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Desperate Housewives/Characters
From The TV IV
Desperate Housewives has seen several characters passing by since its premiere in 2004. This article lists every character appearing in two or more episodes, and every relative of the main families to have appeared once or more. For characters who have been played by more than one actor, only the latest actor is listed. Also note that (with a few exceptions, as noted) only credited characters and actors are included.
Main characters are noted with a "§" in the # column.
The list is complete and updated as of Finishing the Hat, the 180th episode, and series finale.
Susan's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Mayer | Teri Hatcher | § | |
| Karl Mayer | Richard Burgi | § | Susan's first husband |
| Mike Delfino | James Denton | § | Susan's second (and third) husband |
| Julie Mayer | Andrea Bowen | § | Susan's daughter, with Karl |
| M.J. Delfino | Mason Vale Cotton | § | Susan's son, with Mike |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie Bremmer | Lesley Ann Warren | 7 | Susan's mother |
| Morty Flickman | Bob Newhart | 3 | Susan's stepfather |
| Addison Prudy | Paul Dooley | 3 | Susan's biological father |
| Carol Prudy | Joyce Van Patten | 2 | Addison Prudy's wife |
| Adele Delfino | Celia Weston | 1 | Mike's mother |
| Nick Delfino | Robert Forster | 1 | Mike's father |
| Laura | Stephanie Jones | 1 | Mike's sister, given up for adoption |
| Claire Bremmer | Valerie Harper | 1 | Susan's aunt, Sophie's sister |
| Tim | Chris Carmack | 1 | Susan's cousin |
| Marisa Mayer | Sunny Mabrey | 1 | Karl's second wife |
| Evan Mayer | Sawyer Church | 2 | Karl's son, with Marisa |
| Dana Taylor | Cody Kasch | § | Mike's lost son, raised as Zach Young |
| Deirdre Taylor | Jolie Jenkins | 2 | Dana's mother |
| Noah Taylor | Bob Gunton | 10 | Deirdre's father |
| Kendra Taylor | Heather Stephens | 2 | Deirdre's sister |
Other acquaintances
Lynette's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynette Scavo | Felicity Huffman | § | |
| Tom Scavo | Doug Savant | § | Lynette's husband |
| Porter Scavo | Charlie Carver | § | Lynette's twin son |
| Preston Scavo | Max Carver | § | Lynette's twin son |
| Parker Scavo | Joshua Logan Moore | § | Lynette's youngest son |
| Penny Scavo | Darcy Rose Byrnes | § | Lynette's oldest daughter |
| Kayla Huntington | Rachel Fox | § | Tom's daughter, Lynette's former foster daughter |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stella Wingfield | Polly Bergen | 10 | Lynette's mother |
| Glen Wingfield | Richard Chamberlain | 1 | Lynette's stepfather, Stella's third husband |
| Frank Kaminsky | Larry Hagman | 2 | Lynette's stepfather, Stella's fourth husband |
| Lucy Lindquist | Carrie Preston | 1 | Lynette's middle sister |
| Lydia Lindquist | Sarah Paulson | 2 | Lynette's youngest sister |
| Allison Scavo | Lois Smith | 2 | Tom's mother |
| Rodney Scavo | Ryan O'Neal | 1 | Tom's father |
| Nora Huntington | Kiersten Warren | 9 | Kayla's mother |
| Joe Huntington | Paul Keith | 1 | Nora's father |
| Sheila Huntington | Michelle Marsh | 1 | Nora's mother |
Other acquaintances
Bree's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bree Van De Kamp | Marcia Cross | § | |
| Rex Van De Kamp | Steven Culp | § | Bree's first husband |
| Orson Hodge | Kyle MacLachlan | § | Bree's second husband |
| Trip Weston | Scott Bakula | 5 | Bree's third husband |
| Andrew Van De Kamp | Shawn Pyfrom | § | Bree's son, with Rex |
| Danielle Van De Kamp | Joy Lauren | § | Bree's daughter, with Rex |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Mason | Ronny Cox | 1 | Bree's father |
