'Friendsgiving': Meet Malin Akerman, Chelsea Peretti, Kat Dennings and rest of the cast of Thanksgiving dramedy
The dramedy directed and written by Nicol Paone chronicles a Thanksgiving dinner among friends where things, as expected, turn from a small normal gathering to a rather dysfunctional evening. With big-named comedians and actresses such as Dean Cole, Chelsea Peretti and Wanda Sykes, the movie is well anticipated for the holidays. Here is the star-studded cast bringing the thanksgiving drama to life.
Malin Akerman as Molly
Akerman most recently starred in the Netflix family movie titled 'The Sleepover' where she played the role of Margot. This, though, is not her only 2020 release. This year alone Akerman has been part of three other releases — 'Medical Police' (2020), 'Prism' (2020), and the completed 'Chick Fight' (2020). She also has two releases in pre-production titled 'Cold Providence' (2021) and 'The Three of Us'.
Many may recognize the producer from her roles as Laurie Jupiter from 'Watchmen' (2009) for which she won a Golden Schmoes in 2009 for Best T&A of the Year, Nancy from 'The Final Girls' (2015), Annie from 'Happythankyoumoreplease' (2020) and Tess from '27 Dresses' (2008). She is a producer of the releases 'Trophy Wife' (2013-2014), 'Chick Fight' (2020), 'With Teeth' (pre-production), and this upcoming movie, 'Friendsgiving'.
Kat Dennings as Abby
Many remember Dennings from her recent role in the hit series '2 Broke Girls' where she played the role of Max Black. Her other notable roles include Norah from 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist' (2008), Darcy Lewis from 'Thor' (2011) and 'Thor: The Dark World' (2013) and Susan Gardner from 'Charlie Bartlett' (2007). The actress has also been a producer on releases titled 'Dallas & Robo' (2018), 'How May We Hate You?' (2018) and 'Dollface' (2019).
Her recent acting role includes 'Dollface' (2019), 'The Sandman' (2020), and a mini-series titled 'WandaVision' that is in post-production. In 2012, the actress had won a Crystal Reel for Best Actress for 'To Write Love on Her Arms' (2012) where she played the role of Renee Yohe. She was also nominated for a People's Choice Award in 2014 for Favorite TV Gal Pals for '2 Broke Girls' which she shared with her castmate, Beth Behrs.
Chelsea Peretti as Claire
When people hear the name Peretti, all they think of is Gina from FOX's 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and rightly so. In 2014, the actress was nominated for the American Comedy Award for Best Comedy Supporting Actress - TV for the show that had won two Golden Globe Awards in 2014 including one for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy.
Pertti is not only an actress but an acclaimed stand-up comedian and writer as well. Her writing credits include 'Bobby Bottleservice' (2009), the TV special 'WTF with Marc Maron' (2010), 'Parks and Recreation' (2011-2012), 'Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats' (2014), and 'Kroll Show'. Her recent acting excellence includes 'Harvey Girls Forever!' (2019-2020), 'The Photograph' (2020) and 'Search Party' (2020).
Aisha Tyler as Lauren
Many remember Tyler from her role as Charlie Wheeler from the hit 90's TV series 'Friends' (2003), but she is also recognized for her roles as Detective Wallis from 'Death Sentence' (2007), Lana Kane from 'Archer' (2009-2019), Mother Nature from 'The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause' (2006) and Louise from 'Axis' (2017). Tyler also has directional credits for 'Criminal Minds' (2017-2018), 'Hipsterverse' (2019) and The CW hit series 'Roswell, New Mexico' (2020).
Additionally, she has also been a producer on 'Committed' (2010) and 'Axis' (2017). Her most recent acting works include 'Diary of a Future President' (2020), 'Bad Therapy' (2020), 'Prime Rewind: Inside the Boys' (2020), and 'Speech & Debate' (2020). In 2017, Tyler won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for 'The Talk' (2010) which she shared with Julie Chen Moonves, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, and Sheryl Underwood.
Also, in 2017, the actress won two awards for 'Axis' at the Newport Beach Film Festival — one was an honor award for Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking - Feature and another for Feature Film which she shared with Emmett Hughes.
