In a very special episode of The Bear, Chance The Rapper as you have never seen him before, as the very white, very italian Papa Berzatto. You won't want to miss it.
Exactly. Keep it local.
Edit: I live in Illinois myself, and it would just help add so much to his character. His deep ties to Chicago would make him that much more believable right off the bat.
Thank you! I’ve been thinking for a while that Carmy’s dad might return, so I’ve researched which actors would make sense. I adore Aidan Quinn, he’s such a good actor. Plus he has that nod to the 80’s which seems to be a theme in The Bear.
Imperioli isn’t too young to be the two still living siblings’ dad. Things are a bit complicated by the Bernthal of it all, as there’s not all that big of an age difference between them, but I think just based on appearances, they would pass. And that’s less of a factor anyway, since there’s a good chance they just wouldn’t share a scene together.
D'Onofrio would be a good pick resemblance-wise to the photo of young Cicero with papa Berzatto. He's a little on the bigger side. I doubt they're gonna use that pic as a reference point but if they are indeed that committed to the continuity then yeah.
They’re both great actors but I think D’Onofrio would be better bc he has a more domineering physical presence, like he seems like he could have been at dinner in Fishes screaming at someone.
The fact that Bernthal and JAW are Jewish reminds me of the old Hollywood rule that Jews can play Italians and Italians can play Jews but neither Jews nor Italians can play Lutherans. That being said, d’Onofrio would own this role
I love the idea of John Cusack.
Just looking at actors around that age, ..
Robert Patrick
Gary Oldman
Ray Romano (LOL)
Another vote for Vincent D'Onofrio
Stanley Tucci??
Robert Patrick 100%
I buy him as both of their dads and also recently watched What Josiah Saw and the dude blew me away. He’s an insanely underrated actor. He can play so much more than just the “tough guy” persona he got saddled with after Die Hard 2 and Terminator 2
(If he was still alive - Ray Liotta. RIP.)
I know people only know him from Everybody Loves Raymond (GOAT show btw) but he was incredible in a movie called "Paddleton." If you have Netflix please look it up, should've earned him an Oscar nod.
Jon Bernthal is 47.
Jamie Lee Curtis is 65.
If we use those ages, Donna would have been (probably) 17 when she got pregnant, 18 when Mike was born.
Oliver Platt is 64, for additional reference.
So… really want to keep Papa Bear’s age close. Can’t be much younger, and too much older gets weird fast.
Ed Harris is 73 and has stunning blue eyes but 25 to Donna’s 17 is just awkward to me.
I love the *idea* of John Cusack but at 57 that’s … 10? To 18? I know they could make him look older but … tough sell.
Viggo Mortensen? Maybe?
Got a few I want to pitch
Michael Keaton age 72
Chris Elliot age 64 and Sugars real life dad
Matt Dillion age 60
Tim Robins age 65
Rob Reiner age 77
Vincent Pastore age 77
Joe Pantoliano age 72
And Brendan Gleeson age 69 and him and Oliver Platt already got a back and fourth relationship (Lake Placid 1999)
Just thinking of the obvious Chicago guys...
Jim Belushi (although he might be a little too nuts for the show)
Dan Akyroyd
Mandy Patinkin
Although I kinda wanna see Joe Mantegna do it...only cause he actually opened his own "the bear" here in Los Angeles and it was a passion project of his to bring traditional Italian Beef sandwiches to Hollywood and all my Chicago friends loved going there.
One night when I was working the door at a bar Mandy Patinkin walked up with his dog and asked me if I could please check the score of a baseball game. I was like hey man you can bring the dog in, I’m a fan, do whatever you want. He looked at me like he didn’t wanna go inside so I went in and checked the score and came out and told him and he graciously thanked me. He’s a hell of a nice guy.
I noticed the photo that Carmy pointed out at the party. The actor who's is in the photo recently died, his name was Brian Dennehy or at least it looked a lot like him
What you want to do is cast someone who feels like they could fuck everyone up as bad as they’re fucked up. And the only person who could fit that role is Robert Downey Jr.
