Lindsay who played both twins in 1998’s “The Parent Trap” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a straightforward pop culture reference, asking for the last name of a well-known actress based on her breakout film role. For many solvers, especially those familiar with late 90s and early 2000s cinema, this will be an immediate and satisfying fill.

Clue Analysis

The clue provides several key pieces of information:

• "Lindsay": The first name is given, which significantly narrows down the possibilities.
• "who played both twins": This specifies the unique nature of her role in the film, a memorable acting challenge.
• "in 1998's 'The Parent Trap'": This pinpoints the exact movie and year, leaving no room for ambiguity.

The structure is a classic "fill-in-the-blank" for a celebrity's name. The puzzle is looking for the surname that completes the full name "Lindsay ______."

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, the primary solving method is direct recall. The 1998 remake of "The Parent Trap" was a massive commercial success and launched its young star to fame. If you've seen the movie or were aware of pop culture at the time, her name is likely to come to mind instantly.

If the name doesn't immediately surface, a solver can use a couple of strategies:

1. Letter Crossings: This is the most reliable backup. Even one or two crossing letters can jog the memory. For instance, seeing an 'O' or an 'A' in the middle of the five-letter name would be a strong trigger.
2. Contextual Association: Think about other famous child actors from that era. The name "Lindsay" paired with Disney films from the late 90s/early 2000s points directly to this specific actress.

Background Context

The clue refers to Lindsay Lohan, an American actress and singer. Her performance as estranged twin sisters Hallie Parker and Annie James in Disney's 1998 remake of "The Parent Trap" was her feature film debut and was widely acclaimed. The role required her to act opposite herself, often using a convincing English accent for the character of Annie.

This role served as a launchpad for a highly successful career as a teen idol, with subsequent hits including "Freaky Friday" (2003) and "Mean Girls" (2004). Due to her significant fame during this period, her name is a common fixture in crossword puzzles that test pop culture knowledge.

Conclusion

This is a perfect example of an easy-difficulty, knowledge-based clue. It rewards solvers for being culturally literate, specifically in the realm of popular films from the turn of the millennium. Its directness provides a confident start or a helpful anchor in the section of the grid where it appears.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This actress was a prominent child star in the late 1990s and a teen idol in the early 2000s.
2. Hint 2: She also starred in popular 2000s films like 'Freaky Friday' and 'Mean Girls'.
3. Hint 3: Her last name is of Irish origin and begins with the letter L.

The answer is LOHAN.