Ryan Hansen as Gunnar
Hansen is known for his roles as Dick Casablancas from 'Veronica Mars' (2014), Nolan from 'Friday the 13th' (2009), Lance Landers from 'Superhero Movie' (2008), and Grunt from 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' (2013). The actor has also been a producer on two releases titled 'Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television' (2017-2019) and 'Romantic Reunion' (2019). His recent works as an actor include 'Adam & Eve' (2019), 'Like a Boss' (2020), 'Fantasy Island' (2020) and 'Bless This Mess' (2020).
Christine Taylor as Brianne
Taylor is known for her roles as Kate Veatch from 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story' (2004), Holly Sullivan from 'The Wedding Singer' (1998), Matilda Jeffries from 'Zoolander' (2001) and Laura Lizzie from 'The Craft' (1996). While the actress has writing credits for the TV Special 'Celebrity Escape Room' and was also a producer for the production, she mostly focuses on acting. Her recent acting roles include 'Play Dodgeball with Ben Stiller' (2017), 'Odd Mom Out' (2017), 'Insatiable' (2018), 'Arrested Development' (2005-2019) and 'Search Party' (2016-2020).
She was nominated for a MTV Movie Award twice — once in 1997 for 'A Very Brady Sequel' (1996) where she played the role of Marcia Brady and in 2005 for 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story' (2004). She shared the former with Christopher Daniel Barnes and the latter with her castmates.
Deon Cole as Dan
Cole is an actor and a writer known for his hilarious roles as Charlie Telphy from 'Black-ish' (2014-2020) and 'Grown-ish' (2018-2020), Dante from 'Barbershop: A Fresh Cut' (2016), DJ Tanner from 'Angie Tribeca' (2016-2018) and Customer Darrel from 'Barbershop'. Most recently his works include 'Holiday Rush' (2019), 'Jamall & Gerald' (2019), 'Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts' (2020), and '2 Minutes of Fame' (2020).
Besides 'Friendsgiving' the actor stars in one completed release titled 'Action #1' and two releases in post-producton titled 'Welcome Matt' and 'HeadShop'. In 2011 Cole was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Series for 'Conan' (2010) and in 2010 was nominated for the same award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series for 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' (2009) - he shared both nominations with other writers for the respective shows. This year, in 2020, the actor also won an Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Black-ish'.
Wanda Sykes
While many remember Sykes for her hilarious role as Ruby from 'Monster-In-Law' (2005), she is also recognized for her roles as Granny's voice from 'Ice Age: Collision Course' (2012), Dr Karl from 'Bad Mom' and the voice of Stella from 'Over the Hedge' (2006). Her more recent works include 'Tig N' Seek' (2020), 'Mapleworth Murders' (2020), 'The Upshaws' (2020) and the completed release titled 'Breaking News in Yuba County'.
The comedian also has writing credits for 'Last Comic Standing' (2014), and the TV specials 'Wanda Sykes: What Happened... Ms. Sykes?' (2016) and 'Wanda Sykes: Not Normal' (2019). In 1999, Sykes won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program for 'The Chris Rock Show' (1997) which she shared with her teammates and in 2001 she won the American Comedy Award for the Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic.
Fortune Feimster
Feimster is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who has made quite a mark on the Hollywood industry. She is known for her roles as Lonny from 'Office Christmas Party' (2016), the Janitor from 'The Secret Lives of Dorks' (2013), Robin from 'The Happytime Murders' (2018), and Mary Jo from 'Mulaney' (2014).
The talented actress also has writing credits from 'Funny as Hell' (2013), 'Chelsea Lately' (2011-2014), 'Family Fortune' (2015), 'The Standups' (2017), and most recently 'Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty' (2020). Her recent acting works include 'Summer Camp Island' (2018-2020), 'Tournament of Laughs' (2020), 'Bless the Harts' (2019-2020), and 'Chick Fight' (2020).
The synopsis reads, "Molly and Abbey, along with their crew of close friends and acquaintances, host a dysfunctional, comical and chaotic Thanksgiving dinner." 'Friendsgiving' will be available in theaters, on-demand and digital on October 23 and On Blue-Ray and DVD on October 27. Watch the trailer below.