21 Jump Street is one of the most memorable and hilarious comedies from the early 2010s, partly due to its great cast. 21 Jump Street follows the unlikely duo of Jonah Hill’s Schmidt and Channing Tatum’s Jenko as two undercover cops who are sent on a mission to expose a synthetic drug ring at a local high school. The film was directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the celebrated writing/directing pair who are collectively behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), The Lego Movie (2014), and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).

While Christopher Miller and Phil Lord cashed in on the success of 21 Jump Street with their immediate follow-up sequel 22 Jump Street in 2014, there has been little movement on the potential 23 Jump Street, which would round out the trilogy. Tatum was able to flex his comedic talents opposite Hill, whose breakthrough comedy Superbad and surprising dramatic performance in Moneyball helped make him one of the biggest rising stars in Hollywood. While both actors have gone on to have mᴀssively successful careers, 21 Jump Street is considered among both of their funniest works.

Channing Tatum As Greg Jenko

Date of Birth: April 26, 1980

Actor: Channing Tatum is one of the biggest movie stars in the world with a wide range of acting talents ranging from comedy to action. His first major role in a Hollywood movie was as Jason Lyle, a basketball player in the popular 2005 sports movie Coach Carter. Tatum notably was a background dancer in music videos before starring in his breakthrough hit Step Up, which eventually led to him starring in another popular dance-focused franchise, Magic Mike. While 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street show off Tatum’s comedic side, he also starred in the tragic sports drama Foxcatcher alongside Mark Ruffalo and Steve Carrell, which was nominated for 5 Oscars.

Notable Works:

Character: Channing Tatum plays Jenko in 21 Jump Street, one of the main undercover cop protagonists who goes undercover to expose a drug ring at a high school. He is the muscle of the duo between him and Schmidt, but gets in with the “nerdy” group during his time undercover, often feeling left out by his partner, but being integral in solving the case by the end of the film.

Jonah Hill As Morton Schmidt

Date of Birth: December 20, 1983

Actor: Jonah Hill is one of the most recognizable and versatile actors working in Hollywood today. Hill sH๏τ to stardom with the 2007 teen comedy hit Superbad which featured iconic performances by Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plᴀsse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, and Seth Rogen. While Hill has appeared in many classic comedies such as Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Get Him to the Greek, he has received two Oscar nominations for more serious roles in Moneyball and Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. Hill’s other notable works include War Dogs, the Netflix series Maniac, and Mid90s, which was his feature film directorial debut.

Notable Works:

Character: Jonah Hill plays Schmidt in 21 Jump Street, one of the main undercover cop protagonists who goes undercover to expose a drug ring at a high school. More brains than brawn, Schmidt ends up being one of the popular kids in school during his time undercover, an interesting reversal from his own experience in high school years before. Over the course of the film, he begins to push away from Jenko and starts falling for Brie Larson’s Molly.

Brie Larson As Molly Tracey

Date of Birth: October 1, 1989

Actor: Brie Larson is an Academy Award-winning actress who first rose to prominence in the 2010 instant classic Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. She went on to star as Kate in the celebrated series United States of Tara before appearing in 21 Jump Street in 2012. Larson has been in several notable independent films as well, including The Spectacular Now, Don Jon, and the critically acclaimed Short Term 12, which also features early performances by Rami Malek and Lakieth Stanfield. After winning an Oscar for her leading role in 2015’s Room, Larson joined the MCU in 2019 as the тιтular protagonist in Captain Marvel and recently starred in the Emmy-nominated limited series Lessons in Chemistry.

Notable Works:

Character: Brie Larson plays Molly Tracey in 21 Jump Street, a student at the high school and love interest of Schmidt. She is dating Dave Franco’s Eric for most of the film, but takes an immediate interest in Schmidt, eventually developing feelings for him. While she is considered one of the most popular kids, she stands out alongside Eric and the rest of them.

