“Cocaine Bear” is Elizabeth Banks’ latest directorial effort, with a star-studded cast and one coked-up CGI bear. Based on a true story about a black bear who ingested a drug smuggler’s abandoned stash, “Cocaine Bear” illustrates just how wrong things can go when nature meets narcotics. While the bear is undoubtedly the star of the film, there are many hilarious human performances, including one from the late, great Ray Liotta. Scroll through for our complete “Cocaine Bear” cast and character guide.
Keri Russell as Sari
Sari is a nurse and Dee Dee’s mom. When Sari decides to put in more hours at work than go with Dee Dee to paint the waterfall in the forest, Dee Dee decides to venture out on her own.
Keri Russell is best known for playing the titular “Felicity” in the WB series. She also played Elizabeth Russell in “The Americans” for six seasons. Her “Americans” co-star — Matthew Rhys — has a brief appearance in “Cocaine Bear” as Andrew Thornton, the drug smuggler who tosses the cocaine (and himself) out of the plane.
Brooklynn Prince as Dee Dee and Christian Convery as Henry
Dee Dee is Sari’s daughter who ventures into the forest without her mom’s permission. Henry is Dee Dee’s best friend and joins her in playing hooky from school.
Prince won the Critics Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer for “The Florida Project” in 2017. She’s voiced parts in “Angry Birds” and “Lego” films.
Convery is best-known for playing the deer-boy Gus in “Sweet Tooth.”
O’Shea Jackson, Jr. as Daveed
Daveed is a fixer for Syd tasked with retrieving the lost cocaine. He’s also good friends with Eddie, Syd’s son.
Jackson is the son of rapper Ice Cube and portrayed his father in “Straight Outta Compton.” He plays the lead in the Apple TV+ sports drama “Swagger.”
Alden Ehrenreich as Eddie
Eddie is Syd’s son and Gabe’s father. He’s too distraught over the death of his wife Joan to help find the missing cocaine. His friend Daveed tries to help him snap out of his depression.
Ehrenreich is best known for playing a young Han Solo in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”
Aaron Holliday as Stache
Stache is one of the Duchamp gang, a trio of local small-time thieves who get drawn into the cocaine situation. Leo Hanna and J.B. Moore play his fellow thugs.
Holliday is an up-and-coming actor whose credits include “Sharp Objects” and “Euphoria.”
Ray Liotta as Syd
Syd is Eddie’s father and Gabe’s grandfather. He’s a drug kingpin and responsible for the lost shipment.
Liotta was best known for his appearances in “Goodfellas” and “Field of Dreams.” He also starred in the series “Shades of Blue” opposite Jennifer Lopez. Liotta died in his sleep while filming “Dangerous Waters” in May 2022.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Bob and Ayoola Smart as Reba
Whitlock plays Bob, a detective who has been trailing Syd for years. Smart plays Reba, an officer on Bob’s police force.
Whitlock is best known for playing a corrupt senator on “The Wire.” Smart has appeared on “Killing Eve” and “Smother.”
Margo Martindale as Liz and Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Peter
Liz is a park ranger at Chattahoochee Forest and has a crush on Peter. Peter is an animal rights activist who is strongly against forest fires.
Martindale is a veteran character actress who has appeared in many series, including “Justified,” “Sneaky Pete” and “Mrs. America.” “Cocaine Bear” reunites Martindale with her “The Americans” co-star Keri Russell.
Ferguson is best known for playing Mitchell Pruitt on “Modern Family.”
Kristofer Hivju as Olaf and Hannah Hoekstra as Ingrid
Olaf and Hannah are two Europeans who stumble upon the bear while hiking in Chattahoochee Forest.
Norweigan actor Hivju is best known for playing Tormund Giantsbane in “Game of Thrones.”
Hoekstra, who is Dutch, starred in the Dutch drama “The Fury.” She also starred in “Charlie’s Angels,” which Elizabeth Banks also directed.
Elizabeth Banks, director
Banks’ made her directorial debut with “Pitch Perfect 2,” which she also starred in. She also directed and starred in the “Charlie’s Angels” reboot.
