Along with Kevin James, the cast of the 2011 comedy, ZookeeperSees many high-profile celebrities help make it a memorable fantasy movie as they voice some of its anthropomorphic animals. James stars as the titular hero, who is considering a career switch because he feels it’s the only way he can improve his chances of finding love. The news comes as a shock to his animal friends, and the zoo creatures try to set him up with someone else to convince him to stay. Zookeeper It didn’t fare well with most critics but is still worth a watch for family-friendly comedy fans.
What is worth noting The Zookeeper Cast is the stellar voice cast behind the animals and the actual animals themselves. The movie features some iconic animal performers, like Crystal the monkey (Night at the museum, The Hangover Part IIwhich provides the physical appearance for the Tufted Capuchin Donald, and the late Bart the Bear 2 (Game of Thrones, In the wild) who plays the grizzly bear Jerome. Other non-speaking performers include Tom Woodruff, Jr. (the Oscar-winning special effects supervisor behind Death is yours And Aliens), who serves as the performer in suit for the western lowland guerrilla Bernie.
Actor name |
Character played |
---|---|
Kevin James |
Griffin Keys |
Rosario Dawson |
Kate |
Leslie Bibb |
Stephanie |
Nick Nolte |
Bernie |
Sylvester Stollone |
Joe |
Adam Sandler |
Donald |
Joe Rogan |
Gale |
Nat Foxon |
Dave Keys |
Ken Jeong |
Poison |
Kevin James as Griffin Keys
The zoo caretaker
Actor: Except ZookeeperKevin James has memorable roles as the titular protagonist in Paul Blart: Mall CopTeacher-turned-MMA fighter Scott Voss in Here comes the boom (Directed by ZookeeperFrank Corassi), and He earned an Emmy nomination for playing package delivery man Doug Heffernan The King of Queens. He developed a strong relationship with Adam Sandler, who helped him get his break as a leading man by producing his movies, including Zookeeper.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
King of Queens (1998-2007) |
Doug Heffernan |
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) |
Paul Blart |
Hotel Transylvania (2012) |
Frankenstein (voice) |
Pixels (2015) |
President William Cooper |
Kevin Can Wait (2016-2018) |
Kevin Gable |
Character: Griffin Keyes is the kind-hearted keeper at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo. While he loves his job and the animals he takes care of, he feels that being a zookeeper is a boring job that ruins his chances of dating anyone. However, when his animal friends discover they can talk, Griffin receives some valuable love advice from them. Griffin then learns that he might be better off losing his girlfriend and finds that love is closer than he imagined.
Rosario Dawson as Kate
Actor: Rosario Dawson joins the Zookeeper Cast as a zoo vet named Kate. Another prominent medical character in Dawson’s filmography is nurse Claire Temple in Netflix’s Marvel shows like Daredevil And The defenders. She is too Known for playing the ex-JD warrior Ahsoka Tano in Live-Action Star Wars PropertiesThe vigilant sex worker Gayle in the Sin City movies, and the Amazonian warrior Wonder Woman in the DC Animated Movie Universe.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
kids (1995) |
Rubin |
He Got Game (1998) |
Lala Bonilla |
Sin City (2005) |
Gayle |
Daredevil (2015-2016) |
Claire Temple / The Night Nurse |
Ahoska (2023-) |
Ahoska Tano |
Character: Kate harbors a benevolent and understanding attitude towards the animals, much like Griffin (although she is definitely smarter than him). The two form an unlikely pair, and the animals try their best to bring them together. This is a pleasant surprise, since Griffin spends most of the movie trying to get advice from animals to get back with his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie. However, Kate is a much better person and has much more in common with Griffin than the materialistic Stephanie.
Leslie Bibb as Stephanie
Actor: the antagonistic love interest of Zookeeper is played by Leslie Bibb, who, similar to Rosario Dawson, has played a Marvel character. In the first two Iron Man Movies and What ifBibb plays journalist Christine Everhart. Additionally, Bibb has had a stellar television career, earning herself a Teen Choice Award for playing popular high schooler Brooke McQueen in PopularAnd she also played the superheroine Lady Liberty in Jupiter’s legacy.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Popular (1999-2001) |
Brooke McQueen |
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) |
Carly Bobby |
Iron Man (2008) |
Christine Everhart |
Trick ‘r Treat (2008) |
Emma |
Palm Royale (2024) |
Dina Danahu |
Character: Stephanie is introduced as Griffin’s girlfriend, but the singular character constantly beats him for his choice of career. Eventually, Stephanie does consider getting back with Griffin, but her selfishness still gets in the way. For much of the movie, Stephanie is the love interest that Griffin wants to win over and is what the animals work to help him get back with. However, thanks to her selfish attitude and bad personality, Griffin soon finds someone better in the end.
