The Truman Show

The Truman Show Character List

Truman Burbank

Omnicam Corporation selected Truman Burbank out of 6 unwanted newborns and legally adopted him, making him the first human being to be adopted by a corporation. Christof, a television creator and visionary, built the "Truman Show" around Truman's life - without Truman knowing. Truman lives on Seahaven Island, which is actually a giant television set, and his life is populated by actors (including his parents and his wife). Truman begins the film as a kind-hearted everyman, but his life is shattered when re realizes everything around him is not real. Paranoia and disillusionment lead to a search for truth and real happiness. He is played by Jim Carrey.

"Meryl Burbank"/Hannah Gill

Laura Linney plays actress Hannah Gill, who plays Truman's high school sweetheart-turned-wife Meryl. She is fully compliant with the world of "The Truman Show," often weaving product placement into her everyday life. She sees her role as Truman's wife as a job (Linney and Weir clarified that Gill is extremely ambitious and is constantly re-negotiating her contract - in fact, she gets $10,000 every time she sleeps with Truman.) Meryl is an eternally peppy, practically-minded emergency room nurse.

"Marlon"/Louis Coltrane

Noah Emmerich plays the role of Louis Coltrane, the actor who plays Marlon, Truman's best friend since childhood. Marlon works as a vending machine repairman. Whenever Truman seems to have a problem, Christof urges Marlon to go see his friend with a cold six-pack. Marlon always lends a sympathetic ear to Truman, and the two of them share many memories.

Christof

Ed Harris plays Christof, the creator of "The Truman Show" and Seahaven Island. He has devoted his life for the past 30 years to the program - even though Truman has no idea Christof exists. His name alludes to his obvious God complex. He is notoriously private and rarely grants interviews.

"Lauren Garland"/Sylvia

Natascha McElhone plays an actress named Sylvia who played an extra at Truman's high school named Lauren Garland. She and Truman have a brief romance, but the producers of the show keep trying to thwart their connection (because Meryl is Truman's intended mate). However, Sylvia tries to tell Truman the truth about his life and is kicked off Seahaven Island. She then becomes a leader in the "Free Truman" movement and frequently engages Christof and his team, trying to convince them that their imprisonment of Truman is cruel.

"Angela Burbank"/Truman's Mother

Holland Taylor plays Alanis Montclair, who plays Truman's mother Angela. She is stiff and formal, and is constantly pressuring Truman and Meryl to have children.

"Kirk Burbank"/Truman's Father

Brian Delate plays Walter Moore, the actor who plays Truman's father, Kirk. Christof decided to manufacture a storm that led to Kirk drowning in front of young Truman for the purpose of instilling a fear of water in his star - meaning that he would be too afraid to leave Seahaven Island. However, when Truman is 29, Walter sneaks back on set dressed as a hobo and Truman sees him. Christof is then forced to write Kirk back into the plot and reunites father and son. To explain his absence, Christof tells Kirk to claim that he has suffered from amnesia for 22 years.

Simeon

The somewhat bumbling and emotional control room director on "The Truman Show," played by Paul Giamatti.

Laurence

Truman's boss is played by Peter Krause. He appears whenever Truman entertains the idea of running off to Fiji, usually with some ploy to keep Truman on Seahaven Island.