The Hawaiian Curse: Where Is The 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' Cast Now? (2024 Updates)

Few romantic comedies have left a cultural footprint quite like Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Released in 2008, the film—a masterclass in cringe-comedy and heartfelt vulnerability—launched a new era for its stars and cemented the influence of Judd Apatow’s production house. The core story of Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) trying to move on from his TV-star ex, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), only to run into her and her new rockstar boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), at a Hawaiian resort, became instantly iconic.

As of late , the cast has scattered across Hollywood, from prestige television to major blockbuster franchises and even a notable shift into directing. This is a complete, up-to-the-minute look at the careers of the main cast, detailing their freshest and most current projects, proving that for this ensemble, the biggest successes came after they left the shores of Oahu.

The Core Four: Peter, Sarah, Rachel, and Aldous

The four main actors formed the unforgettable love quadrangle that drove the film's plot. Their careers have exploded in the years since, with 2024 bringing major new projects for each of them.

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Jason Segel (Peter Bretter)

Biography Profile: Jason Jordan Segel was born on January 18, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. He is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, singer-songwriter, and author. His career launched with roles in the cult classics Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, but he achieved global fame as Marshall Eriksen in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014). He wrote Forgetting Sarah Marshall and famously performed fully nude in the opening scene, a decision he has since described as a career-defining risk. He is also the author of the young adult book series Nightmares!.

• Role in FSM: Peter Bretter, a composer left heartbroken by his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall.
• Current Status (2024): Segel is currently starring in and co-creating the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series Shrinking, which premiered its second season in 2024. He plays Jimmy Laird, a grieving therapist who begins to break the rules of his profession, opposite Harrison Ford. This role has earned him nominations and praise for blending comedy with deep emotional sincerity, a signature of his writing style.

Kristen Bell (Sarah Marshall)

Biography Profile: Kristen Anne Bell was born on July 18, 1980, in Huntington Woods, Michigan. She is an actress, producer, and singer. She gained prominence as the title character in the noir mystery series Veronica Mars (2004–2007). Post-Sarah Marshall, she became the voice of Princess Anna in Disney’s massive Frozen franchise (2013, 2019) and starred as the morally complex Eleanor Shellstrop in the philosophical comedy series The Good Place (2016–2020). She is married to actor Dax Shepard, and they co-founded the successful plant-based baby product line Hello Bello.

• Role in FSM: Sarah Marshall, Peter's ex-girlfriend and a successful TV actress.
• Current Status (2024): Bell is back in the romantic comedy space, starring opposite Adam Brody in the Netflix series Nobody Wants This, which debuted in 2024. She also served as the host for the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in late 2024, cementing her status as a major industry figure.

Mila Kunis (Rachel Jansen)

Biography Profile: Milena Markovna Kunis was born on August 14, 1983, in Chernivtsi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine). She moved to Los Angeles at age seven. She rose to fame as Jackie Burkhart on That '70s Show and as the voice of Meg Griffin on the animated series Family Guy. Her dramatic turn in Black Swan (2010) earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She married her former That '70s Show co-star, Ashton Kutcher, in 2015, and they have two children.

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• Role in FSM: Rachel Jansen, the hotel concierge who becomes Peter’s new love interest.
• Current Status (2024): Kunis starred in and executive produced the 2024 comedy film Goodrich, alongside Michael Keaton. She has also been announced as the latest addition to the star-studded ensemble cast of Rian Johnson’s upcoming mystery sequel, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, a major project expected to release soon.

Russell Brand (Aldous Snow)

Biography Profile: Russell Edward Brand was born on June 4, 1975, in Grays, Essex, England. He is a comedian, actor, author, and podcaster known for his flamboyant, eccentric persona. His breakout role in the US was Aldous Snow. He reprised the character in the 2010 spin-off film Get Him to the Greek. Brand has written several books and is known for his activism in mental health and drug rehabilitation.