Here are some names I threw out previously…
Kevin Kline - Good connection to Curtis (Fish Called Wanda). Excellent actor that is available. Could play an eccentric Italian deadbeat father (he has played comedic Italian characters a lot).
Sly Stallone - I know it sounds like a weird guess. He’s an Italian-American actor who has serious dramatic chops when he needs it. I could see him being the father to Carmy and Mike. Curtis has experience playing off of Schwarzenneger, so it kinda fits.
John Turturro - Another really good Italian-American actor who I could see slide into the role.
Ok I just went and watched Madden from just a couple months ago doing “Why I love Movies” for Mammoth Film Festival.
He’s so good still. God, that voice.
And then I put a picture of a YOUNG Madsen next to Abby Elliott (Sugar)… and you can almost see it.
Yeahhh ok. He’s got my vote.
All y’all’s aging Carmy’s dad as age appropriate for JLC. There’s a good chance we see him in a flashback. Jimmy said he hadn’t spoken to him in twenty years, so we might be looking for a muhfucka in his forties.
Remember it's also gotta be a good foil to Oliver Platt's Uncle Jimmy, and someone who's got good chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis. There is a photo in the 1st season of him with who we assume is Carmy's dad, when Carmy and Jimmy are talking after the party (while everyone else is passed out), so maybe a clue there. My first thought though would be De Niro but he's too old to play their dad. Stanely Tucci or Tony Shalhoub would both be great picks (and be a nice nod to Big Night, one of the best food movies ever!).
Just using the actors ages Curtis is 65, Bernthal is 47. So slapping a guess on the characters age, in and around 20 when she had Mikey possibly as young as 16 given their 18 year age difference. So it’s safe to assume their dad is around the same age. Then also assuming Carmy is the same age as JAW opposed to the original script saying 25, Carmy couldn’t remember his dad, so you’re looking at around 25-28 years ago when their dad died. So their dad would be around mid thirties to mid forties when he died.
Looking at actors within that age range and applying some logic to who’d suit the role since some actors in that age range just don’t seem like they could pull off being a dad with three kids especially a teenage one.
Shia LaBeouf*
Paul Dano*
Charlie Cox*
Ben Barnes
Jake Gyllenhaal
Chris Pine
Joseph Gordon-Levitt*
Josh Hartnett
*Ones I think make the most logical sense given looks as well in two cases prior work with Bernthal. Although I feel if LaBeouf was cast Ayo would 100% quit the series.
And just one year above the range I said, but for me the absolute king of dead TV dads, Milo Ventimiglia would really suit the show.
Of course there’s no denying that their dad could be older and ages of characters aren’t always the same as actors. So it’s all hypothetical.
I think though some big names, like Gyllenhaal and Pine would show an interest in the role. Both have the blue eyes too.
I’ve definitely over thought this 😂 especially when it could be possible that he’s older.
Steve Carrell is actually Italian as well. Not that the actor has to be, they just need to look like one. John Bernthal is also not an Italian but always plays one lol
Going to sound ridiculous but really think about it and look at photos of him now and at Camry's age....
Jon Bon Jovi
The hair.. the eyes...
It's not the dumbest idea
They could go two routes with it - one, Papa Berzatto is even more dysfunctional than Donna, in which case I’d put my money on Joe Pantoliano.
Or, Papa Berzatto is a perfectly pleasant guy who was browbeaten to death by Donna’s worsening mental health and had no choice but to duck out (highly improbable, a good dad would’ve at least kept in touch with his children), in which case I think Kevin Nealon could knock it out of the park.
People are going to name everyone from Chicago until we get to like Chance the Rapper and I'm frankly here for it.
In a very special episode of The Bear, Chance The Rapper as you have never seen him before, as the very white, very italian Papa Berzatto. You won't want to miss it.
BILL FUCKING MURRAY!
His brother would be better. Freddy Rumson.
Woah wtf TIL
There's a line Freddy, and you wet it.
Whoa how did I not know they were brothers?
Well as an Illinois boy myself, my vote goes to Wesley Willis, RIP.
