Alright, let's talk about the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" cast. Seriously, what a bunch. That movie, you know the one – the Coen brothers take on Homer's Odyssey but set in Depression-era Mississippi with more hair grease and bluegrass than you can shake a stick at. It came out way back in 2000, but folks still search for that "o brother where art thou cast" like crazy. Why? Because that ensemble was just… perfect. Every single role, big or tiny, felt lived-in. It wasn't just George Clooney mugging for the camera (though he did plenty of that, gloriously). It was the whole darn package. People want to know *who* they were watching, what happened to those actors, maybe even gossip a bit. Totally get it. I must've watched this flick a dozen times, partly for the music, mostly for the characters. There's something about that dusty desperation mixed with pure Coen weirdness.
Meet the Main Trio: Everett, Delmar, and Pete
The heart of the whole crazy journey. Three convicts chained together, running from the law, hunting buried treasure… what could go wrong?
| Actor | Character | Key Trait | Signature Quote (or near enough!) | Where Were They Before? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Clooney | Ulysses Everett McGill | Fast-talking, vain, self-appointed leader obsessed with Dapper Dan pomade. | "My hair!" / "I'm a Dapper Dan man!" | TV heartthrob (ER's Dr. Doug Ross), rising movie star ("Out of Sight", "Three Kings"). This was his first full-on comedic leading man role with the Coens. |
| John Turturro | Pete Hogwallop | Grumpy, pessimistic, constantly complaining, prone to getting them into deeper trouble. | "We're in a tight spot!" | Coen brothers staple ("Miller's Crossing", "Barton Fink", "The Big Lebowski"), strong indie film presence. |
| Tim Blake Nelson | Delmar O'Donnell | Endearingly dim-witted, kind-hearted, deeply superstitious (remember the baptism scene?). | "Them syreens loved him up and turned him into a... horny toad!" | Primarily known as a playwright/director. Smaller film roles ("The Thin Red Line"). This was his breakout acting performance. |
Man, their chemistry. Clooney, playing way against his usual smooth operator type, just chewed the scenery with that smug grin and desperation. Turturro perfected that hangdog look – Pete was always one step away from total despair, even before they got turned into... well, you know. And Nelson? He stole the show constantly as Delmar. That pure, almost childlike wonder mixed with total bafflement? Genius. Made you want to hug him and explain things slowly. Watching them bicker while chained together felt painfully real. You ever tried walking three abreast? It's chaos. Add chains? Nightmare. Can't imagine filming that.
What Happened to Everett, Pete, and Delmar After Escaping Parchman?
Okay, so where'd the main "o brother where art thou cast" members land after hitting it big with this dusty classic?
- George Clooney: Became a full-blown A-list megastar, producer, and director. Think "Ocean's Eleven," "Syriana" (Oscar win), "Up in the Air," "Gravity." Lots of political activism too. Seems he mostly left the extreme hair gel behind, though.
- John Turturro: Kept being incredibly prolific and versatile. More Coens ("The Big Lebowski" spin-off "The Jesus Rolls" – didn't quite land, honestly), big franchise stuff ("Transformers"), amazing indie work. Also directs. Never lost that intensity, even in comedies.
- Tim Blake Nelson: Became a hugely respected character actor and director. You see him everywhere: "Lincoln," "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" (back with the Coens!), "Watchmen" (HBO series), "Just Mercy." Still writes and directs his own unique films ("Leaves of Grass"). That distinctive voice is unmistakable.
Not bad for three guys who couldn't stay out of a chain gang, huh? Funny thing – even though Clooney became the biggest star by miles, when you talk about the soul of this movie, Nelson's Delmar often comes up first among fans. There's a sweetness there you just can't fake.
The Wild Characters They Met Along the Way
The journey wouldn't be half as memorable without the folks they stumble upon. The "o brother where art thou cast" list gets seriously weird and wonderful here.
