With season 3 of The Bear in the works, one of the show’s biggest mysteries is yet to be unveiled regarding the identity of Carmy’s father, and a few actors would be perfect for the role. The upcoming season has many anticipated elements, with the identity of the elusive Berzatto family member being a popular one. If show creator Christopher Storer intends to reveal the mystery, casting the right actor is crucial.
What happened to Carmy’s father in The Bear is unclear. Apart from a few vague comments occasionally, the show hardly references him other than stating that he’s considered a deadbeat and not in the picture. There is ambiguity surrounding the whereabouts of Carmy’s father, with many fan theories speculating that he died before the events of The Bear. Even so, the show could cast an actor to play him in flashbacks, much like in The Bear‘s Christmas family reunion episode, which featured a star-studded lineup including Jamie Lee Curtis as Carmy’s mother and Bob Odenkirk as Uncle Lee.
10 Dustin Hoffman
Hoffman has been nominated for an Academy Award seven times.
Described by Robert De Niro as “an actor with the everyman’s face who embodied the heartbreakingly human,” Dustin Hoffman is one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and experienced actors. Known for his standout performances in Rain Man, The Graduate, and Midnight Cowboy, Hoffman’s emotionally rich acting style has earned him several Academy Awards and a whole host of nominations. Dustin Hoffman’s best acting roles demonstrate his talent for authentically capturing emotionally complex characters and would make him an excellent fit as Carmy’s father. However, at 86 years old, he may be a little too old for the role.
9 Christopher Meloni
Meloni is skilled at playing authoritative characters.
Christopher Meloni, celebrated for his compelling roles in series like Law & Order: Organized Crime, has a knack for playing intimidating and authoritative characters. Along with his strong physicality, he could offer a tougher, more cold take on Carmy’s father. Throughout both seasons of The Bear, various characters dismiss Carmy’s father. Richie even refers to him as a “deadbeat,” implying that the Berzattos did not have a good relationship with him and look down upon him. Meloni’s portrayal of an intimidating figure could potentially explain why his family distanced themselves from him.
8 William H. Macy
Macy is known for portraying everyman characters.
William H. Macy is best known for his roles in Fargo, the black comedy crime film by the Coen brothers, and Shameless, the Showtime adaptation of the British television series. Macy’s impressive array of accolades includes two Emmys and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, with an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Fargo. He is known for his exceptional skill at portraying everyman characters, which could offer a different, more sensitive, and emotionally complex portrayal of Carmy’s father. Perhaps, offering a side to his character Carmy hasn’t seen before.
7 Jonathan Banks
Banks is best known for his role in the hit series Breaking Bad.
Jonathan Banks is most recognized for his role as Mike Ehrmantraut in the critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, for which he received several Emmy nominations. Known for his gruff demeanor, Banks excels at playing complex, hardened characters with a hidden soft side. His ability to bring an edge and nuance to roles like Mike makes him an excellent choice for Carmy’s father in The Bear. Banks’s portrayal would likely add a compelling layer of toughness and vulnerability that would be captivating to watch as he navigates his strained relationship with the Berzatto family.
6 Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon, renowned for his intense and captivating performances, is best known for roles in Man of Steel and Nocturnal Animals, earning him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. His acting style, marked by a powerful presence and magnetism, suits a range of characters, especially bad guys. Known for having quite a villainous presence, casting Shannon could be a fascinating choice for The Bear. A villainous father could add more context behind the Berzatto family, explaining their chaotic behaviors and nuances.
5 Paul Giamatti
Giamatti is best known for his roles in Cinderella Man, John Adams, and The Holdovers.
Paul Giamatti’s charismatic acting style and his palpable way of delivering emotion would make him perfect to star in The Bear. The actor, who is of Italian descent, earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Joe Gould in Cinderella Man (2005) and several awards, including a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role in the HBO miniseries John Adams (2008). Giamatti’s newest role in The Holdovers is also generating a lot of positive buzz, with his deeply flawed character in that movie being the perfect segue to a role in The Bear.
4 Jon Favreau
Favreau is best known for his role as Happy Hogan in the MCU.
Jon Favreau is both a talented actor and an experienced filmmaker. He’s best known for his character Happy Hogan in the MCU. John Favreau’s acting style is often characterized as charismatic, and he has a flair for more comedic and dramatic roles. Favreau would be perfect if the creators of The Bear decided to go the route of flashbacks when incorporating Carmy’s dad into the show. In his fifties, he is slightly younger than what would be expected of Carmy’s father, which makes him a great option if the show wants to explore Carmy’s past, and an interesting storyline for The Bear season 3.
3 Bryan Cranston
Cranston is most known for his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad.
Bryan Cranston is celebrated by audiences and critics alike as a fantastic actor. He boasts an impressive array of accolades, including four Primetime Emmys, A Golden Globe, and two Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. Cranston has a wonderful ability to convey deep emotions in morally complicated characters. He is best known for his role as Walter White, a character who makes a slow transition into a villain, in the drama series Breaking Bad. Cranston’s ability to balance the humorous with the profoundly serious would make him a great addition to The Bear‘s star-studded cast.
2 Gary Sinise
Sinise is best known for his roles in Forrest Gump, CSI: NY, and Of Mice and Men.
Gary Sinise is known for his incredibly nuanced characters and role versatility. His acting is marked by authenticity, bringing depth and palpable emotion to his roles. Sinise played George Milton in the 1992 adaptation of Of Mice and Men, which he also directed and produced. He also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump (1994). He brings so much sympathy to Lieutenant Dan, the disabled Vietnam veteran, that he captivates audiences. He would be a wonderful addition to The Bear, bringing a sympathetic and nuanced portrayal of Carmy’s father to the screen.
1 Robert De Niro
De Niro is considered one of the most influential actors of his generation.
Robert De Niro, renowned for his powerful performances in classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Godfather Part II, has earned acclaim for his ability to embody complex characters. His accolades include two Academy Awards and numerous nominations, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most distinguished actors. De Niro’s expertise in portraying layered, often flawed characters with authenticity makes him an ideal choice for the role of Carmy’s father. With his extensive experience taking on roles that involve tense Italian-American households, he would fit seamlessly into The Bear.
The Bear
Set in a Chicago sandwich shop, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto, a young professionally trained chef who returns to take over his family business after the unexpected death of his brother. At odds with many of the shop’s employees due to his culinary training, Carmy struggles to maintain order and keep the shop from failing entirely. Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri.