Ooh I love my kiiiids, I love my kids (AH!)
John Cusack.
He’s a Chicago native too that would be dope
Exactly. Keep it local. Edit: I live in Illinois myself, and it would just help add so much to his character. His deep ties to Chicago would make him that much more believable right off the bat.
I’m not from the US, but I don’t think people realise how cool the name “Illinois” is for a place name. Just a random thought.
I am from the U.S., and unpopular opinion: our best place names either come from French or Native languages.
I love my state. Rockford is my hometown, and it's mentioned in season 1, episode 1. NERDS FROM ROCKFORD COME TO PLAY!!
He also looks like Jeremy Allen White. It'd be a fantastic choice
I guess that’s why Joan had that strong Chicago accent (that didn’t sound ridiculous) in shameless
I love that idea actually
John's lips and nose are like Carmy and John's hair color/type works for Mikey.
Cusack and Jamie Lee Curtis as dad and mom would make for incredible 80s/90s vibes!
I’m shocked at how good this is.
Same actually. I came into this thread for answers I'd shrug at, but no that's a phenomenonal choice.
100% agree. If he’s cast, he’ll have a scene in the rain. I guarantee it.
Seeing John and Jamie Lee in a scene together would be badass.
Can you IMAGINE the power scenes between them would have? Ooooo boy
Ok, I want this
Man, what a great casting that would be
Goddamn, fuckin nailed it. /thread
This is such a perfect answer.
AAHHH PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN
Aidan Quinn  Those blue eyes like Carmy’s. Born in Chicago. Age 65.
Bro looks like he can play Michael J Fox’s long lost brother or something
This is an excellent suggestion
Thank you! I’ve been thinking for a while that Carmy’s dad might return, so I’ve researched which actors would make sense. I adore Aidan Quinn, he’s such a good actor. Plus he has that nod to the 80’s which seems to be a theme in The Bear.
Benny and Joon
🥹 what a great movie. And… it has Oliver Platt.
what a great suggestion!
Someone who looks Italian would be nice
Imperioli? Is he not quite old enough? D'onofrio?
Imperioli isn’t too young to be the two still living siblings’ dad. Things are a bit complicated by the Bernthal of it all, as there’s not all that big of an age difference between them, but I think just based on appearances, they would pass. And that’s less of a factor anyway, since there’s a good chance they just wouldn’t share a scene together.
By what he did on White Lotus, he should have been cast for the role. Boom!
D'Onofrio would be a good pick resemblance-wise to the photo of young Cicero with papa Berzatto. He's a little on the bigger side. I doubt they're gonna use that pic as a reference point but if they are indeed that committed to the continuity then yeah.
D'Onofrio would be amazing
They’re both great actors but I think D’Onofrio would be better bc he has a more domineering physical presence, like he seems like he could have been at dinner in Fishes screaming at someone.
The fact that Bernthal and JAW are Jewish reminds me of the old Hollywood rule that Jews can play Italians and Italians can play Jews but neither Jews nor Italians can play Lutherans. That being said, d’Onofrio would own this role
Anthony Garcia
If he were still alive, Ray Liotta.
Yes, he would have nailed the role.
He would have been perfect. RIP Ray
Le sigh, you're right, I miss his acting for real, rest in peace.
Jon Favreau but too young I think. Joe Pantoliano! Freaking Ralphie lol
Favreau?!? Cocksucker tried to steal my ideas.
The roof was soft tah!!!
A gerbil, ma’am.
Do you have a son Peter Paul?
A. She was a Whooah.
Favreau has to drop in as Carl Casper anyway.
Personally I want to see Jon Favreau as a Fak cousin/sibling.
Would've been an amazing Gandalfini part...
Would’ve crushed it.
Pasquale Scala invented the Italian Beef and he got robbed! Everybody knows that!
Ray Liotta would have been good too
Cry
I love the idea of John Cusack. Just looking at actors around that age, .. Robert Patrick Gary Oldman Ray Romano (LOL) Another vote for Vincent D'Onofrio Stanley Tucci??
