Check Out Your Favorite Members of Parenthood’s Braverman Family Before All the Drama!

Lauren Graham, High School Yearbook Photo

Lauren Graham as Sarah Braverman on Parenthood

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Lauren Graham as Sarah Braverman on Parenthood

Graham is no stranger to television, having starred as Lorelai Gilmore on the immensely popular Gilmore Girls from 2000 to 2007. Dating costar Peter Krause in real life, Graham plays Sarah Braverman, who has to move into her parents’ home with her two kids after her marriage fails. Although she clashes with Zeek and Camille, in the end they help provide her the balance and strength she needs to get her life back on track.

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Jason Ritter, High School Yearbook Photo, Crossroads School, Santa Monica, California, 1995

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Jason Ritter as Mark Cyr on Parenthood

The acting gene comes to Ritter naturally, as he is the son of the late and great comedic actor John Ritter. Ritter had recurring roles on Joan of Arcadia, The Class, and The Event before landing the role of English teacher Mark Cyr. Mark was involved in a May-December romance with Sarah, so his return to Parenthood is very intriguing.

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Peter Krause, Antigone Audition, 1995

Peter Krause as Adam Braverman on Parenthood

Courtesy of Gustavus Adolphus College/The Gustavian Weekly, Mitchell Haaseth

Peter Krause as Adam Braverman on Parenthood

Krause was a staple on television long before he starred as Casey McCall on Sports Night with Josh Charles, as Nate Fisher on the popular (and dark) HBO drama Six Feet Under with Michael C. Hall, and as Nick George on Dirty Sexy Money with Donald Sutherland. As Adam, Krause is the emotional center of the Braverman siblings—although that doesn’t mean he doesn’t get tired of being the responsible one.

Bonnie Bedelia in Lovers and Other Strangers, 1970

Bonnie Bedelia in Lovers and Other Strangers, 1970

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Bonnie Bedelia as Camille Braverman on Parenthood

Bedelia worked consistently in television and film before starring in the cult classic Die Hard—one of her best-known roles. Now audiences tune in to see her multifaceted, quietly powerful portrayal of Braverman matriarch Camille. Bedelia demonstrates the nuances of a woman who loves her family fiercely despite their struggles but still wants to forge her own identity outside her role as mother and grandmother.

Dax Shepard in Without a Paddle, 2004

Dax Shepard as Crosby Braverman on Parenthood

Florian Schneider/NBC

Dax Shepard as Crosby Braverman on Parenthood

Married to Veronica Mars and Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Kristen Bell in real life, Shepard got his start with bit roles in movies and television before finding a lot of voice-over work. The role of Crosby is his first major series role, and one for which he receives critical claim. Crosby’s original reputation as the screwup has morphed into one of family man and business owner. Will his on-again relationship with Jasmine work this time?

Erika Christensen in Leave It to Beaver

Erika Christensen as Julia Braverman-Graham on Parenthood

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Erika Christensen as Julia Braverman-Graham on Parenthood

Christensen found regular work as a child actress before breaking out as a teen, including her role in Traffic. Christensen’s turn as the high-strung, major-type-A Julia is wonderfully acted. A woman who faces the great tensions of reversed family roles (she’s the breadwinner) and infertility, Julia struggles with keeping her need for control in check. We're rooting for Julia and Joel to work things out.

Joy Bryant, 1994

Joy Bryant as Jasmine Russell on Parenthood

Trae Patton/NBC

Joy Bryant as Jasmine Trussell on Parenthood

Bryant had roles on shows such as Entourage and films such as Skeleton Key before landing the recurring role on Parenthood. Jasmine introduces her son to his father, Crosby, during the first season and the couple embarks on an on-again, off-again relationship while co-parenting their young son Jabbar. It seems Jasmine has forgiven Crosby for straying, and the couple headed to the altar.

Max Burkholder in Daddy Day Care, 2003

Max Burkholder as Max Braverman on Parenthood

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Max Burkholder as Max Braverman on Parenthood

Burkholder got his start in the film Daddy Day Care before embarking on an impressive television and voice-over career. On Parenthood, he plays Max, the middle child of Adam and Kristina, who happens to have Asperger's syndrome. Burkholder is a revelation in his portrayal and, together with his on-screen family, brings an awareness of the struggles faced by children and adults who are affected by conditions on all ends of the autism spectrum.

