The Jay Kelly cast features George Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Noah Baumbach’s 2025 Netflix movie. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Jay Kelly explores the life and times of an American movie star. As Jay Kelly arrives in Italy to receive an award, he thinks about his career accomplishments and personal mistakes. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he works through various issues with a trusted and loyal friend. Here’s every actor and character in Jay Kelly.

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Jay Kelly Cast: George Clooney as Jay Kelly

Character Profile: A famous actor from Kentucky. He travels to Italy to accept an award after a fight with his former roommate. Jay tries to resolve issues with his two children and various colleagues.

Clooney’s Resume: Doug Ross in ER (1994-2009), Danny Ocean in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Michael Clayton in Michael Clayton (2007), Ryan Bingham in Up in the Air (2009), Matt Kowalski in Gravity (2013)

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Jay Kelly Cast: Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick

Character Profile: Jay’s manager. He thinks about a failed relationship from the past. Ron wants to believe that he is one of Jay’s close friends.

Sandler’s Resume: Saturday Night Live Cast Member (1990-95), Happy Gilmore in Happy Gilmore (1996), Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer (1998), Barry Egan in Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems (2019)

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Jay Kelly Cast: Laura Dern as Liz

Character Profile: Jay’s publicist. She broke Ron’s heart in the past. Liz believes that Jay’s needs are more important than a friendship.

Dern’s Resume: Sandy Williams in Blue Velvet (1986), Lula in Wild at Heart (1990), Ellie in Jurassic Park (1993), Bobbi in Wild (2014), Nora Fanshaw in Marriage Story (2019)

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Jay Kelly Cast: Billy Crudup as Timothy

Character Profile: Jay’s former roommate. He is a child therapist and failed actor. Timothy confronts Jay about stealing an acting opportunity (and his girlfriend).

Crudup’s Resume: Russell Hammond in Almost Famous (2000), Will Bloom in Big Fish (2003), Arch Cummings in The Good Shepherd (2006), Dr. Manhattan/Jon Osterman in Watchmen (2009), Cory Ellison in The Morning Show (2019-)

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Jay Kelly Cast: Riley Keough as Jessica Kelly

Character Profile: Jay’s oldest daughter. She is a San Diego resident who seeks a therapy session with her father. Jessica describes Jay as an “empty vessel.”

Keough’s Resume: Capable in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Christine Reade in The Girlfriend Experience (2016), Stefani in Zola (2020), Daisy Jones in Daisy Jones and the Six (2023), Rebecca Godfrey in Under the Bridge (2024)

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Jay Kelly Cast: Grace Edwards as Daisy Kelly

Character Profile: Jay’s youngest daughter. She plans to attend John Hopkins University to study biochemistry after traveling throughout Italy. Daisy informs Jay that she wants to become an actress.

Edwards’ Resume: Ellen in Schooled (2019), Alexa in Modern Love (2021), Teen in American Crime Story (2021), Charlotte in Call Jane (2022), Dinah in Asteroid City (2023)

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The Jay Kelly cast also includes:

• Stacy Keach as Jay’s Dad
• Jim Broadbent as Peter Schneider
• Patrick Wilson as Ben Alcock
• Eve Hewson as Daphne
• Greta Gerwig as Lois Sukenick
• Alba Rohrwacher as Alba
• Josh Hamilton as Carter
• Lenny Henry as Larry
• Emily Mortimer as Candy
• Nicôle Lecky as Krista
• Thaddea Graham as Meg
• Isla Fisher as Melanie Alcock
• Louis Partridge as Young Timothy

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