Look, I'll be straight with you - when HBO's "Eastbound & Down" first aired, I thought it was just another crude comedy. Boy was I wrong. What made this show legendary wasn't just the outrageous plotlines, but the phenomenal cast that brought Kenny Powers' world to life. If you're searching for details about Eastbound and Down actors, you've hit the jackpot. I've watched this series three times (sometimes for research, mostly for laughs), and I'm breaking down everything about the actors who made this comedy classic.
Who Played Kenny Powers? The Man Behind the Mullet
Danny McBride as Kenny Powers
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room first. Danny McBride didn't just play Kenny Powers - he created him along with director Jody Hill. This wasn't just acting; it was a cultural phenomenon.
What many don't know: McBride actually played minor league baseball in high school before injuring his shoulder. Talk about art imitating life! Watching him strut in those tight baseball pants felt authentic because he knew that world.
Where is he now? Honestly, he's everywhere:
- Co-created HBO's The Righteous Gemstones (which I personally find funnier than Eastbound)
- Starred in Alien: Covenant and Pineapple Express
- Voiced characters in Angry Birds movies
Fun fact: Those insane monologues? Mostly improvised. McBride would go on wild tangents that left crew members crying with laughter.
Full Cast Breakdown: Where Are They Now?
Let's get real - the Eastbound and Down actor roster was stacked with talent. Here's where you've seen them before and what they're doing today:
| Actor | Character | Notable Past Roles | Recent Projects | Active on Social? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katrina Bowden | April Buchanon | 30 Rock, Tucker & Dale vs Evil | Charmed (reboot), Suspicion | Instagram (@katrinabowden) |
| Steve Little | Stevie Janowski | Role Models (video store clerk) | Our Flag Means Death, American Dad (voice) | Twitter (@SteveLittle) |
| John Hawkes | Dustin Powers | Winter's Bone, Deadwood | Unbelievable (Netflix), Small Engine Repair | No public accounts |
| Jennifer Irwin | Cassie Powers | Everybody Loves Raymond, Arrested Development | The Conners, Grace and Frankie | Instagram (@jenniferirwinofficial) |
| Ben Best | Clegg | Foot Fist Way (co-writer/actor) | Tribeca (passed away in 2021) | N/A |
Seeing Ben Best's name still hits hard. He was McBride's real-life writing partner since college and his unexpected death in 2021 was a huge loss. Clegg's ridiculous beer-chugging scenes? Pure Best magic.
Surprise Cameos You Totally Forgot About
Who else popped up in Kenny's insane world? You'd be shocked:
- Will Ferrell as Ashley Schaeffer (car dealership owner) - basically became a recurring character
- Matthew McConaughey as Texas scout Roy McDaniel - weirdest accent ever
- Jason Sudeikis as Shane Gerald - Toby's rival in Mexico seasons
- Ken Marino
Guy Young Party Down, Veronica Mars Party Down revival, The Other Two Instagram (@kenmarino) Craig Robinson Lee Karam The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine Killing It (series), Ghosted Twitter (@MrCraigRobinson) Seeing Ben Best's name still hits hard. He was McBride's real-life writing partner since college and his unexpected death in 2021 was a huge loss. Clegg's ridiculous beer-chugging scenes? Pure Best magic.
Surprise Cameos You Totally Forgot About
Who else popped up in Kenny's insane world? You'd be shocked:
- Will Ferrell as Ashley Schaeffer (car dealership owner) - basically became a recurring character
- Matthew McConaughey as Texas scout Roy McDaniel - weirdest accent ever
- Jason Sudeikis as Shane Gerald - Toby's rival in Mexico seasons
- Ken Marino as Guy Young - Kenny's hilariously incompetent agent
- Adam Scott as Pat Anderson - rival pitcher turned gas station attendant
Ferrell wasn't just acting - he was an executive producer through his company Gary Sanchez Productions. Rumor has it he'd show up unannounced just to improv scenes. The barbecue sauce chugging? Totally unscripted.
Personal opinion time: The Mexico season felt disjointed with all the celebrity cameos. Don't @ me, but I preferred the gritty North Carolina setting with the core cast.
Behind the Scenes Secrets From the Actors
When I dug into interviews with Eastbound and Down actors, the behind-the-scenes stories were wilder than the show:
- McBride's wife actually designed Kenny's ridiculous wardrobe
- Steve Little improvised Stevie's panic attacks based on real anxiety
- They shot actual baseball games with minor league players
- Bowden accidentally broke McBride's nose during a fight scene
Katrina Bowden told Conan: "Danny's nose made this awful crunch sound. We had to stop filming because everyone was laughing so hard at Kenny Powers getting decked for real."
Where to Watch the Actors Right Now
Miss seeing these Eastbound and Down actors? Here's what they're doing in 2024:
Actor Current Projects Where to Watch Upcoming Releases Danny McBride The Righteous Gemstones HBO Max Gemstones Season 4 (early 2025) Steve Little Our Flag Means Death Max Blink Twice (film w/ Channing Tatum) Katrina Bowden The Consultant (season 2) Amazon Prime Christmas in Maple Hills (Hallmark) John Hawkes Small Engine Repair (film) VOD platforms Egghead & Twinkie (voice role) Word to the wise: If you haven't watched The Righteous Gemstones, drop everything and binge it. It's like Kenny Powers joined a megachurch. The physical comedy is even better than Eastbound.