Dave Franco As Eric Molson

Date of Birth: June 12, 1985

Actor: The younger brother of actor/director James Franco, Dave Franco made his television debut in a 2006 episode of 7th Heaven before briefly appearing as Greg the Soccer Player in Superbad and Telephone Tree in Milk. Franco was also a recurring character in Scrubs season 9 and starred in 2011’s Fright Night before playing the main antagonist Eric in 21 Jump Street. Franco’s Hollywood career took off during the 2010s, starring in Warm Bodies, Now You See Me, The Lego Movie, Neighbors, and Now You See Me 2. He starred alongside his brother in The Disaster Artist before going on to appear in If Beale Street Could Talk, The Afterparty, and Love Lies Bleeding.

Notable Works:

Character: Dave Franco plays Eric Molson in 21 Jump Street, the main antagonist and target at the high school that Schmidt and Jenko must expose for dealing drugs. He is in a relationship with Molly for most of the film, and enjoys hanging out with Schmidt, going as far as getting Taco Bell together. His disposition towards Jenko is much more cold, being one of the reasons why Schmidt begins to leave him behind.

21 Jump Street Supporting Cast & Characters

Ice Cube: Ice Cube plays Captain Dickson, the police captain who gives Jenko and Schmidt their ᴀssignment in 21 Jump Street. He is loudmouthed and hard-headed, tearing into both of them at every chance that he gets. Ice Cube is an iconic rapper and actor who has also appeared in Friday, Barbershop, and Ride Along.

Nick Offerman: Offerman plays Deputy Chief Hardy in 21 Jump Street. Though he doesn’t play a huge role in the film, he does reᴀssign Jenko and Schmidt and is shown to be getting a divorce. He is best known for his iconic role as Ron Swanson in Parks & Recreation and has recently starred in Dumb Money, The Last of Us, and Civil War.

Dakota Johnson: Dakota Johnson plays Fugazy in 21 Jump Street, an ᴀssociate of Schmidt and Jenko. Fugazy is undercover as well somewhere else, proving to be much more successful on her ᴀssignment. She is most recognized for her leading role in the Fifty Shades trilogy and has also appeared in The Social Network, Suspiria, and Madame Web.

Rob Riggle: Rob Riggle plays a P.E. teacher at the high school in 21 Jump Street. He ends up being the supplier for Eric, working together to sell the drugs. He has also starred in other comedy classics such as The Hangover, Step Brothers, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Modern Family.

Ellie Kemper: Kemper plays a teacher at the high school in 21 Jump Street. Her character ends up having physical feelings for Jenko and the credits show the two of them hooking up. She is best known for her roles in The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bridesmaids, and The Lego Batman Movie.

Jake Johnson: Johnson plays the principal of the high school in 21 Jump Street. Though it isn’t the biggest role, he is pretty memorable in his small part. He is best known as Nick Miller in New Girl and has also appeared in Jurᴀssic World, BoJack Horseman, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Chris Parnell: Parnell plays a drama teacher named Mr. Gordon in 21 Jump Street, who cast Schmidt as the lead in Peter Pan alongside Molly as Wendy. He has played Jerry in Rick and Morty since 2013 and has also starred in comedy classics such as Anchorman, H๏τ Rod, and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

21 Jump Street Cameos

Johnny Depp: Depp surprisingly reprises his role as Officer Tom Hanson from the 21 Jump Street television series from 1987. Depp starred in 82 episodes from 1987-1990. He is revealed to be undercover in the One-Percenter motorcycle gang,

Peter DeLuise: DeLuise also reprises his role as Officer Doug Penhall from the 21 Jump Street television series. He appeared in 19 episodes from 1987-1991. He is undercover alongside Johnny Depp and the two of them reveal themselves at the end of the film, both dying during the shootout.

Holly Robinson Peete: As the only actor to appear in all 102 episodes of the 21 Jump Street television series, Holly Robinson Peete reprises her role as Officer Judy Hoffs in the 2012 film, giving Schmidt and Jenko a car to use while they are undercover.