Pete Katinsky

Original Beef of Chicagoland / The Bear
Company type	Private
Industry	Restaurant / Food service
Founded	1984 (Original Beef of Chicagoland)
Headquarters	Chicago, United States
Products	Italian beef sandwiches, upscale dining

The characters featured in the FX Networks dramedy The Bear, which premiered in 2022, are primarily involved with the Berzatto family’s enterprises. These include a somewhat rough-around-the-edges Italian beef sandwich establishment known as Original Beef of Chicagoland. Over time, this sandwich shop transforms into an upscale dining venue called the Bear, while still maintaining a sandwich service window. The narrative unfolds in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Cast list

Color key: Principal cast Three or more episodes per season One or two episodes per season

Character	Actor	Seasons
Character	Actor	1	2	3	4
Main Cast
Carmy Berzatto	Jeremy Allen White	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Richie Jerimovich	Ebon Moss-Bachrach	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Sydney Adamu	Ayo Edebiri	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Marcus Brooks	Lionel Boyce	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Tina Marrero	Liza Colón-Zayas	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Natalie Berzatto	Abby Elliott	colspan="4" Template:CMain
Neil Fak	Matty Matheson	colspan="1" Template:CRecurring	colspan="3" Template:CMain
Ebra	Edwin Lee Gibson	colspan="3" Template:CRecurring	colspan="1" Template:CMain
Recurring Cast
Gary "Sweeps" Woods	Corey Hendrix	colspan="4" Template:CRecurring
Jimmy "Cicero" Kalinowski	Oliver Platt	colspan="4" Template:CRecurring

Background

A central motif throughout the series is the concept of a chosen family. The story focuses on Carmy Berzatto’s return to Chicago, shaped by his disillusionment stemming from his parents’ struggles with alcoholism and their abandonment, which resulted in what he describes as a "dysfunctional nightmare." Gradually, Carmy develops meaningful relationships with staff members at both the Beef and the Bear, fostering supportive and nurturing familial ties. The show underscores that "being a Bear doesn’t require one to be a Berzatto." At its heart, the narrative revolves around the Berzatto family—a complex yet compelling group that draws lifelong friends and former in-laws into an informal family network.

According to a 2025 Vulture article, the series fundamentally explores family—transcending themes of cuisine, comedy, conflict, finances, and trauma. Carmy’s decision to take over his deceased brother’s restaurant was motivated by familial loyalty. Characters like Richie and the Faks, though not related by blood, are embraced as family alongside Tina and Ebra. The Bear itself originates from Mikey’s "family dinner" recipe, which inspired Carmy to adopt smaller tomato cans. Everyone who works at or visits the Bear is considered part of this extended family circle.

Carmy initially resists Mikey’s tradition of family-meal spaghetti but eventually embraces it—highlighting Italian-American culinary customs that play a vital role in cultural belonging and genuine social inclusion.

The family depicted includes Carmy’s cousins Nat and Mikey; uncles and aunts from the preceding generation; referenced matriarchs; two interlinked restaurant families; as well as various friends and colleagues connected through shared experiences. Together, they form a group of distinct individuals united by profound life challenges.

Nuclear family

The immediate Berzatto household consists of the absent father known as "Pop," mother Donna, and siblings Mikey, Sugar, and Bear, who are believed to be full biological siblings. Additionally, Cousin Richie, a local boy raised alongside them as a foster sibling, is part of the family dynamic. Their exact ages are not specified, although the pilot script suggests Richie is considerably older than Carmy.

Carmy Berzatto

The youngest member of the Berzatto siblings, Carmy Berzatto, came back to Chicago following the death of his brother Mikey. Carmy is characterized as a "chain-smoking baddie," a grieving brother, a prodigal son, and an overachiever shaped by family struggles. He left Chicago at a young age to pursue culinary training and transformed from an insecure adolescent into an acclaimed chef with accolades and experience at some of the nation’s premier restaurants. Since his return, Carmy has gradually taken on the leadership role within the family business. The role of Carmy is played by Jeremy Allen White.

