Cast and Crew of Valley of the Boom

Valley of the Boom

"Valley of the Boom" is a dynamic series that explores the thrilling rise and dramatic fall of Silicon Valley's tech boom during the 1990s. With a blend of scripted drama and documentary elements, it offers a vivid portrayal of the ambition, innovation, and upheaval that shaped the early internet era. The show features Steve Zahn as Michael Fyne and Bradley Whitford as James L. Barksdale, bringing to life the bold personalities behind the tech revolution.

Trivia and Behind-the-Scenes Facts:
1. The series uniquely integrates real documentary footage and interviews with actors' scripted scenes, creating a hybrid storytelling style that provides both entertainment and educational insight into the tech boom.
2. Steve Zahn and Bradley Whitford underwent extensive research to authentically portray their characters, even meeting with real tech pioneers to understand the mindset and culture of Silicon Valley during the 90s.
3. "Valley of the Boom" was filmed on location in Silicon Valley, including some original tech company offices, lending authenticity and immersive atmosphere to the production.

Full Cast of Valley of the Boom

Steve Zahn as Micheal Fayne

Steve Zahn

Micheal Fayne
In the TV series 'Valley of the Boom,' Steve Zahn portrays the character Tim Draper, a well-known venture capitalist during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. This role fits into Zahn's overall career as it showcases his versatility beyond his typical comedic and character-driven performances, diving into more dramatic and biographical storytelling. Zahn's performance stands out compared to his earlier or better-known work because it combines his trademark charm with a keen insight into the ambitious, high-stakes world of tech entrepreneurship, marking a distinctive blend of drama and historical narrative that differs from his usual roles in comedies or character comedies.
Bradley Whitford as James L. Barksdale

Bradley Whitford

James L. Barksdale
In the TV series 'Valley of the Boom,' Bradley Whitford portrays Brad, a venture capitalist navigating the chaotic and fast-paced world of the 1990s tech boom. This role represents a departure from his earlier, more prominent characters such as Josh Lyman in 'The West Wing,' showcasing his versatility by delving into the business and technology sphere of a historical drama. What makes this performance stand out is Whitford's nuanced embodiment of a complex figure balancing ambition and pragmatism during a transformative era, contrasting with his often politically charged or comedic roles, thereby highlighting his range as an actor.
John Murphy as Jim Clark

John Murphy

Jim Clark
Fans of John Murphy will appreciate his role in the TV series 'Valley of the Boom' as it showcases his ability to embody intense, driven characters, similar to his iconic performance as the relentless Henry Eastman in 'Sunshine'. In 'Valley of the Boom', Murphy portrays a key player in the dot-com boom era, bringing a gritty realism to the tech industry's chaotic rise. An interesting detail about his casting is that Murphy was drawn to the show's unique blend of documentary-style storytelling and drama, which allowed him to explore a different narrative style than in his previous work.
Oliver Cooper as Todd Krizelman

Oliver Cooper

Todd Krizelman
Fans of Oliver Cooper will likely appreciate his role in the TV series 'Valley of the Boom' as it showcases his ability to embody complex, real-life characters with nuance and energy. In this docudrama, Cooper plays a tech entrepreneur during the dot-com bubble, a departure from his most iconic performance as the wild and reckless party animal in 'Project X.' While 'Project X' highlighted his comedic timing and improvisational skills, 'Valley of the Boom' allows him to demonstrate dramatic depth and a more restrained, intense portrayal. An interesting and unexpected detail about his role in 'Valley of the Boom' is that Cooper conducted extensive research on early internet culture and even met with some of the real-life figures he portrays, adding authenticity to his performance.
John Karna as Marc Andreessen

John Karna

Marc Andreessen
In the TV series 'Valley of the Boom,' John Karna delivers a compelling portrayal of Marc Andreessen, capturing the visionary tech entrepreneur's innovative spirit and complex personality during the dot-com boom. Unlike his earlier roles, such as in 'Scream' where he played a more typical teenage character, Karna demonstrates a matured depth and intensity, embodying the ambitious drive required to depict a real-life tech pioneer. A trivia fact about Karna is that he began his acting career in theater before transitioning to television, which adds a nuanced layer to his performance in the tech-driven narrative of 'Valley of the Boom.'
Lamorne Morris as Darrin Morris

Lamorne Morris

Darrin Morris
Lamorne Morris starred in the National Geographic docudrama series 'Valley of the Boom,' which explores the tech boom of the 1990s. His performance was widely praised for bringing charisma and relatability to the portrayal of a key figure in the tech industry, blending dramatic intensity with a nuanced understanding of the era's cultural dynamics. What made his portrayal unique was his ability to humanize the technological revolution, highlighting both its promise and pitfalls through his character's journey. A lesser-known behind-the-scenes fact is that Morris actively consulted with real tech insiders to accurately capture the mannerisms and mindset of entrepreneurs at the height of the dot-com bubble, adding authenticity to his role.
Dakota Shapiro as Stephan Paternot

Dakota Shapiro

Stephan Paternot
Rohan Campbell as Jeremy

Rohan Campbell

Jeremy

Rich Dietl

Yeti (voice)

Aria Birch

Izzy Young

Crew of Valley of the Boom

Full backstage crew list →