8 Simple Rules cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the Kaley Cuoco starrer sitcom

8 Simple Rules, also known as 8 Simple Rules… for Dating My Teenage Daughter, is a sitcom that aired on ABC in the early 2000s. It ran from September 2002 to April 2005, and definitely made an impression. The show is based on a book by W. Bruce Cameron.

John Ritter played Paul Hennessy, a classic, slightly neurotic dad, totally out of his depth with his teenage daughters. Katey Sagal was Cate, the mom who had to keep the peace and keep Paul from having a meltdown every episode. Kaley Cuoco was Bridget, the daughter who gave her dad endless grief and became basically everyone’s favorite TV troublemaker.

However, the show lost its heart after Ritter unexpectedly died in September 2003. The show’s tone changed overnight, and writers pivoted to focus more on the kids’ lives and the family dealing with grief.

Even though it only lasted a few seasons, 8 Simple Rules left its mark, not just for the comedy, but for how it handled something real in the middle of primetime TV. Plus, it gave us a peek at Kaley Cuoco before she went on to star in The Big Bang Theory.

Main cast and characters of 8 Simple Rules

Here is a list of the main cast and characters of the sitcom 8 Simple Rules:

John Ritter as Paul Hennessy: In 8 Simple Rules, he is the father of the Hennessy family, who is usually protective and sometimes extravagant. He is identified as a sportswriter turned lifestyle columnist who works from home, and hence is very much involved in the parenting of his three children.

Katey Sagal as Cate S. Hennessy: She is the mother in 8 Simple Rules who is very realistic, calm, and serene. Cate is a nurse, and she works regular hours so that she can spend most of her time with the children.

Kaley Cuoco as Bridget Erin "Beach" Hennessy: She is the eldest daughter of the Hennessy family. Cuoco portrays her character as a pretty, typical blonde who is only concerned with her beauty and teenage boys. The show even comically points out that Bridget was born on a beach, which gave her the name “Beach”.

Amy Davidson as Kerry "Care Bear" Hennessy: She represents the middle of the three siblings in the Hennessy clan. The family situation in general and her being compared with Bridget in particular, frustrate and irritate her a lot. However, Kerry and Bridget at times become friends and unite against their parents or when dealing with their brother, Rory, whom they consider the pest.

Martin Spanjers as Rory Joseph Hennessy: He is the youngest child of Cate and Paul Hennessy. Usually, the character of Rory has been shown as the playful, annoying little brother who delights in snitching on his big sisters and acting as if he has no part in committing an offense, thus igniting an explosive reaction from his father. He is the one who is most favored by his father.

James Garner as Jim Egan: He is the father of Cate Hennessy and the grandfather of Bridget, Kerry, Rory, and later C.J. Barnes. Jim is brought into the story after the death of Paul Hennessy, and he becomes an essential support for Cate and the grandchildren. His character is that of a Korean War veteran who is very proud of his service, and he tends to be the one who is a calming and wise influence in the family.

David Spade as C.J. Barnes: He is Cate Hennessy’s sarcastic and witty nephew who joins the 8 Simple Rules cast after the death of Paul Hennessy. C.J. gets settled with the Hennessy family and rapidly gets into the groove of their routine, often bringing in pointedly funny and sarcastic comments on the family’s problems. He often gets into arguments with the teenage kids, but at the same time, he emerges as an important character in the family’s adjustment to life without Paul.

Recurring cast in 8 Simple Rules:

Billy Aaron Brown as Kyle, Adam Arkin as Ed Gibb, Patrick Warburton as Nick Sharpe, Dan Cortese as Coach Scott, Nikki Danielle Moore as Jenna Sharpe, Daniella Monet as Missy Kleinfeld, Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Jeremy, Cole Williams as Anthony W., Cybill Shepherd as Maggie Barnes, John Ratzenberger as Fred Doyle, Suzy Nakamura as Mrs. Krupp, Paul Wesley as Damian, Kala Savage as Lacey, Suzanne Pleshette as Laura Egan, and Larry Miller as Tommy.

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8 Simple Rules revolves around the lives of the Hennessy family, a middle-class family living in a Detroit suburb, Michigan. The narrative depicts the life of Paul and Cate Hennessy, and their three teenage children, Bridget, Kerry, and Rory.

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