Musicians, Mystics, and Menaces
| Actor | Character | Role Significance | Memorable Moment | Notable Whereabouts Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Goodman | Big Dan Teague | The terrifying, cycloptic Bible salesman/Klan member. | Menacing Everett and Delmar over lunch, ending with the frog scene (shudder). | Continued massive success: "Monsters Inc." (Sulley), "Argo," "The Conners." Remains a powerhouse character actor. |
| Holly Hunter | Penny Wharvey McGill | Everett's estranged wife who thinks he's dead and is about to remarry. | "But you *are* handsome, George... like I always said." (To suitor George Nelson, NOT Everett!). | Steady, acclaimed career ("The Incredibles" voice of Elastigirl, "Top of the Lake," "Succession"). |
| Charles Durning | Governor Pappy O'Daniel | The corrupt, folksy incumbent governor fighting for re-election. | His exasperated campaign meetings ("We ain't one-at-a-timin' here!") | Sadly passed away in 2012. A legendary character actor ("Tootsie," "The Sting," "Dog Day Afternoon"). |
| Michael Badalucco | George "Baby Face" Nelson | The wildly unstable, infamous gangster. | "Damn! We're in a tight spot!" (Gleefully shooting up a bank while the trio cowers). | Best known for "The Practice" (Jimmy Berluti), numerous TV guest spots. |
| Stephen Root | Mr. Lund | The blind radio station manager recording the Soggy Bottom Boys. | "You've sold your souls for a recording contract?!" | A voice acting giant (Bill Dauterive in "King of the Hill") and incredible character actor ("Office Space," "Barry," "Get Out"). |
| Chris Thomas King | Tommy Johnson | The blues guitarist who claims he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads. | His haunting performance and providing the trio's musical "sound." | Renowned blues musician, actor ("Ray"), continued music career and cultural preservation work. |
Goodman. Man, he could scare the pants off you. Big Dan remains one of his most chillingly folksy villains. Holly Hunter brought such grounded sass to Penny – you believed she was done with Everett's nonsense. Durning was pure political sleaze gold. Badalucco? Pure chaotic energy, stealing every second as Baby Face Nelson. Root, in just a few minutes, made that radio station manager iconic. And Chris Thomas King? That voice. Haunting. Absolutely critical to the film's authentic sound. It’s wild how many of these folks were already Coen regulars or became legends in their own niches. Finding Tommy at that crossroads still gives me chills – that whole sequence is just eerie perfection.
Small Roles, Big Impact
Seriously, even the folks with barely any lines left a mark. That's Coen magic for you:
- Wayne Duvall: Played Homer Stokes, Pappy O'Daniel's morally upright (but secretly awful) opponent. His reveal as a Klan Grand Wizard is a gut punch. Duvall mostly stayed in solid character actor territory.
- Frank Collison: Was Wash Hogwallop, Pete's unforgiving cousin who turns them in. Pure, sweaty desperation. You see him pop up in tons of TV shows.
- Lee Weaver: The lone black chain gang member Everett tries to persuade to join them ("The race is for the *chosen*, boys!"). Weaver had a long career but passed in 2014.
- Musical Cameos: Keep an eye out for real-life icons like Gillian Welch (singing in the recording booth), Emmylou Harris (one of the heavenly voices during the baptism), and John Hartford (the fiddler on the roof of the barn). They weren't just hired hands; they were integral to the film's soul.
It's nuts how many folks asking about the "o brother where art thou cast" remember these tiny parts vividly. Like the store clerk annoyed by Everett's Dapper Dan demands. Or the irritable man at the telegraph office. They gave that world texture. Makes rewatching it a constant game of "Oh, hey, it's that person!"
Where Are They Now? Tracking Down the "O Brother" Cast
Okay, let's get practical. Beyond the biggest names, what happened to some key players from this ensemble? People search "o brother where art thou cast" often wanting updates, especially on the less visible faces.
| Actor | Character | Major Roles & Activities Since "O Brother" | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray McKinnon | Vernon T. Waldrip (Penny's suitor) | Successfully transitioned to writing/directing ("Rectify" - creator, "Sons of Anarchy," "Deadwood"). Won Oscar for Live Action Short ("The Accountant"). | Active in TV and film (writing/directing/acting). Married to Lisa Blount (Passed 2010) who played his mama in the film! |
| Daniel von Bargen | Sheriff Cooley (The Law) | Known for roles in "Malcolm in the Middle" (Commandant Spangler), "Seinfeld," "The Postman." | Sadly passed away in 2015. His relentless, ominous sheriff remains iconic. |
| J.R. Horne | Pappy O'Daniel's Assistant | Frequent Coen brothers bit-part player ("The Man Who Wasn't There," "Intolerable Cruelty," "Burn After Reading"). | Appeared in small roles until around 2016. Lives a quieter life now. |
| Brian Reddy | Junior O'Daniel (Pappy's son) | Long career as a character actor ("Mrs. Doubtfire," "Patch Adams," lots of TV). | Still active sporadically in TV and film. |
| Millford Fortenberry | Pomade-Hawking Store Clerk | Primarily a local Mississippi actor. Appeared in "My Dog Skip," "Cookie's Fortune." | Believed to be retired from acting. |
It’s a real mixed bag. Some, like McKinnon, built incredibly successful careers behind the camera. Others, like von Bargen, left us with memorable performances before passing. Horne was one of those quintessential "Coen faces." Reddy keeps popping up reliably. And folks like Fortenberry? Pure local flavor, adding authenticity. You gotta respect how the Coens valued character over star power. Finding Ray McKinnon went on to create something as profound as "Rectify" is pretty amazing. Shows the talent simmering in even those smaller roles. Von Bargen... man, he could make you nervous just standing there silently. That glare as Sheriff Cooley...
