Boogie Nights takes place in the world of adult entertainment, so which industry performers appear alongside the main cast? Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 classic stars Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler, a California native who becomes a well-known adult film actor in the San Fernando Valley during the '70s. Most of the characters are portrayed by mainstream celebrities; however, several real-life adult film stars make cameos in small roles.
In the late '80s, Anderson conceived Boogie Nights' premise while attending high school in the San Fernando Valley. The filmmaker made a short film called The Dirk Diggler Story, which is based on real-life adult film actor John Holmes, whose life is chronicled in the 1981 documentary Exhausted: John C. Holmes, The Real Story. Nearly a decade later, Paul Thomas Anderson increased his net worth and began production on Boogie Nights after releasing his 1996 feature directorial debut, Hard Eight.
Prior to Boogie Nights, Mark Wahlberg had already established an impressive entourage and resume in the entertainment industry. As the brother of New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg, he fronted the group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch during the early '90s and landed a #1 Billboard hit in 1991 with "Good Vibrations." By 1996, Wahlberg had starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Basketball Diaries and also headlined Fear with Reese Witherspoon. Yet it was Boogie Nights that transformed him into a mainstream movie star, thanks in large part to his tragicomic lead performance, along with a climactic scene that literally exposes the film's lead character, Dirk Diggler. Here's a breakdown of the main cast in Anderson's Boogie Nights, including the adult film performers who add an extra layer of authenticity to the film.
Mark Wahlberg As Eddie Adams AKA Dirk Diggler
Mark Wahlberg stars as Eddie Adams, a.k.a. Dirk Diggler, a teenager from Torrance, California who pursues a career in the adult entertainment industry. He's initially hopeful about the future and his industry relationships but eventually realizes that he's just part of a recurring cycle and can be easily replaced by someone more appealing.
Wahlberg earned an Oscar nomination for his supporting performance as Dignam in The Departed. He also collaborated with director Peter Berg for the films Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, Patriots Day, and Mile 22. In addition, Wahlberg played Cade Yeager in two Transformers movies.
Burt Reynolds As Jack Horner
Burt Reynolds c0-stars as Jack Horner, a filmmaker in the adult entertainment industry who recognizes Eddie's star potential. He initially serves as the actor's mentor but loses control of "Dirk Diggler" while dealing with conflict involving other colleagues. Reynolds is best known for starring in the '70s movies Deliverance and Smokey and the Bandit. In the '80s, he portrayed J.J. McClure in the The Cannonball Run franchise and later played Wood Newton in the '90s TV show Evening Shade. In the 21st century, the late Reynolds also appeared in The Dukes of Hazzard, My Name Is Earl, and Not Another Not Another Movie.
Julianne Moore As Maggie AKA Amber Waves
Julianne Moore portrays Maggie, a.k.a. Amber Waves, a porn star who serves as a motherly figure to younger performers. Ironically, she's an absent real-life mother who loses custody of her son. Moore is best known for playing The Hunger Games' President Alma Coin, and for her Oscar-nominated performances in The End of the Affair and The Hours. She also won a Best Actress Academy Award for portraying Alice Howland in Still Alice.
Don Cheadle As Buck Swope
Don Cheadle appears as Buck Swope, a porn star who continuously changes identities. He's a thoughtful and well-intentioned character but struggles to find his place in the industry. Cheadle's best-known role is James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine in the MCU. He's best known for his Oscar-nominated performance as Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda, and for headlining Crash as Graham. His other roles include Marty Kaan in House of Lies, Basher Tarr in the Ocean's trilogy, and Curt Goynes in No Sudden Move.
John C. Reilly As Reed Rothchild
John C. Reilly portrays Reed Rothchild, an adult film actor who befriends Dirk and becomes his creative collaborator. Reed is highly self-aware and often uses faux bravado in public situations to make himself seem more interesting. Reilly portrayed Corpsman Dey in Guardians of the Galaxy and Dale Doback in Step Brothers. He also played Amos Hart in Chicago and headlined Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story as the title character.
Heather Graham As Brandy AKA Rollergirl
Heather Graham as Brandy, a.k.a. Rollergirl, an adult film actress who has a sexual encounter with Eddie in the first act. She's mentored by Amber Waves and gets taken advantage by a former classmate who recognizes her during a late-movie production. Graham portrayed Felicity Shagwell in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Jade in The Hangover movie franchise. Her other roles include Julia in Californication and Shelley Luscomb in Wander.
Philip Seymour Hoffman As Scotty J.
Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Scotty J., a socially-awkward boom operator. Scotty J. has strong feelings for Dirk and attempts to mimic his style. Hoffman starred as Lancaster Dodd in The Master and portrayed Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games franchise. His other well-known performances include George Willis Jr. in Scent of a Woman, Brandt in The Big Lebowski, and Caden Cotard in Synecdoche, New York.
William H. Macy As Little Bill Thompson
William H. Macy appears as Little Bill Thompson, an assistant director. He repeatedly catches his wife having sex with other men, and ultimately commits a double homicide before taking his own life. Macy starred as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo and headlines Shameless as Frank Gallagher. He also played Tim Sullivan in Homicide and Dr. David Morgenstern in ER.