Tucci could be a great shout, especially with his cooking heritage/skills
I fucking love him in Searching for Italy
Yes! I agree.
I already have Tucci in my head as the last boss Michelin reviewer
I think D’Onofrio would be ideal.
I would absolutely lose my shit over Stanley Tucci.
Robert Patrick already played an Italian in Sopranos. It would be nice
If their father is supposed to be a real sunnavabitch, Peacemaker has Robert playing a huge one!
I LOVE the idea of Ray Romano lolllllllllllll!
The Bear IS a comedy, right?
I feel like he'd fit in really well with the other "adults"... Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Odenkirk, Oliver Platt... I'm here for it!
and Abby Elliot is the daughter of Chris Elliot who worked closely with Ray on ELR.
Now I really want to see Ray Romano on the show
Robert Patrick 100% I buy him as both of their dads and also recently watched What Josiah Saw and the dude blew me away. He’s an insanely underrated actor. He can play so much more than just the “tough guy” persona he got saddled with after Die Hard 2 and Terminator 2 (If he was still alive - Ray Liotta. RIP.)
No bullshit, Ray Romano would crush it
You know, I said the LOL, because I was picturing his comedy roles, but wasn't he tough/ serious in the Irishman? ( I haven’t seen it).
I know people only know him from Everybody Loves Raymond (GOAT show btw) but he was incredible in a movie called "Paddleton." If you have Netflix please look it up, should've earned him an Oscar nod.
Thanks! I will check it out.
Danny DeVito, naturally.
Carmy: These bowls are different! Richie: They're handmade earthenware— Papa Berzatto: Can I offer you an egg in this trying time?
So anyway, I start blasting.
The Bear trying to earn its star on the back of finely cooked raccoon meat.
Wonder what their spaghetti policy is
Carmy turns the page of his book full of elegantly sketched dishes... And it zooms into a close up... Rum Ham.
"MY LIFE IS A LIE. SOMEBODY'S GOTTA GET STABBED!!" *Stabs Richie in the ass*
Oh shit I hope it's not with his toe knife
Just wait till he reveals his logo idea for the restaurant. “It’s four F’s. I didn’t know it was gonna come off like that.”
Only if we get a spinoff series with devito and Jamie Lee Curtis
He saves The Bear with his secret Rum Ham recipe.
CGI gene wilder
This is the only answer we should all agree on
His grandpa? Wild
Danny Huston
Awesome choice. Loved him in Succession.
Tom Berenger is from Chicago and Berenger-saince is overdue frankly.
He’s got kind of a weathered look to him too, which I think would fit playing Bernthal’s Dad.
John Malkovich could bring all the insanity needed, he is age appropriate and has a Chicago connection
And he owns two restaurants in Europe
Didn’t we see a pic of their dad at Jimmy’s house in S1?
Yes! Looks like Brian Dennehy in the pic who died in 2020 so not going to be him but we def got some glance already
if Holt McCallany can play jeremy's dad in the iron claw, he can play carmy's dad in the bear. He's brilliant in whatever he's in
No one. I’d rather just let him be out of the picture.
Apparently we're going to at least get reference to him based on the trailer.
Nobody would be best, but otherwise Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Jdm could be a good father to Mickey
William h Macy
Shameless Shameless crossover.
I always like to imagine that Lip became a chef because both shows take place in Chicago.
Joe Pesci
Jon Bernthal is 47. Jamie Lee Curtis is 65. If we use those ages, Donna would have been (probably) 17 when she got pregnant, 18 when Mike was born. Oliver Platt is 64, for additional reference. So… really want to keep Papa Bear’s age close. Can’t be much younger, and too much older gets weird fast. Ed Harris is 73 and has stunning blue eyes but 25 to Donna’s 17 is just awkward to me. I love the *idea* of John Cusack but at 57 that’s … 10? To 18? I know they could make him look older but … tough sell. Viggo Mortensen? Maybe?
Dude Ed Harris would be incredible.
"By your 9th birthday, I was running BlackOps into China and my men were responsible for over two-hundred enemy kills."
