The ensemble cast of The Big Lebowski is full of iconic actors playing unconventionally wacky characters. Although it received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office during its initial release, The Big Lebowski has since been reappraised as a beloved classic with a massive cult following. The Coen brothers are renowned writing quirky, unforgettable roles, and this 1998 stoner noir features some of the zaniest and most colorful characters in their canon. Led by Jeff Bridges’ career-defining turn as the king of all slackers, the Dude, The Big Lebowski has one of the most star-studded casts of the Coens’ filmography.
The old saying that there are no small parts, only small actors, is particularly true of the Coens’ movies. Even a minor character like Jesus Quintana can steal every scene they’re in. The cast of The Big Lebowski includes some of the Coen brothers' most frequent regular collaborators, like John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and John Turturro, as well as newcomers they’d never worked with before, such as Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Coens found the perfect actor to play each of the madcap characters in the cast of The Big Lebowski.
Jeff Bridges As Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski
Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, the zen, carefree slacker who gets swept up in a kidnapping plot when he just wants to go bowling, is played by Jeff Bridges. The actor later reunited with the Coens to play the John Wayne role of Rooster Cogburn in their remake of True Grit. Over the course of his decades-spanning acting career, Bridges has starred in a wide range of movies including the coming-of-age drama The Last Picture Show, the buddy action comedy Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, and the sci-fi adventure Tron. He received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn as an alcoholic singer in the country music drama Crazy Heart.
John Goodman As Walter Sobchak
Walter Sobchak, the Dude’s hotheaded friend and bowling teammate who frequently invokes the U.S. Constitution, is played by John Goodman. Walter is a veteran of the Vietnam War and finds a way to bring up the experience in every conversation. Goodman had previously worked with the Coens in Raising Arizona and Barton Fink but is mostly known for his role as Dan Conner in the classic sitcom Roseanne. He went on to play Fred in the live-action Flintstones movie, voice the character Sulley in the Monsters, Inc. franchise, and portray a Hollywood make-up artist awarded the CIA’s Intelligence Medal of Merit for his heroism in Argo.
Julianne Moore As Maude Lebowski
“The Big” Lebowski’s daughter, Maude Lebowski, a sexually liberated artist, is played by Julianne Moore. Maude is a hilarious subversion of the “femme fatale” archetype. Moore first rose to prominence in the Robert Altman anthology movie Short Cuts and later gained international recognition with her role in the Steven Spielberg blockbuster The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Moore also stars in such films as Boogie Nights, The End of the Affair, and Children of Men. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as a woman with Alzheimer’s disease in Still Alice.
Steve Buscemi As Donny Kerabatsos
The Dude and Walter’s friend and bowling teammate Donny Kerabatsos, who the former often tells to “shut the f*** up,” is played by Steve Buscemi. The actor had previously worked with the Coens on Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, and Fargo. Buscemi’s breakout role was diamond robber Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino’s debut movie, Reservoir Dogs. He went on to play Rockhound in Armageddon, the Marietta Mangler in Con Air, and the lead role of Nucky Thompson in the HBO crime drama Boardwalk Empire. He also voiced Randall in the Monsters, Inc. franchise and Wayne the Werewolf in Hotel Transylvania.
David Huddleston As Jeffrey “The Big” Lebowski
Jeffrey “The Big” Lebowski, the wealthy magnate that the Dude is mistaken for, is played by David Huddleston. The Big Lebowski represents everything that the Dude stands against — and vice versa. Huddleston had a prolific TV career with roles in episodes of such classic shows as Kung Fu, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. On the big screen, he played Dr. Jones in Rio Lobo, Olson Johnson in Blazing Saddles, and Santa Claus in the origin film Santa Claus: The Movie.
Philip Seymour Hoffman As Brandt
“The Big” Lebowski’s loyal assistant, Brandt, is played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Brandt acts as a middleman between the two Lebowskis, communicating the elder's furious demands to the Dude in a calm and compassionate way. Hoffman is known for his collaborations with Paul Thomas Anderson on movies like Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and The Master. He also played the villain in Mission: Impossible III and Plutarch Heavensbee in the Hunger Games franchise. Hoffman received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of author Truman Capote in the movie Capote.
John Turturro As Jesus Quintana
Jesus Quintana, the “pederast” on a rival bowling team who taunts the Dude and his friends in the bowling alley, is played by John Turturro. The actor is a regular collaborator of the Coens’ who also worked with them on Miller’s Crossing, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Barton Fink, for which he won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He has also frequently appeared in Spike Lee movies, including Do the Right Thing. Turturro can be seen in big-budget blockbusters like The Batman and the Transformers franchise, as well.
Sam Elliott As The Stranger
The mustached, deep-voiced, cowboy hat-clad narrator of The Big Lebowski, credited as “The Stranger,” is played by Sam Elliott. The actor is known for playing Western roles, like Virgil Earp in Tombstone and Con Vallian in The Quick and the Dead. He also played supporting roles in the war movie We Were Soldiers and the comic book films Hulk and Ghost Rider. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Bradley Cooper’s half-brother and manager in the 2018 remake of A Star is Born.
The Big Lebowski Supporting Cast & Characters
Tara Reid as Bunny Lebowski: “The Big” Lebowski’s self-kidnapped wife, Bunny, is played by Tara Reid. The actress is best known for her roles as Vicky in the American Pie franchise and April Wexler in the Sharknado movies.
David Thewlis as Knox Harrington: Knox Harrington, a video artist and close friend of Maude’s, is played by David Thewlis. He won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his work in Mike Leigh’s Naked. He also played Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter franchise and the villainous Ares in Wonder Woman.
Ben Gazzara as Jackie Treehorn: Adult film producer Jackie Treehorn is played by Ben Gazzara. He got his big break starring in the Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and famously collaborated with director John Cassavetes on movies like Husbands and Opening Night.
Peter Stormare as Uli Kunkel / Karl Hungus: The leader of the nihilists, Uli Kunkel, also known by his X-rated stage name Karl Hungus, is played by Peter Stormare. The actor previously played a larger role for the Coens: the hateable villain Gaear Grimsrud in Fargo. He is also known for playing John Abruzzi in Prison Break.
Jon Polito as Da Fino: Da Fino, the private eye hired to tail the Dude, is played by Jon Polito. The actor played Detective Steve Crosetti in the first two seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street and Jay’s business rival Earl Chambers in Modern Family. He also worked on other Coen brothers movies including Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink.
Jimmie Dale Gilmore as Smokey: Smokey, the bowler held at gunpoint by Walter to mark down his score, is played by Jimmie Dale Gilmore. He is more known for his work as a singer and songwriter in the country music genre than his work as an actor.
Jack Kehler as Marty: The Dude’s landlord, Marty, is played by Jack Kehler. He has appeared in action movies such as Men in Black II, The Last Boy Scout, and the timeless cult classic Point Break.
Dom Irrera as Tony: Tony, the chauffeur who drives the Dude home after visiting Maude’s studio in The Big Lebowski, is played by Dom Irrera. He is also a well-known standup comedian and has played such voice roles as Ernie Potts on Hey Arnold! and Duke on Back at the Barnyard.