The Big Short cast features Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Adam McKay’s 2015 movie on Amazon and MGM+. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

The Big Short examines the 2008 financial crisis. When an American investor named Michael Burry predicts a housing market collapse, he warns colleagues about what will happen in the near future. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he inadvertently convinces various investors to side with him. Here’s every actor and character in The Big Short, an adaptation of Michael Lewis’ 2010 book.

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

The Big Short Cast: Christian Bale as Michael Burry

Character Profile: A financial analyst. He is a heavy metal fan who predicts a housing market collapse. Michael meets with various investors to potentially capitalize upon his vision for the future.

Bale’s Resume: Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000), Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Dark Knight (2008), Dicky Eklund in The Fighter (2012), Irving Rosenfeld in American Hustle (2013), Ken Miles in Ford v Ferrari (2019)

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

The Big Short Cast: Steve Carell as Mark Baum

Character Profile: A hedge fund manager. He is a Jewish man who thinks about his late brother. Mark believes that the housing market will collapse due to greedy investors.

Carell’s Resume: Michael Scott in The Office (2005-13), Andy in The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), John du Pont in Foxcatcher (2014), Mitch Kessler in The Morning Show (2019-21), Randall in Mountainhead (2025)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘A Star Is Born’

The Big Short Cast: Ryan Gosling as Jared Vennett

Character Profile: The narrator. He is a bank salesman who explains the nuances of the housing market. Jared sides with Michael and strategizes against investment firms.

Gosling’s Resume: Noah in The Notebook (2004), Dean in Blue Valentine (2010), Driver in Drive (2011), Sebastian in La La Land (2016), Ken in Barbie (2023)

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

The Big Short Cast: Brad Pitt as Ben Rickert

Character Profile: A former Singapore-based trader. He is a cynical man who abandoned his work out of disgust. Ben sides with Michael and teams up with two young investors to make money.

Pitt’s Resume: Mills in Se7en (1995), Tyler Durden in Fight Club (1999), Rusty Ryan in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Billy Beane in Moneyball (2011), Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’

The Big Short Cast: John Magaro as Charlie Geller

Character Profile: A hedge fund manager. He is a Boulder, Colorado resident who tries to impress Wall Street investors. Charlie and his work partner side with Michael.

Magaro’s Resume: Dannie McElroy in Carol (2015), Tibbet in Overlord (2018), Silvio Dante in The Many Saints of Newark (2021), Owen in The Agency (2024-), Geoffrey Mason in September 5 (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Call Me by Your Name’

The Big Short Cast: Finn Wittrock as Jamie Shipley

Character Profile: Charlie’s business partner. He sides with Michael and reaches out to his former neighbor, Ben, for financial support. Jamie and Charlie successfully short the housing market.

Wittrock’s Resume: Various in American Horror Story (2014-21), Mac in Unbroken (2014), Edmund Tolleson in Ratched (2020), Luke Harrison in Luckiest Girl Alive (2022), Richard in Don’t Move (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Silver Linings Playbook’

The Big Short cast also includes:

• Hamish Linklater as Porter Collins
• Rafe Spall as Danny Moses
• Jeremy Strong as Vinny Daniel
• Marisa Tomei as Cynthia Baum
• Tracy Letts as Lawrence Fields
• Adepero Oduye as Kathy Tao
• Karen Gillan as Evie
• Byron Mann as Mr.Chau
• Melissa Leo as Georgia Hale
• Jae Suh Park as Michael Burry’s Wife
• Max Greenfield as Mortgage Broker
• Billy Magnussen as Mortgage Broker
• Stanley Wong as Ted Jiang

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