Hulu recently added Romeo + Juliet to its catalog, so here’s a breakdown of the cast and characters to help follow along. Based on the classic tragedy by William Shakespeare, Romeo + Juliet modernizes the play’s context to the 1990s while keeping the original dialogue. Instead of Romeo and Juliet hailing from rival political factions of the 1500s, the young teens come from feuding mafia families fronted by business empires.
The modern Shakespeare adaptation is directed by auteur Baz Luhrmann, notable for his trippy, fast, colorfully designed filmmaking exuded in his “Red Curtain Trilogy,” consisting of Romeo + Juliet, Strictly Ballroom, and Moulin Rouge! While the trilogy doesn’t connect in the traditional saga sense, they are grouped by an era of his filmmaking design that are markedly similar and original. Luhrmann is also well-known for including several Grammy-nominated soundtracks in his films, and while Romeo + Juliet’s never received award recognition, it reached #2 on Billboard 200 and went triple-platinum.
As the most recent successful adaptation, Romeo + Juliet continues to be watched by millions more today as people delve into Shakespeare. Looking back on the 1996 tragedy, Romeo + Juliet also happened to catch many young stars at an interesting point in their careers, typically as they were just beginning to gain the notoriety they hold today. Let’s take a look at all of the characters and their respective actors from the movie.
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Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague
In one of his first major blockbuster roles, 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio starred as the star-crossed lover protagonist Romeo Montague. Romeo is the heir of the Montague family, a teen who falls in love with his rival family’s daughter at a party. Love takes over all else, and he devises the two to get married all the while he is running from authorities after murdering Juliet’s cousin Tybalt in a duel. Before Romeo + Juliet, DiCaprio’s major filmography included his Oscar-nominated performance as Arnie in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and The Basketball Diaries. The year after Romeo + Juliet’s release, DiCaprio would achieve global recognition as a heartthrob and highly billable actor for his role as Jack in the Best Picture-winning movie Titanic.
Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet
The role of Juliet Capulet is played by Claire Danes, who previously starred as Beth in Little Women, Home for the Holidays, and the lead role of Angela Chase in the TV series My So-Called Life. Following Romeo + Juliet, Danes would go on to star in Homeland for 8 seasons as well as popular movies like The Family Stone, The Rainmaker, and Terminator 3. Juliet is the lead female protagonist who is also the sole child and heir to her parents’ dynasty, though unknowingly falls in love with their rivals’ son. Juliet is already betrothed to the governor’s son Dave Paris, though abandons her parents’ plans to marry and plans to escape Verona Beach with Romeo. The role was originally offered to Natalie Portman, but her age difference with Leonardo DiCaprio was uncomfortable – as she was at the time 13 – so they chose 17-year-old Claire Danes instead.
Harold Perrineau as Mercutio
The most eccentric character in Romeo + Juliet, Mercutio is played by Harold Perrineau. Mercutio is Romeo’s best friend who is very vocal and instigative, gets the group high on ecstasy, cross-dresses, and ends up being murdered by Tybalt in a fight on the beach. Mercutio also utters the infamous Romeo and Juliet line, “A plague o’ both your houses.” Mercutio’s actor Harold Perrineau is known for his roles as Michael Dawson on Lost, Link in The Matrix franchise, and Damon Pope on Sons of Anarchy.
Paul Rudd as Dave Paris
Paul Rudd secured the role of the wealthy, high-class governor’s son, Dave Paris in Romeo + Juliet. Dave’s role in the movie is as Juliet’s arranged fiancé by her parents, who genuinely wants to marry Juliet though she loves Romeo instead. Aside from a recurring role on the TV series Sisters, Rudd’s only prior movie credits included Clueless and Halloween 6. Following Romeo + Juliet, Rudd became one of the most well-known comedy actors of his time, now having a leading role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man.
John Leguizamo as Tybalt Capulet
Juliet’s temper-prone cousin Tybalt is played by John Leguizamo, who rose to fame two years prior as Luigi in the adventure comedy Super Mario Bros. Leguizamo has also been featured in movies like Carlito’s Way, John Wick: Chapter 2, and the Ice Age franchise as Sid the Sloth. His notable TV credits include playing Ozzy on Bloodline and a recurring role on ER. Tybalt is introduced during a gunfight between the young Capulets, which he leads, and Montagues, then returns when telling Romeo he will kill him for coming to his family’s party. The Capulet then murders Mercutio in a gunfight, whereafter Romeo chases him down and murders him in a fit of rage.