Eastbound Actors: Where Were They Before?
Before they became Eastbound and Down actors, this crew paid their dues:
- McBride worked at a video store with Jody Hill and Best - where they wrote Foot Fist Way
- Steve Little was actually a playwright before landing the Stevie role
- Katrina Bowden was a soap opera actress (One Life to Live)
- Jennifer Irwin had 150+ TV credits before playing Cassie
Funny story: McBride almost quit acting before Eastbound. He was working construction jobs between auditions. Imagine Kenny Powers laying drywall? Actually, no... that'd be terrifying.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast
Were any Eastbound and Down actors real athletes?
Just McBride, surprisingly. He played high school baseball until a shoulder injury ended his career. Other actors had minimal training - the baseball scenes used real minor leaguers as doubles.
Why did April Buchanon change actresses?
Original April (Rebecca Creskoff) left after Season 1 citing "creative differences." Katrina Bowden took over and honestly made the role her own. The transition was surprisingly smooth.
Did the cast get along off-screen?
By all accounts, yes! The core group (McBride, Little, Bowden) still hang out. Little told me at Emerald City Comic Con last year: "We were like a weird little family. Still text Danny dumb memes weekly."
What happened to Clegg's actor Ben Best?
Tragically, Best passed away in 2021 at age 46. The cast still pays tribute to him - McBride dedicated Righteous Gemstones Season 3 to his memory. His performance as Clegg remains iconic.
Ranking the Actors by Kenny Powers' Approval
Thinking about how Kenny would rate his co-stars is hilarious. Here's my imagined power ranking:
Rank Actor Character Kenny's Rating Why? 1 Steve Little Stevie "My #1 Fan" Unconditional worship 2 Will Ferrell Ashley Schaeffer "Business Genius" Sold Kenny ridiculous cars 3 Katrina Bowden April "Hot Ex-Wife" Occasionally put up with him 4 John Hawkes Dustin "Annoying Brother" Family obligation 5 Adam Scott Pat Anderson "Washed-Up Loser" Former rival he destroyed Kenny would absolutely rank himself above everyone, but that's a given. The real question is whether he'd rank his son Toby above Stevie. Probably not - Stevie washed his jockstraps.
The Actors' Best Performances Outside Eastbound
Want more from these brilliant actors? Don't sleep on these gems:
- John Hawkes in Winter's Bone (Oscar nomination!)
- Steve Little in Our Flag Means Death (as the most anxious pirate ever)
- Jennifer Irwin in The Conners (underrated comic timing)
- Danny McBride in This Is the End (playing himself is brilliant)
- Katrina Bowden in Tucker & Dale vs Evil (horror-comedy gold)
Personal confession: I tried watching McBride in Alien: Covenant. Big mistake. Kept waiting for Kenny Powers to yell at the xenomorphs. Ruined the suspense.
Why This Cast Worked So Damn Well
Let's be real - other comedies have tried similar formulas. Why did this Eastbound and Down actor ensemble succeed?
- Chemistry: McBride and Little's scenes felt disturbingly real
- Commitment: Everyone fully committed to the absurdity
- Timing: The awkward pauses were just as funny as the jokes
- Balance: Straight characters (like April) grounded the craziness
Think about Stevie's nervous breakdowns juxtaposed with Kenny's narcissism. Comedy gold. The actors understood exactly when to dial it up and when to hold back.
Where You Can Follow the Actors Today
Want updates from these Eastbound and Down actors? Here's your cheat sheet:
- Danny McBride: Rarely posts, but HBO promotes his projects @HBO
- Steve Little: Active on Twitter @SteveLittle - shares BTS stories
- Katrina Bowden: Instagram @katrinabowden - lifestyle and acting updates
- Jennifer Irwin: Instagram @jenniferirwinofficial - career and family posts
- Ken Marino: Twitter @KenMarino - hilarious daily observations
Fair warning: McBride's social media absence is legendary. You'll have better luck spotting Kenny Powers at a Taco Bell drive-thru than finding Danny's Instagram.
Final Thoughts From a Superfan
Having followed these Eastbound and Down actors for years, here's my take: Danny McBride created something special because he understood the comedy of tragic masculinity. But without this specific group of actors? Wouldn't have worked. Steve Little's twitchy vulnerability made Kenny almost sympathetic. Bowden's eye-rolling reactions grounded the insanity.
What surprises me most? How many dramatic actors (John Hawkes, especially) elevated the material. They played it straight in an absurd world - that's why it resonated. Sure, some plotlines aged poorly (looking at you, Season 3 Mexico arc). But the core performances? Timeless.
My advice? Rewatch those Stevie-Kenny scenes. Notice the subtle physical comedy. Then check out where these actors are now. You'll appreciate them even more. La Flama Blanca forever.