The Goldbergs has been quietly making fans laugh hysterically since the sitcom launched in 2013. Based on creator Adam F. Goldberg's own children, the period sitcom is set in the'80s and follows a family based on Goldberg's own.
What makes the highly underrated sitcom particularly engaging is that Goldberg was a movie buff from a young age and recorded plenty of family footage on his video camera as a child. He uses these recorded moments as the basis for each episode, often showing clips from the original footage at the end of each episode. But what really makes the writing and stories come to life is the amazing cast. And while some of them are veteran actors, others you might also recognize from the few other projects they've been in.
Wendi McLendon-Covey (Beverly Goldberg)
McLendon-Covey's most recognizable role before transforming into the overly affectionate and intrusive mother Beverly, nicknamed a "smother" by the three Goldberg children, on this show, was in the film Bridesmaids. She starred alongside Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, and Ellie Kemper in the successful comedy flick.
She also had small roles in other movies like What to Expect When You're Expecting, The Single Moms Club, Blended, and Think Like a Man, Too.
Sean Giambrone (Adam Goldberg)
His distinctive, high-pitched voice has made Giambrone more of a recognizable voice in Hollywood versus on-screen actor. He voices the character of Ron Stoppable in the live-action version of Kim Possible, Jeff Randell in Clarence, and Yumyulack in Solar Opposites, among other characters.
His biggest on-screen role to date, however, is as the protagonist on this series, with each story being told from his perspective as the youngest Goldberg child. Giambrone apparently nailed his audition thanks to his authenticity versus heavily rehearsed "Disney kid" nature.
Troy Gentile (Barry Goldberg)
Playing the eldest, loud, and often obnoxious Goldberg son Barry has been Gentile's biggest role to date. But keen-eyed viewers might recognize him as the young version of Jack Black in two different movies: Nacho Libre and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.
He interestingly also played a younger version of Craig Ferguson during a short segment on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. His other film appearances include Bad News Bears, Good Luck Chuck, Drillbit Taylor, and Hotel for Dogs.
Hayley Orrantia (Erica Goldberg)
Fans might be surprised at where they've seen Orrantia before: it wasn't in an acting gig but rather competing on the first season of the American version of reality singing competition show The X-Factor. Orrantia made it through to the group rounds where she was put into a girl group called Lakoda Rayne by her coach Paula Abdul.
Orrantia, who plays the eldest Goldberg child, only daughter, and an aspiring singer on the show, has also sung backup for pop stars like Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus.
George Segal (Albert 'Pops' Solomon)
The most seasoned actor among the cast, Segal has been acting since the '60s, mostly on film. Some of his most notable roles include Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, A Touch of Class, and Flirting with Disaster.
Segal had another long-time role on a TV series Just Shoot Me! before snagging the role of the "cool" live-in grandpa and father of Beverly Goldberg.
Jeff Garlin (Murray Goldberg)
The comedian and actor plays the Goldberg patriarch who runs a furniture store and spends most of his time at home lounging on the couch in his underwear and yelling at his kids. Garlin is recognizable from roles on several other prominent series, including Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development.
He has also voiced characters for series like Wall-E and Toy Story 3. Going way back, fans might recognize him from Mad About You; while kids might recall him as Uncle Kelbo from Wizards of Waverly Place.
Patton Oswalt (Narrator)
Oswalt doesn't appear in the actual show, but he has a pivotal role as a narrator, playing a grown-up version of Adam re-telling the stories of his youth. Oswalt is, of course, no stranger to the world of television. Along with his own stand-up comedy specials, he is also known for The King of Queens and for his guest-starring role on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
He has appeared in plenty of other TV series as well and movies like Young Adult, Blade: Trinity, and The Secret Life of Water Mitty. He currently stars in the series A.P. Bio.
Sam Lerner (Geoff Schwartz)
His first role was as the son of Ben Stiller and Rachel Weisz in the film Envy. He has had small roles on a number of sitcoms, like Malcolm in the Middle, Two and a Half Men, and King of Queens.
On this series, he stars as one of Barry's close friends who is obsessed with and eventually dates Barry's sister Erica. Lerner's uncle is Academy Award nominated actor Michael Lerner, who earned his honor for the film Barton Fink.
AJ Michalka (Lainey Lewis)
Playing Erica's best friend and Barry's one-time girlfriend, Michalka is, like Orrantia, also a singer. The two often perform together on the show, playing two young women who also happen to be aspiring singers. She is known for her musical duo Aly and AJ with her sister Aly. Together, they recorded the theme song for the film Secretariat.
She has also done voice work as Catra in the Netflix series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and Stevonnie in Steven Universe.
Noah Munck ('Naked' Rob Smith)
Playing another of Barry's best friends in his crew known as "JTP," Munck is known mainly among the younger generation as a YouTube personality with his own comedy channel called Sadworld, and for his roles in the Nickelodeon series iCarly and Wizards of Waverly Place.
The 24-year-old might also look familiar from his appearances in the TruGreen commercials. He has had one-off roles in other shows as well, including ER (2009), Rules of Engagement (2010), Arrested Development (2013), and Sam & Cat (2014).