Nick Nolte as Bernie
Actor: The gorilla is voiced by Nick Nolte, who is Known for his Oscar-nominated performance as the troubled father, Paddy Conlon, in Warrior And his Golden Globe-winning turn in The prince of tides Like Tom Wingo. Nolte has also dabbled in popular franchises, playing genetics researcher David Banner Hulk And hears the lonely farmer’s bullet The Mandalorian. Nolte also earned a Primetime Emmy Awards nomination for his role in Rich, poor.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
48 Hours (1982) |
Inspector Jack Cates |
Cape Fear (1991) |
Sam Bowden |
Blue Chips (1994) |
Coach Pete Bell |
Hulk (2003) |
Dr. David Banner |
Warrior (2011) |
Paddy Conlon |
Character: the Zookeeper The cast includes many acclaimed actors who portray the animal friends of the protagonist. One such talking animal is the gorilla, Bernie. Even though he is kept in a separate enclosure and often seen as misunderstood as intimidating, he actually has a lot of empathy to show. The animal character has the best backstory, as an abused gorilla who was sent into seclusion when the zookeeper who abused him lied about an attack. He gets the best moment of all animals in zookeeper s End.
Sylvester Stallone as Joe
Actor: Big Cat Joe is voiced by Sylvester Stallone, whose other voice credits include King Shark in The Suicide Squad And the ant soldier Corporal Weaver in Antz. Stollone is, of course, better Known for his action star persona, having played Vietnam War veteran John Rambo and heavyweight boxer Rocky Balboa in numerous movies. Stallone also sometimes ventures into comedy, having played the aging boxer Henry Sharp Grudge match And the titular mobster in Oscar.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Rocky (1976) |
Rocky Balboa |
First Blood (1982) |
John Rambo |
The Expendables (2010) |
Barney Ross |
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) |
Stakar Ogord |
Tulsa King (2022-) |
Dwight Manfredi |
Character: Joe is an idealistic lion, who strongly believes that the animals of the zoo should not talk to people. However, it is Joe’s frustrated yelling that first alerts Griffin to the idea that the animals can talk. Although he yells and screams a lot, Joe means no harm and is actually gentler than expected. Joe also has a partner named Janet (voiced by Cher), and together, they attempt to help Griffin do everything he can to win back his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie.
Adam Sandler as Donald
Actor: the Zookeeper The cast includes Adam Sandler, who has collaborated with Kevin James in many films like Grow Ups And Pixels. Donald isn’t Sandler’s only voice role, as the comedian also voiced Count Dracula Hotel Transylvania And some letters in Eight crazy nights. A prolific performer in both comedies and dramas, Some of​​​​​​Sandler´s best characters include the titular short-tempered golfer in Happy Gilmore And the panicky jewelry dealer Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Happy Gilmore (1996) |
Happy Gilmore |
The Wedding Singer (1998) |
Robbie Hart |
Punch-Drunk Love (2002) |
Barry Igen |
Uncut Gems (2019) |
Howard Ratner |
Hustle (2022) |
Stanley Sugarman |
Character: in Zookeeper, Adam Sandler voices the smooth-talking monkey, Donald. He’s quite a clever ape (as is evident from his plans to make Griffin look like a hero in front of his peers). He is one of the key talking animals in the film, and this makes sense since Adam Sandler is also one of the producers of the film. However, he takes on the role of the invisible voice. As for Donald himself, Crystal the monkey played the animal. Fans may remember Crystal from The hangover.
Joe Rogan as Gal
Actor: After ZookeeperRogan would collaborate again with co-star Kevin James and director Frank Coraci on the sports comedy Here comes the boomPlaying himself while commentating on MMA matches. Rogan previously hosted Fear factor and played on the Street Smart radio station handyman and electrician Joe Garelli NewsRadio. The podcaster has several movie and TV roles to his name, however He almost always just plays himself, both fictionalized and realistic versions.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
NewsRadio (1995-2999) |
Joe Garelli |
Ultimate Fighting Championship (1997-) |
himself |
Fear Factor (2001-2012) |
himself |
Here Comes the Boom (2012) |
himself |
Bright (2017) |
himself |
Character: MMA commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan is in the Zookeeper figure, Playing Stephanie’s ex-boyfriend gal. He shares quite a toxic relationship with her, getting back together for some time and bullying Griffin along the way. He is one of the minor antagonists in the movie, someone that Griffin has to get over so he can become the man he needs to be in the end. This was a rare character part for Rogan, but he fit the antagonistic role easily.