Sugar

Natalie Rose "Sugar" Berzatto Katinsky, the middle sibling, shares a close bond with her younger brother Carmy. Initially resistant to Carmy’s attempts to revive the Beef restaurant, she eventually left her career in banking when Chef Sydney, Carmy’s partner, invited her to manage their forthcoming Bear restaurant. Sugar is portrayed by Abby Elliott.

Pete

Pete Katinsky, Natalie’s supportive and kind-hearted husband, was initially met with skepticism by the family but gradually earned their respect through his sincerity. Despite enduring years of teasing from the male Berzattos, Pete proved his commitment by embracing the family's complexities and marrying Sugar.

During season one, Carmy apologized for earlier tensions with Pete, who defended Carmy's professional achievements and proudly shared news of his success with Uncle Frank. By the episode "Sheridan," Carmy admitted to Natalie that he had developed a fondness for Pete. Nevertheless, Richie and Cicero continue to find him irksome.

Pete works as an attorney and assists the family with legal matters related to restaurant contracts. Carmy utilized Pete’s United Airlines frequent flyer miles to send Marcus to Copenhagen. Pete’s office offers a view of the Chicago skyline, which is shown in "Tonnato." The character is played by Chris Witaske.

Sophie Katinsky

Sophie is the first child of Natalie and Pete, born in the summer of 2023. Her name was revealed during the episode "Replicants" when she was introduced to the Bears who live in the restaurant. While most Berzattos carry an onion scent, baby Sophie is noted for smelling like "chewed-up raspberries."

Mikey Berzatto

Michael "Mikey" Berzatto was born on November 15, 1979, and died by suicide on February 22, 2022, at the State Street Bridge. The series begins approximately four months after his passing. Mikey was the eldest brother—loud and charismatic—and described by Uncle Jimmy as "an animal" who ultimately "lost his mind," leaving the family in a challenging situation.

Donna Berzatto

Donna, also known as Aunt DD, is the alcoholic and mentally unwell mother of Carmy, Natalie, and Mikey. She is frequently characterized as a domineering force and a source of turmoil. Although she was a poor parent, her lively personality earned her a significant place within the community. In her younger, wilder years, she favored a whiskey-based cocktail called a 7-7 and has maintained sobriety since Mikey's passing. Donna initially worked at the restaurant when Pop acquired it and later pursued a career in real estate.

Her residence is decorated in an 1980s style with black lacquer details, featuring portraits of Mikey alongside cookbooks such as The Pillsbury Cookbook, The Betty Crocker Cookbook, and Everyday Italian.

Portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, Donna's hair and nail styling were inspired by showrunner Christopher Storer’s references to Monica Vitti and the "desperate housewives of New York." Curtis earned a guest star Emmy for her first appearance in the holiday episode "Fishes." In 2025, The New Republic lauded her performance as "immense," while also commenting on the show's intense emphasis on her physical portrayal as an attempt to probe deeper without delivering definitive answers.

"Pop" Berzatto

The father of the Berzatto siblings has been absent since the 1990s. He only appears in a photograph with Uncle Jimmy in the episode "Dogs". His status remains unclear, leaving it uncertain whether he is alive or deceased.

Jimmy depicts him as a troubled individual who struggled with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and lacked a steady profession. After visiting Ed Debevic's, a family-friendly diner established in 1984 in River North, he impulsively opened the Original Beef of Chicagoland restaurant. The pilot episode "System" references him during a conversation about using a video game tournament to attract customers, highlighting his reputation as a "deadbeat." Mikey referred to him as "Pop" and described him as an emotionally distant father. Donna recalled frequent confrontations with him and mentioned that he requested sedatives when Carmy was born.

Jimmy last communicated with him roughly two decades before 2022. Carmy recalls his father as consistently unhappy and has since stopped wondering about him, sharing this sentiment with Marcus Brooks, who also grew up with a single mother.

