‘Veronica Mars’ cast: See the stars of the hit teen noir series, then and now

Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars)

Don’t call her lady unless you want your butt tased. Brought to life by Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars is a fast-talking, no-nonsense teen P.I. whose deductive skills are as fine-tuned as her empathy.

Veronica was the first in a long line of signature TV characters for Bell, including Eleanor Shellstrop in The Good Place (2016–2020), the snark-voiced narrator of Gossip Girl (2007–2021), Jeannie Van Der Hooven in House of Lies (2012–2016), and the antiheroine Joanne in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This (2024–present).

Her film career boasts its share of pop-culture favorites. She was the one and only Sarah Marshall in the raunchy rom-com Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), one of the titular moms in Bad Moms (2016), and lest we forget, Princess Anna herself in Disney’s era-defining Frozen (2013). In all three cases, she returned for follow-up sequel appearances as well.

Bell has been with comedian Dax Shepard since 2007. They got married in 2013 and have two children.

Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls)

Veronica’s unlikely love interest Logan Echolls, played by Jason Dohring, begins the story as the rich bad boy we love to hate. That is, until we start to love LoVe — the portmanteau for Logan and Veronica — whose epic story ultimately ends in “lives ruined and bloodshed,” just as Logan predicted.

Dohring’s career has made a home on television, and his credits go back to episodes of Baywatch and Picket Fences. Since Logan officially put him on the map, he’s booked recurring roles on The Originals (2015–2017) and iZombie (2017–2018), along with a guest arc on SEAL Team (2021). The actor also has a longstanding voice gig in the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise.

He’s been married to Lauren Kutner since 2004. They share four children.

Enrico Colantoni (Keith Mars)

As Veronica’s patient father Keith Mars, Neptune’s former sheriff turned persistent private investigator, Enrico Colantoni brought warmth and compassion to this lovable everydad.

The Canadian actor’s breakout performance was on the hit sitcom Just Shoot Me! (1997–2003), and his most popular movie role was as the alien Mathesar in Galaxy Quest (1999). Over the years, he’s booked supporting parts in Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion (2011), A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019), and Caitlin Cronenberg’s Humane (2024).

Since Veronica Mars, he’s regularly played characters in law enforcement, from roles in Flashpoint (2008–2012) to the Canadian cop drama Allegiance (2024–present). He also appeared in the postapocalyptic miniseries Station Eleven (2021–2022) and as a mobster in Person of Interest (2011–2016).

Colantoni has been married to Rosanna Francioni since 2011. 

Percy Daggs III (Wallace Fennel)

“You’re a marshmallow, Veronica Mars,” her friend Wallace Fennel says. “A real Twinkie.” Courtesy of Percy Daggs III, that line from the pilot quickly became the nickname for Veronica Mars fans. The tag refers to her personality: tough on the outside, soft on the inside.

Following his time in Neptune, Daggs made appearances on iZombie (2015) and Southland (2011) before headlining the Lifetime TV movie Christmas in Louisiana (2019).

According to his Instagram, Daggs is married and has two children with his wife.

Francis Capra (Eli “Weevil” Navarro)

You can’t have a noir without a gangster with a heart of gold, and the leader of that pack would be Weevil, played with tough sensitivity by Francis Capra.

When announcing the return of Veronica Mars in 2013, Capra posted, “I’m very fond of saying that Veronica Mars saved my life years ago and looks like you guys are going to do it again. You saved Weevil!”

The Bronx native began his career acting opposite Robert De Niro in A Bronx Tale (1993) and Shaquille O’Neal in Kazaam (1996) before eventually making his name in Neptune. He’s had steady work on the small screen, with guest roles in The Strain (2014), Heroes (2006–2008), Blue Bloods (2010), and NCIS: Los Angeles (2014).

Ryan Hansen (Dick Casablancas)

Obnoxious is as obnoxious does, and so goes the life of wealthy 09er Dick Casablancas, played by Ryan Hansen.

The actor brought his wry comic timing to another signature role in Party Down (2009–2023) and had guest roles in everything from 2 Broke Girls (2012–2017) to Night Court (2024–present). Meanwhile, Hansen has appeared on the big screen in reboots of Friday the 13th (2009) and Fantasy Island (2020), plus a role in Central Intelligence (2016).

Hansen has been married to Amy Russell since 2004. The couple used to be housemates with Kristen Bell. They share three children.

Teddy Dunn (Duncan Kane)

Who killed Lilly Kane? That was the driving question of Veronica Mars’ first season — and the murder that haunted the rest of the series.

As Duncan Kane, Teddy Dunn brought the smoldering James Dean energy to his traumatized character. If you’re wondering why you haven’t seen Dunn since Veronica Mars’ second season, it’s because he retired from acting in 2008 and became a lawyer. Since 2020, he’s been an assistant attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. 

Before his retirement, he made appearances in Gilmore Girls (2004), Grey’s Anatomy (2006), The Manchurian Candidate (2004), and Jumper (2008).

He married Kendall Morrison in 2017. They have one son.

Tina Majorino (Cindy “Mac” Mackenzie)

Though Veronica often did favors for friends, she turned to Mac when she needed intel. Former child star Tina Majorino redefined her screen persona as the edgy, antihero hacker who causes as much drama as she solves.

Majorino reprised her role in the movie but declined to return for season 4, explaining to TVLine: “Mr. Thomas told me up front that his vision for Veronica Mars was going in a different direction and that Mac was not an integral part of this new path…The schedule reflected to me the diminished value of Mac in this new world of Veronica Mars. I made the decision not to participate. I was so pleased with where we saw her end up in the movie that I didn’t want to demean that by making an appearance that would not satisfy me, Mac, or the viewers.” 

