Who Plays in Lethal Weapon?
Contents
The Original Cast: Lethal Weapon (1987)
The original Lethal Weapon film, released in 1987, starred Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs and Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh, two mismatched police officers from different walks of life. Gibson brought his signature rugged intensity to the role of the reckless and impulsive Martin Riggs, while Glover played the wisecracking and more subdued Roger Murtaugh. The chemistry between the two leads was a major factor in the film’s success, and their banter and camaraderie on screen have become iconic moments in action-comedy cinema.
Supporting Cast: Lethal Weapon (1987)
The supporting cast in Lethal Weapon was comprised of notable actors and characters that added depth and flavor to the story. These include:
• Juice Newton as Katie Riggs, Martin Riggs’ wife
• Trisha Noble as Rianne Murtaugh, Roger Murtaugh’s daughter
• Al Leong as Tito, a notorious drug dealer
• Tom Atkins as Vice Cop, a police vice officer
• Mike Starr as Todd, a hitman
• Steve Kahan as Detective McAllister, a veteran police detective
Lethal Weapon 2, 3, and 4: The Evolution of the Cast
As the franchise grew, so did the cast. Here’s a look at the main and notable supporting cast for each sequel:
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
• Mel Gibson returns as Martin Riggs
• Danny Glover returns as Roger Murtaugh
• Joe Pesci as Leo Getz, a bookkeeper and friend of Martin Riggs
• Joss Ackland as Arjen Rudd, an international arms dealer
• Derek Graf as General McAllister, a high-ranking army officer
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
• Mel Gibson returns as Martin Riggs
• Danny Glover returns as Roger Murtaugh
• Rene Russo as Dr. Stephanie Woods, an arson investigator
• Steffi Graf as Rianne Murtaugh, Roger Murtaugh’s daughter (this time as a grown-up)
• Erik Estrada as Chad McKernan, an insurance investigator
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
• Mel Gibson returns as Martin Riggs
• Danny Glover returns as Roger Murtaugh
• Rene Russo returns as Dr. Stephanie Woods
• Chris Rock as Detective Lee Butters, a wisecracking and modern counterpart to Roger Murtaugh
• Kim Harris as Alex Masters, a young and feisty FBI agent
The TV Series: Lethal Weapon (2016-2019)
The television series, which aired on Fox from 2016 to 2019, saw a new take on the franchise with Clayne Crawford as Roger Murtaugh and Seann William Scott as Martin Riggs. The show was cancelled after three seasons, but during its run, the supporting cast included:
• Jordana Brewster as Dr. MA Shannon, a therapist who helps Roger Murtaugh cope with his emotions
• Keesha Sharp as Trish Murtaugh, Roger Murtaugh’s wife
• Kevin Ragvi as Brian Baker, a young and hot-headed cop
• Johnathan Fernandez as Scorsese, an informant and friend of Murtaugh and Riggs
• Djimon Hounsou as Detective Brooks Avery, a tough and seasoned law enforcement officer
Conclusion
The Lethal Weapon franchise has had a rich history of casting and characters, from the iconic duo of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover to the TV series’ new take with Clayne Crawford and Seann William Scott. Whether in the films or on the small screen, the dynamic chemistry between the leads has been a constant theme, and the supporting cast has added depth and excitement to the stories.
