If you close your eyes and think about the movie Overboard, you probably see Goldie Hawn in a sequined leotard and Kurt Russell looking like he just stepped off a construction site. That’s the magic of the 1987 original. It’s one of those rare romantic comedies that somehow stays funny even when you realize the premise is actually kind of terrifying if you think about it for more than five seconds. But when people ask about who played in Overboard, they're often surprised to find a massive list of character actors, a future talk show host, and an entire second cast from the gender-swapped 2018 remake.
The DNA of this story is built on the real-life chemistry of Hawn and Russell. They’ve been together since 1983, so by the time they filmed this in '87, they were already Hollywood’s "it" couple. That comfort level is why the movie works. You can't fake that kind of bickering.
The 1987 Original: Goldie, Kurt, and a Boatload of Talent
Goldie Hawn plays Joanna Stayton. She is the ultimate 80s "rich lady." Think massive hair, even bigger shoulder pads, and a personality that makes a cactus look cuddly. When she falls off her yacht, the S.S. Immoral, and gets amnesia, the movie shifts gears. Suddenly, she’s "Annie," a mother of four unruly boys in a shack in Oregon.
Kurt Russell is Dean Proffitt. He’s the carpenter she stiffed on a bill. Honestly, Dean’s plan to kidnap her and convince her she’s his wife is... problematic. By 2026 standards, it’s a felony. But in the neon-soaked lens of the 80s, it was a "lesson in humility."
The Supporting Players You Forgot Were There
The cast goes way deeper than just the two leads.
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- Edward Herrmann: He played Grant Stayton III, Joanna’s husband. You might know him as Richard Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. He’s brilliant here as the cowardly, elitist husband who is thrilled his wife is missing so he can party with swimsuit models on the yacht.
- Roddy McDowall: He was Andrew the butler. McDowall was a legend (think Planet of the Apes). He brings this subtle, dry wit to the role that balances out the slapstick.
- Michael G. Hagerty: He played Billy Pratt, Dean’s best friend. Hagerty was one of those "hey, it’s that guy" actors who popped up in everything from Friends to Seinfeld. He passed away in 2022, but his performance as the somewhat dim-witted sidekick is peak 80s comedy.
The kids were a huge part of the chaos. You had Jared Rushton as Charlie, Jeffrey Wiseman as Joey, Brian Price as Travis, and Jamie Wild as Greg. Jared Rushton was a massive child star back then; he was also in Big with Tom Hanks and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. He had that perfect "bratty but lovable" vibe that defined the era.
The 2018 Remake: A Flip of the Script
Fast forward thirty years. Hollywood decided to dust off the script but flipped the roles. This time, the "rich person" was a man, and the "struggling worker" was a woman. This version stars Eugenio Derbez and Anna Faris.
Eugenio Derbez plays Leonardo Montenegro. He’s a spoiled playboy from one of Mexico’s richest families. Derbez is a massive superstar in Mexico, and his comedic timing is incredibly physical. He brings a different energy than Goldie Hawn—more buffoonish, less icy.
Anna Faris is Kate Sullivan. She’s a single mom putting herself through nursing school while working two jobs. Faris is great at playing the "exhausted but determined" archetype. When Leonardo falls off his yacht and loses his memory, Kate sees an opportunity to get some much-needed help around the house and a bit of revenge for his terrible behavior.
Why the Remake Cast Worked Differently
The 2018 version leaned heavily into a bilingual, multicultural cast, which gave it a fresh feel despite the familiar plot.
- Eva Longoria: She plays Theresa, Kate’s boss and best friend. She’s basically the one who convinces Kate to go through with the amnesia scam. Longoria is fantastic as the "devil on the shoulder" character.
- John Hannah: Taking over the "butler" role (though here he’s more of a family fixer), Hannah plays Colin. It’s a bit of a nod to the Roddy McDowall role but with a more modern, cynical edge.
- Cecilia Suárez: She plays Leonardo’s sister, Magdalena. She’s the primary antagonist, wanting to keep Leonardo "missing" so she can inherit the family empire.
It's a different vibe. While the 1987 film felt like a wacky domestic comedy, the 2018 version feels more like a heist movie where the "loot" is free childcare and a clean kitchen.
Exploring the "Why" Behind the Casting Choices
Director Garry Marshall (the man behind Pretty Woman) knew exactly what he was doing in 1987. He needed people who could handle broad physical comedy. Goldie Hawn falling off a bed or trying to cook "ghetti" (spaghetti) requires a specific kind of clowning that she perfected on Laugh-In.
Kurt Russell was coming off a string of action movies like Big Trouble in Little China. Casting him as a blue-collar dad was a bit of a pivot, but his natural charisma made the character of Dean Proffitt likable when he probably shouldn't have been. He played him with a "twinkle in the eye" that softened the edges of the kidnapping plot.
