The following is a list of characters from the television series Freaks and Geeks.

Main characters

Lindsay Weir

Lindsay Weir — played by Linda Cardellini — the elder of the two Weir siblings. As a child, Lindsay was close friends with Millie Kentner. Early in her scholastic career at McKinley High School, she would be recognized as a bright and thoughtful student (as well as a brilliant member of the Mathletes). However, when her grandmother dies, she begins to question religion, social structure and, more personally crucial, the direction of her life. She begins hanging out with a gang of less academically-minded friends (known commonly as "burnouts" or "freaks") which worries both her family and her old friends (Millie in particular). Despite her new social situation, she remains an intelligent and considerate person. She is continually questioning the world around her in order to find a place to fit in.

Sam Weir

Sam Weir — played by John Francis Daley — Lindsay's younger brother. Like his sister, Sam has an excellent sense of morals and manners, though he's somewhat shy outside of his circle of friends. He shares many interests with his close pals Bill and Neal, including television shows like Saturday Night Live, comedic actors such as Bill Murray and Steve Martin and science fiction. Being so into such subjects while at the same time being somewhat socially impaired has left Sam and his friends labeled as "geeks." Though he enjoys being with his friends, he struggles continually to be seen as more than a geek (especially while trying to impress his school crush, Cindy Sanders). Unfortunately, the constant bullying of kids such as Alan White often lead Sam to feel more embarrassed than cool. Entertainment Weekly selected Sam Weir as the son for "The Perfect TV Family".

Daniel Desario

Daniel Desario — played by James Franco — is a cool and charismatic burnout. Daniel is usually known at McKinley High School for doing one of two things: fighting with his girlfriend Kim Kelly or skipping class. He is somewhat selfish and very manipulative but often pulls through to help his friends. Daniel hides the fact that he is eighteen years old and has been left back two grades in school. His rebellious and anarchistic view of society often leads him into trouble, although, as he continues to struggle with schoolwork, he eventually yearns to become a better student. Daniel has an older brother and lives with his two parents; he is taking care of his father, who is ill.

Nick Andopolis

Nick Andopolis — played by Jason Segel — is a member of the gang of freaks. He is friendly, mild-mannered, and kind, off-setting the somewhat caustic sense of humor that some of his friends share. Nick frequently uses marijuana; he was once a basketball player but was kicked off his team for drug possession. These days, Nick's overwhelming passion is music - more specifically, his 29-piece drum kit. Much to the objection of Nick's strict military father, Nick practices drumming frequently, usually neglecting schoolwork in the process. Despite Nick's practicing, he doesn't ever seem to get better until taking lessons. Nick also has a tendency to smother his girlfriends with too much affection, which Lindsay Weir discovers first hand after they begin dating.

Kim Kelly

Kim Kelly — played by Busy Phillips — a strong girl freak. As a first impression, Kim is often cold, selfish and even downright cruel. She can usually be seen either making out with Daniel Desario or angrily shouting at him. For all of her negative aspects, however, Kim is simply a struggling teenage girl who comes from a broken home and wants companionship. Though she occasionally hangs out with freak girls such as Karen Scarfoli, she is more frequently seen with Daniel, Nick and Ken. When Lindsay first attempts to join the group of burnouts, Kim reacts to her horribly. She teases, belittles and bullies Lindsay. Soon after, however, Kim tries to turn over a new leaf with Lindsay and the two end up becoming close friends, even defending Sam from Karen when she graffities his locker with the words "Pygmy Geek." Kim's relationship with her mother and stepfather is argumentative, distrusting and almost violent.

Ken Miller

Ken Miller — played by Seth Rogen — is wise-cracking and sarcastic. Whenever Ken opens his mouth, it is usually to let out a biting quip at the expense of someone around him. Though most of Ken's friends come from humble backgrounds, Ken himself comes from a wealthy family. His only ambition in life is to wait for his father to die so he can inherit his money and retire. He has been friends with Daniel Desario since elementary school and later develops a relationship with Amy Andrews.

Neal Schweiber

Neal Schweiber — played by Samm Levine — a self-proclaimed comic genius and ladies man. Unlike his friends Sam and Bill, Neal is usually very outgoing and often wants to be the center of attention. He has an abundant amount of confidence and charisma, though it garners him no more respect or reputation than Sam or Bill. Neal is somewhat in denial that he is just as geeky as the rest of his friends. His father is a dentist and his mother a homemaker. His family is fairly well-to-do. Early in the series, Sam and Bill thought that Neal's father was "cool" because he enjoyed the same television programs that they did and shared a similar sense of humor, but their opinions of him – as well as Neal's – changed when they discovered that he was having an affair.

Bill Haverchuck

Bill Haverchuck — played by Martin Starr — rounds out the geek trio. Bill is tall for his age, skinny and wears large glasses. Bill is unpretentious and gentle, with an understated but hilarious sense of humor. In addition to being a loyal friend, Bill is an avid fan of the television soap opera Dallas. He lives with his single mother Gloria Haverchuck.

