The HBO miniseries White House Plumbers dramatizes the true events of the Watergate scandal, but how does the cast compare to their real-life counterparts? Released in five parts, the star-studded series is based on Egil Krogh's book Integrity and centers on Nixon operatives G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt as they try and fail to contain one of the nation's biggest political scandals. Unlike other historical adaptations that spice up certain elements for exciting effect, White House Plumbers presents its tale of political intrigue almost exactly as it occurred and focuses on the fascinating characters involved. More than simply justifying its existence, the series makes the story relevant again.
The Max exclusive series was met with modest praise from critics (via the White House Plumbers' investigation and the complicated tale told over five decades ago. Though White House Plumbers is only five episodes long, it features an unrivaled cast and manages to succinctly summarize the story in a way that is not only entertaining but educational as well.
Woody Harrelson As E. Howard Hunt
Portrayed in White House Plumbers by Woody Harrelson, the real E. Howard Hunt was a CIA agent hired by the Nixon istration to determine the source of several confidential leaks known as the Pentagon Papers. In the process of doing so, Hunt helped organize a series of burglaries that eventually led back to Nixon himself and was one of the defining reasons the president eventually resigned from the White House. For his part in the conspiracy, Hunt served over 30 months in prison.
Emmy-winner and three-time Oscar-nominee Woody Harrelson is best known for his turns as Woody Boyd on the sitcom Cheers, Detective Hart in the first season of True Detective, Tallahassee in the Zombieland movies, Haymitch Abernathy in the Hunger Games franchise, Mickey Knox in Natural Born Killers, and the title character in The People Vs. Larry Flynt. That movie, which also saw him portray a real person, earned him his first Academy Award nomination, with nods following later for his ing work in The Messenger and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Justin Theroux As G. Gordon Liddy
In the cast of White House Plumbers, Justin Theroux stars as White House lawyer G. Gordon Liddy, who worked alongside E. Howard Hunt in orchestrating the events that would lead to the Watergate scandal. The controversial figure is shown to have eventually been sentenced to considerable prison time, serving 50 months behind bars for his co-orchestration of the burglaries and conspiracy. Liddy's Nazi sympathies are addressed in White House Plumbers as well. Actor Justin Theroux rose to prominence as Adam in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, and he also played the notable roles of Timothy in American Psycho, Tom in The Girl on the Train, and Kevin Garvey on The Leftovers.
Lena Headey As Dorothy Hunt
Lena Headey appears in the White House Plumbers cast as Dorothy Hunt, the wife of E. Howard Hunt who participated in the Watergate scandal by acting as a liaison and money officer who paid out the conspirators. Dorothy Hunt has remained a somewhat mysterious figure in the story because of her sudden and untimely death, which came as the result of a fiery airplane crash that also coincidentally eliminated several other people tangentially involved with the conspiracy. Lena Headey's most recognizable role came as Cersei Lannister in every season of Game of Thrones. She also played Queen Gorgo in the blockbuster film 300.
Domhnall Gleeson As John Dean
Domhnall Gleeson plays John Dean, a member of the Nixon counsel who helped to cover up the Watergate conspiracy. Dean eventually testified against his fellow conspirators in order to earn a softer sentence, and it was his testimony that eventually condemned G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt to their legal fates. Before ing the cast of White House Plumbers, Gleeson rose to fame as Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter films and then appeared as General Hux in the Star Wars franchise. Gleeson also starred as Caleb in the critically acclaimed sci-fi film Ex Machina and as Tim in the romantic drama About Time.
Kim Coates As Frank Sturgis
Appearing in the cast of White House Plumbers as Frank Sturgis, Kim Coates plays the ex-military officer who was one of the five men who actively participated in the break-in at the Watergate complex. Sturgis was arrested for the break-in and served 14 months in prison for his part in the conspiracy. Amid a host of famous film credits, Coates is perhaps best known for his 92-episode run as Tig in the cast of Sons of Anarchy. He also played Ronnie in the sports comedy Goon and Declan in the series Bad Blood.
Gary Cole As Mark Felt
Character actor Gary Cole plays Mark Felt, the FBI Associate Director who was tasked with investigating leaks within the Nixon istration. Felt was a notorious gossip who, in the process of revealing vital information to journalist Bob Woodward, would gain the nickname "Deep Throat." Known for his sillier roles, such as Bill in Office Space, Cole also appeared as Reese Bobby in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and as Cotton in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. He first gained notoriety, though, as iconic sitcom dad Mike Brady in the Brady Bunch movies.
Toby Huss As James W. McCord Jr.
