Hulu lined up a fantastic ensemble with the Pam and Tommy cast, which consists of both comedy legends and award-nominated dramatists. The Pam and Tommy miniseries, which is written by Rob Siegel and directed by Craig Gillespie, is about the early days of romance between Playboy cover girl Pamela Anderson and rock star Tommy Lee. It also focuses on the theft of a private sex tape starring the two, which became one of the first viral videos in the early days of the Internet.
The story begins with a revenge scheme enacted by Rand Gauthier, a former porn star turned electrician, who claimed that Lee failed to pay him what he was owed for setting up a security system and private recording studio in Lee’s home. After a convoluted heist that involved posing as a dog and stealing a refrigerator-size safe, Gauthier decided, upon discovering the sex tape, to humiliate Lee publicly rather than blackmail him, and pad his pockets in the process. Here are the actors who brought this story to life in Pam and Tommy.
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Lily James as Pamela Anderson
First finding fame as Lisa, the Tool Time Girl on Home Improvement, Pamela Anderson went on to become an international sex symbol after being cast as C.J. Parker on Baywatch. Many were surprised when it was announced that Lily James, best known for her role as Lady Rose MacClare on Downton Abbey, had been cast to play the role. Those who scoffed were silenced, however, with James earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for her performance as the lead of the Pam and Tommy cast. Lily James also appears in What’s Love Got To Do With It? and The Pursuit of Love.
Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee
Sebastian Stan is most famous for his role as James “Bucky” Barnes (aka The Winter Soldier) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but has also won acclaim for his performances in The Martian and I, Tonya. For playing Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in the Pam and Tommy cast, Stan was nominated for a Primetime Emmy. The actor also appears in Ghosted and Sharper.
Seth Rogen as Rand Gauthier
One of Hollywood’s foremost comedic actors, writers and producers, Seth Rogen needs no introduction, having an extensive career dating back to his role as Ken Miller in Freaks and Geeks. In addition to executive producing Pam and Tommy, Seth Rogen plays Rand Gauthier; the man who stole the safe containing Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s sex tape and went on to try (and fail) to sell it for a fortune. Rogen also appears in History of the World: Part II, and is the voice of Donkey Kong in Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Taylor Schilling as Erica Gauthier
First finding fame playing Piper Chapman in Orange is the New Black, Taylor Schilling is another actor famed for their ability to play comedy and drama with equal ease. In the Pam and Tommy cast, Schilling plays Erica Gauthier, who is, at least on paper, Rand Gauthier’s wife. A confident woman who feels no shame about her career in adult entertainment, Erica left Rand behind a long time ago to live her own life, but still harbors a soft spot for him. Taylor Schilling also appears in Dear Edward and The Bite.
Nick Offerman as Uncle Miltie
One of the most popular comedic actors in American television, Nick Offerman is best known for his roles as Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, Karl Weathers in Fargo, and Bill in The Last of Us. Offerman is also in the Pam and Tommy cast as Uncle Miltie, a big, burly porn producer who helps Rand Gauthier with distributing the sex tape after he stole it. A borderline sociopath who walks a fine line between horrifying and humorous, Uncle Miltie is a perfect display of Offerman’s talents.
Spenser Granese as Steve Fasanella
Spenser Granese is probably best known for playing Butterfly in Mayans M.C. and a recurring role as Arlo in Better Call Saul. In Pam and Tommy, Granese plays the role of Steve Fasanella, an associate of Uncle Miltie and Rand Gauthier, described as an under-achiever with loose morals and a mullet. Granese also appears in FBI: International, Fear the Walking Dead, and The Equalizer.
Mozhan Marnò as Gail Chwatsky
Mozhan Marnò first found fame playing the title role in 2009’s The Stoning of Soraya M. She went on to earn a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her role as Ayla Sayyad on House of Cards and played Samar Navabi on The Blacklist. Marnò will be in Pam and Tommy playing the part of Gail Chwatsky, the high-power publicist who represents Pamela Anderson. Despite being described as all-business, the character also has a softer side and genuinely cares about the welfare of her clients.
Pepi Sonuga as Melanie
A former teen beauty queen and model, Pepi Sonuga has proven herself more than just a pretty face with a number of comedic and dramatic roles on her resume. She is perhaps best known for her performances as Lacey in Ash vs. Evil Dead, Tangey Turner in Famous in Love, and Samar Navabi in The Blacklist. In the Pam and Tommy cast, Sonuga plays Melanie, Pamela Anderson’s best friend and wing-woman, who goes into mama-bear mode after infamous bad-boy Tommy Lee takes a liking to Pamela.
Andrew Dice Clay as Butchie
First finding fame as an intentionally offensive comedian with his Diceman persona, Andrew Dice Clay later branched out into serious drama while still doing stand-up. This includes a powerhouse performance in A Star Is Born as Lorenzo, the father of Lady Gaga’s Ally. Clay plays a vital role in the Pam and Tommy cast as Butchie, a short-tempered loan shark with mob ties who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Butchie is loosely based on real-world gangster and pornographic film producer Louis “Butchie” Peraino, who reportedly loaned Rand Gauthier $50,000 for the purpose of distributing the stolen Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape online, while still refusing to publish the tape through his own company.