Unstoppable Cast & Real-Life Character Guide

The new sports biopic Unstoppable features an outstanding cast led by Emmy winner Jharrel Jerome as 2011 NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles. Unstoppable chronicles the remarkable true story and difficult upbringing of Robles, who faced obstacles and challenges both on and off the wrestling mat. Directed by Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg in his feature film directorial debut, Unstoppable is based on Robles’ 2012 book Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion. Goldenberg has been nominated for five Best Editing Oscars (The Insider, Seabiscuit, Zero Dark Thirty, The Imitation Game), winning for 2012’s Argo.

Unstoppable premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024 before getting a limited release in theaters on December 6. Unstoppable has received mostly positive reviews, earning a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 75%. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and the real-life Anthony Robles produced the film. The Los Angeles premiere of the film was scheduled for January 7, 2025 but was canceled due to the Palisades Fire. Robles remains the only NCAA wrestler with one leg to win a national championship. Unstoppable is available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on January 16, 2025.

Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles

Actor: Jharrel Jerome was born on October 9, 1997 in The Bronx, New York. He rose to prominence after starring in Barry Jenkins’ Best Picture winner Moonlight as Kevin (age 16) in his feature film debut. Jerome earned an Emmy for his portrayal of Korey Wise in Ava DuVernay’s powerful Netflix series When They See Us (2019). Jerome’s other notable works include the Max series Full Circle, the Prime Video series I’m a Virgo, and the Brendan Gleeson-led thriller series Mr. Mercedes. Jerome also voiced Miles G. Morales in 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Notable Works:

Film/TV Show

Character

Moonlight

Kevin (age 16)

When They See Us

Korey Wise

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Miles G. Morales

Character: Jerome stars as Anthony Robles in Unstoppable, the 2011 NCAA wrestling champion from Arizona State University.

Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles

Actor: Jennifer Lopez, 55, is a world-famous singer and actress from The Bronx, New York. Lopez was recently nominated for her first and only Emmy Award for her Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show where she performed alongside Shakira in 2020. With more than 135 film, television, and music video credits to her name, “J. Lo” made her feature film debut in the 1986 film My Little Girl alongside James Earl Jones. Some of Lopez’s most celebrated performances include Out of Sight (1998) with George Clooney, Blood and Wine (1996) with Jack Nicholson, Hustlers (2019), and Selena (1997). She recently starred in Netflix’s The Mother and Atlas as well as Prime’s This Is Me… Now and SH๏τgun Wedding.

Notable Works:

Film/TV Show

Character

Selena (1997)

Selena Quintanilla

Hustlers (2019)

Ramona

Antz (1998)

Azteca

Character: Lopez plays Judy Robles, Anthony’s hard-working and supportive mother, in Unstoppable.

Don Cheadle as Coach Shawn Charles

Actor: Don Cheadle, 60, is an Oscar-nominated actor from Kansas City, Missouri. He is best known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine, who appeared in numerous Iron Man and Avengers blockbusters dating back to 2010’s Iron Man 2. Cheadle received his first and only Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role as Paul Rusesabagina in 2004’s H๏τel Rwanda. Cheadle’s other notable works include the 2006 Best Picture winner Crash (2004), 4-time Oscar winner Traffic (2000), Flight (2012), and Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (2024).

Notable Works:

Film/TV Show

Character

H๏τel Rwanda (2004)

Paul Rusesabagina

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine

Crash (2004)

Graham

Character: Cheadle plays legendary wrestling Coach Shawn Charles in Unstoppable.

Michael Peña as Coach Bobby Williams

Actor: Michael Peña, 49, is an American actor from Chicago, Illinois. Peña made his feature film debut in the 1994 family drama film Running Free before rising to prominence in two 2004 Oscar-winning films, Crash and Million Dollar Baby. Peña went on to star as Armando Renta in The Shield season 4 before appearing in another Oscar-winning film, Babel (2006). Peña’s other notable works include Eastbound & Down (2010), End of Watch (2012), American Hustle (2013), Fury (2014), Ant-Man (2015), and The Martian (2015). Peña’s recent works include Narcos: Mexico, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, A Million Miles Away, and Landman.

Notable Works:

Film/TV Show

Character

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Omar

End of Watch (2012)

Mike Zavala

The Martian (2015)

Rick Martinez

Character: Peña stars as Coach Bobby Williams in Unstoppable.

Bobby Cannavale as Rick Robles

Actor: Bobby Cannavale, 54, is an American actor from New Jersey. Cannavale is a 2-time Emmy winner known for his work in Will & Grace and Boardwalk Empire. His early television credits include Sєx and the City (2000), Ally McBeal (2002), Oz (2003), Six Feet Under (2004), and Louie (2010). His notable film credits include Snakes on a Plane (2006), Blue Jasmine (2013), Chef (2014), Spy (2015), and Ant-Man (2015). He starred in the HBO series Vinyl (2016) as Richie Finestra and earned two Emmy nominations for Nurse Jackie (2012, 2013). He recently appeared in I, Tonya (2017), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), The Irishman (2019), Mr. Robot (2017-2019), and MaXXXine (2024).

Notable Works:

Film/TV Show

Character

Boardwalk Empire (2012)

Gyp Rosetti

Vinyl (2016)

Richie Finestra

The Irishman (2019)

Skinny Razor

Character: Cannavale plays Rick Robles, Anthony’s shady step-father in Unstoppable.

Unstoppable Supporting Cast & Characters


Anthony Robles looking determined in Unstoppable

Anthony Robles as Himself (Double): The real-life Anthony Robles plays himself during certain scenes of Unstoppable.

Mykelti Williamson as Eddie: Williamson is best known for Forrest Gump, Fences, and Heat.

Shawn Hatosy as Tom Brands: Hatosy is best known for Animal Kingdom, Southland, and The Faculty.

Parker Sack as Dorian: Sacl is best known for Suncoast, Dopesick, and Fight Night.

Johnni DiJulius as McDonough: DiJulius is best known for Topper and Unstoppable.

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