The actress established her career with major roles in Corrina, Corrina (1994) and Waterworld (1995) before Mars and Napoleon Dynamite (2004) introduced her to new audiences. She subsequently appeared in shows like Big Love (2006–2011), True Blood (2012), Grey’s Anatomy (2012–2013), Legends (2014), and Scorpion (2017–2018).

Kyle Gallner (Cassidy “Beaver” Casablancas)

As the stealth villain of season 1 — not to mention the horrifying season 2 reveal about his role in Veronica’s assault — Beaver is a roller coaster of a character. As for actor Kyle Gallner, his career has been on a consistent upward trajectory.

From supporting roles in Jennifer’s Body (2009) and Red State (2011) to a lead in A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), Gallner quickly became a horror staple. Appearances in Dear White People (2014) and Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper (2014) raised his profile further, but he continues to make his bones in horror, recently starring in Scream (2022), the sleeper hit Smile (2022), and burgeoning cult favorite Strange Darling (2023).

Gallner has been married to Tara Ferguson since 2015. They have two sons.

Tessa Thompson (Jackie Cook)

Jackie Cook, played by Tessa Thompson, joined Veronica’s circle as most do: Needing one of V’s signature favors. But she becomes a more established confidante when she begins dating Veronica’s bestie, Wallace.

“I think as an actor, when you’re starting off early in your career, you’re kind of just seeing what lands,” Thompson told Vanity Fair. “Veronica Mars definitely primed me to look for surprising, dynamic women. It took me a while to realize how cool that job was. Looking back I’m like, ‘God, that was really cool.’” 

Thompson’s career has blown up since she left Neptune behind. She took on starring roles in two hit franchises, first as the female lead in Creed (2015) and then as Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and the broader MCU. Beyond blockbusters, she’s turned heads in some of the most acclaimed films of recent years, from Annihilation (2018) to Sorry to Bother You (2018) to Passing (2021), the latter of which earned her a BAFTA nomination. The actress even made her way back to the small screen for a starring role in Westworld (2016–2022).

Ken Marino (Vinnie Van Lowe)

Ken Marino brings his signature goofball sarcasm to Vinnie Van Lowe, a sleazy rival sleuth whose morals are as low as his sense of humor.

A veteran of beloved sketch troupe The State, Marino has collaborated with his troupemates in projects like Wet Hot American Summer (2001), The Ten (2007), Childrens Hospital (2008–2016), Role Models (2008), and They Came Together (2014). He further expanded his cult following thanks to Party Down and HBO’s The Other Two (2019–2023).

The comedy veteran picked up more guest spots on the small screen while appearing in movies like We’re the Millers (2014), Goosebumps (2015), and Eddie Murphy’s Christmas fantasy Candy Cane Lane (2023).

Marino is married to screenwriter Erica Oyama. They share two children.

Julie Gonzalo (Parker Lee)

Parker Lee was a new addition in season 3 as Mac’s roomie — and an eventual victim of the campus rapist who attacks female students and shaves their heads.

Prior to Veronica Mars, Julie Gonzalo had small roles in the hit comedies Freaky Friday (2003) and Dodgeball (2004). Afterward, she joined the ensemble casts of Eli Stone (2008–2009) and Dallas (2012–2014) before becoming a superhero on Supergirl (2019–2021). The Argentine-American actress has also gained a foothold with the Hallmark Channel, starring in 10 of the network’s original movies.

Gonzalo and Hallmark costar Chris McNally have been together since 2017. They welcomed a daughter in 2022.

Krysten Ritter (Gia Goodman)

Krysten Ritter brings style and charm to the frustrating and sheltered socialite Gia, whose relationship with Veronica runs hot and cold depending on their moods.

Veronica Mars was one of many recurring roles that established Ritter’s name, including Gilmore Girls (2006–2007) and Breaking Bad (2009–2010). From there, she achieved star status in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013) and Jessica Jones (2015–2019).

Her film work includes 27 Dresses (2008), acclaimed indie Listen Up Philip (2014), Tim Burton’s Big Eyes (2014), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024).

Ritter has a son with her former partner, musician Adam Granduciel.

Chris Lowell (Stosh “Piz” Piznarski)

Season 3 introduces a love triangle: As Veronica and Logan’s relationship hits ups and downs, Wallace’s roommate Piz becomes smitten by the private eye.

After Veronica Mars, Chris Lowell landed a long-term spot on Private Practice (2007–2010) while scoring supporting roles in dramas Up in the Air (2009) and The Help (2011). He later launched the eponymous wrestling league in Netflix’s hit GLOW (2017–2019) and played a more toxic character in Promising Young Woman (2020). Most recently, the actor was a regular on the short-lived sitcom How I Met Your Father (2022–2023).

Lowell and his girlfriend, actress Kerry Bishé, have a daughter together.

Max Greenfield (Leo)

Beginning as a sheriff’s deputy in season 1, Leo D’Amato, played by Max Greenfield, works his way up to FBI agent.

Greenfield has remained a television staple, with starring roles on New Girl (2011–2018) and The Neighborhood (2018–present). He’s also been a recurring player in Ryan Murphy projects, including American Horror Story: Hotel (2015) and The Assassination of Gianni Versace (2018).

In between his TV obligations, Greenfield has played obnoxious characters in Best Picture nominees The Big Short (2015) and Promising Young Woman, as well as a recent appearance in Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted (2024).

Greenfield has been married to Tess Sanchez since 2008. They have a son and daughter.