American Underdog tells the true story of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, and here’s who plays who in this story and what the real-life characters look like. Biographical movies and sports dramas have come together many times through the years to bring some inspirational and entertaining stories to the big screen, and among the latest titles to join that category is American Underdog, a Christian sports movie directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin and based on the life of Kurt Warner.

Kurt Warner is a former American football quarterback who played in the NFL for twelve seasons, mostly with the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. Warner is considered the NFL’s greatest undrafted player and was named NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP, and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. American Underdog, then, follows Warner’s journey from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming the two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and Hall of Fame quarterback everyone now knows. American Underdog was released on December 25, 2021, and it received mostly positive reviews.

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American Underdog not only tells the story of a widely-known athlete, but it also counts on a cast full of familiar faces playing real-life people. Here’s the cast guide for American Underdog and what each character looks like in real life.

Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner

Zachary Levi stars as Kurt Warner. After playing for the University of Northern Iowa’s football team, Kurt has big chances at the NFL draft, yet he goes undrafted and following a failed tryout with Green Bay, he takes a job at a grocery store. His life eventually changes when he’s approached by Jim Foster, and so his career in professional football begins. Zachary Levi is best known for playing Chuck Bartowski in the TV series Chuck, Luke Collins in Heroes Reborn, and Dr. Benjamin Ettenberg in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. On the big screen, he played Fandral in Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok, Billy Batson/Shazam in DC’s Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and voiced Eugene in Tangled.

Anna Paquin as Brenda Warner

Anna Paquin plays Brenda Warner, a former United States Marine Corps corporal and Kurt’s wife who has been by his side through the highs and lows of his personal and professional life. Anna Paquin’s most notable roles are Flora McGrath in The Piano, Rogue in X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Sookie Stackhouse in the TV series True Blood.

Dennis Quaid as Dick Vermeil

Dennis Quaid plays Dick Vermeil, a former football coach who in American Underdog is the head coach of the St Louis Rams and gives Kurt Warner a permanent position in the team as he believes in him. Dennis Quaid is best known for his roles in movies like The Right Stuff, Wyatt Earp, The Parent Trap, The Day After Tomorrow, Yours, Mine & Ours, and the TV shows Vegas, The Art of More, and Goliath.

Bruce McGill as Jim Foster

Bruce McGill plays Jim Foster, the founder of the AFL and former NFL and USFL executive, who in American Underdog offers Kurt Warner the quarterback position for the Iowa Barnstormer. Bruce McGill’s most notable roles are D-Day in National Lampoon’s Animal House, Ron Motley in The Insider, Bradley in Ali, Jack Dalton in the TV series MacGyver, Stanley Gordon in Suits, Jordan Ramsey in Shades of Blue, and Bobby Spencer in The Crew.

American Underdog Supporting Cast & Characters

Cindy Hogan as Sue Warner, Kurt’s mother: Cindy Hogan’s most notable roles are Mrs. Lee in Veronica Mars, Dr. Lewis in Army Wives, and Amy Rollins in Exposure.

Adam Baldwin as Terry Allen, Kurt’s coach at the University of Northern Iowa: Adam Baldwin is best known for playing Sergeant “Animal Mother” in Full Metal Jacket, Major Mitchell in Independence Day, and Jayne Cobb in Serenity and the TV series Firefly.

Ser’Darius Blain as Mike Hudnutt: Ser’Darius Blain played Woody in 2011’s Footloose, young Fridge in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Galvin Burdette in Charmed.

Chance Kelly as Mike Martz: Chance Kelly played Ed Cutler on the TV series Aquarius, Lt. Col. “Godfather” Ferrando in Generation Kill, Mitchell Loeb in Fringe, and Randall Watts in Banshee.

OJ Keith Simpson as Marshall Faulk:American Underdog is OJ Keith Simpson’s first movie role.

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Nic Harris as Ray Lewis: American Underdog is Nic Harris’ first movie role.

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About The Author


Adrienne Tyler
(3268 Articles Published)

Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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