The Meet the Parents cast features Robert De Niro as Jack Byrnes, Ben Stiller as Greg Focker and Teri Polo as Pam Byrnes. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Jay Roach’s 2000 movie on Netflix. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Meet the Parents focuses on a Jewish-American nurse. As Greg Focker plans a marriage proposal for his girlfriend, his plan gets thwarted before a trip to New York for a wedding. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he clashes and ultimately bonds with his girlfriend’s skeptical father. Here’s every actor and character in Meet the Parents.

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Meet the Parents Cast: Robert De Niro as Jack Byrnes

Character Profile: A retired CIA agent. He works as a rare flower expert while utilizing his psychological profiling skills. Jack clashes with his daughter’s Jewish boyfriend in Long Island, New York.

De Niro’s Resume: Johnny Boy in Mean Streets (1973), Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974), Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976), Jake La Motta in Raging Bull (1980), Max Cady in Cape Fear (1991)

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Meet the Parents Cast: Ben Stiller as Greg Focker

Character Profile: A Chicago-based nurse. He is a Detroit native who hates cats. Greg tries to earn the trust of his girlfriend’s parents during a trip to Long Island.

Stiller’s Resume: Michael Grates in Reality Bites (1994), Ted in There’s Something About Mary (1998), Derek Zoolander in Zoolander (2001), Larry Daley in Night at the Museum (2006), Tugg Speedman in Tropic Thunder (2008)

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Meet the Parents Cast: Teri Polo as Pam Byrnes

Character Profile: Greg’s girlfriend. She is a Chicago-based teacher. Pam worries about Greg’s behavior during a wedding weekend gathering for her sister.

Polo’s Resume: Char in The Arrival (1996), Helen Santos in The West Wing (2005-06), Stef Adams Foster in The Fosters (2013-18) and Good Trouble (2019-), Julia Perkins in The Big Leap (2021)

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Meet the Parents Cast: Blythe Danner as Dina Byrnes

Character Profile: Pam’s mother. She is a mild-mannered woman who bonds with Greg. Dina’s easy-going personality contrasts with that of her intense husband.

Danner’s Resume: Marilyn Truman in Will & Grace (2001-20), Anna in The Last Kiss (2006), Tara Walton in Paul (2011), Carol Petersen in I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015), Gigi in Happiness for Beginners (2023)

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Meet the Parents Cast: Nicole DeHuff as Debbie Byrnes

Character Profile: Pam’s sister. She prepares for her wedding in Long Island. Debbie suffers a facial injury during a water volleyball match.

DeHuff’s Resume: Michelle Farrell in The Practice (2001), Katie Potter in Suspect Zero (2004), Carrie Delgado in CSI: Miami (2004), Barbara in See Arnold Run (2005), Wanda Livingston in Unbeatable Harold (2006)

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Meet the Parents Cast: Jon Abrahams as Denny Byrnes

Character Profile: Pam’s brother. He is a hip-hop fan who enjoys marijuana. Denny befriends Greg during a wedding weekend in Long Island.

Abrahams’ Resume: Sonny Poncelet in Dead Man Walking (1995), Bobby Prinze in Scary Movie (2000), Dalton in House of Wax (2005), Morris in Prime (2005), James Maxwell in All at Once (2016)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Merry Gentlemen’

The Meet the Parents cast also includes:

• Owen Wilson as Kevin Rawley
• James Rebhorn as Dr. Larry Banks
• Tom McCarthy as Bob Banks
• Phyllis George as Linda Banks
• Kali Rocha as Flight Attendant
• Bernie Sheredy as Norm the Interrogator
• Judah Friedlander as Pharmacy Clerk
• Peter Bartlett as Animal Shelter Worker
• John Elsen as Chicago Airport Security
• Mark Hammer as Hospital Patient

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.