In the 2018 version, director Rob Greenberg wanted to tap into the global market. Casting Derbez was a stroke of genius because it brought in a massive international audience. The chemistry between him and Faris is different—it’s more about two people from different worlds finding common ground, whereas the original was more about a "clash of the titans" between Hawn and Russell.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
People often confuse Overboard with other 80s rom-coms. No, Patrick Swayze isn't in it. No, it wasn't a sequel to Housesitter (though that also starred Goldie Hawn).
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Another weird fact: the 1987 movie wasn't a massive hit at the box office. It was a "sleeper hit" that became a cult classic through endless replays on cable TV and VHS rentals. That’s why the cast feels so iconic to us now—we’ve seen them in our living rooms a hundred times.
There’s also a common rumor that the kids in the 1987 version were played by famous actors who went on to be superstars. Aside from Jared Rushton, most of them actually left acting or moved into behind-the-scenes roles. It adds to the "time capsule" feeling of the movie.
Acting Techniques and Production Secrets
Watching Hawn in the first act of the original is a masterclass in "high-status" acting. She moves with a stiff grace, never looks anyone in the eye, and treats the world like her personal vending machine. Contrast that with her performance in the second act, where she’s covered in mud and confusion. The transition is seamless.
In the 2018 version, the production had to deal with the challenge of the yacht. In 1987, they used a real boat (the Attessa IV, though it was named the S.S. Immoral in the film). In 2018, they used significant CGI to enhance the scale of the Montenegro family’s wealth. This changes the "feel" of the movie—the original feels gritier and more grounded, while the remake feels more like a modern glossy comedy.
Key Cast Comparison Table (The "Who Played Who" Breakdown)
| Role Type | 1987 Original Cast | 2018 Remake Cast |
|---|---|---|
| The Rich Lead | Goldie Hawn (Joanna) | Eugenio Derbez (Leonardo) |
| The Working Lead | Kurt Russell (Dean) | Anna Faris (Kate) |
| The Bad Spouse/Sibling | Edward Herrmann (Grant) | Cecilia Suárez (Magdalena) |
| The Faithful Sidekick | Michael G. Hagerty (Billy) | Eva Longoria (Theresa) |
| The Loyal Staff | Roddy McDowall (Andrew) | John Hannah (Colin) |
The Enduring Legacy of the Overboard Casts
Why does this story keep getting told? Basically, it’s the ultimate "fish out of water" tale. We love seeing the arrogant get humbled and the hardworking get rewarded.
The 1987 cast is legendary because it captured a real-life romance on screen. You see glimpses of the real Goldie and Kurt in their characters. The 2018 cast is significant because it modernized a story that had some "dated" elements, making it more palatable for a modern audience while keeping the heart of the comedy intact.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of these actors, there are some great paths to take. You can check out the Hawn-Russell collaboration in The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix for a modern look at their chemistry. Or, if you want more of Eugenio Derbez’s specific brand of humor, Instructions Not Included is the movie that really put him on the map in the U.S.
What to Watch Next Based on the Cast
If you loved who played in Overboard, you’ll likely enjoy these specific deep dives:
- Watch the Goldie Hawn "Trilogy": Pair Overboard with Private Benjamin and Housesitter. It shows her incredible range as a comedic lead.
- Explore Kurt Russell's 80s Run: See him in Big Trouble in Little China or The Thing to appreciate just how much he transformed to play a scruffy carpenter.
- The Anna Faris Comedy School: Watch Scary Movie or The House Bunny. She is one of the few modern actresses who can match Goldie Hawn’s fearless physical comedy.
- Eugenio Derbez’s Cross-Cultural Hits: Check out Acapulco on Apple TV+. It carries a lot of the same "wealth vs. service" themes found in the 2018 Overboard.
Honestly, the best way to appreciate the casting is to watch both versions back-to-back. It’s a fascinating look at how acting styles and societal norms changed over thirty years. The 1987 version is warmer and more nostalgic, while the 2018 version is faster and a bit more socially conscious. Both, however, rely on the same fundamental truth: watching a rich person try to do their own laundry is comedy gold.
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Go back and re-watch the scene where Goldie Hawn tries to cook dinner for the first time. The look of pure, unadulterated horror on her face when she sees a raw chicken? That’s not just acting; that’s a legendary performer at the top of her game. It’s exactly why we’re still talking about this cast decades later.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your Overboard fandom, start by identifying which era of comedy you prefer. If you value 80s nostalgia and genuine chemistry, track down the 1987 original on physical media or digital rental. For a more modern, faster-paced experience with a bilingual twist, the 2018 remake is widely available on streaming platforms like Hulu or Paramount+. Once you've watched both, compare the "teaching the kids a lesson" scenes to see how parenting styles in movies have evolved—it's a wild ride.