Nat Faxon as Dave Keys
Actor: Nat Faxon is an accomplished screenwriter, because Won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing The descendants. As an actor, Faxon called the optimistic half-elf, Elfo DisenchantmentDakota Johnson’s goofy on-screen brother Ben Fox in ben and kate, And the midlife crisis-stricken husband Russ Bowman in Married. He also recently took on a recurring role in the Roseanne spinoff series The Conners.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Club Dread (2004) |
Manny |
Bad Teacher (2011) |
Mark |
Ready or Not (2019) |
Justin (voice) |
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018-2020) |
Captain Underpants (voice) |
The Conners (2020-) |
Neville Goldufsky |
Character: Dave is Griffin’s brother who runs a successful car business. Although he lacks the emotional depth to understand his sister’s troubles, Dave is still helpful enough to help Griffin with an opportunity to work at his dealership. With a better career and plans to marry his girlfriend, Dave’s perfect life serves as an antithesis to Griffin’s.
Ken Jeong as Venom
Actor: Venom brings some of Ken Jeong’s trademark hyperactive comic timing that audiences are used to seeing him evoke as Spanish teacher Ben Chang in CommunityGangster boss Leslie Chow in The hangover trilogy, and wealthy businessman Goh Wye Mun in Crazy Rich Asians. Interestingly, in 2011, Ken Jeong and Crystal the Monkey appeared together in Zookeeper As well as The Hangover II In which Crystal played a monkey of a drug dealer.
Notable movies and TV shows:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
The Hangover (2009) |
Leslie Chow |
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) |
Jerry Wang |
Community (2009-2015) |
Ben Chang |
Dr. Ken (2015-2017) |
can park |
The Afterparty (2023) |
Feng Zu |
Character: lives up to his name, Poison works in the zoo’s reptile house. But while he’s adept at dealing with reptiles, his social mannerisms can be quite awkward when it comes to humans. This actually puts him much closer to Kevin James Griffin, who has a similar love for the animals, and it also helps when the animals start talking, because it means that Venom can finally connect with someone he feels a connection with.
Zookeeper support cast & characters
Steffiana de la Cruz as Robin Keys – Robin is Dave’s fiancee, who later becomes his wife. She is played by Steffiana de la Cruz, who has appeared in many movies and shows with her real-life husband Kevin James. These include a role as a customer in Paul Blart: Mall Cop And some letters in The King of Queens.
Donnie Wahlberg as Shane – Shane is the abusive zookeeper who often puts the lives of other animals in jeopardy. He is played by Danny Wahlberg, who is known for playing detective Eric Matthews in the Saw series and war hero Carwood Lipton in band of brothers.
Jon Favreau as Jerome – Even director and actor Jon Favreau joins in Zookeeper cast, voicing the brown bear Jerome. Favreau is known for directing movies like Iron Man And The Jungle Book While also playing Tony Stark’s bodyguard Happy Hogan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the titular protagonist in Chief, and attorney Foggy Nelson in Daredevil.
Related
Cher like Janet – The lioness Janet is voiced by Cher, the legendary singer and actor who won a best actress Oscar for playing Italian American widow Loretta Castorini in Monstrous. Cher also had starring roles in Burlesque Like lounge owner Tess and In Mother Mia! Here we go again As Ruby Sheridan, the mother of Meryl Streep’s protagonist Donna.
Faizon Love as Bruce – The zoo in Zookeeper Has no shortage of bears with Faizon Love like Kodiak Bear Bruce. Love is best known for his involvement in the Friday Cast as drug supplier Big Worm and gangster Sean “Sweet” Johnson in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Maya Rudolph as Molly – Maya Rudolph, who starred alongside Kevin James in Grow UpsVoices a reticulated giraffe named Molly in Zookeeper. Rudolph is known as a former Saturday Night Live Cast member and for voicing several characters in the adult animated series Big Mouth.
Judd Apatow as Barry – Another famous director who voices one of the animals in Zookeeper Is Judd Apatow. The Knocked up And Trainwreck Filmmaker voices Barry the Elephant in ZookeeperOne of his few acting roles. Apatow also played a news station employee Anchorman and a Hollywood producer in The disaster artist.
Related
Bas Rutten as Sebastian – MMA fighter and actor Bas Rutten joins the Zookeeper Cast as the voice of the wolf Sebastian. Rutten is Kevin James’ longtime collaborator who played a drill instructor in Paul Blart: Mall Cop and former MMA fighter Nico In Here comes the boom.
Don Rickles as Jim – An American bullfrog named Jim is voiced by veteran actor Don Rickles. While Zookeeper was the last feature film to be released in his lifetime, Rickles is often remembered for voicing Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story and for hosting his self-titled variety show The Don Rickles Show.
Jim Brewer as Spike – The Zookeeper Cast features several Saturday Night Live Alumni included Jim Breuer who voices the Crow Spike. Brewer’s notable roles include The Stones Brian in the cult comedy Half baked.
Despite being underappreciated in his current job at his local zoo, Griffin Keyes sticks it down to his love for animals. Because of this, the zoo animals discover they can talk and help him find a romantic partner. Zookeeper stars Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb and Ken Jeong.
- Director
-
Frank Corassi
- Release date
-
July 8, 2011
- runtime
-
112 minutes