The Happy Face cast features Dennis Quaid as Happy Face, Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa and James Wolk as Ben. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Jennifer Cacicio’s Paramount+ series. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Happy Face centers on a real-life serial killer and his estranged daughter. As a makeup artist named Melissa works for a talk show, she tries to bury secrets about her personal life. The narrative follows the main players as they reunite and discuss the past. Here’s every actor and character in Happy Face, a series inspired by Melissa Moore’s 2009 book Shattered Silence (in collaboration with  M. Bridget Cook) and her 2018 podcast.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Landman’

Happy Face Cast: Dennis Quaid as Happy Face

Character Profile: A serial killer. He is a former trucker who reaches out to “The Dr. Greg Show.” Happy Face, otherwise known as Keith, reunites with his daughter and shames her for past decisions.

Quaid’s Resume: Gordon Cooper in The Right Stuff (1983), Frank Sullivan in Frequency (2000), Frank Whitaker in Far from Heaven (2002), Jack Hall in The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Sherrill Lynn in Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023-)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘1883’

Happy Face Cast: Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa

Character Profile: Happy Face’s daughter. She is a makeup artist who has been married for 20 years. Melissa worries about her job at “The Dr. Greg Show,” along with her personal safety, about upon being publicly linked to her serial killer father.

Ashford’s Resume: Betty DiMello in Masters of Sex (2013-16), Elizabeth Cote and Paula Jones in American Crime Story (2018-2022), Lilly Darrow in Unbelievable (2019), Gina Dabrowski in B Positive (2020-22), Irene in Welcome to Chippendales (2022-23)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Special Ops: Lioness’

Happy Face Cast: James Wolk as Ben

Character Profile: Melissa’s husband. He is a branch manager who worries about his wife’s mental health. Ben tries to protect his family from Happy Face and the media.

Wolk’s Resume: Will in You Again (2010), Bob Benson in Mad Men (2013-14), Mike Penny in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015), Joe Keene in Watchmen (2019), Superman in Harley Quinn (2019-)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Tulsa King’

Happy Face Cast: Tamera Tomakili as Ivy

Character Profile: Melissa’s colleague. She is a producer for “The Dr. Greg Show.” Ivy prioritizes her best interests when Happy Face reaches out to her show.

Tomakili’s Resume: Lauren in Fruitvale Station (2013), Monife Adeyemo in Run the World (2021), Cookie Keely in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022-23), June in Blindspotting (2023), Rachel Malick in Opus (2025)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘1923’

Happy Face Cast: Khiyla Aynne as Hazel

Character Profile: Melissa’s teenage daughter. She gets bullied by high school classmates. Hazel develops a tighter bond with a close friend upon revealing that her grandfather is a serial killer.

Aynne’s Resume: Trish in Ponysitters Club (2017-18), Little Stomper in Work It (2020), Cassady in Circuit Breakers (2022), Charlotte in 13: The Musical (2022), Wigged Dancing Girl in Trap (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Rabbit Hole’

The Happy Face cast also includes:

• Benjamin Mackey as Max
• Connor Paton as Tyler
• River Codack as Josh
• Philip Granger as Chave
• Zara Nikou Sichani as Victoria
• Jennifer Spence as Renee
• Marci T. House as Joyce
• Ava Telek as Summer
• Kathleen Duborg as June
• Charles Zuckerman as Co. Bassett
• David Harewood as Dr. Greg
• Jenn Lyon as Gillian
• Patrick Gilmore as Cody
• Kiefer O’Reilly as Shane
• Teach Grant as Ashton McBride
• Kate Maree as Young Melissa
• Momona Tamada as Eva

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