Harold Weir

Harold Weir — played by Joe Flaherty — the head of the Weir household. Harold is usually stern and strict in his role as the dominant male in the family, but is also a loving father who is always trying to look out for the best interests of his children. Though Harold is frequently yelling at the dinner table and dealing out sometimes unreasonable punishments, he has a good sense of humor and enjoys seeing his family happy. He works hard to support his family by running his A1 Sporting Goods store, though he is worried about the possible impact that megastores will have on his business. Harold's biggest concern with his children lately is that Lindsay is falling in with a bad crowd and he has a strong distaste for her "burnout friends" although he later takes a shine to Nick after he gets kicked out of his house by letting him stay at the Weir's house and encourages him to practice drumming. Harold's taking to Nick reminds Harold of the tough relationship he had with his father and why he took Nick under his wing.

Jean Weir

Jean Weir — played by Becky Ann Baker — the caring homemaker of the Weir family. Jean is frequently making wholesome meals for the Weirs and trying to give her children helpful advice about school while they have discussions at the dinner table, although at times she appears blissfully aloof to the realities that her children are experiencing. Though she wouldn't mind more appreciation now and again, Jean is always kind and generous to everyone and loves nothing more than her family.

Other students

• Natasha Melnick as Cindy Sanders, Sam's crush and a kind popular cheerleader, later revealed to be rude, egotistical, and shallow.
• Jerry Messing as Gordon Crisp
• Shaun Weiss as Sean
• Stephen Lea Sheppard as Harris Trinsky, a calm and long-haired sophomore who gives advice to several students.
• Jarrett Lennon as Colin, Harris' best friend. ("Pilot Episode")
• Sarah Hagan as Millie Kentner, Lindsay's geeky and highly religious former best friend.
• Joanna Garcia as Vicky Appleby, the bossy head cheerleader.
• Riley Smith as Todd Schellinger, Cindy's jock boyfriend.
• Kayla Ewell as Maureen Sampson, a girl Sam, Neal, and Bill try to stop from talking to Vicky so she doesn't become a cheerleader. ("Carded and Discarded")
• Chauncey Leopardi as Alan White, the bully that picks on Sam, Neal, and Bill. The reason why is revealed in Chokin' and Tokin'.
• Ben Foster as Eli, a mentally-handicapped student who thinks Three's Company is the greatest show ever.
• Michael Beardsley as Humphries
• Jessica Campbell as Amy Andrews ("Tuba Girl"), a love interest for Ken until she reveals to him that she was born a hermaphrodite. They reconcile afterwards.
• Jason Schwartzman as Howie Gelfand ("Carded and Discarded")
• Mark Allan Staubach as Mark
• Shawn Soong as Stroker
• Shia LaBeouf as Herbert, the school mascot who wore the McKinley Vikings helmet until he broke his arm and Sam replaced him. ("We've Got Spirit")
• Lizzy Caplan as Sara. ("Tests and Breasts")
• Rashida Jones as Karen Scarfoli, Kim's "friend" who bullied Sam by graffiting his locker and writing "Pygmy Geek" in huge letters, all because she was on the warpath because her boyfriend Ricky (unseen) broke up with her. ("Kim Kelly is My Friend")
• Alex Breckenridge as Shelley Weaver, the head "Mathlete" that Lindsay is determined to humiliate for spreading false rumors about Kim. ("Looks and Books")
• Samaire Armstrong as Laurie, a dead-head.

School staff

• Dave "Gruber" Allen as Jeffrey "Jeff" Theodore Rosso, the hippie guidance counselor who often serves as a confidant to the main characters and lead singer for band Feedback.
• Thomas F. Wilson as Coach Benjamin "Ben" Fredericks, the PE and Health teacher.
• Steve Bannos as Frank Kowchevski
• Trace Beaulieu as Hector LaCovara
• Leslie Mann as Miss Foote

Other family members

• Claudia Christian as Gloria Haverchuck, Bill's mom. ("Chokin' & Tokin'" and "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers")
• Sam McMurray as Dr. Vic Schweiber, Neal's dad ("The Garage Door")
• Amy Aquino as Mrs. Lydia Schweiber, Neal's mom ("The Garage Door")
• David Krumholtz as Barry Schweiber, Neal's charismatic older brother. ("Noshing and Moshing")
• Kevin Tighe as Col. Andopolis, Nick's commander colonel dad ("Smooching and Mooching")
• Ann Dowd as Cookie Kelly, Kim's catty mom. ("Kim Kelly is My Friend" and "The Diary")
• Mike White as Chip Kelly, Kim's alcoholic older brother who was attacked by the police when he was minding his own business and now sleeps on the couch all day. ("Kim Kelly is My Friend")

References