It’s actually kinda wild how some shows just refuse to die in the cultural memory. You’ve got the heavy hitters like Friends or The Office, sure. But then there’s the According to Jim cast, a group of actors who somehow kept a fairly "standard" sitcom running for eight seasons on ABC. It premiered in 2001, survived the transition of the television landscape, and lasted until 2009.
Why?
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Honestly, it wasn't because it was breaking new ground. Critics mostly hated it. They called it "uninspired" and "derivative." But for a huge chunk of middle America, Jim Belushi and his TV family were a nightly ritual. It was comfortable. It was the TV equivalent of a warm grilled cheese sandwich.
The Core Players: Where Are They Now?
When we talk about the According to Jim cast, everything starts and ends with Jim Belushi. He played "Jim," the suburban dad who was basically a lovable, harmonica-playing chauvinist. He wasn't quite his brother John, but he had this burly, everyman energy that worked.
Nowadays, Jim has shifted gears in a big way. If you haven't seen his Discovery series Growing Belushi, you're missing out on a very different side of him. He’s essentially become a boutique cannabis farmer in Oregon. He’s very open about how he uses the farm to heal from the trauma of losing his brother to an overdose. It’s a far cry from the suburban backyard of the sitcom, but he still carries that same "Bozo the Clown" grin.
Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl
Courtney was the "straight man" of the show. She had to play the grounded, beautiful wife who somehow put up with Jim’s constant lying and laziness.
Before the show, she was the "it girl" of the 90s, coming off massive runs on Melrose Place and Ally McBeal. People often forget that joining a multicam sitcom was a bit of a pivot for her. After the show ended in 2009, she didn't just vanish. She moved right into Two and a Half Men as Lyndsey Mackelroy. She’s one of those actors who just knows how to work the sitcom format. She makes it look easy, even when she’s just reacting to a guy being an idiot.
Larry Joe Campbell: The Secret Weapon
If you ask any die-hard fan who the funniest person in the According to Jim cast was, they’ll tell you it was Andy.
Larry Joe Campbell played Jim’s brother-in-law and best friend. Their chemistry was the engine of the show. Larry is an improv veteran from Second City, and you could tell. His physical comedy was top-tier. Since the show wrapped, Larry has been everywhere—you’ve likely seen him in Space Force, The Orville, or even Euphoria as a police officer. He’s one of those "hey, it’s that guy" actors who makes every scene better.
The Kids and the "Sitcom Curse"
Sitcom kids usually have a rough time, but the According to Jim cast youngsters mostly stayed out of the tabloids.
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Dana): She played Cheryl’s sister. She was already famous from Father of the Bride, and she’s stayed very active in the Hallmark world and on shows like Nashville. She’s married to country star Brad Paisley, so she’s basically country royalty now.
- Taylor Atelian (Ruby) and Billi Bruno (Gracie): The daughters. Taylor did some music videos and dancing after the show, but largely stepped away from the spotlight. Billi Bruno has almost entirely disappeared from Hollywood.
- Conner Rayburn (Kyle): He joined the show later as the son grew up. He had a few roles afterward, notably in The Invention of Lying, but he’s been quiet for the last decade.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Show
There’s a common misconception that According to Jim was a failure because it didn't win Emmys. That’s just not how TV business worked in the 2000s. The show was a "utility player."
ABC used it to fill gaps in the schedule because it had a built-in audience that followed it wherever it moved. It was a ratings juggernaut in syndication. Even now, you can find it playing in the background of doctor’s offices or car dealerships across the country. It succeeded because it didn't try to be Arrested Development. It knew exactly what it was.
Why We Still Care (Kinda)
The According to Jim cast represented a specific era of the "bumbling dad" trope.
Is it dated? Absolutely.
Is it misogynistic in parts? Yeah, for sure.
But there’s a nostalgia for that era of TV where the stakes were low. You knew Jim would mess up, Cheryl would catch him, he’d apologize, and they’d be fine by the 22nd minute. In a world of high-stress prestige dramas, sometimes people just want to see a guy get stuck in a chimney or lie about a secret smoking habit.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to revisit the show or follow the cast today, here’s how to do it:
- Streaming: The series is currently available on Hulu in the US. It’s perfect "laundry folding" TV.
- Growing Belushi: Check this out on Discovery+ if you want to see what Jim Belushi is actually like when he's not playing a character. It’s surprisingly emotional.
- Follow the Veterans: Larry Joe Campbell is active on social media and still does a lot of live improv. If you're in LA, he’s a regular at the groundlings or other comedy spots.
- Watch for Kimberly: If you like Christmas movies, Kimberly Williams-Paisley is the queen of the genre. Her Hallmark catalog is massive.
The show might not be "cool," but the According to Jim cast built a legacy of consistency that most actors would kill for. They stayed together for nearly a decade, produced over 180 episodes, and created a comfort watch that survived the DVD era and the streaming wars. That’s a win in any book.
To stay updated on what the cast is doing now, you can follow Jim Belushi's official farm website for his latest projects or check out the "where are they now" segments on TV Insider, which frequently updates its profiles on 2000s sitcom stars.