Nicole Ari Parker As Becky Barnett
Nicole Ari Parker portrays Becky Barnett, an adult film actress who leaves the business to get married. Parker portrayed Melissa Green in Blue Streak and Carol Boone in Remember the Titans. On television, she appeared as Giselle in Empire and currently plays Samantha Miller in Chicago P.D.
Luis Guzmán As Maurice Rodriguez
Luis Guzmán appears as Maurice Rodriguez, the owner of Reseda nightclub where Jack meets Eddie. He attends various parties throughout the film and eventually starts a new business. Guzmán played Ray Castro in Traffic and Lance in Punch-Drunk Love. His TV roles include Rene Calderon in How to Make It in America, José Rodríguez Gacha in Narcos, and Jesse Sallander in Code Black.
Thomas Jane As Todd Parker
Thomas Jane has a small role as Todd Parker, a colleague of Dirk and Reed who plots to rob a local drug dealer. Jane portrayed Private Ash in The Thin Red Line and Carter Blake in Deep Blue Sea. Horror fans may know him as David Drayton from The Mist, and he is also known for playing Joe Miller in The Expanse.
Philip Baker Hall As Floyd Gondolli
Philip Baker Hall plays Floyd Gondolli, a theater owner in San Diego and San Francisco who makes business propositions to Jack. Hall starred as Sydney in Hard Eight and portrayed Jimmy Gator in Magnolia. He also played Captain Diel in Rush Hour and Zelman Katz in Messiah.
Robert Ridgely As Colonel James
Robert Ridgely appears as Colonel James, Jack's producer who attends a party and asks to see Eddie's penis. He's later imprisoned for possessing child pornography. Ridgely portrayed Mayor Egan in Beverly Hills Cop 2 and Walter Kenton in Philadelphia. He passed away in February 1997 after filming his movie scenes for Anderson's Boogie Nights.
Melora Walters As Jessie St. Vincent
Melora Walters portrays Jessie St. Vincent, an actress who grows close to Buck and eventually marries him. Walters played Gloria in Dead Poets Society and Claudia Wilson Gator in Magnolia. She also appeared as Wanda Henrickson in Big Love and Dr. Hendler in Short Term 12.
Robert Downey Sr. As Burt
Robert Downey Sr. has a minor role as Burt, a studio owner who kicks Dirk and Reed out of a recording studio because they can't pay. Downey Sr. is best known for portraying the title character in the 1969 movie Putney Swope, and for playing Thomas Bateman in To Live and Die in L.A. He's the father of actor Robert Downey Jr. and passed away in July 2021.
Alfred Molina As Rahad Jackson
Alfred Molina appears as Rahad Jackson, a singing drug dealer who appears in the final act. When Dirk and Reed can't pay their recording studio bills, they attempt to steal from Rahad, with the assistance of Todd. Molina is known for playing Diego Rivera in Frida and Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2. He also portrayed Solomon Solomon in Magnolia and voices The Duke in Solar Opposites.
Ricky Jay As Kurt Longjohn
Ricky Jay portrays Kurt Longjohn, a cameraman who works for Jack and records Dirk's first sex scene. Jay portrayed Henry Gupta in Tomorrow Never Dies, Don Pincus in Heist, and Burt Ramsey in Magnolia. He passed away in 2018 at age 72.
Nina Hartley As Little Bill's Wife
Adult film star Nina Hartley makes several appearances that partially set up Boogie Nights' ending. She portrays the wife of Little Bill Thompson (William H. Macy), but is caught having sex with several other men. Since 1981, Hartley has accumulated nearly 700 acting credits in the adult entertainment industry. She also won four AVN awards for her performances.
Veronica Hart As Judge
Adult film star Veronica Hart makes a small cameo in Boogie Nights. She appears at the 110-minute mark as a judge at the custody hearing for Amber Waves (Julianne Moore). Hart is best known for her adult film roles during the '70s and '80s. Over the course of 40 years, she appeared in over 200 movies and won Best Actress twice at the Critics' Adult Film Awards.
Amber Hunter AKA Lil' Cinderella As Colonel's Lady Friend
Adult film actor Amber Hunter, a.k.a Lil' Cinderella, makes a small cameo in Boogie Nights. She plays a friend of Boogie Nights' Colonel, who overdoses at a party. She made her debut in the adult film industry in 1994 and appeared in 60 films over the following decade.
Lexi Leigh As Floyd's Kid - Girl
Adult film actor Lexi Leigh has a minor non-speaking role in Boogie Nights. She plays a blonde member of Floyd's entourage. Between 1995 and 2002, Leigh appeared in 50 films.
Summer Cummings And Skye Blue As Jacuzzi Girls
Adults film actresses Summer Cummings and Skye Blue play jacuzzi girls during a production scene in Boogie Nights. Cummings accumulated nearly 150 credits over nearly three decades in the industry. Blue has appeared in almost 100 films, and also has over 200 directorial credits to her name.
Boogie Nights released on Netflix in July 2021.