What Ever Happened to the Cast of “Pushing Daisies”?
- - What Ever Happened to the Cast of “Pushing Daisies”?
Meredith WilshereFebruary 2, 2026 at 4:30 AM
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'Pushing Daisies' cast
Justin Stephens/ABC
Pushing Daisies was a campy and whimsical series that followed a pie-maker named Ned, who possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life with a single touch.
Given his unique power, he teamed up with a private investigator to help resolve unsolved murder mysteries. However, things got complicated when he also brought his crush and childhood friend, Chuck, back from the dead.
The series ran for two seasons on ABC from 2007 to 2009 — but creator Bryan Fuller teased in December 2025 that a third season was in the works and that "the entire cast wants to come back."
Some of the cast members have gone on to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while others continued to work consistently in television.
See what the cast has been up to since the show went off the air.
01 of 07
Lee Pace as Ned
Lee Pace
Adam Taylor/ABC; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty
Lee Pace starred as Ned, the pie-maker with supernatural gifts.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in Pushing Daisies.
Since then, he has starred in several other television projects, such as Halt and Catch Fire and Foundation.
Pace, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Juilliard, also built an impressive film career, joining franchises like Twilight, The Hobbit, and Guardians of the Galaxy. His list of movie credits also includes roles in Lincoln, Bodies Bodies Bodies, The Running Man and the upcoming Practical Magic 2.
In a February 2018 interview with W magazine, Pace opened up about his sexuality, revealing he had dated both men and women. After making headlines, he tweeted at the time, "In a recent phone interview, I was asked questions that I wasn't expecting and found myself momentarily at a loss for the right words. My privacy is important to me, so I protect it. When interviewed by the media, I keep the focus on my work."
"As a member of the queer community, I understand the importance of living openly, being counted, and happily owning who I am," the 46-year-old added.
In 2022, Pace confirmed in an interview with GQ Hype that he is married to Matthew Foley.
02 of 07
Anna Friel as Charlotte 'Chuck' Charles
Anna Friel
Adam Taylor/ABC; Kate Green/Getty
Anna Friel played Charolette "Chuck" Charles, Ned’s love interest, whom he brought back from the dead. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the Golden Globes for her performance.
After starring in Pushing Daisies, Friel starred in movies like Limitless, Good People and Locked In. She also starred in TV shows like Broken, The Girlfriend Experience and Monarch.
Friel won the International Emmy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character in the detective drama series Marcella in 2017.
In 2001, Friel began dating actor David Thewlis. They share a daughter, Gracie Ellen Mary Friel, who was born on July 9, 2005. She and Thewlis separated in 2010.
While the 49-year-old dated actor Rhys Ifans from 2011 to 2014, she has kept her personal life private in the years since.
03 of 07
Chi McBride as Emerson Cod
Chi McBride
ABC; Cliff lipson/CBS via Getty
Chi McBride's character, Emerson Cod, was the private detective who enlisted Ned to help him with ongoing murder cases. Before Pushing Daisies, McBride was in The Terminal, Boston Public and Mercury Rising.
After Pushing Daisies, McBride continued to have a career in film and television, with roles in Draft Day and Hawaii Five-0.
Similar to costar Pace, the 64-year-old joined the Marvel universe as the voice of Nick Fury in projects like Avengers Assemble and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.
McBride has been with his wife, Julissa Marquez, for nearly 25 years, and the pair wed in 2003.
04 of 07
Jim Dale as the Narrator
Jim Dale
Heidi Gutman/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Bruce Glikas/Getty
Jim Dale opened every episode of Pushing Daisies as the unseen narrator. In addition to the series, the film, TV and stage actor has lent his voice to several other iconic projects.
Dale is known as the voice of the Harry Potter audiobooks, narrating all seven of the U.S. versions of the novels. He won two Grammy Awards and received seven Grammy nominations for his narrations.
The 90-year-old married his first wife, Patricia Gardiner, in 1957. The couple, who welcomed three children, got divorced in 1977. He married Julie Schafler in 1980, and they have been together since.
05 of 07
Ellen Greene as Vivian Charles
Ellen Greene
Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Walter McBride/WireImage
Ellen Greene portrayed Vivian Charles, one of Chuck’s aunts. Most known for originating the role of Audrey in the original stage musical and film adaptation of Little Shop of Horrors, Greene had a long and successful career before Pushing Daisies.
After the show, Greene continued to land roles on television in shows like Heroes, The Young and the Restless and Bunheads. She also returned to the stage for the 2015 production of Little Shop opposite Jake Gyllenhaal.
The 74-year-old married Tibor Hardik in 1990, and they divorced in 1997. She then married Christian Klikovits in 2003, and they divorced in 2007.
06 of 07
Swoosie Kurtz as Lily Charles
Swoosie Kurtz
Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; FOX via Getty
Swoosie Kurtz starred as Lily Charles in the show, the other one of Chuck’s aunts. Before Pushing Daisies, the actress had an illustrious career and received eight Emmy Award nominations, with one win for Carol and Company. She also won multiple Tony Awards for her work on Broadway.
After starring in Pushing Daisies, the 81-year-old star continued her television work, starring in Mike & Molly, Man With A Plan and Call Me Kat. Her most recent project was 2018’s Overboard.
07 of 07
Kristin Chenoweth as Olive Snook
Kristin Chenoweth
Danny Field/ABC; Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Kristin Chenoweth played Olive Snook, a waitress at Ned’s restaurant who had a crush on him. Chenoweth won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in the show.
Chenoweth has had an outstanding career both before and after the show. She is most known for originating the role of Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. Since Pushing Daisies, she starred in various TV shows like Glee, BoJack Horseman, Younger and Schmigadoon!. She also starred in multiple movies, including The Peanuts Movie, Holidate and Our Little Secret.
Most recently, she returned to Broadway to star in The Queen of Versailles and had an appearance in 2025's Wicked movie. She has also released several studio albums.
The 57-year-old met her now-husband, Josh Bryant, in 2016. He proposed to the actress in October 2021, and on Sept. 2, 2023, the couple wed in Texas.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