Extended family: Cousins

Richie is introduced as Carmy's cousin and quickly became a defining character dynamic in season one, with their boisterous exchanges of "cousin!" becoming iconic. This catchphrase is strongly linked to Ebon Moss-Bachrach, though he has expressed a desire for fans to refrain from shouting it at him in public.

Richie Jerimovich & Evie

Richard Lawrence Jerimovich functions like a Berzatto sibling despite no biological relation. He was Mikey’s closest friend and co-managed the Original Beef alongside him, handling front-of-house duties at the Bear. Richie shares a competitive yet often strained relationship with Carmy but regards him as family. He adopts an Italian persona despite likely having Polish or Ukrainian roots. Richie has a daughter named Evie with his former wife Tiffany. The character is played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Tiffany Jerimovich

Tiffany, the mother of Evie and former spouse of Richie, works in child care and remarked in season three that "[the] kids are still kind of fucked up from COVID." The couple had divorced prior to the show's start; Gillian Jacobs, who portrays Tiffany, indicated that Tiffany was the one who ended the marriage. During season one, Richie was still handling expenses related to their divorce. By season two, Tiffany was engaged to a new partner and subsequently remarried in season four's episode "Bears." Although there was concern about drifting apart from the family, she and Carmy decided to maintain their bond as "cousins," with Uncle Jimmy confirming her permanent status as a Bear. Tiffany's own familial relationships are complex, with limited interaction; at her wedding, her biological mother was located in Boulder, Colorado.

Frank

Frank, Tiffany’s second husband and Evie’s stepfather, is the owner of F-Tap, a technology firm specializing in a keyless entry device. He is wealthy and described by British GQ as "the ultimate tech bro, complete with a curated art collection he knows nothing about." Frank is known for wearing a Movado Verso Chronograph watch. Evie nicknames him Waldo. The character is played by Josh Hartnett, who received acclaim for blending seamlessly into the series' aesthetic.

Michelle Berzatto

Michelle Berzatto is believed to be a biological cousin of the Berzatto siblings and is portrayed by actress Sarah Paulson.

Cousin Stevie

Stevie, Michelle’s long-term partner, provided Carmy with accommodation during his stay in New York. The role of Stevie is performed by John Mulaney.

Cousin Spooky

Though frequently mentioned, Cousin Spooky never appears onscreen. He is suggested to be a paternal first cousin of the Berzatto family, but further details remain ambiguous.

Extended family: Uncles and aunts

The show includes several uncles who typically serve as avuncular patriarchs or honorary relatives without explicit biological or legal connections.

Uncle Jimmy

James "Cicero" Kalinowski shared a close relationship with the Berzatto siblings’ father and took care of them after his departure. He has been married at least twice—initially to Aunt Gail and currently to Carol (Maura Kidwell), with whom he has a teenage child. Oliver Platt portrays Uncle Jimmy.

Aunt Gail

Aunt Gail, Jimmy’s first wife, was present at Donna’s childbirth but is primarily known to the children through anecdotes and photographs.

Uncle Lee

Lee Lane is not related by blood but was in partnership with "Pop" Berzatto and Uncle Jimmy through KBL Electric (Kalinowski–Berzatto–Lane). He also had an on-and-off romantic relationship with Donna. Although called "Uncle Lee," Mikey and Carmy deny any familial connection. Cousin Stevie characterizes him as a mysterious figure who never fully integrated into the family. The role is played by Bob Odenkirk.

Uncle Computer

Nicholas Marshall, nicknamed "Uncle Computer," is a mathematics expert responsible for analyzing the restaurant’s financials. A lifelong friend of Sugar’s, he coached Mikey’s Little League team and maintains a friendly rapport with Pete. Often seen wearing Las Vegas Raiders apparel, Brian Koppelman plays this character. In 2025, BuzzFeed described him as "perfectly aggravating," praising Koppelman’s compelling portrayal.

