Jeff Bridges
The role of "The Dude" was tailored specifically around the talents of Jeff Bridges; indeed, the character is so inextricable from the actor that Bridges and his characterization have achieve cult icon status.
Bridges' father was the actor Lloyd Bridges, so he got involved in movies at an early age. His first major role was in 1971 in Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. Other films include Fat City, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Tron, Kiss Me Goodbye, Against All Odds, Starman, Blown Awar, The Fisher King The Contender, Tideland, Crazy Heart, True Grit, and Hell or High Water. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Crazy Heart.
John Goodman
The role of Walter was written specifically with John Goodman in mind. Goodman is a frequent collaborator of the Coen Brothers. After earning a scholarship to play football at Missouri State University, Goodman became more interested in theater and decided to pursue a career in entertainment. His first big role was in the Broadway musical Big River in 1985. His television work includes a Golden Globe-winning performance on Roseanne. His films include Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Inside Llewyn Davis, The Flintstones, The Artist, Argo, and Atomic Blonde.
Steve Buscemi
Buscemi was another actor whose role was written especially for him. Buscemi is also a frequent collaborator of the Coen Brothers, having appeared in their other films, Millers Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, and Fargo. His other films include Parting Glances, Con Air, Reservoir Dogs, Big Fish, Ghost World, and The Death of Stalin.
Sam Elliott
Sam Elliott is not in the film for very long, but his part as the cowboy-hat-wearing stranger at the bowling alley has left a lasting impression on pop culture. His distinctive look and style have earned him many parts in Westerns of all kinds, and his films include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Conagher, Gettysburg, and A Star is Born.
David Huddleston
David Huddleston was an American actor, best known for his work in films like Blazing Saddles and The Big Lebowski, and for his Emmy nominated performance on The Wonder Years.
John Turturro
John Turturro is best-known for his collaborations with the Coen Brothers, Spike Lee, and Adam Sandler. After finishing at The Yale School of Drama, Turturro's first role was in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull, though he didn't have any lines. He also won an Obie Award for his creation of the title character in John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. His films include Barton Fink, Miller's Crossing, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Last Night, The Transformers series, and Do The Right Thing.
Tara Reid
Tara Reid beat out a then-unknown Charlize Theron for the role of Bunny. She is an American actress known for playing ditzy blondes in such films as American Pie, Josie and the Pussycats, and Van Wilder.
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore began her acting career in 1985 with a role in the soap opera As The World Turns, and has been nominated for Academy Awards for her roles in Boogie Nights, The End of the Affair, Far From Heaven, and The Hours, and finally won one for her role in Still Alice in 2014.
