Showtime's American Gigolo is a sultry drama that boasts a cast of well known stars. Based on the 1980 movie of the same name and taking some characters developed by writer and director Paul Schrader, American Gigolo is a modern-day adaptation that's both stylish and thought-provoking. A wild and very different take on the original film that starred Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton, this remake highlights the modern sex industry through the perspective of its lead, Julian Kaye.
Created for television by Ray Donovan writer David Hollander and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, American Gigolo takes male escort Julian Kaye, on a wild ride for eight episodes through the streets of Los Angeles. After spending 15 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, Julian is exonerated and left to investigate who might have framed him. He seeks to discover the truth while simultaneously reconnecting with Michelle, a wealthy married woman he fell in love with while working as an escort.
American Gigolo tracks Julian's life as he becomes a high-class sex worker and a vindicated former felon. The series throws in disturbing twists and sleek locations to accentuate this ensemble drama. Here is a guide to American Gigolo's cast and characters, including where you know each actor from.
Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye
Taking over for the Richard Gere role from the 1980 film version of American Gigolo, actor Jon Bernthal plays Julian Kaye as he tries to right the wrongs in his complicated life. Bernthal is known for playing Shane on the AMC series The Walking Dead before starring as Frank Castle/The Punisher in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through Netflix's Daredevil and The Punisher. Recently, Bernthal starred as Sergeant Wayne Jenkins in the HBO miniseries We Own This City.
Gretchen Mol as Michelle
Opposite American Gigolo's Julian Kaye, Gretchen Mol portrays Michelle, an unhappily married woman who first meets Julian at a bar when he's with a client. A relationship forms and when the two reconnect years later, it comes just as Michelle's teenage son goes missing. Gretchen Mol appeared as Gillian Darmody in HBO's Boardwalk Empire and as Sam Henessy in Netflix's 2018 limited series, Seven Seconds.
Rosie O'Donnell as Detective Sunday
American Gigolo's Detective Sunday is played by Rosie O'Donnell and is the person who originally sent Julian to prison in 2006. Now that he is a free man, Detective Sunday attempts to work with Julian to solve the murder he was sent to prison for. Rosie O'Donnell is famous for her comedy work and appeared in hit films from the 1980s like A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle. Most recently, Rosie O'Donnell has appeared on Showtime's SMILF.
American Gigolo's Supporting Cast & Characters
Gabriel LaBelle as young Julian Kaye - Gabriel LaBelle played the teenage version of Julian. LaBelle has starred as EJ in the 2018 reboot of Predator and plays the lead role of Sammy in Steven Spielberg's autobiographical movie The Fabelmans.
Leland Orser as Richard Stratton - Leland Orser plays Michelle's husband and tech billionaire, Richard Stratton, a powerful figure in the California spotlight. Leland Orser has been a staple on television for decades, playing Dr. Lucien Dubenko on NBC's ER and Father Romero on Ray Donovan.
Lizzie Brochere as Isabelle - Isabelle, the woman responsible for mentoring Julian Kaye in sex work, is played by Lizzie Brochere in American Gigolo. Lizzie Brochere played the character Grace Bertrand on American Horror Story: Asylum and Tess on the USA Network series Falling Water.
Wayne Brady as Lorenzo - Lorenzo, Julian's long-time best friend who might be hiding shady motives in American Gigolo is played by Wayne Brady. Brady is known for his cameo appearances in How I Met Your Mother and for his comedy on Whose Line Is It Anyway?