Cast and Crew of The Proposal

The Proposal

"The Proposal" is a romantic comedy, a genre known for blending humor with love stories, often featuring mismatched couples who overcome personal differences to find mutual affection. Typical elements include witty banter, situational comedy, and a gradual development of romance amidst conflicts. In this film, the premise of a forced marriage to solve immigration issues adds a unique twist to the common fake-relationship trope. Sandra Bullock’s portrayal of the overbearing editor Margaret Tate juxtaposed with Ryan Reynolds’ reluctant assistant Andrew Paxton creates dynamic chemistry that drives the humor and emotional growth. Unlike many Western romantic comedies, "The Proposal" stands out through its engaging power dynamics and the incorporation of cultural/national identity stakes, making it both heartfelt and entertaining.

Main Cast of The Proposal

Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate

Sandra Bullock

Margaret Tate
Fans of Sandra Bullock will enjoy her role in 'The Proposal' as it showcases her signature blend of sharp wit, charm, and comedic timing, similar to her most iconic performance in 'Speed.' However, unlike the intense action thriller vibe of 'Speed,' 'The Proposal' allows Bullock to explore romantic comedy, highlighting her versatility as an actress. An interesting detail about her character in 'The Proposal' is that Bullock's on-screen chemistry with Ryan Reynolds was so strong that it elevated the film's appeal, creating memorable scenes that resonated well with audiences.
Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton

Ryan Reynolds

Andrew Paxton
In 'The Proposal' (2009), Ryan Reynolds stars as Andrew Paxton, the put-upon assistant to a high-powered book editor played by Sandra Bullock. His character navigates a comedic and romantic dynamic when Bullock's character forces him into a fake engagement to avoid deportation. This role highlights Reynolds's charm and comedic timing, blending romantic and comedic elements that became a staple in his career. Compared to his earlier work, which often involved more action or dramatic roles, 'The Proposal' showcased his ability to lead in mainstream romantic comedies, broaden his appeal, and demonstrated a suave, relatable character that resonated with a wider audience. This performance stands out as a turning point, solidifying Reynolds's status as a versatile leading man capable of carrying romantic comedies alongside his later successes in action and comedy genres.
Malin Åkerman as Gertrude

Malin Åkerman

Gertrude
In 'The Proposal,' Malin Åkerman delivers a charming and witty performance as Gertrude, showcasing her ability to embody comedic timing with elegance and flair. Her portrayal adds a nuanced layer of humor that complements the film's romantic dynamics, distinguishing itself from her more dramatic roles like in 'Watchmen' or her action-oriented turn in '27 Dresses.' A notable trivia about Åkerman is that she originally auditioned for the lead role of Margaret Tate in 'The Proposal' before being cast as Gertrude, highlighting the producers' appreciation for her versatility.
Craig T. Nelson as Joe Paxton

Craig T. Nelson

Joe Paxton
In "The Proposal," Craig T. Nelson delivers a subtle but memorable performance as Joe Paxton, the stern yet caring father of Margaret Tate. His portrayal balances a strong authoritative presence with moments of warmth and vulnerability, providing a grounding influence amidst the film's comedic chaos. This role contrasts with his more exuberant and comedic roles, such as the over-the-top coach Hayden Fox in the TV series "Coach," showcasing his versatility as an actor. A trivia fact: Craig T. Nelson and Sandra Bullock, his co-star in "The Proposal," had previously appeared together in the thriller "Speed" (1994), albeit in different roles.
Mary Steenburgen as Grace Paxton

Mary Steenburgen

Grace Paxton
Mary Steenburgen played the role of Grace Paxton in the 2009 romantic comedy 'The Proposal.' Her performance was warmly received for bringing warmth and humor to the film, effectively complementing the leads Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Steenburgen's portrayal stood out because of her natural charm and ability to balance comedic timing with genuine emotional moments, which added depth to the movie's family dynamics. A lesser-known fact about her involvement is that Steenburgen actually improvised some of her character’s humorous lines during filming, which ended up making it into the final cut and contributed to the authentic feel of her interactions on screen.
Betty White as Grandma Annie

Betty White

Grandma Annie
In the 2009 romantic comedy 'The Proposal,' Betty White played Grandma Annie, the charming and quick-witted grandmother of Ryan Reynolds' character. This role showcased White's ability to blend humor with heartwarming warmth, fitting seamlessly into her longstanding career marked by memorable comedic performances. Unlike some of her earlier work, such as the iconic Rose Nylund on 'The Golden Girls,' this film role brought her comedic talents to a broader, contemporary audience within a popular mainstream movie. Her performance stood out by providing a delightful, scene-stealing presence that added depth and humor to the film's family dynamics, reinforcing her status as a beloved and enduring figure in entertainment.
Denis O'Hare as Mr. Gilbertson

Denis O'Hare

Mr. Gilbertson
Oscar Nuñez as Ramone

Oscar Nuñez

Ramone
Aasif Mandvi as Bob Spaulding

Aasif Mandvi

Bob Spaulding
Michael Nouri as Chairman Bergen

Michael Nouri

Chairman Bergen
Rachel Griffiths as Inez Scull

Rachel Griffiths

Inez Scull
Gregg Edelman as Lead Counsel Malloy

Gregg Edelman

Lead Counsel Malloy
Michael Mosley as Chuck

Michael Mosley

Chuck
Dale Place as Jim McKittrick

Dale Place

Jim McKittrick
Alicia Hunt as Coffee Barista

Alicia Hunt

Coffee Barista
Alexis Garcia as Immigration Clerk

Alexis Garcia

Immigration Clerk
Phyllis Kay as Mrs. McKittrick

Phyllis Kay

Mrs. McKittrick
Kate Lacey as Party Guest

Kate Lacey

Party Guest
Mary Linda Rapelye as Executive Secretary

Mary Linda Rapelye

Executive Secretary
Anne Fletcher as Jill

Anne Fletcher

Jill
John Franchi as Taxicab Driver (uncredited)

John Franchi

Taxicab Driver (uncredited)
London Hall as Wedding and Reception Guest (uncredited)

London Hall

Wedding and Reception Guest (uncredited)
Dan Marshall as Lawyer at Publishing Company (uncredited)

Dan Marshall

Lawyer at Publishing Company (uncredited)
Ron Murphy as Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Ron Murphy

Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Niecy Nash-Betts as Stewardess (uncredited)

Niecy Nash-Betts

Stewardess (uncredited)
Rich Skinner as New York Cab Driver (uncredited)

Rich Skinner

New York Cab Driver (uncredited)
Uzimann as Pedestrian (uncredited)

Uzimann

Pedestrian (uncredited)
Larry Vigus as Party Guest (uncredited)

Larry Vigus

Party Guest (uncredited)

Kortney Adams

Colden Books Receptionist

Chris Whitney

Medivac Pilot

Jerrell Lee Wesley

Jordan

Gene Fleming

Store Owner

B. Johnson

Guy in Office

Dan Griffin

Businessman / Pedestrian on Sidewalk (uncredited)

Thomas Olson

Party Guest (uncredited)

Donna Glee Reim

Reception Guest (uncredited)

Ylian Alfaro Snyder

Immigrant at INS Office (uncredited)

Crew of The Proposal

Full backstage crew list →