The "Tonnato" jagoffs

In the fourth season episode titled "Tonnato," Carmy visited his mother’s home and examined old photographs. She pointed out Uncle Dan and Uncle John, individuals unfamiliar to Carmy; DD described them as "." Additionally, there was an Aunt Carrie, referred to as "also a jagoff," whom Carmy only faintly recognized upon seeing her picture.

Nonna

During season two, episode nine "Omelette," a recipe for "Giardiniera by Nonna" was found on index cards in the restaurant’s office. Giardiniera, a traditional Italian pickled vegetable relish commonly served with Italian beef sandwiches, reflects authentic family culinary traditions. The term Nonna translates to grandmother.

Gina

In the episode "Ice Chips," Donna mentioned Gina while recounting Mikey’s birth story; Gina had coldly proposed international adoption, unaware that Donna was already expecting. This recollection sheds light on personal hardships and relational tensions.

Donna's mom

Sugar mentioned in "Ice Chips" that she does not recall her maternal grandmother, who is Donna’s mother. Donna responded with a cautionary remark: "You don't want to."

Sleeping lady at Seven Fishes

A brief scene in the season two flashback episode "Feast of the Seven Fishes" shows an elderly woman sleeping on a couch. The draft teleplay references "two sleeping grandparents [non-speaking character]," suggesting the presence of family members within the storyline.

Restaurant families

Following the 2022 premiere of The Bear, Chef Daniel Patterson emphasized the restaurant’s importance as a vital source of nourishment and opportunity for working-class families.

At the conclusion of season one, Tina brings her struggling teenage son Louie into the restaurant and encourages Carmy and Sydney to mentor him: "You taught me, you can teach him."

The Cato Institute observed in 2023 that the U.S. food service sector continues to serve as a crucial entry point for individuals without college degrees and remains an industry where many—particularly minorities, women, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated persons—develop skills that enable them to progress into leadership positions.

Restaurant family: Bearitos

When Mikey handed over ownership of the Beef to his brother Carmy, he also passed along seven employees, most of whom were unfamiliar except for Richie. The team at the Beef and/or the Bear at various times includes Richie, Sydney, Marcus, Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas), Ebra (Edwin Lee Gibson), Sweeps (Corey Hendrix), Manny (Richard Esteras), Angel (José Cervantes), Chuckie, Chi-Chi (Christopher Zucchero), Neil Fak (Matty Matheson), and Ted Fak (Ricky Staffieri). Both Colón-Zayas and Gibson have remarked on their characters’ deep dedication fueled by loyalty to the Berzatto family and their work environment.

Restaurant family: Evers

Carmy, Luca (Will Poulter), Rene (Rene Gube), Garrett (Andrew Lopez), and Jess (Sarah Ramos) were employees under Andrea Terry (Olivia Colman) at the Michelin-starred establishment Ever. Carmy and Luca share tattoos created by Benny Shields. In 2025, BuzzFeed described Jess as a "wise and experienced kitchen staff member," whose relationship with Richie helps temper his more impulsive tendencies. After Chef Terry retired and closed Ever, Richie recruited Rene, Garrett, and Jess for front-of-house roles, while Carmy brought Luca on board as a stagiaire assisting pastry chef Marcus—whom Carmy had previously trained at Noma in Denmark. Introduced in season two, Luca and Jess emerged as key characters by season four.

Sydney

Jeremy Allen White characterized the dynamic between Carmy and Sydney in 2024 as a "genuine platonic closeness," highlighting their shared dependence and mutual regard. He pointed out that Sydney’s voice resonates deeply with Carmy because he perceives her talents and potential as complementary to his own. Sydney is considered Carmy's "closest friend and soulmate," and by the fourth season, they emerge as the central figures, with Carmy showing familial trust and affection toward her. Sydney’s involvement extends to significant personal events, such as accompanying Richie as his date to his ex-wife’s wedding and being introduced to Richie’s daughter as "Auntie Sydney."

