Two and a Half Men Cast: Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Other Stars of the Hit Sitcom

Introduction to Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men is an American sitcom television series that originally aired on CBS from September 22, 2003 to February 19, 2015. The show revolved around a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper, his uptight brother, Alan, and Alan's troublesome son, Jake. Despite Charlie's free-wheeling lifestyle, he agrees to let his brother and nephew move in with him.

Created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn, Two and a Half Men starred Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones as the original three main characters. After Sheen was fired from the show in 2011 due to issues in his personal life, he was replaced on the show by Ashton Kutcher, who played Walden Schmidt, a billionaire who buys Charlie's home after his death.

During its 12 seasons on air, Two and a Half Men was highly popular and ranked as one of the most watched sitcoms in the United States. The show and its stars were nominated for and won various awards over the years including Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and People's Choice Awards.

Original Main Cast

Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper

Charlie Sheen played the role of Charlie Harper, a jingle writer who lives a lavish, bachelor lifestyle in a Malibu beach house. Charlie's life is turned upside down when his brother Alan and nephew Jake move in with him. Sheen was the highest paid actor on television during his time on Two and a Half Men, earning approximately $1.8 million per episode.

Sheen was fired from the show in 2011 after making derogatory comments about the creator, Chuck Lorre. Sheen's persona of a charming, hard-partying bachelor was not far off from reality. During his run on Two and a Half Men, Sheen struggled with substance abuse issues and legal troubles which ultimately led to his dismissal from the show.

Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

Jon Cryer portrayed Charlie's high-strung, neurotic brother, Alan. A divorce lawyer by trade, Alan moves in with Charlie after he separates from his wife. He often acts as the responsible adult in the household, attempting to rein in Charlie's reckless behavior. In contrast to Charlie's carefree bachelor lifestyle, Alan is uptight and insecure.

Cryer was the only original cast member, besides Angus T. Jones, to last through the entire run of the show. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Alan. Cryer previously co-starred with Sheen in the 1989 comedy film Hot Shots.

Angus T. Jones as Jake Harper

Angus T. Jones played Jake, Alan's dimwitted but good-natured son. After Alan separates from his wife Judith, he moves Jake into Charlie's home. Jake eventually forms a close bond with his uncle Charlie, who becomes a father figure to him. Jones was only 9 years old when he was cast in Two and a Half Men.

During the later seasons, Jones' role was reduced as his character joined the army. In 2012, Jones criticized the show and urged viewers not to watch it. He subsequently left the series at the end of the 10th season. Jones later apologized for his remarks and made a few brief guest appearances before the finale.

Later Cast Members

Ashton Kutcher as Walden Schmidt

After Charlie Sheen's firing, Ashton Kutcher was hired to play billionaire Walden Schmidt. Following Charlie's death, Walden purchases Charlie's Malibu beach house and allows Alan and Jake to continue living there. Unlike the womanizing Charlie, Walden is an optimistic, emotionally fragile character. He develops a close friendship with Alan.

Kutcher was cast in an attempt to breathe new life into the show after Sheen's departure. He was well known for his role as Michael Kelso on the popular sitcom That '70s Show. Kutcher remained on Two and a Half Men until its finale in 2015.

Amber Tamblyn as Jenny Harper

Amber Tamblyn joined the cast in season 11 as Jenny, Charlie's long-lost illegitimate daughter. After moving to Los Angeles, she reconnects with her father's family. Jenny moves into Charlie's beach house along with Walden, Alan and Jake.

Tamblyn's addition to the main cast helped fill the female role left vacant after the departure of several female supporting characters over the previous seasons. Her character was conceived after Charlie Sheen's exit from the show.

Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper

Holland Taylor had a recurring role as Evelyn Harper, Charlie and Alan's narcissistic, emotionally distant mother. Evelyn has a strained, passive-aggressive relationship with her sons, often making sarcastic comments or manipulative attempts to control their lives.

Taylor was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2005 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance as Evelyn. She also played Charlie and Alan's mother in the 2003 pilot episode before joining the regular cast in season 1.

Conchata Ferrell as Berta

Conchata Ferrell portrayed Berta, Charlie's sharp-tongued housekeeper. She maintains the Harper household, often cracking jokes at Charlie's expense. Following Charlie's death, Berta continues working for Walden at the beach house.

Ferrell provided much of the sarcastic humor of the show as the brazen, tell-it-like-it-is housekeeper. She received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress for this role.

Impact and Legacy

During its 12 season run, Two and a Half Men became one of America's most popular sitcoms. The show's premise highlighted raunchy, lighthearted humor and hedonism. While some criticized the writing as juvenile, many viewers appreciated the escapist, easy-to-watch comedy.

Two and a Half Men was a ratings juggernaut, reaching up to 17.5 million viewers per episode. It consistently ranked as one of the most watched comedies on TV during the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, the show saw a decline in ratings after Charlie Sheen's departure.

The series finale in 2015 brought back Charlie Sheen in a surprise cameo appearance. While fans hoped for a reconciliation between Sheen and the show, his brief return was simply used as a comedic plot device. Nevertheless, it provided closure for Sheen's character.

Two and a Half Men lives on through syndication. Repeats of the series continue airing in the U.S. and internationally. The show demonstrated incredible longevity and mass appeal during its run.

FAQs

Why was Charlie Sheen fired from Two and a Half Men?

Charlie Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men in 2011 after making disparaging comments about series creator Chuck Lorre during interviews. Sheen was also dealing with substance abuse issues and erratic behavior which caused production delays and problems on set.

Who replaced Charlie Sheen on the show?

Ashton Kutcher was hired to replace Charlie Sheen after his firing. Kutcher played billionaire Walden Schmidt who buys Charlie's home after his death. Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones remained on the show after Sheen's departure.

Why did Angus T. Jones leave Two and a Half Men?

In 2012, Angus T. Jones criticized the show and called it "filth" due to his newfound religious beliefs. He urged viewers not to watch the sitcom. Jones was subsequently reduced to recurring status and left after season 10.

Who played Charlie and Alan's mother on the show?

Holland Taylor played Evelyn Harper, the emotionally distant narcissistic mother of Charlie and Alan Harper. She had a recurring role throughout the series' 12 seasons.

What was the series finale of Two and a Half Men about?

The finale included a surprise cameo of Charlie Sheen reprising his role as Charlie Harper. His character is killed off-screen by a falling piano before the episode's conclusion. The cameo brought closure to Sheen's character and the show itself.