Cult classic TV show Freaks and Geeks has remained relevant decades after its early cancellation due to how well the 18-episode series holds up, as well as the success of the main cast members. The high school dramedy had a cast composed of young, newcomer actors without extensive resumes, something that has changed since the show went off the air in 2000.
Comedic actors Seth Rogen and Martin Starr were barely seventeen when they starred as Ken and Bill on Freaks and Geeks. Now, they are known for the hilarity they brought to films like Knocked Up and shows like Party Down. Even though Freaks and Geeks wasn't a ratings smash at the time, the careers of its stars definitely took off.
10 Becky Ann Baker (Jean)
Becky Ann Baker starred as Lindsay and Sam's lovable, dorky mother who just wanted her children to be happy. She was often on the naive side when it came to her kids' whereabouts but had a big heart.
Baker has appeared in numerous films and television shows since the series' cancellation in 2000. Her most recent notable roles include Hannah's mom on the HBO series Girls and Judge Cipriani in the second season of the Emmy-nominated miniseries, Big Little Lies.
9 Joe Flaherty (Harold)
Joe Flaherty played Sam and Lindsay's strict and blunt father, Harold. He owned a sporting goods store in town and only seemed to have a soft spot when it came to his wife, Jean.
Since Freaks and Geeks, Flaherty hasn't done as much work compared to earlier in his career. He played a priest of the CBS sitcom, The King of Queens, and lent his voice to the animated film Home on the Range. He has also done voice work on Family Guy.
8 Busy Philipps (Kim)
Kim Kelly was the ultimate frenemy, first torturing Lindsay at school and then becoming one of her closest friends. Busy Philipps took on the role opposite Linda Cardellini, and their chemistry was off the charts.
Philipps went on to star on the later seasons of Dawson's Creek and landed the role of Laurie Keller on Courteney Cox's Cougartown. She released a memoir titled, This Will Only Hurt a Little in 2018, and had her own short-lived talk show on E! called Busy Tonight. Most recently, she starred in Peacock's original series Girls 5 Eva, and hosts a weekly podcast called Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best.
7 Seth Rogen (Ken)
Seth Rogen's Ken Miller was a man of few words, but a great form of comedic relief whenever the "freaks" gang found themselves in trouble.
Rogen's career has been quite successful since the show ended. He has frequently collaborated with writer Judd Apatow, starring in films like Knocked Up and Funny People. In 2019, Rogen and longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg launched their own cannabis line, Houseplant.
6 Samm Levine (Neal)
Neal Schweiber was portrayed by young actor Samm Levine. Neal's character arc included being one of Sam's best friends and discovering that his father is cheating on his mother.
Levine has guest-starred on sitcoms like Modern Family and That '70s Show. He also reprised his role as both the voice and physical version of Arty in the Wet Hot American Summer Netflix revivals, First Day of Camp and Ten Years Later.
5 James Franco (Daniel)
James Franco starred as bad boy Daniel Desario on Freaks and Geeks, befriending Lindsay Weir and having a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship with Kim Kelly.
Franco continued to collaborate with co-stars Seth Rogen and Jason Segel following the cancellation of Freaks. His most recent success was directing and starring the 2017 film, The Disaster Artist, in which he portrayed actor-director Tommy Wiseau alongside his brother, Dave. Franco won a Golden Globe for the role. In 2018, Franco was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple former costars, ex-girlfriends, and mentees.
4 Martin Starr (Bill)
Martin Starr played Sam Weir's lovable best friend, Bill, who was allergic to peanuts and a big fan of the TV show, Dallas.
Starr's television and film credits are extensive, having guest roles on multiple popular shows such as Parks and Recreation and New Girl. He starred as Roman on another short-lived show that gathered a cult following, Party Down, and played Peter Parker's teacher in the Tom Holland Spider-Man films. But the role he is most known for outside of Freaks and Geeks is in Silicon Valley, as sarcastic Satanist Gilfoyle.
3 Jason Segel (Nick)
Jason Segel played goofy wannabe drummer Nick Andopolis, a member of the "freaks." Nick was Lindsay's primary love interest.
Segel went on to date co-star Linda Cardellini for a few years following the breakup of their characters on the show, and remain good friends to this day. He played main character Marshall Eriksen on the hit sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, which ran for nine seasons on CBS. Segel has also starred in multiple popular movies, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Muppets.
2 John Francis Daley (Sam)
At just 14 years old, John Francis Daly was the youngest cast member of Freaks and Geeks, playing Lindsay's awkward younger brother, Sam.
Daley has continued his career in Hollywood, starring as fan-favorite Doctor Lance Sweets on the drama series Bones from 2007-2014. In addition to being an actor, Daley is also a screenwriter, writing for films like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Spiderman: Homecoming.
1 Linda Cardellini (Lindsay)
Linda Cardellini led the ensemble cast of Freaks and Geeks as Lindsay Weir, a former mathlete who has a rebellious streak following the death of her grandmother.
Cardellini has gone on to have a very successful career, appearing in famous movies such as Legally Blonde and Brokeback Mountain. She starred as Velma in the live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo, and appeared in the Oscar-winning film, Green Book. Most recently, Cardellini starred alongside Christina Applegate in the Netflix series, Dead to Me, which was just renewed for its third and final season.
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May 11, 2021 at 05:30AM
