Ted McGinley Reveals He Got “Troop Beverly Hills” Role After Award-Winning Actor ‘Canceled at the Last Moment’ (Exclusive)

Tereza Shkurtaj, Abby SternSun, April 19, 2026 at 9:30 PM UTC

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Ted McGinley in 1986; Ted McGinley in 2026.Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty -

On April 12, 2026, Ted McGinley attended an Apple TV FYC special event for Shrinking

During the event, the 67-year-old revealed that his cameo in Troop Beverly Hills happened at the last minute due to another actor dropping out

With a sequel in development led by Cameron Diaz, McGinley tells PEOPLE he is eager to be part of it if given the opportunity

The 1989 comedy Troop Beverly Hills has long held a special place as a quirky, feel-good favorite, remembered for its glitzy take on Girl Scout life and leading performance from Shelley Long.

Over the years, fans have revisited the film for its humor, charm and surprisingly stacked cast. One of its blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances came from Ted McGinley — a cameo that, as it turns out, came together at the very last minute.

While attending the Apple TV FYC special event for Shrinking, the 67-year-old actor shares the unexpected story behind how he landed the role in Troop Beverly Hills.

“So George Hamilton was supposed to play that role, and he canceled at the last moment. So they called me and said, ‘Would you do it?’" McGinley tells PEOPLE exclusively at the April 12 event. "I guess they wanted someone who was tan, and I said, ‘Sure, what is it?’ And so I just showed up.”

Ted McGinley in 1986.Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

McGinley ultimately stepped in for the award-winning Crime and Punishment U.S.A. actor, taking on a small but memorable role as himself in the film.

The movie follows a wealthy Beverly Hills mother who is navigating divorce while leading her daughter’s Wilderness Girls troop, blending satire with heartfelt moments. Since its premiere, the movie has earned cult status, with audiences continuing to discover it decades later.

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That longevity is something McGinley now experiences firsthand. Reflecting on the film’s staying power, he noted how a new generation is recognizing him in it — sometimes to his own surprise.

“I mean, we have friends whose kids just saw [Troop Beverly Hills] for the first time and they freaked out because they know me… They're young kids, and they're like, ‘That's Ted!’” he says.

Ted McGinley in 2024.Credit: Getty

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Looking back, McGinley described the cameo as a “really fun” experience, adding that those unexpected moments of recognition have made it especially “worth it.”

With a new sequel for Troop Beverly Hills in development — spearheaded by Cameron Diaz and directed by Clea DuVall — he admits to being more than ready to revisit that world. “Oh, I definitely want in,” he says.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”