Award for playing another real-life character as the lead in 'Capote.'

Now: Hoffman snagged his fourth Oscar nomination for his work in 2012's 'The Master.' He is set to star in 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' as the awesomely named Plutarch Heavensbee.

Zooey Deschanel, Anita Miller

Then: Before becoming everybody's favorite "manic pixie dream girl," Deschanel played William's sister, who helps to introduce him to rock 'n roll. The daughter of actress Mary Jo and cinematographer/director Caleb Deschanel had made her movie debut the year before in 'Mumford.'

Now: Deschanel helped coin the term "adorkable" as the lead on the Fox sitcom 'The New Girl.' The sister of 'Bones' star Emily Deschanel is also one half of the band She & Him with singer/songwriter M. Ward.

Jimmy Fallon, Dennis Hope

Then: That was Jimmy Fallon playing super manager and airplane advocate Dennis Hope in 'Almost Famous.' 2000 was also the year Fallon began coanchoring 'Weekend Update' on 'Saturday Night Live' with Tina Fey.

Now: Fallon took over NBC's 'Late Night' in 2009. The transition from actor to late night host has certainly worked out well for the 38-year-old as NBC recently announced that Fallon will inherit 'The Tonight Show' from Jay Leno in 2014.

Anna Paquin, Polexia

Then: Anna Paquin was free-spirited Band-Aid Polexia in 'Almost Famous.' The Canadian-born, New Zealand-raised actress had burst onto the scene in 1993 when she became the second youngest Oscar winner ever for her role in 'The Piano.'

Now: Paquin stars as Sookie Stackhouse on the HBO vampire drama 'True Blood.' She has been married to her co-star Stephen Moyer since 2010 and they have two children.

Jay Baruchel, Vic Munoz

Then: The role of superfan Vic Munoz went to Jay Baruchel. 'Almost Famous' was the first American production for the Canadian actor and he went on to roles in 'Undeclared' and 'Million Dollar Baby.'

Now: Baruchel wrote and starred in the 2011 hockey movie 'Goon' and plays himself in the summer comedy 'This Is the End.' He will be in the upcoming films 'RoboCop' and 'The Art of the Steal,' and is also the voice of Hiccup in the 'How to Train Your Dragon' franchise.

Fairuza Balk, Sapphire

Then: Band Aid mainstay Sapphire, played by Fairuza Balk, was always jumping on the phone at inopportune times for poor William. Balk made her film debut as Dorothy in 1985's 'Return To Oz' and also starred in 'The Waterboy' and 'The Craft.'

Now: Balk was last seen in 2013's 'Dose of Reality' and the 2009 Nic Cage thriller 'The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.' She is currently working on the film 'Thicker,' and has released music as Armed Love Militia.

Michael Angarano, Young William

Then: In the early scenes of 'Almost Famous,' Michael Angarano had to tolerate his overprotective mother and rebellious sister. During that time period, Angarano was also starring on the crime drama 'Cover Me.'

Now: Angarano starred in Kevin Smith's 'Red State' and the Steven Soderbergh film 'Haywire.' Next up is the comedy 'The English Teacher' and the crime thrillers 'Empire State' and 'Heat.'