| Mrs. Mason | Rebecca Wisocky | 1 | Bree's mother |
| Eleanor Mason | Carol Burnett | 1 | Bree's stepmother |
| Phyllis Van De Kamp | Shirley Knight | 5 | Rex' mother |
| Gloria Hodge | Dixie Carter | 7 | Orson's mother |
| Edwin Hodge | Carl Mueller | 1 | Orson's father |
| Benjamin Katz | Jake Soldera | 31 | Danielle's son, with Austin McCann |
| Leo Katz | Andrew Leeds | 1 | Danielle's husband |
| Alex Cominis | Todd Grinnell | 6 | Andrew's husband |
| Melina Cominis | Joanna Cassidy | 1 | Alex' mother |
| Sam Allen | Sam Page | 7 | Rex' son from a previous relationship |
| Lillian Allen | Linda Purl | 1 | Sam's mother |
| Alma Hodge | Valerie Mahaffey | 8 | Orson's first wife |
| Fern | Fiona Hale | 1 | Bree's aunt |
1 Additionally, Benjamin appeared as a baby during the fourth season.
Other acquaintances
Gabrielle's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabrielle Solis | Eva Longoria Parker | § | |
| Carlos Solis | Ricardo Antonio Chavira | § | Gabrielle's first (and third) husband |
| Victor Lang | John Slattery | 14 | Gabrielle's second husband |
| Juanita Solis | Madison De La Garza | § | Gabrielle's daughter, with Carlos. Turned out not to be her biological child |
| Celia Solis | Daniella Baltodano | 53 | Gabrielle's youngest daughter, with Carlos |
| Grace Sanchez | Cecilia Balagot | 4 | Gabrielle's oldest (biological) daughter, switched after birth |
| Ana Solis | Maiara Walsh | § | Gabrielle's foster daughter, Carlos' second cousin |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucia Marquez | Maria Conchita Alonso | 1 | Gabrielle's mother |
| Alejandro Perez | Tony Plana | 4 | Gabrielle's stepfather, Lucia's second husband |
| Juanita "Mama" Solis | Lupe Ontiveros | 8 | Carlos' mother |
| Milton Lang | Mike Farrell | 3 | Victor's father |
| Connie Solis | Liz Torres | 1 | Carlos' aunt, Ana's grandmother |
| Maria | Marina Palmier | 1 | Connie's sister |
| Hector | Armando Molina | 1 | Maria's son |
| Lupe | Livia Treviño | 1 | Hector's wife |
| Unnamed Solis family member | Joslyn Rose Lyons | 1 | Unknown |
| Samantha Lang | Challen Cates | 1 | Victor's first wife |
| Claudia Sanchez | Justina Machado | 2 | Alejandro's last wife |
| Marisa Sanchez | Daniela Bobadilla | 2 | Claudia's daughter, Alejandro's step-daughter |
| Carmen Sanchez | Carla Jimenez | 4 | Juanita's biological mother, Grace's foster mother |
| Hector Sanchez | Rolando Molina | 2 | Juanita's biological father, Grace's foster father |
Other acquaintances
1 Additionally, Mackenzie Brooke Smith also played the young Bree in episode 8x17.
Mary Alice's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Alice Young | Brenda Strong | § | |
| Paul Young | Mark Moses | § | Mary Alice's husband |
| Zach Young | Cody Kasch | § | Mary Alice's adopted son |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beth Young | Emily Bergl | 14 | Paul's second wife |
| Felicia Tilman | Harriet Sansom Harris | 28 | Beth's mother |
| Martha Huber | Christine Estabrook | 11 | Felicia's sister |
Other acquaintances
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Jerry Shaw | Richard Roundtree | 5 |
| Detective Harrison | Derek Webster | 3 |
| Detective Beckerman | John Lacy | 2 |
| Detective Burnett | Brett Cullen | 2 |
| Detective Foster | Matthew Glave | 2 |
| Dr. Sicher | Gregg Daniel | 2 |
| Felicia's guard | Angela Bullock | 2 |
Betty's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Applewhite | Alfre Woodard | § | |
| Caleb Applewhite | Nashawn Kearse | § | Betty's oldest son |
| Matthew Applewhite | Mehcad Brooks | § | Betty's youngest son |
Other acquaintances
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Curt Monroe | Michael Ironside | 2 |
| Detective Morgan | James Shanklin | 2 |
Katherine's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Mayfair | Dana Delany | § | |
| Wayne Davis | Gary Cole | 6 | Katherine's first husband |
| Adam Mayfair | Nathan Fillion | 11 | Katherine's second husband |
| Dylan Davis | Hailee Denham | 2 | Katherine's daughter, with Wayne |
| Dylan Mayfair | Lyndsy Fonseca | § | Katherine's adoptive daughter |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lillian Simms | Ellen Geer | 4 | Katherine's aunt |
