Character Biographies

21 April 2011

Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy)
Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, spirited, independent kids, who without him would be... perhaps better off. A hopeless alcoholic and troublemaker, when Frank isn't at the bar spending what little money the family has, he's usually passed out on the floor. Frank is careless, selfish and completely narcissistic, and he hasn't done anything but collect his disability cheques and get hammered for years. Yet he is also a gentle, harmless soul who loves his kids more than anything. Although he provides nothing in the way of parenting or financial support, Frank has a good, big heart, and his kids appreciate him for it. He's also really fun to party with.

 

Fiona Gallagher (Emmy Rossum)
Fiona is in the difficult position of being the oldest Gallagher child, so most of the responsibility and child-rearing falls on her young shoulders. This blossoming young woman takes it all in her stride - she's clearly been doing it for a long time. She works a few dead-end, minimum wage jobs to bring in money and enjoys going out dancing with her girlfriends. She does suffer from insecurity and feeling low when it comes to men, especially when cute, privileged Steve starts showing interest.

 

Steve (Justin Chatwin)
Steve is a handsome, well-bred guy with a lot of aggressive energy. He's pursuing Fiona hard, and he's not afraid to punch out and moon a notorious bouncer to defend her honour. He drives a sports car, wears an expensive watch and throws money around liberally, which Fiona finds off-putting; however he might not be all that he seems.

 

Lip (Jeremy Allen White)
Short for Phillip, Lip is the second Gallagher child and the most academic. He's a straight A student with big plans for himself, and he's a whiz at science. He earns money tutoring his classmate Karen in physics, and she returns the favour in unusual ways.

 

Ian (Cameron Monaghan)
Ian is the third Gallagher child, and apparently the most like their mother. He's in Army ROTC at school and works at a local grocery store. He's also having a secret affair at work, which his brother Lip discovers and questions him about relentlessly.

 

Carl (Ethan Cutkosky)
Carl is the second youngest Gallagher child. He shares a room with older brothers Lip and Ian, who try to keep their more adult interests from him. Carl has a few secrets of his own, including breaking every rule he can find.

 

Debbie (Emma Kenney)
One of the middle Gallagher children, Debbie is helpful and has a good heart. She's willing to bring her baby brother to school for show and tell when there's no one else to watch him, put a pillow under her father's head when he's passed out on the floor, and collect money for charity year round - only some of which she keeps for herself.

 

Kev (Steve Howey)
Kev is the bartender at Frank's bar and the Gallagher's neighbour and friend. He's a good guy who's willing to give Frank drinks on credit and cash his disability checks for him. He and Veronica have a crazy hot sex life and he's totally into her, as long as she's not implying that he's stupid.

 

Veronica (Shanola Hampton)
The Gallagher's neighbour, the sassy, sexy Veronica is always willing and able to lend a hand, go dancing with gal-pal Fiona or party down with Frank. She's smart and wants to pursue a medical career - if only she hadn't gotten fired from the hospital for stealing supplies. Veronica and her man Kev are totally hot for each other, and their wild sex life borders on adventuresome.

 

Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins)
Karen is Lip's tutoring student and neighbourhood bad girl. Apparently, ‘Science just turns her on' and she is happy to repay Lip's tutoring with an unusual form of payment. Karen's mother is a bit ‘off' and her father is increasingly losing his patience with them both.

 

Shelia (Joan Cusack)
Sheila is an agoraphobic, Frank's main love interest and a bit ‘nutty' about shoes. While it's difficult for her to even think about leaving the house, she invites Frank into her home with open arms to take advantage of her cooking, disability checks and bedroom hospitality. Her clown-obsessed husband Eddie (that still resides in their basement) isn't making things any easier for her while she tries to cope with her phobias, Frank and raising their daughter Karen. Sheila desperately wants to make it all work. She'll invite you in, but you'll have to take your shoes off first.