The Netflix original film Fatherhood features a stellar cast of veteran stars of both comedy and drama. The movie is one of many such original dramas produced by the streamer, which together have helped put Netflix on the map in a big way when it comes to feature film releases. Fatherhood is directed by Paul Weitz from a screenplay written by Weisz and Dana Stevens.
Though Fatherhood is a drama, it’s based on the real-life memoir Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin. The original book chronicles Logelin’s experiences as a single father after his wife tragically passed away 27 hours after giving birth to their daughter. The Netflix film adapts Logelin’s story while also making a few fictionalizing changes.
It’s a heavy story, but also one that’s filled with the joy and humor of life. Given the complex and emotionally intensive subject matter, Fatherhood wouldn’t work without its cast of capable and versatile actors. Here are the stars of Netflix’s Fatherhood movie and where you may have seen them before.
Kevin Hart As Matt Logelin
Fatherhood has largely been billed as a dramatic vehicle for Kevin Hart, who plays the leading role of a single father, Matt Logelin. Originally most famous for his stand-up comedy, Hart has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood over the past few years after appearing in films like The Upside, Central Intelligence, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Fatherhood marks one of Hart’s rarer ventures into the realm of more serious dramatic acting, though his comedy still gets to shine through at times.
Melody Hurd As Maddy Logelin
Fatherhood’s other leading spot belongs to young star Melody Hurd, who plays Matt’s daughter Maddy Logelin. Hurd previously starred as Kadasha in Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World short film Battle at Big Rock. She also appeared in the Amazon Prime Video original series Them, where she played Gracie Emory.
Alfre Woodard As Marian
Veteran film and television star Alfre Woodard features in Fatherhood as Matt’s mother-in-law Marian. A lauded and highly respected actor whose career has spanned decades, Woodard is perhaps best known for her roles in classic shows like St. Elsewhere and Hill Street Blues, and for films like Heart and Souls, Primal Fear, and Star Trek: First Contact. More recently, Woodard appeared in 12 Years a Slave, Annabelle, and Marvel’s Luke Cage series on Netflix, where she played villain Mariah Stokes.
Lil Rel Howery As Jordan
Lil Rel Howery features in Fatherhood as Matt’s supportive friend Jordan. Howery is perhaps most recognizable for playing Rod in Get Out and Robert Carmichael in The Carmichael Show. He’s also appeared in films like Tom & Jerry, Bad Trip, and plays the character Wayne in Judas and the Black Messiah. In 2018, Howery created and starred in the Fox comedy series Rel.
Fatherhood’s Supporting Cast & Characters
Fatherhood also features several supporting stars. DeWanda Wise plays Swan in the movie, and may be familiar from her role in Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. Anthony Carrigan, best known for his roles as NoHo Hank in Barry and Victor Zsasz in Gotham, plays Matt’s other friend Oscar.
Deborah Ayorinde from Them plays Matt’s late wife, Liz, Teneisha Collins (Future Man) plays Tessa, and Thedra Porter (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) plays Matt's mother, Anna. The Fatherhood cast is rounded out by Aliens and Stranger Things actor Paul Reiser, who plays Paul.
Fatherhood Movie vs. Real Story: Is It Accurate?
Fatherhood is based on the memoir Two Kisses For Maddy, and it's a largely faithful adaptation. The true story of Kevin Hart's Fatherhood shares all of the film's major beats, such as Matt and Lizzie meeting, Lizzie's unexpected passing, and Matt raising Maddy as a single dad with the support of family and friends. One significant change in the movie was the generation of more friction between Matthew and his mother-in-law, Marian. In real life, Marian wasn't quite so overbearing or critical of Matt, but the film takes some liberties with this to create more cinematic tension. Other minor changes include Matt and Lizzie's meeting and the film's location. In real life, the couple met on an airplane, but they are introduced by friends in Fatherhood. Likewise, the real Matt Logelin raised his daughter in California and India, but Fatherhood is set in Boston. Overall, however, Fatherhood is very true to the true story it's based on.