Why Does This Cast Still Captivate Us? The Enduring Appeal
Look, tons of movies have great casts. Why does the "o brother where art thou cast" still get so much love, decades later?
- Perfect Chemistry: It wasn't just acting; it felt like these people genuinely bounced off each other. The trio's constant bickering mixed with underlying loyalty felt real. Even fleeting interactions crackled.
- Character Over Caricature: Even the weirdest characters (Big Dan, Baby Face Nelson) had layers. They weren't just jokes; they felt like bizarre products of that specific time and place.
- The Coen Brothers' Eye: They have an unmatched knack for casting exactly the right face and voice for their unique worlds. They pick actors who *get* the tone – absurd but somehow grounded.
- The Music Connection: Casting real musicians (King, Welch, Harris, Hartford, Stanley) wasn't a gimmick; it brought raw authenticity and soul that actors alone couldn't replicate. They *were* their roles.
- It's Just Dang Funny (and Sometimes Deep): Seriously, the dialogue? Gold. Clooney's fast-talking schemes, Delmar's wide-eyed misunderstandings, Pete's grumbling, Big Dan's faux-polite menace. It balances slapstick with moments of genuine pathos and even spiritual weight (that baptism scene still gets me).
It’s that blend. You laugh *with* them, even at their dumbest moments, because they feel so human underneath the grime and pomade. Remember Everett trying to convince Penny he'd changed? Pure desperation masking ego. Fantastic. Or Delmar's pure joy at being "saved"? Gets me every time. Even the villainous types like Cooley or Stokes had a weird conviction. It’s a world you believe in, populated by people who feel plucked from history books… or maybe tall tales told on a dusty porch.
Your Burning "O Brother Where Art Thou Cast" Questions Answered (FAQ)
Q: Who actually sang "Man of Constant Sorrow" in the movie? It sounded amazing.
A: That's the genius part! While George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro mimed performing as The Soggy Bottom Boys, the actual vocals were provided by:
- Dan Tyminski: Lead vocals (Everett's singing voice). A bluegrass superstar (Alison Krauss & Union Station). His voice IS the iconic sound.
- Harley Allen: High tenor harmony (Delmar's singing voice).
- Pat Enright: Baritone harmony (Pete's singing voice). Also part of the Nashville Bluegrass Band.
The actors learned to mime perfectly, but the power comes from those legendary voices.
Q: Was that really John Goodman singing "In the Jailhouse Now"?
A: Yes! John Goodman performed "In the Jailhouse Now" himself during the scene where Big Dan terrorizes Everett and Delmar. That deep, booming voice is all him. Adds to the unsettling vibe!
Q: What about the women singing during the river baptism? Who were they?
A: That angelic sound came from none other than Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch, two absolute giants of Americana and bluegrass music. Their pure harmonies make that scene transcendent.
Q: Is it true the actors were actually chained together?
A: Yep! For many scenes requiring them to walk or run while chained, the three lead actors (Clooney, Nelson, Turturro) were actually linked with real, heavy chains. Clooney reportedly kept tripping Nelson! They've talked about how awkward and physically demanding it was, but it definitely added to the authentic frustration you see on screen.
Q: Did George Clooney really use that much pomade?
A: Oh yeah, loads of it. Clooney has said they used a specific brand (Murray's Superior Pomade) and applied it thickly, sometimes multiple times a day during filming. He also mentioned it was incredibly hard to wash out! That slicked-back, perfectly coiffed (even after swimming!) look became Everett's signature vanity.
Q: Whatever happened to the actor who played Tommy Johnson (sold his soul to the devil)?
A: That's the fantastic blues musician Chris Thomas King. He continued his successful music career, blending traditional blues with hip-hop influences. He also acted in other films, most notably playing Lowell Fulson in the Ray Charles biopic "Ray." He remains a significant figure in contemporary blues.
Q: Why does the cast list feel so authentic to the Deep South?
A: The Coens did a brilliant mix: Casting incredible character actors known for specific looks/vibes (Turturro, Goodman, Durning) BUT also intentionally using many actors with genuine Southern roots or casting locals for smaller roles. Ray McKinnon (Vernon), Walton Goggins (who had a small role as a hotel clerk), and musicians like Gillian Welch added that layer of real Southern texture you can't fake. It avoided feeling like a bunch of New York actors putting on accents.