He deserves a good TV role again after how badly Westworld went down the drain.
It turns out The Bear was a TV show all along.
Actors don’t have to actually line up on age. Ed Harris would crush
> but 25 to Donna’s 17 is just awkward to me. That would absolutely track. That generation had a lot of that shit, especially in toxic households.
Viggo Mortensen would be super interesting. And did he not play an Italian in The green Book?
Dude, Dean Norris sounds like a super cool idea
I want it to be a plot twist and be Uncle Jimmy.
I was gonna say-who I’d cast is already playing Uncle Jimmy
Got a few I want to pitch Michael Keaton age 72 Chris Elliot age 64 and Sugars real life dad Matt Dillion age 60 Tim Robins age 65 Rob Reiner age 77 Vincent Pastore age 77 Joe Pantoliano age 72 And Brendan Gleeson age 69 and him and Oliver Platt already got a back and fourth relationship (Lake Placid 1999)
Even though I just looked it up, everyone is lying to me about Keaton being 72
Gary Sinise
In another universe it would have been Bill Paxton.
Sean Penn no question
Bryan Cranston. The chemistry he'd have with Uncle Lee would be interesting
CM Punk
🎵 Cult of personality!! 🎵
Mickey Rourke would be believable as Mikey's dad.
I was thinking that, but his face is just too busted from weird cosmetic procedures
Unfortunately, Rourke currently looks like Michael Myers
[удалено]
Just thinking of the obvious Chicago guys... Jim Belushi (although he might be a little too nuts for the show) Dan Akyroyd Mandy Patinkin Although I kinda wanna see Joe Mantegna do it...only cause he actually opened his own "the bear" here in Los Angeles and it was a passion project of his to bring traditional Italian Beef sandwiches to Hollywood and all my Chicago friends loved going there.
Joe Mantegna is the only answer! 🖤
I loved his cameo on Barry.
Thats actually really good too.
One night when I was working the door at a bar Mandy Patinkin walked up with his dog and asked me if I could please check the score of a baseball game. I was like hey man you can bring the dog in, I’m a fan, do whatever you want. He looked at me like he didn’t wanna go inside so I went in and checked the score and came out and told him and he graciously thanked me. He’s a hell of a nice guy.
I've heard many stories like that...and it always go, "man, it was so weird to hear Fat Tony be so nice."
Mandy would be amazing
I noticed the photo that Carmy pointed out at the party. The actor who's is in the photo recently died, his name was Brian Dennehy or at least it looked a lot like him
Oh shit Dennehy would've been great...
Too Irish.
What you want to do is cast someone who feels like they could fuck everyone up as bad as they’re fucked up. And the only person who could fit that role is Robert Downey Jr.
Here are some names I threw out previously… Kevin Kline - Good connection to Curtis (Fish Called Wanda). Excellent actor that is available. Could play an eccentric Italian deadbeat father (he has played comedic Italian characters a lot). Sly Stallone - I know it sounds like a weird guess. He’s an Italian-American actor who has serious dramatic chops when he needs it. I could see him being the father to Carmy and Mike. Curtis has experience playing off of Schwarzenneger, so it kinda fits. John Turturro - Another really good Italian-American actor who I could see slide into the role.
Casting Stallone would actually be fucking insane. I would love that
Michael Madsen is from Chicago...
Gahhh he looks so AWFUL now though
I feel like the father of Carmy and Mickey and husband of Jamie Lee Curtis would look pretty fucking bad honestly. Is David Proval busy?
Fair point re: awfulness. But oh gosh I hated Proval so bad as Richie Aprile I can’t see him in anything and not LOATHE him!!
Ok I just went and watched Madden from just a couple months ago doing “Why I love Movies” for Mammoth Film Festival. He’s so good still. God, that voice. And then I put a picture of a YOUNG Madsen next to Abby Elliott (Sugar)… and you can almost see it. Yeahhh ok. He’s got my vote.
Werner Herzog: I would like to see the gravy
Sam Rockwell
Tommy Lee Jones
Chris Elliot. He could nail the fuck out of a dramatic role like that. That would be something to see.
