For three successful seasons, The Righteous Gemstones cast has delivered exceptional performances in the Danny McBride-created crime series. With an initial 75% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating in season 1, season 3 finished with a 100% approval rating. So far, it has been one of HBO’s most successful crime series.
The Righteous Gemstones centers around the Gemstones, a family of megachurch pastors and televangelists. Besides their church-funded opulent lifestyles, the Gemstones lead scandalous lives. With season 4 production underway, here are the top The Righteous Gemstones cast and their characters.
John Goodman as Dr. Elijah “Eli” Gemstone
Dr. Elijah “Eli” Gemstone is the patriarch of the famous Gemstone family and lead pastor of the Gemstone Salvation Center. Throughout the series, Eli, a widower, struggles with personal demons while maintaining his public image as a righteous and moral leader. Throughout the series, we see him dealing with family drama, power struggles within the church, and navigating the complexities of his own faith. Actor John Goodman has played Dr. Eli Gemstone throughout the aired 3 seasons. John Goodman is known for his roles in Roseanne (1988–1997; 2018), The Conners, The Flintstones (1994), Argo (2012), and Kong: Skull Island (2017).
Danny McBride as Jesse Gemstone
Besides being the creator of The Righteous Gemstones, Danny McBride is also one of its main characters. McBride plays Jesse Gemstone, the oldest son of the Gemstone family and associate pastor of the Gemstone Salvation Center. Jesse is charismatic and ambitious and often struggles with his personal demons while trying to live up to his family’s legacy. Besides the spiritual front he portrays, Jesse has a hot-tempered personality and a lewd lifestyle. Television and movie audiences will recognize Danny McBride from notable roles such as Eastbound & Down (2009–2013), Tropic Thunder (2008), Your Highness (2011), This Is the End (2013), and Alien: Covenant (2017).
Adam DeVine as Kelvin Gemstone
Adam DeVine joins The Righteous Gemstones cast as Kelvin Gemstone, the youngest son of the famous televangelist family. Kelvin is the youth pastor of the Gemstone Salvation Center. Besides having an immature personality like his older brother, Kelvin is known for his impulsiveness. Kelvin invites Keefe Chambers, an ex-Satanist he converted, to live in his mansion with him. Keefe and Kelvin begin a romantic relationship in season 3. Actor, comedian, and filmmaker Adam DeVine is known for his roles in the Pitch Perfect films and TV show, Modern Family, Workaholics (2011–2017), Jexi (2019), and The Out-Laws (2023).
Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone
Actress and writer Edi Patterson joined The Righteous Gemstones cast, playing Judy Gemstone. Patterson’s character is Eli Gemstone’s middle child. Despite being the most levelheaded of the Gemstone children, Judy also has character flaws. Like her late mother, Judy enjoys singing, turning her into a local star in the church and community. Edi Patterson is known for roles in Partners (2014), Vice Principals (2016–2017), and the Daniel Craig-led Knives Out (2019).
Cassidy Freeman as Amber Gemstone
Actress and musician Cassidy Freeman plays Jesse’s wife, Amber Gemstone. The character is Eli’s daughter-in-law, a devoted and supportive wife to Jesse. She’s also a mother of three sons, Gideon, Pontius, and Abraham. Amber holds no official position in the Gemstone Salvation Center but often organizes donation programs. Cassidy Freeman has starred in several other notable TV shows before joining The Righteous Gemstones cast. She played Tess Mercer in Smallville, Sage in The Vampire Diaries, Cady Longmire in Longmire, and Cassie Tucker in The Forever Purge.
Tony Cavalero as Keefe Chambers
Keefe Chambers is introduced as an ex-Satanist after being “converted” by Kelvin Gemstone. He also lived in Kevin’s mansion and was his assistant youth pastor. After Kelvin began doubting his faith and Christianity, Keefe returned to his Satanist way of life. Kelvin, realizing Keefe was in harm’s way, went to the Satanist rave to rescue an intoxicated Keefe. In season 3, Keefe Chambers and Kelvin Gemstone begin a romantic relationship. Actor and comedian Tony Cavalero plays the ex-Satanist Keefe Chambers. Tony Cavalero is known for his roles in School of Rock and for portraying Ozzy Osbourne in the biography comedy-drama The Dirt (2019).
Gregalan Williams as Martin Imari
Martin Imari isn’t just one of the church’s top-ranking members but a close friend of Eli Gemstone. As the church’s accountant and Eli’s right-hand man, he’s privy to the scandalous lifestyle and expenses of the Gemstone family. As the church accountant, Martin Imari runs the church’s day-to-day operations. Actor and author Gregalan Williams plays the character of Martin Imari. Although not a famous face, Williams is known for his roles in Baywatch (1989–1998), The Game (2006–2011), Preacher’s Kid (2010), Necessary Roughness (2011–2013), and Greenleaf (2016–2018).
Other notable The Righteous Gemstones cast members include Skyler Gisondo (as Jesse’s oldest son, Gideon Gemstone), Walton Goggins (as Baby Billy Freeman, Eli’s brother-in-law), and Tim Baltz (as Benjamin Jason “BJ” Barnes, Judy’s husband). In season 1, Dermot Mulroney played Rev. John Wesley Seasons, a rival pastor. Also, Jennifer Nettles appears as Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, Eli’s late wife, in hallucinations, flashbacks, and as a hologram. If you enjoyed reading about The Righteous Gemstones cast, read about The Boys in the Boat and Where You Know the Cast From.
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