| Mr. Simms | Edward Stanley | 1 | Lillian's son |
Other acquaintances
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Robin Gallagher | Julie Benz | 5 |
| Brent Avedon | Richard Gilliland | 2 |
| Sylvia Greene | Melora Walters | 2 |
| Pete Romslo | Andy Umberger | 2 |
Edie's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edie Britt | Nicollette Sheridan | § | |
| Charles McLain | Greg Evigan | 1 | Edie's first husband |
| Umberto Roswell | Matt Cedeño | 1 | Edie's second husband |
| Dave Williams | Neal McDonough | § | Edie's third husband |
| Travers McLain | Stephen Lumsford | 6 | Edie's son, with Charles |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilene Britt | K Callan | 1 | Edie's mother |
| Austin McCann | Josh Henderson | § | Edie's nephew |
| Lila Dash | Marie Caldare | 4 | Dave's first wife |
| Paige Dash | Madeleine Michelle Dunn | 4 | Dave's daughter, with Lila |
Other acquaintances
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Detective Collins | David Fabrizio | 6 |
| Detective Lyons | Billy Mayo | 5 |
| Samuel Heller | Stephen Spinella | 4 |
| Claire Cormier | Erin O'Shaughnessy | 2 |
| Charlie | Quinton Medina | 2 |
| Ken | William Schallert | 2 |
Angie's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Bolen | Drea de Matteo | § | |
| Nick Bolen | Jeffrey Nordling | § | Angie's husband |
| Danny Bolen | Beau Mirchoff | § | Angie's son |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose DeLuca | Suzanne Costallos | 1 | Angie's mother |
| Patrick Logan | John Barrowman | 5 | Danny's biological father |
Other acquaintances
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Iris Beckley | Ellen Crawford | 2 |
Renee's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renee Perry | Vanessa Williams (I) | § | |
| Doug Perry | Reggie Austin | 1 | Renee's first husband |
| Ben Faulkner | Charles Mesure | § | Renee's second husband |
Other acquaintances
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Donny | Sal Landi | 5 |
Karen's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen McCluskey | Kathryn Joosten | § | |
| Gilbert McCluskey | John Harnagel | 2 | Karen's first husband |
| Roy Bender | Orson Bean | 23 | Karen's second husband |
Extended family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roberta Simmons | Lily Tomlin | 6 | Karen's sister |
Lee & Bob's family and acquaintances
Immediate family
| Character | Actor | # | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee McDermott | Kevin Rahm | § | |
| Bob Hunter | Tuc Watkins | § | |
| Jenny Hunter McDermott | Isabella Acres | 3 | Lee & Bob's adopted daughter |
Other characters
Additional Wisteria Lane residents
1 Additionally, Cheyenne Wilbur also played another Wisteria Lane resident - Bob Fisk - in episode 1x05.
Minor characters
| Character | Actor | # |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse | Dale Waddington Horowitz | 6 |
| Reporter | Christine Clayburg | 6 |
| Dr. McLean | Paul Keeley | 31 |
| Fairview Memorial board chairman | Michael Kagan | 3 |
| Policeman | Scott Atkinson | 3 |
| Policeman | Mark Brady | 3 |
| Policeman | Richard Jenik | 3 |
| Dr. Baron | Michael Holden | 2 |
| Danny Farrell | Ridge Canipe | 2 |
| Jeremy McMullin | Billy Unger | 22 |
| Craig Tsuyumine | Craig Tsuyumine | 2 |
| Kristin | Cindy Lu | 2 |
| Nurse Phyllis | Bonnie Hellman | 2 |
| Toby | Michael Guarnera | 2 |
| Neighbourhood man | Lenny Schmidt | 2 |
| Nurse | Carlease Burke | 2 |
| Nurse | Lynette DuPree | 2 |
| Nurse | Julie Pop | 2 |
| Nurse | Roz Witt | 2 |
| Paramedic | Stephen O'Mahoney | 2 |
| Waiter | David Pevsner | 2 |
1 Paul Keeley's character was called "Dr. Holland" in the end credits of episode 3x17.
2 Billy Unger's character was called "Chad" in the end credits of episode 3x20.
Notes
Additionally, a couple of actors have appeared in multiple minor roles:
- Casper Brindle appeared as a father in episode 6x06 and as a cab driver in episode 7x11.
- Chris Damiano appeared as a delivery guy in episode 2x17 and a as a cop in episode 3x19.
- Darryl Alan Reed appeared as a security guard in episode 2x17 and as a garbage man in episode 8x02
