Let’s be real. Nobody watches a Happy Madison production expecting a Shakespearean soliloquy or a deep meditation on the human condition. You watch it because you want to see a bunch of incredibly famous friends mess around on camera for ninety minutes. When you look at the cast of grown ups 2 full cast, it’s basically the ultimate "who’s who" of 90s Saturday Night Live royalty mixed with an absurd amount of random cameos that honestly have no business being in the same movie.
Adam Sandler has this uncanny ability to turn a film set into a paid vacation for his best friends. It’s genius, really. But while the first movie was about reconnecting with childhood roots, the sequel—released back in 2013—doubled down on the chaos. It brought back the core four—Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade—while notably missing Rob Schneider, who couldn't make it due to scheduling conflicts and the birth of his daughter.
The Core Four and the Missing Piece
At the heart of the cast of grown ups 2 full cast, you have Lenny Feder, played by Sandler. Lenny has moved his family back to his hometown, trading the high-stress Hollywood agent life for something supposedly simpler. Sandler plays Lenny with that classic "straight man with a hint of goofball" energy he perfected in the 2010s. Beside him, Kevin James returns as Eric Lamonsoff. James is the physical comedy engine of this group. Whether he's doing the "burp-snart" or falling off a roof, he carries a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to the slapstick side of things.
Then there’s Kurt McKenzie, played by Chris Rock. Honestly, Rock feels a bit underutilized here compared to his stand-up brilliance, but his chemistry with the other guys is undeniable. He spends a lot of the movie dealing with a forgotten anniversary and his wife’s (Maya Rudolph) terrifyingly sharp wit. David Spade rounds out the main group as Marcus Higgins. In the sequel, Marcus discovers he has a massive, intimidating son he never knew about, played by Alexander Ludwig.
It’s a bit of a bummer that Rob Schneider didn't return as Rob Hilliard. His "New Age" character was a highlight of the first film, but the sequel tries to fill that void by ramping up the screen time for the supporting townies and the massive influx of new characters.
The Ridiculous Depth of Supporting Talent
What makes the cast of grown ups 2 full cast so massive isn't just the leads; it's the fact that every single minor role is played by someone you recognize. Salma Hayek Pinault returns as Roxanne Chase-Feder. She’s arguably the most "normal" person in the movie, which is a hilarious contrast to the absolute insanity happening around her. Then you have Maria Bello as Sally Lamonsoff and Maya Rudolph as Deanne McKenzie. These women aren't just "the wives"—they are comedic powerhouses in their own right, even if the script focuses heavily on the guys' mid-life crises.
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But then, things get weird.
Shaquille O’Neal shows up as Officer Fluzoo. Yes, Shaq. He’s a cop. He dances. He has a tiny partner played by Peter Dante. It’s exactly the kind of casting choice that makes you realize this movie was made purely for the vibes.
And let’s talk about the Frat Boys.
Back in 2013, Taylor Lautner was at the peak of his Twilight fame. Seeing him play a hyper-aggressive, parkour-obsessed frat leader named Andy was a total curveball. He’s joined by Patrick Schwarzenegger, Milo Ventimiglia (yes, the This Is Us guy), and even David Henrie from Wizards of Waverly Place. The "Frat Boy" showdown at the cliff is one of those sequences that shouldn't work, yet somehow, seeing a bunch of middle-aged comedians try to fight a young, shirtless Milo Ventimiglia is objectively funny.
The Townies and the Weirdos
You can’t talk about this cast without mentioning the recurring Happy Madison staples. Nick Swardson plays Nick, the unstable bus driver who is clearly going through several different types of breakdowns simultaneously. Steve Buscemi is back as Wiley, the man who has survived more physical trauma than a crash-test dummy.
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Tim Meadows, Colin Quinn, and Jon Lovitz also pop in. It feels less like a movie and more like a massive SNL after-party that just happened to have a camera crew present. Even Ellen Cleghorne makes an appearance. For comedy nerds, identifying every former SNL cast member in the background is a game in itself.
Why the Casting Strategy Actually Worked
Critics usually rip these movies to shreds. Grown Ups 2 currently sits at an abysmal 7% on Rotten Tomatoes. But here’s the thing: it made nearly $250 million at the box office. Why? Because people love this cast.
There is a specific comfort in seeing these actors together. You know they are actually friends. You know they’re having a blast. That energy translates through the screen. When Sandler casts Steve Austin (Stone Cold himself!) as a high school bully who is actually a giant softie, it’s a subversion of expectation that works because of the "meta" nature of the casting.
The Surprise Cameos You Forgot
Beyond the big names, the cast of grown ups 2 full cast is littered with "wait, was that...?" moments.
- Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer: The Lonely Island guys appear as cheerleaders in a fever-dream-like sequence.
- Cheri Oteri: Another SNL vet playing a former flame.
- Will Forte: Appears as a male cheerleader alongside the Lonely Island crew.
- Georgia Engel: The late, great Mary Tyler Moore Show actress plays Mrs. Lamonsoff.
It is a chaotic assembly of talent. Usually, a cast this large indicates a movie that is trying too hard to hide a thin plot. In this case, the thin plot is a feature, not a bug. The plot is just a clothesline to hang jokes on, and the jokes only work because the people delivering them have thirty years of shared history.
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Behind the Scenes Dynamics
Reports from the set often describe these shoots as summer camps. Sandler famously bought his co-stars Maseratis after the first film's success. That kind of loyalty is rare in Hollywood. It explains why everyone, from Oscar nominees like Salma Hayek to UFC fighters like Michael Bisping (who has a small role), wants to be involved.
Even the kids in the film—like Cameron Boyce, who tragically passed away in 2019—seemed to benefit from this "family" atmosphere. Boyce played Keithie Feder, and his chemistry with Sandler felt genuine. Looking back at the film now, those scenes carry a bit of bittersweet nostalgia.
Looking Back at the Legacy
Is it a cinematic masterpiece? Of course not. But the cast of grown ups 2 full cast represents a specific era of studio comedy that we don't really see anymore. Today, these mid-budget comedies have mostly migrated to streaming services. Seeing this much star power packed into a single theatrical release for the sole purpose of making "pee jokes" is almost nostalgic now.
If you’re planning a rewatch or just settling a bet about whether "that guy from that show" was in the movie, here is the reality: they probably were. The film is a massive reunion of everyone Adam Sandler has ever liked, and that’s exactly why it remains a guilty pleasure for millions.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch
If you want to get the most out of seeing the cast of grown ups 2 full cast in action, pay attention to the background during the 80s-themed party at the end of the film. Most of the "extras" are actually the actors' real-life family members or long-time crew members.
- Check out the SNL connections: See if you can spot all 10+ former Saturday Night Live cast members. It's harder than it looks.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs": Many characters wear t-shirts or hats referencing real locations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, which are Sandler's actual stomping grounds.
- Compare to the original: Notice the shift in tone from the first film’s sentimentality to the second film’s pure, unadulterated slapstick. It’s a fascinating look at how sequels often lean into the "louder" elements of their predecessors.
The movie isn't trying to change your life. It’s trying to make you feel like you’re part of the inner circle. And with a cast that deep, it usually succeeds.