You remember 2006, right? It was the year of flip phones, the rise of MySpace, and a specific brand of low-budget, high-energy stoner comedies that seemed to flood the DVD bins at Blockbuster. Right in the middle of that hazy era was Puff, Puff, Pass (also known by the slightly more generic title The Living High). It wasn’t an Oscar contender. It didn’t break the box office. But for a certain generation of comedy fans, the cast of Puff Puff Pass became a familiar group of faces that popped up in every "best of" list for cult classics.
Directed by Mekhi Phifer—who was essentially at the peak of his ER and 8 Mile fame at the time—the movie follows two stoners, Larry and Rico, who get caught up in a plot to rip off a shady figure known as Mr. Big. It’s a simple premise. It relies almost entirely on the chemistry of its leads and a weirdly impressive roster of supporting actors who probably had no business being in a movie about guys trying to get to a rehabilitation clinic just to get a free meal.
The Lead Duo: Danny Masterson and Ronnie Warner
At the heart of the cast of Puff Puff Pass are Larry and Rico.
Danny Masterson played Larry. At the time, Masterson was a massive TV star thanks to That '70s Show, which had just wrapped up its legendary run. He brought that same cynical, dry-witted energy to Larry. It was a role that felt like a natural extension of Steven Hyde, just with more legal trouble and less classic rock. However, looking back at the cast today is complicated. Masterson’s career effectively ended following a series of serious legal battles and a subsequent conviction in 2023. It’s a dark shadow over a film that was originally intended to be lighthearted escapism.
Then you have Ronnie Warner as Rico. Warner didn't just act in the film; he wrote the screenplay. Rico was the high-energy foil to Larry’s deadpan vibe. While Warner didn't become a household name on the level of his co-stars, his fingerprints are all over the movie's DNA. He’s one of those "working actors" who popped up in things like Malcolm in the Middle and later The Shield. Honestly, his performance as Rico is the engine of the movie. Without that frantic, slightly unhinged energy, the plot would have stalled out in the first twenty minutes.
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The Mekhi Phifer Connection
Mekhi Phifer didn't just stay behind the camera. He stepped into the cast of Puff Puff Pass as Big Daddy. It’s a bit of a meta-moment. Here is the director playing a character with a name that screams "authority figure," even if that authority is rooted in the criminal underworld. Phifer was everywhere in the mid-2000s. Between Honey, Dawn of the Dead, and his long stint on ER, he was a legitimate A-lister taking a swing at directing a niche comedy.
His presence gave the film a level of industry "street cred" it might have lacked otherwise. Phifer’s transition into directing was a trend at the time—actors wanting more creative control—and while he didn't pivot to directing full-time, his influence on the tone of this movie is undeniable. He kept the pacing tight.
The Surprising Supporting Stars
This is where the movie gets weirdly stacked. If you rewatch it today, you’ll constantly find yourself saying, "Wait, is that...?"
Take Terry Crews, for example. He plays Cold Turkey. This was pre-Brooklyn Nine-Nine, pre-Old Spice commercials, but post-White Chicks. Crews was already honing that "intimidating guy who is actually hilarious" persona. Every time he’s on screen, he steals the scene. He has this physical comedy prowess that most actors his size just can't pull off.
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Then there’s John C. McGinley as Jerry. To most people, he’s Dr. Cox from Scrubs. In the cast of Puff Puff Pass, he brings that same high-intensity, slightly neurotic energy. He’s an actor who treats every role—no matter how small or silly—like it’s Shakespeare. It’s that commitment that makes the "Mr. Big" subplot actually work instead of falling flat.
And we can’t forget the rest of the ensemble:
- Anwan Glover: Known as Slim Charles from The Wire, he brings a level of grit that contrasts hilariously with the goofy leads.
- Mo'Nique: Playing Prince, she was already a comedy legend. This was several years before her powerhouse Oscar-winning performance in Precious, showing just how much range she actually has.
- Jason Mewes: Naturally, if you're making a stoner movie in 2006, Jay (of Jay and Silent Bob fame) has to make an appearance. It’s almost a legal requirement.
Why This Specific Cast Worked (And Why It Didn't)
Critically speaking, the movie was panned. Let’s be real. It holds a low score on Rotten Tomatoes and was often dismissed as a "cheap knockoff" of Friday or Pineapple Express (though it actually predated Pineapple Express by two years). But the cast of Puff Puff Pass is why people still talk about it on Reddit threads and niche film forums.
The chemistry between the actors felt genuine. In a lot of modern comedies, you can tell the actors are riffing for the sake of a "gag reel." In this film, it felt more like a group of friends who were genuinely having a blast in a low-stakes environment. There’s a certain "lightning in a bottle" aspect to gathering this many recognizable character actors in a single indie project.
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However, the film’s legacy is undeniably tied to the era of the "Direct-to-DVD" boom. This was a time when studios would greenlight almost anything with a recognizable lead and a "high" concept. It was a transition period for Hollywood. The industry was moving away from mid-budget theatrical releases and toward the streaming-dominated world we live in now.
Legacy and Where to Find Them Now
If you look at the cast of Puff Puff Pass today, their paths couldn’t be more different. Terry Crews is a multi-hyphenate superstar and TV host. Mo'Nique is a decorated dramatic actress. Mekhi Phifer continues to work steadily in television, recently appearing in Truth Be Told.
On the flip side, some members have faded from the spotlight or, in the case of Danny Masterson, are serving significant prison sentences. It makes rewatching the film a bit of a time-capsule experience. You see these actors at a specific crossroads in their careers—some on the way up, some at their peak, and some about to face major personal and professional shifts.
For those looking to track down the film, it occasionally pops up on ad-supported streaming services like Tubi or Pluto TV. It’s the perfect "background movie." You don't need to pay 100% attention to the plot to get the jokes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're a fan of this specific era of comedy or want to explore the work of this ensemble further, here are the logical next steps:
- Audit the Filmographies: If you enjoyed Terry Crews in this, check out his earlier work in Friday After Next. It’s a similar vibe but with a higher production value.
- Director’s Cut Context: Look for interviews with Mekhi Phifer from the mid-2000s regarding his directorial debut. It provides great insight into how he managed such a diverse cast on a limited budget.
- Physical Media: Because of licensing issues and the checkered history of some cast members, movies like Puff, Puff, Pass often disappear from streaming services without warning. If you’re a cult film collector, finding a physical DVD copy is the only way to ensure you’ll always have access to it.
- Explore the "Warner" Style: Check out Ronnie Warner’s other writing credits to see how his specific brand of dialogue evolved after this 2006 release.
The film serves as a weird, colorful, and occasionally problematic snapshot of a very specific moment in 2000s pop culture. Whether it’s a nostalgic trip or a first-time watch, the sheer density of talent in the room makes it worth a look.