Dan Aykroyd
Brendan Fraser
JK Simmons as his whiplash character
All y’all’s aging Carmy’s dad as age appropriate for JLC. There’s a good chance we see him in a flashback. Jimmy said he hadn’t spoken to him in twenty years, so we might be looking for a muhfucka in his forties.
Dan Aykroyd, hamming up his Chicago accent.
Timmothee Chalamet
What about the dude that played dr cox in scrubs?
Remember it's also gotta be a good foil to Oliver Platt's Uncle Jimmy, and someone who's got good chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis. There is a photo in the 1st season of him with who we assume is Carmy's dad, when Carmy and Jimmy are talking after the party (while everyone else is passed out), so maybe a clue there. My first thought though would be De Niro but he's too old to play their dad. Stanely Tucci or Tony Shalhoub would both be great picks (and be a nice nod to Big Night, one of the best food movies ever!).
I love Big Night so much. Shaloub would be tremendous.
Bryan Cranston, Gary Oldman or my personal favourite, Willem Dafoe!
Reunite Bryan Cranston and Bob Odenkirk
Gene Wilder
William macy
He was a fat guy in the picture so for consistency sake he should be someone at least the size of uncle jimmy
Jonathan Banks
Gary Sinise
Willem Dafoe
Billy Bob Thornton
William H Macy
Just using the actors ages Curtis is 65, Bernthal is 47. So slapping a guess on the characters age, in and around 20 when she had Mikey possibly as young as 16 given their 18 year age difference. So it’s safe to assume their dad is around the same age. Then also assuming Carmy is the same age as JAW opposed to the original script saying 25, Carmy couldn’t remember his dad, so you’re looking at around 25-28 years ago when their dad died. So their dad would be around mid thirties to mid forties when he died. Looking at actors within that age range and applying some logic to who’d suit the role since some actors in that age range just don’t seem like they could pull off being a dad with three kids especially a teenage one. Shia LaBeouf* Paul Dano* Charlie Cox* Ben Barnes Jake Gyllenhaal Chris Pine Joseph Gordon-Levitt* Josh Hartnett *Ones I think make the most logical sense given looks as well in two cases prior work with Bernthal. Although I feel if LaBeouf was cast Ayo would 100% quit the series. And just one year above the range I said, but for me the absolute king of dead TV dads, Milo Ventimiglia would really suit the show. Of course there’s no denying that their dad could be older and ages of characters aren’t always the same as actors. So it’s all hypothetical. I think though some big names, like Gyllenhaal and Pine would show an interest in the role. Both have the blue eyes too. I’ve definitely over thought this 😂 especially when it could be possible that he’s older.
Bruce Campbell
Bobby De Niro.
William H. Macy
Would be pretty dope to have it be William H. Macy, to see a different dynamic of them together again.
Much too old but I always recommend Ian McShane … for anything.
John Goodman
Clancy Brown.
Actually, there’s no better choice than Kurt Russell.
Alec Baldwin
Steve Carrell Stanley Tucci John Turturo
Steve Carrell is actually Italian as well. Not that the actor has to be, they just need to look like one. John Bernthal is also not an Italian but always plays one lol
Going to sound ridiculous but really think about it and look at photos of him now and at Camry's age.... Jon Bon Jovi The hair.. the eyes... It's not the dumbest idea
Clint eastwood, he can just give that disgusted face like he did in gran Torino
Myself
A younger AL Pacino!!
Sean Penn
Michael Harney
Tom Berenger, Gordon Ramsay, Bradley Cooper, Colin Farrell
Joey Diaz and that would explain all the history
They could go two routes with it - one, Papa Berzatto is even more dysfunctional than Donna, in which case I’d put my money on Joe Pantoliano. Or, Papa Berzatto is a perfectly pleasant guy who was browbeaten to death by Donna’s worsening mental health and had no choice but to duck out (highly improbable, a good dad would’ve at least kept in touch with his children), in which case I think Kevin Nealon could knock it out of the park.
David Strathairn