Pete Postlethwaite as Father Laurence
In modernizing the film, Friar Laurence was changed to Father Laurence, where he still serves as the man Romeo and Juliet trust to help them marry and escape. In an attempt to end the Capulet and Montague feud, Father Laurence accepts Romeo’s request to marry him and Juliet Capulet. After marrying the young couple, he helps Romeo reunite with Juliet after his banishment by devising a plan to fake Juliet’s death with a potion, though Romeo doesn’t receive his message in time. Laurence is portrayed by Pete Postlethwaite, the English actor known for his roles in The Town, Inception, The Usual Suspects, and Alien 3.
Miriam Margolyes as Nurse
Surprisingly still unnamed in Romeo + Juliet, Nurse is played by English actress Miriam Margolyes. Nurse is Juliet’s nanny and closest confidant who played the primary role in raising her instead of her own parents. While Father Laurence mostly assists Romeo in the star-crossed lover schemes, Nurse is Juliet’s loyal friend who helps the young couple unite. Margolyes has a wide diversity of acting credits, though her most notable roles are as Mrs. Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence and Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film franchise.
Romeo + Juliet Supporting Cast
Paul Sorvino as Fulgencio Capulet: Juliet’s father and Capulet empire boss renowned actor Paul Sorvino. Fulgencio is the head of the Capulet family and is resented by Juliet for forcing her to marry Dave Paris. Sorvino’s most notable role is mob boss Paulie Cicero in Goodfellas, a role comparable to his Romeo + Juliet character. He also played Phil Cerreta on Law & Order and was featured in Reds, Nixon, and A Touch of Class.
Brian Dennehy as Ted Montague: The rival to Fulgencio Capulet, Ted is Romeo’s father and the head of the Montague family empire. Romeo’s father isn’t extremely present in the film, though is more supportive of his son’s well-being than Fulgencio is of his daughter’s. Ted is portrayed by Brian Dennehy who is notable for his roles in Death of a Salesman, First Blood, and Tommy Boy.
Christina Pickles as Caroline Montague: Most well-known for her roles as Ross and Monica’s mother Judy Geller on Friends and Nurse Helen Rosenthal on St. Elsewhere, Christina Pickles plays Romeo’s mother Caroline Montague. Caroline is the wife of Montague patriarch Ted and is very protective of her son.
Diane Venora as Gloria Capulet: Similar to Caroline, Juliet’s mother Gloria Capulet has a less influential role in the family dynasty than her husband, though appears in more scenes than Caroline. She is stern towards Juliet, especially after she expresses reservations in wanting to marry Dave, though shows her true motherly grief once her daughter and Romeo are found dead. Gloria is played by Diane Venora who was featured in The Cotton Club, F/X with Paul Sorvino, Heat, and The Insider.
Dash Mihok as Benvolio Montague: Romeo’s number two Montague ally is his red-haired cousin Benvolio. Romeo’s cousin leads the Montagues in the opening gunfight and helps advise Romeo. Mihok played Bunchy on Ray Donovan and has appeared in films like Thin Red Line and Silver Linings: Playbook.
Jesse Bradford as Balthasar Montague: Another of Romeo’s young cousins who is featured in the family feuds. Balthasar is played by Jesse Bradford who acted in the film King of the Hill, The West Wing, and Guys with Kids.
Jamie Kennedy as Samson Montague: Samson is Romeo’s pink-haired cousin who is featured in the opening gunfight between the warring families. Samson was originally a Capulet in the play, though Luhrmann changed some family allegiances. Kennedy is notable for his role as Randy Meeks in the Scream franchise and multiple characters on The Jamie Kennedy Experiment.
Zak Orth as Gregory Montague: Gregory is another of Romeo’s cousins who was originally a Capulet in the play. He’s played by Zak Orth who is known for Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, Music and Lyrics, Revolution, and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
Vondie Curtis-Hall as Captain Prince: The chief of police in Verona Beach who is constantly affected by the criminal activities of the Montagues and Capulets. He warns the young members early on that their gunfights will end in death if they don’t stop; which it does. He bans Romeo after killing Tybalt, then ends the movie by imploring the families to stop quarreling. Curtis-Hall is known for his TV roles as Dr. Dennis Hancock on Chicago Hope and Ben Urich on Marvel’s Daredevil.
M. Emmet Walsh as Apothecary: He sells Romeo the poison he takes to commit suicide. Walsh is known for his roles in Blood Simple, The Jerk, Ordinary People, and Blade Runner.
Vincent Laresca as Abra Capulet: One of Juliet’s cousins who runs with Tybalt’s gang. Laresca has also appeared in The Aviator and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Carlos Martín Manzo Otálora as Petruchio Capulet: Another of Juliet’s cousins who follows Tybalt’s command. Besides Romeo + Juliet, nearly all of Otálora’s other acting credits come from Spanish-speaking films and TV series.