The Judge Cast & Character Guide

The Judge features an impressive cast of experienced actors. The 2014 drama follows Hank Palmer (played by Robert Downey Jr.), a hardened defense attorney who abandoned his small-town Indiana roots and defends wealthy, often guilty clients in civil and criminal court. Despite his financial success, however, Hank’s relentless work ethic and lack of empathy have strained his relationships. He is estranged from his stern father, Joseph Palmer, a revered local judge, and is facing an impending divorce from his wife. Following his mother’s sudden death, Hank reluctantly returns to his hometown for the funeral, intending to leave promptly afterward.

However, he becomes embroiled in his most personal case yet when evidence implicates his father in a murder. Forced to confront long-standing animosity, Hank must decide whether to defend his stubborn father in court. Directed by David Dobkin (The Change-Up), The Judge opened to lukewarm reviews but was largely praised for its solid performances, particularly by the actors playing father and son. Since the legal drama hinges on Hank’s self-discovery and evolving relationship with his father, the cast had to embody complex emotions. The supporting characters also effectively hold the story together, portrayed by a diverse ensemble cast.

Robert Downey Jr as Hank Palmer

Date Of Birth: April 4, 1965

Actor: Robert Downey Jr. is one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood history. He made his acting debut in his father’s film Pound in 1970 and first made a mark playing Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic Chaplin. Downey staged a remarkable comeback with the 2003 film The Singing Detective andachieved worldwide acclaim for playing Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, spanning from Iron Man (2008) to Avengers: Endgame (2019). He also played Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s films and recently won an Oscar for his role as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023).

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Hank Palmer is a Chicago-based defense lawyer, reminiscent of Harvey Specter in Suits. He is arrogant, self-assured, and ambitious, and has abandoned his roots in small-town Indiana. Now, he defends wealthy, often guilty clients in civil and criminal court and is proud of his prowess as a lawyer. Hank has also let go of ethics in the pursuit of financial success. Due to his lack of empathy and single-minded ambition, his relationships are strained, not only with his father but also with his wife. Over The Judge, Hank has to rethink his ways and navigate a personal crisis.

Robert Duvall as Joseph Palmer

Date Of Birth: January 5, 1931

Actor: One of the best actors of his generation, Robert Duvall has been acting for seven decades. His career commenced on television with minor roles before he transitioned to Broadway and then to film. His first feature film role was as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and he received an Oscar for his performance in Tender Mercies (1983). Duvall has also been nominated for an Academy Award for his roles in The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), The Great Santini (1979), and The Judge (2014). On television, he has acted in the limited series Broken Trail (2007) and the miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989).

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Character: Joseph Palmer is a respected local judge with a strained relationship with his son, Hank. His pride and stubbornness are evident as he grapples with accusations of murder, refusing help even from Hank. Yet, beneath his outward authority lies vulnerability and complexity, as Joseph confronts his past and navigates a tumultuous legal battle. Throughout the film, he experiences a range of emotions, from fear to defiance, leading to moments of introspection. Central to the narrative is the evolving dynamic between Joseph and Hank, as they confront long-standing issues and strive to reconcile their fractured relationship.

The Judge Supporting Cast & Characters

Vera Farmiga as Samantha Powell: Vera Farmiga plays the role of Samantha Powell, Hank’s ex-girlfriend who owns the local diner where he grew up in Indiana. She is both a romantic interest and a source of emotional stability for Hank, offering him comfort amid his personal challenges. Samantha constantly exhibits insightfulness and empathy towards Hank’s struggles, providing him with a sense of grounding and encouragement. Farmiga’s most prominent acting roles have been in films like The Departed, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, the Conjuring franchise, and TV shows like When They See Us, Bates Motel, and Five Days at Memorial.

Vincent D’Onofrio as Glen Palmer: Vincent D’Onofrio’s most known roles include Private Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence in Full Metal Jacket, Edgar the Bug in Men in Black, Detective Robert Goren in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Vic in Jurassic World (2015), and Wilson Fisk in the Marvel series Daredevil, Hawkeye, and Echo. In The Judge, D’Onofrio plays Glen, Hank’s older brother and the owner of a local tire shop. Glen supports his brother amid the complexities of his father’s legal troubles, despite having his own unresolved conflicts and personal struggles.

Jeremy Strong as Dale Palmer: Jeremy Strong plays Dale Palmer, Hank’s younger brother who is mentally disabled. Strong is most known for playing Kendall Roy in HBO’s Succession, but is also known for playing John George Nicolay in Lincoln (2012) and Jerry Rubin in The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), along with supporting parts in films like Zero Dark Thirty (2012), The Big Short (2015), Molly’s Game (2017), and Armageddon Time (2022).

Dax Shepard as Attorney C.P. Kennedy: In addition to his career as an actor and comedian, Dax Shepard also hosts the podcast Armchair Expert, wherein he interviews celebrities, academics, and journalists about their lives. Some of his film credits include Without a Paddle (2004), Employee of the Month (2006), and Chips (2017). On TV, he has portrayed Crosby Braverman in Parenthood and Luke Matthews in Netflix’s The Ranch. In The Judge, Shepard plays Attorney C.P. Kennedy, a skilled and seasoned lawyer representing the prosecution in the case against Judge Joseph Palmer.

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The Judge

In the 2014 drama The Judge, Robert Downey Jr. stars as successful lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his hometown to defend his estranged father, Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), a judge accused of murder. Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard, Billy Bob Thornton, and Leighton Meester round out the rest of the main cast.

Director

David Dobkin

Release Date

October 10, 2014

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

David Dobkin

Runtime

141minutes