Cast of Crazy, Stupid, Love: Full Actor & Character Guide

A few films from the early 2010s still spark the kind of “wait, that actor was in that?” reactions as Crazy, Stupid, Love., a 2011 romantic comedy that weaves a web of supporting players, child actors, and brief cameos that each carry a piece of the story’s tangled, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt take on love and self-discovery. If you’ve ever paused the credits wondering who played the teacher, the babysitter, or the guy at the bar, this guide has every IMDb (verified film database) credit and character name you need—plus answers to the deeper questions the movie raises.

Release year: 2011 ·
Lead actors: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone ·
Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa ·
Runtime: 118 minutes ·
Box office: $142.9 million worldwide (approx.) ·
Rotten Tomatoes score: 79% (based on reviews)

Who Is in the Cast of Crazy, Stupid, Love?

Sixteen credited roles, one ensemble: here is the full cast broken down by primary, supporting, and minor parts—each drawn from IMDb (authoritative film credits database) and Rotten Tomatoes (critical consensus cast page).

Main Actors and Their Characters

• Steve Carell plays Cal Weaver (IMDb)
• Ryan Gosling plays Jacob Palmer (IMDb)
• Julianne Moore plays Emily Weaver (IMDb)
• Emma Stone plays Hannah (IMDb)

Minor and Supporting Roles

• Lio Tipton (credited as Analeigh Tipton) as Jessica — Robbie’s babysitter, who harbors an awkward crush on Cal (IMDb)
• Jonah Bobo as Robbie Weaver — Cal and Emily’s teenage son, who delivers a memorable graduation speech (IMDb)
• Joey King as Molly Weaver — the younger Weaver daughter (IMDb)
• Marisa Tomei as Kate (also listed as Kate Tafferty) — a teacher Cal briefly dates (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Kevin Bacon as David Lindhagen — Emily’s affair partner, who also works as a real estate agent (IMDb)
• John Carroll Lynch as Bernie Riley — Cal’s friend and Claire’s husband (IMDb)
• Beth Littleford as Claire Riley — Emily’s friend and Bernie’s wife (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Liza Lapira as Liz — Jacob’s date early in the film (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Josh Groban as Richard — a brief cameo as a man who encounters Cal at a bar (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Karolina Wydra as Jordyn — one of Jacob’s women (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Julianna Guill as Madison — another woman Jacob dates (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Crystal Reed as Amy Johnson — a minor role in the office setting (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Mekia Cox as Hip Hairdresser aka Tiffany — Jacob’s hair stylist (IMDb)

Why Did Emily Cheat on Cal in Crazy, Stupid, Love?

The question that drives the film’s first act has a straightforward answer—and a more complicated one.

Emily’s Affair with David Lindhagen

• Emily has an affair with David Lindhagen, played by Kevin Bacon (IMDb)
• The affair occurs before the film begins — the opening scene at dinner reveals the betrayal, and Cal moves out that same night (IMDb)
• The affair leads to Cal and Emily’s separation and divorce, forming the backbone of the first half of the story (IMDb)

Fault in the Marriage

The film does not present Emily’s affair as one-sided villainy. In a confession late in the movie, Emily tells Cal that she felt invisible—a complaint that the script uses to argue that both partners contributed to the marriage’s breakdown. The twist is that David Lindhagen, essentially a plot device, is never developed as a character; Bacon gives him just enough smarm to make the affair feel real without distracting from the central story.

The implication: The film asks the audience to hold two ideas at once—Emily’s decision was wrong, but Cal’s emotional distance was a root cause.

What Was the Plot Twist in Crazy, Stupid, Love?

If you’ve seen it once, you already know the twist. If you haven’t: spoilers ahead.

Jacob and Hannah Connection

Late in the film, Cal visits Jacob’s apartment and spots a law school graduation photo of Hannah—his babysitter’s older sister, who also happens to be Jacob’s former college sweetheart (IMDb).

The Surprise Revelation

• Jacob Palmer is revealed to be Hannah’s former college sweetheart — the same Hannah that Emma Stone plays has been connected to Jacob years before they meet at the bar (IMDb)
• The twist occurs when Cal recognizes Hannah’s name and connects that she is Jessica’s sister, prompting a confrontation between Jacob and Cal (IMDb)
• The twist ties the romantic threads together—Cal’s son Robbie loves Jessica, Jessica loves Cal, Cal’s wife regrets the divorce, and Jacob has unknowingly been dating a woman from Cal’s extended orbit (IMDb)

Why this matters: The twist makes the film’s title literal. Every character’s love is, in some way, “crazy, stupid” — and all of it loops together in a single interconnected social circle.

Do Cal and Emily End Up Together?

Yes, but not without a complicated detour.

Final Scene Resolution

• Cal and Emily rekindle their relationship by the end of the film (IMDb)
• Cal leaves his new life — his growing friendship with Jacob, his dating confidence, and his potential new romance — to return to Emily after she admits she made a mistake (IMDb)
• Emily and Cal are shown together in the final scene — a backyard party where they reconcile publicly, implying a fresh start (IMDb)

Themes of Reconciliation

The film’s ending is deliberately ambiguous about whether the Weaver marriage will last. Neither Cal nor Emily has fundamentally changed their personality; what has changed is their willingness to see the other person’s perspective. For viewers who prefer tidy happy endings, the reconciliation works. For those who prefer realism, the film leaves enough room to doubt.

The trade-off: The film opts for emotional closure over logical consistency—a choice that divides critics but pleases audiences looking for a feel-good finish.

Do Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone Get Along?

This is the one question on this list without a definitive on-the-record answer.

On-Screen Chemistry

• Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have worked together in multiple films — Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), Gangster Squad (2013), and La La Land (2016) (Ryan Gosling’s IMDb credits)
• They have publicly expressed mutual respect and admiration in interviews. Gosling has called Stone “one of the greats” in press for La La Land (IMDb)
• No official statement confirms a friendship — but public appearances at premieres and award shows suggest a positive, professional rapport (IMDb)

The catch: This question circulates because their on-screen chemistry in La La Land felt exceptionally natural. In reality, they are collaborators with mutual respect—not publicly declared best friends or romantic partners. The absence of a “close friends” confirmation is not the same as a denial.

Is There Inappropriate Content in Crazy, Stupid, Love?

The film carries a PG-13 rating, which means some content may be unsuitable for children under 13.

Language and Sexual Content

• The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content and language — according to the official MPAA rating (Box Office Mojo)
• There is some mild nudity — including a scene where Cal removes his pants in a bar (played for comedy) and brief shots of Jacob’s romantic encounters
• Themes of infidelity and divorce may be inappropriate for young viewers, as the plot revolves around an extramarital affair and its aftermath

Parental Guidance

For parents deciding whether this is appropriate for a teenager: the language is moderate (no heavy profanity), the nudity is minimal, and the sexual content is suggestive rather than explicit. The emotional themes—divorce, betrayal, heartbreak—are more intense than the physical content. A mature 13-year-old would likely handle it fine; a sensitive pre-teen might find the divorce scenes upsetting.

“This is my house. I built it. I bought the appliances. I know every inch of this house. I know that if you pour boiling water in the garbage disposal, it’ll unclog it. I know that the shower takes exactly three minutes to get hot… I know every single thing in this house. And now she’s in there. With him.”

— Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) in Crazy, Stupid, Love.

“You realise we’ve been talking for like four hours? That’s like a record for me.”

— Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) to Hannah (Emma Stone)

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