Miles Heizer on CSI: Miami, 2005

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Miles Heizer as Drew Holt on Parenthood

Heizer had multiple small parts on shows such as CSI: Miami, ER, and Private Practice before taking on the role of Drew Holt. The sensitive son of Sarah, Drew struggles with his dad’s absence, his mom’s relationships and being a college freshman. His vulnerability breaks his mom’s heart—and ours as well.

Universal Picture/Everett Collection

Monica Potter in Patch Adams, 1999

Monica Potter as Kristina Braverman on Parenthood

Universal Picture/Everett Collection, Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Monica Potter as Kristina Braverman on Parenthood

Potter enjoyed a modeling career before moving to Los Angeles in 1994 and finding work in film and on television. Prior to Parenthood, she was probably best known for her roles in Patch Adams and Boston Legal. Her character Kristina recently survived breast cancer in a heartbreaking storyline. Adam continues to be the love of her life, despite their struggles, and her devotion to son Max and helping him navigate his diagnosis is beautiful and powerful.

Sam Jaeger at a screening of The Riverman, 2004

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Sam Jaeger at a Screening of The Riverman, 2004

Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Sam Jaeger as Joel Graham on Parenthood

Jaeger appeared on Eli Stone and Friday Night Lights as well as the movie Catch and Release before landing the role of contractor and stay-at-home dad Joel Graham. Although he’s more relaxed than Julia, Joel is no shrinking violet and has taken a stand against members of Julia’s family in the past. It will be interesting to see what continues to happen between him and Julia this season.

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Craig T. Nelson, High School Yearbook Photo, 1962, Lewis and Clark High School, Spokane, Washington

Craig T. Nelson as Zeek Braverman on Parenthood

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Florian Schneider/NBC

Craig T. Nelson as Zeek Braverman on Parenthood

Nelson left Spokane, Washington, behind to study at the University of Arizona before setting out for Hollywood. His gamble paid off, and he’s starred in over 75 television shows and movies since 1971—even costarring as the spouse of current TV wife Bonnie Bedelia in the TV movie Alex: The Life of a Child. Although he can seem gruff and more interested in his acting career than the needs of his kids and grandkids, Zeek’s wife and family are his whole world. Nelson’s subtle, heart-wrenching speeches get us every time.

Sarah Ramos, The Emperor’s Club premiere, 2002

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Sarah Ramos, The Emperor’s Club Premiere, 2002

Sarah Ramos as Haddie Braverman on Parenthood

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images, Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Sarah Ramos as Haddie Braverman on Parenthood

Ramos’s first recurring starring television role came as Patty Pryor on another family-based drama: American Dreams. She’s worked steadily since then, but has hit a high point with the role of Haddie. The eldest child of Adam and Kristina, she’s caught in the tenuous stage of life between childhood and adulthood. We'll see Haddie again at some point this season.

Savannah Paige Rae, My Best Friend’s Girl, 2008

Savannah Paige Rae in My Best Friend’s Girl, 2008

Savannah Paige Rae as Sydney Graham on Parenthood

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Savannah Paige Rae as Sydney Graham on Parenthood

Still fairly new to the world of acting, Rae has already shared the screen with major stars such as Tina Fey and Steve Carell. As the precocious Sydney, Rae gets to act with many more fine actors. We’re sure this is the beginning of a long and successful career for this young girl.

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Mae Whitman, Circa 1996

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Mae Whitman as Amber Holt on Parenthood

Mae Whitman made her big-screen debut in 1994 in When a Man Loves a Woman alongside Meg Ryan. She followed that up by costarring with Oscar winners George Clooney (in One Fine Day) and Sandra Bullock (in Hope Floats), all before the age of 10. Whitman shines as troubled teen Amber, the daughter of a now-single mom and an addict (John Corbett). As the series has progressed, audiences have watched Amber go from a pot-smoking truant to the rising star employee on a local political campaign to working alongside Crosby and Adam. Whitman conveys Amber’s fierce loyalty impeccably.