Kathryn Hahn to Play Mother Gothel in Tangled

Kathryn Hahn will portray the iconic villain Mother Gothel in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled. Mother Gothel is known for kidnapping Rapunzel to exploit her magical hair for eternal youth. The casting was officially confirmed by Hahn on March 11, 2026, exciting fans who had speculated about her involvement after her breakout role as Agatha Harkness in the MCU.

Hahn's husband, Ethan Sandler, is an American actor, writer, and producer. He is recognized for his role as ADA Jeffrey Brandau on Crossing Jordan and has an extensive filmography, including The Princess Diaries and The Bourne Supremacy. Sandler also contributed voice work for Disney's Meet the Robinsons and appeared with Hahn in Transparent. His recent focus has been on writing and producing for television, with credits on shows like New Girl and Man with a Plan.

Hahn and Sandler's relationship began in 1993 as college sweethearts at Northwestern University. After graduating in 1995, they moved to New York City and supported each other through their early acting careers, enduring the struggles of the industry. They married in 2002 and have two children: Leonard Henry Sandler, born in October 2006, and Mae Marie Sandler, born prematurely on July 27, 2009. Hahn has spoken about balancing her creative career with a fulfilling family life.

Over their more than three decades together, Hahn humorously described their relationship as having gone through "broken up and gotten married and divorced about seven times," attributing this to the natural evolution and challenges of a long-term partnership. She noted in November 2025 that navigating "shitty years" is a normal part of enduring marriages.