Toby Huss appears in the White House Plumbers cast as James W. McCord Jr., the former CIA agent who worked as the Nixon Reelection Campaign's head of security. McCord and four other conspirators were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee's headquarters in the Watergate complex, but he only served a few months in prison because he cooperated with the investigation. Along with his role as John Bosworth on AMC's Halt and Catch Fire, Huss is best known for lending his voice to various characters on King of the Hill including Cotton Hill and Kahn.
White House Plumbers ing Cast & Characters
Ike Barinholtz as Jeb Magruder - Businessman and Nixon operative Jeb Magruder is played by Ike Barinholtz in the White House Plumbers cast. Magruder pled guilty to his part in the wiretap conspiracy and served several months in prison. Barinholtz played the character of Morgan in over 100 episodes of The Mindy Project and also appeared as Griggs in Suicide Squad.
Judy Greer as Fran Liddy - Comic actor Judy Greer appears in the cast of White House Plumbers as Fran Liddy, G. Gordon Liddy's ive wife who will do anything for her husband. Like many of Judy Greer's best characters, the actor breathed life into Fran, a character who didn't play a particularly large part in the story, but made her interesting. Greer is recognizable for her turns as Lucy in 13 Going on 30, Karen in the Halloween movies, and Maggie Lang in Ant-Man.
Kiernan Shipka as Kevan Hunt - Rising star Kiernan Shipka plays Kevan Hunt, Dorothy and Howard's daughter who does not approve of her parent's indiscretions. Shipka first gained attention when she played Sally Draper on AMC's Mad Men, but she also played the titular role in Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Liam James as Saint John Hunt - In the cast of White House Plumbers, Liam James plays Saint John Hunt, E. Howard Hunt's older son. Liam James starred as Duncan in The Way Back but is perhaps best known for his 60-episode stint as Young Shawn on the series Psych.
Tony Plana as Eugenio Martínez - Tony Plana plays Eugenio Martínez, an anti-Castro dissident who was recruited by Liddy and Hunt to break into the Watergate complex. Martínez eventually served a brief prison term before being pardoned, making him the only other conspirator besides President Nixon to be officially forgiven. Plana's most memorable role came as Ignacio on Ugly Betty, and he also played Jefe in The Three Amigos.
Yul Vazquez as Bernard Barker - Played by Yul Vazquez, Barnard Barker was an anti-Castro operative who broke into the Watergate complex at the behest of Liddy and Hunt. Vazquez can be recognized as Petey in the series Severance and as John Reyes in Russian Doll.
Nelson Ascencio as Virgilio Gonzales - Virgilio Gonzales was one of the five men arrested for breaking into the Watergate complex, and he is played by Nelson Ascencio. The actor is best known for his role as Flavius in the Hunger Games movies, and he also played Jorge in the comedy film Paul.
John Carroll Lynch as John N. Mitchell - Played in the cast of White House Plumbers by character actor John Carroll Lynch, John N. Mitchell was President Nixon's Attorney General who was tried and convicted for his role in the Watergate cover-up. Often recognized as one of the best character actors, Lynch is most known for his turn as Twisty the Clown on American Horror Story. Lynch also played the role of Norm in the Coen brothers' Fargo.
Rich Sommer as Egil Krogh - Egil Krogh was a lawyer and Nixon advisor who was eventually jailed for his part in the Watergate scandal, and he is played by Rich Sommer in the cast of White House Plumbers. Along with a 90-episode stint as Harry Crane on AMC's Mad Men, Sommer is perhaps best known for his role as Doug in The Devil Wears Prada.
Kathleen Turner as Dita Beard - Legendary actor Kathleen Turner plays Dita Beard, a former lobbyist who gained notoriety because of her connection to the ITT affair and eventually almost testified in the Watergate trial. Turner is best known for her starring roles in blockbuster films like Romancing the Stone where she played Joan Wilder, and as the title role in Peggy Sue Got Married.
F. Murray Abraham as Judge John Sirica - F. Murray Abraham appears in the cast of White House Plumbers as controversial Judge John Sirica, whose unorthodox rulings led to many of the Watergate conspirators getting light sentences. Abraham gained fame through his Oscar-winning role as Salieri in Amadeus and also appeared as Bert in The White Lotus.
Corbin Bernsen as Richard Kleindienst - Corbin Bernsen plays Richard Kleindienst, Nixon's Attorney General who assumed the office after John N. Mitchell. Bernsen's starring roles include Roger Dorn in Major League and its sequel, and he famously appeared as Harlan Dexter in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
David Krumholtz as William Bittman - Lawyer William Bittman, played by David Krumholtz as part of the White House Plumbers cast, is best known for representing conspirator E. Howard Hunt in the Watergate trial. Krumholtz first rose to fame as Bernard in the Santa Clause movies, and he also famously appeared as Charlie in the long-running series Numb3rs.