• Role in FSM: Aldous Snow, a charismatic, hedonistic British rockstar and Sarah’s new boyfriend.
• Current Status (2024): Brand’s career has shifted significantly away from mainstream Hollywood. In 2024, his public life has been dominated by serious legal and personal matters, including appearing in court on various charges and being granted bail. Professionally, he focuses on his highly popular podcasts, including Stay Free with Russell Brand and Under the Skin, and has publicly discussed his recent conversion to Christianity.

The Legendary Ensemble: From Kunu to the Waiter

The film’s brilliance was amplified by its deep bench of comedic talent, many of whom were uncredited or in smaller roles, but have since become massive stars. This supporting cast is a testament to the Apatow Productions universe and its ability to spot future legends.

Jonah Hill (Matthew the Waiter)

One of the film's most memorable minor characters was Matthew, the overly enthusiastic waiter who idolizes Aldous Snow. Since his small role, Jonah Hill has become a two-time Academy Award nominee for Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street. His recent work in 2024 showcases his shift to a triple-threat role as an actor, writer, and director. He is directing and starring in the upcoming black comedy film Outcome, which he also co-wrote. Additionally, he is directing the film Cut Off and is producing the animated series Sausage Party: Foodtopia (2024–2025). Hill is also slated to play legendary musician Jerry Garcia in an upcoming Martin Scorsese-directed Grateful Dead biopic.

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Paul Rudd (Kunu)

Paul Rudd played Kunu, the perpetually relaxed, weed-smoking surf instructor who gives Peter some questionable life advice. Rudd, already a comedy veteran, has since become a global superstar in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, starring in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. In 2024, he returned to another major franchise, starring as Gary Grooberson in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. He also premiered his new A24 comedy film, Friendship, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024.

Bill Hader (Brian)

Bill Hader played Brian, Peter’s highly supportive—and occasionally tearful—step-brother and co-worker. Hader went on to achieve massive critical success as the creator, star, writer, and director of the acclaimed HBO dark comedy series Barry (2018–2023), winning multiple Emmy Awards. In 2024, Hader is developing a new, currently untitled HBO pilot series with Barry writer Duffy Boudreau, indicating a return to the network with another highly anticipated project.

The Legacy of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Its Apatow Connection

The film’s enduring popularity, even as it celebrated its 16th anniversary in April 2024, is largely due to its place within the interconnected world of Judd Apatow-produced comedies. The movie was a crucial stepping stone for nearly every actor involved, serving as a launchpad for their subsequent careers.

Topical Authority: The Cinematic Universe

The movie is a key piece in the Apatow Cinematic Universe, a network of films featuring overlapping casts and characters. Russell Brand's Aldous Snow was popular enough to warrant his own spin-off, Get Him to the Greek, which also featured Jonah Hill in a different role. This cross-pollination of talent—including cameos from Jason Bateman and Jack McBrayer (who played the honeymooning couple, Darcy and Liz)—helped establish a new generation of comedic stars who would dominate the box office for the next decade.

The film’s raw, improvised style, championed by producer Judd Apatow and director Nicholas Stoller, allowed the cast to showcase their genuine chemistry and vulnerability. Jason Segel's decision to write and star in the film, including the now-famous full-frontal nude scene, demonstrated a commitment to comedic honesty that resonated with audiences and critics alike, setting the tone for his later, more dramatic work in Shrinking and The End of the Tour.

Where Are They Now: Jack McBrayer and Others

While the main cast dominates the headlines, the smaller roles also saw success:

• Jack McBrayer (Darcy): Known for his Emmy-nominated role as Kenneth Parcell on 30 Rock, McBrayer is currently the host of the HGTV series Zillow Gone Wild, which premiered in 2024.
• Jason Bateman: Already a star, he made an uncredited cameo as an unnamed waiter. He has since become a major director and star, most notably in the Emmy-winning Netflix series Ozark.

From the trauma of Peter Bretter’s heartbreak to the global success of the MCU and prestige TV, the cast of Forgetting Sarah Marshall has proven that a breakup can indeed lead to bigger and better things—both on screen and off.