David Fields

David Fields held the position of executive chef at Empire, a prestigious New York City restaurant where Carmy served as chef de cuisine. Fields subjected Carmy to severe verbal abuse and psychological manipulation. A 2024 review in Food & Wine depicted Fields as an exaggerated representation of toxic leadership in the culinary industry, delivering demoralizing insults in a threatening whisper. Although Fields has a backstory involving Ever, including attending her funeral, the character is a fictional composite inspired by chefs such as Thomas Keller and Daniel Humm, according to actor Joel McHale. FX representatives have denied any direct connection to Keller. McHale has clarified that he never met either chef and based his portrayal entirely on the script.

Faks

The Berzatto and Fak families share a bond "through friendship." The current generation features nine Fak siblings, including Neil and Ted (both employed at the restaurant), Avery, Sammy (John Cena), and Francie (Brie Larson), who once had a close relationship with Sugar. Neil Fak’s collection of neckties is described by The Bear costume designer Courtney Wheeler as his "greatest pride." According to the New York Times, many childhood acquaintances of Carmy, Natalie, and Richie provide comic relief, especially the quarrelsome Fak brothers—characters some viewers find entertaining while others consider tiresome. Neil Fak is portrayed by Matty Matheson, and Ted Fak by Ricky Staffieri; both actors also serve as credited producers of The Bear.

Chester

Chester, who shares a living space with Marcus and may harbor romantic feelings for him, is portrayed by Carmen Christopher.

Clairebear

Claire Dunlap, affectionately known as Clairebear, is a medical resident and Carmy’s romantic interest during season two. Introduced in "Pasta," she has become one of the series’ most polarizing characters. Richie disclosed to Claire’s friend Kelly that he and Claire "grew up together." Carmy and Claire were initially set up approximately five years prior. After reconnecting in season two, Carmy abruptly ceased contact following an overheard outburst. A BuzzFeed writer observed that Claire receded into the background during season three but later received visits from Neil and Theo Fak encouraging her to mend her relationship with Carmy.

In season four’s "Scallop," Carmy’s delayed apology appeared to initiate reconciliation, although Substream magazine suggested it might have been too late for complete restoration. In "Green" and "Tonnato," Carmy retreats to the suburbs seeking solace and discovers a hoodie Claire inadvertently left behind after a fire interrupted a party. Post-season four analysis from Collider noted that Carmy and Claire’s relationship lacks the vitality present in other romances on the show, symbolizing Carmy’s past in contrast to his future with Sydney. Claire Dunlap is portrayed by Molly Gordon.

Kelly

Kelly, introduced in the episode "Pop," is Claire's roommate and friend who met Ted Fak during the restaurant's Friends & Family event, leading to them starting a romantic relationship. The character of Kelly is portrayed by Mitra Jouhari.

Adam Shapiro

Adam Shapiro occupies a somewhat ambiguous role within the Ever restaurant team. In season two’s "Forks," Richie observed Shapiro verbally mistreating Garrett while managing front of house duties, exhibiting harsh and aggressive conduct. A flashback in the season three opener "Forever" depicts a younger Adam working in prep alongside Luca and Carmy, noticeably less efficient than his colleagues.

Following Andrea Terry’s retirement, which ended his tenure as chef de cuisine at Ever, Shapiro made an unsuccessful attempt to recruit Syd away from Carmy for his own restaurant—an action viewed as unethical within Chicago’s culinary community. He often disparages Carmy and applies pressure on Syd with a job offer that includes a tight deadline.

According to Slate magazine, Shapiro’s fast-paced speech and efforts to project a "cool" persona frequently translate into microaggressions directed at Syd. After Syd refused his proposal following two months of persistent courting, Shapiro responded negatively, sulking and brooding—demonstrating his volatile nature. The role of Adam Shapiro is played by Adam Shapiro.

Albert Schnur

Albert Schnur serves as a business consultant affiliated with the South Side Business Academy who supported Ebra in developing a business plan for the beef window featured in season four. The character is brought to life by Rob Reiner.

Unclassified

The names "Big Phil," "Estelle," and the notion of "the second set of kids" contribute to the exploration of family relationships and dynamics within the narrative.

Sources

External links