See? People wonder about the strangest, most specific things. Like Clooney's darn hair grease! But it's those little details that make digging into the "o brother where art thou cast" so much fun. Finding out Goodman really did sing that song? Makes Big Dan even creepier. Knowing the chains were real? Explains the genuine irritation.
Behind the Scenes: Casting Magic and Challenges
Putting this group together wasn't just luck. The Coens had a vision, and finding the right "o brother where art thou cast" took work.
- Clooney as Everett: Not the obvious choice back then. He was known for smooth charm (ER), not broad comedy. The Coens took a gamble. Clooney actively pursued the role, even doing a screen test. He leaned HARD into the physical comedy and fast-talking desperation, proving his range.
- Finding Delmar: Tim Blake Nelson was primarily a playwright/director. The Coens saw something specific in him – that open, guileless face and unique voice – perfect for the gentle, superstitious Delmar. It was a breakout that defined his acting career.
- The Music First: T-Bone Burnett was signed on as music producer BEFORE the script was even finished. They built the film's world and atmosphere around the authentic sounds he would curate. Casting musicians who could act (King) or actors who could mime convincingly was crucial from the start.
- Authenticity Hunt: For smaller roles and extras, they heavily relied on casting locals in Mississippi where they filmed. Those weathered faces and natural accents you see in the backgrounds and small parts? Often genuine locals, not professional actors.
- Coen Regulars: They sprinkled in their trusted collaborators like Turturro (Pete) and Goodman (Big Dan), knowing they could nail the specific Coen tone – that mix of the ridiculous and the profound.
Honestly, seeing Clooney in that role now, it's impossible to imagine anyone else. But back then? Bit of a risk. Paid off big time. Nelson being a relative unknown added to Delmar's freshness. And the commitment to real musicians and locals? That's what gives the film its deep roots. You can't fake that Mississippi dust. I remember reading how they'd just find folks hanging around town who looked right for the period. Makes such a difference compared to movies where every extra looks like they just stepped out of a salon.
A Cultural Relic? Nope, Still Resonating
Talking about the "o brother where art thou cast" isn't just nostalgia. This movie, and its players, left a real mark:
- Soundtrack Phenomenon: We gotta mention it again. The soundtrack sold over 8 million copies in the US alone, won the Grammy for Album of the Year (2002), and sparked a massive mainstream revival of interest in American roots music – bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues. It brought artists like Alison Krauss and Ralph Stanley to a whole new audience.
- Quotes Galore: Lines like "We're in a tight spot!", "I'm a Dapper Dan man!", or "Damn, we're in a tight spot!" (Baby Face Nelson's version) entered the pop culture lexicon. People still use 'em.
- Culturally Reappraised: While liked on release, its reputation as a uniquely American masterpiece, blending myth, history, music, and comedy, has only grown over time. Critics and academics dig into its layers.
- Blueprint for Casting: It showed how integral authentic casting – not just stars, but faces, voices, and real cultural practitioners – is to building a believable world. That soundtrack success proved music isn't just background noise.
It’s funny. When it first came out, some folks maybe saw it as just a quirky comedy. But then that soundtrack took off like a rocket. Suddenly, people were listening to bluegrass on mainstream radio! That never happens. It made everyone re-evaluate the film itself. You realized how deeply the music was woven into the story, performed by characters played by actors who looked and felt absolutely right for that world. It wasn't just a movie; it became a gateway to a whole musical heritage.
Wrapping Up the Journey with the Chain Gang
So, there you have it. The lowdown on that unforgettable "o brother where art thou cast." From George Clooney's pomade obsession to Tim Blake Nelson's breakout sweetness, John Goodman's terrifying charm, and the real musicians who gave it its soul, every piece mattered. It wasn't just about the names; it was about finding the perfect blend of talent, authenticity, and that specific Coen brothers weirdness.
Looking back, it's wild how many careers were boosted or defined by this one dusty, funny, surprisingly deep film. Clooney cemented his movie star status outside the ER, Nelson became a beloved character actor, and the soundtrack changed the music scene. Searching for that "o brother where art thou cast" list? You're not just looking up names; you're revisiting a magic trick of casting, where every single person, from the leads to the guy selling pomade, felt exactly right. That's why we keep coming back to it, chains and all. It just feels real, even when it's utterly bizarre. And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way. It holds up, partly because of the story, mostly because of the people telling it. They made you believe that journey, every ridiculous, dangerous, soulful step of it.
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