The cultural phenomena ‘Two and a Half Men’ has been the subject of a great deal of infamy. Lead actor Charlie Sheen has been was dismissed from the cast for a number of reasons including sexual harassment claims made against him. But what became of the near countless female faces that graced the show?
Marin Hinkle as Judith Harper-Melnick | Then
Marin Hinkle held a standing role as the strong-willed and unforgiving ex-wife of Alan Harper. Her character arc revolved around a progression from outright contempt to amicable but comedic quips infused co-parenting relationship with Alan. A good deal of reflective and heartfelt material throughout this tumultuous on-screen relationship came into play by way of their son, Jake. Watching the internal struggle of two adults dealing with a failed marriage do their best to separate their own emotions from what they portray to their child, oft failing, speaks to the real-life challenge faced by so many divorced parents.
Marin Hinkle As Judith Harper Melnick
Marin Hinkle as Judith Harper-Melnick | Now
After the cancellation of Two and a Half Men Marin Hinkle successfully moved on to other acting roles, many of which played to her ability to portray strength in emotional earnestness. With roles in a number of TV series, such as CBS’s acclaimed ‘Madam Secretary’, the well-received ‘Speechless’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Homeland’ her silver-screen presence remained more than impressive. She has also worked on a number of full feature movies, most recently having closed sets on ‘Before/During/After’. Beyond continued professional success, she is reportedly happily married to long time spouse Randall Sommer.
Marin Hinkle As Judith Harper Melnick Now
Emmanuelle Vaugier as Mia | Then
A sign of social progress thematic to the now outmoded stories told throughout Two and a Half Men, the relationship between Sheen’s character and ‘Mia’ speaks a narration language that would come under enormous scrutiny if portrayed in 2020. Sheen sets his sights on the attractive Mia, concocting a contrived plan to bed her by having his nephew, Jake, take dancing lessons in her class. Speaking only further to a chauvinistic undertone Charlie gives in to a list of trivial demands to woe her. The relationship ends when he is inevitably and characteristically caught lying to her. There is some degree of vindication to this otherwise boorish sub-plot, and that is in the portrayal of Mia. Her character remains strong, independent, and decisive in her personal sense of morality.
Emmanuelle Vaugier As Mia Then
Emmanuelle Vaugier as Mia | Now
Vaugier was inarguably impressed in her portrayal of Mia and found a multitude of opportunities in the wake of her stint on the show. She was featured in Maxim’s ‘Hot 100 List’ after shooting to superstardom resulting from her roles on ‘Lost Girl’, ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘Rogue’. She also found success on the big screen with roles in ‘Destruction Los Angeles’ and ‘Washed Away’. Currently working on the thriller titled ‘Masks Don’t Lie, she resides in Italy. Suffice it to say she had not kept in touch with Sheen after Two and a Half Men.
Emmanuelle Vaugier As Mia Now
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper | Then
The titular key role of the Harper brother’s mother was reprised by Holland Taylor. Her role was another that comprised a sincere emotional substance. A characterization as an outspoken, bordering on brash, snobbish real estate agent masked the true depth of her impact on her son’s personalities. It was this character, by and large, that softened much of the less savory aspects of the show’s inherent sexism. The implied critical and non-nurturing relationship with her sons in their formative years goes a long way to bring realistic impetus to their behavior as adults.
Holland Taylor As Evelyn Harper Then
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper | Now
A well-known figure in Hollywood, Taylor has enjoyed a successful acting career dating back to the 80s. Amongst her many accolades, her role in Two and a Half Men secured her numerous nominations for supporting actress. The co-star of 2001’s Legally Blonde, Taylor currently plays the role of Ida Silver in ‘Mr. Mercedes’. Holland Taylor is undoubtedly a Hollywood fixture we are sure to see more of for many years to come.
Holland Taylor As Evelyn Harper Now
Melanie Lynskey as Rose | Then
The character of Rose was one of the more controversial female characters in Two and a Half Men. Her inexplicable obsession with Charlie playing hand in hand with allusions to severe mental health problems, her time on screen may have left some viewers feeling less than comfortable. Intended as a comic relief subplot, her character arc seemed to develop as she later moved on from her blatant obsessive behavior and showed signs of personal growth. This arc was sadly undermined and her character was used in the obviously contrived dismissal of Charlie Sheen from the show. Charlie and Rose ran off together as a plot device for his embarrassing death.
Melanie Lynskey As Rose Then
Melanie Lynskey as Rose | Now
If the character of Rose was somewhat disquieting, at least a great deal of credit must be given to actress Melanie Lynskey for her challenging task of portraying the character. The sheer emotional intelligence combined with the unmatched portrayal of Rose’s lack of self-awareness is an acting feat not to be scoffed at. We honestly cannot imagine this character working in the hands of any other actress, and her acting chops did not go unnoticed. Although she had a few films under her belt by the time she took the role of Rose, it was during and after her time with Two and a Half Men that her career really took off. With leading roles in ‘Hello I Must Be Going’, followed by ’Happy Christmas’, ’The Intervention’, and ’I Don’t Feel Like Home in This World Anymore’ she has solidified herself as an actor of immense aptitude and range.
Melanie Lynskey As Rose Now
Jennifer Taylor as Chelsea Melini | Then
The character of Chelsea Melini was one of the more prominent secondary roles in the show. At first essentially a guest appearance, the character was a hit and was developed into Charlie’s first emotional relationship. Charlie notably confessed his feelings to Chelsea, however, the relationship was doomed by his continued questionable behavior. The character also served as a catalyst for a writing style of the implication of chauvinism over actual on-screen representation.
Jennifer Taylor As Chelsea Melini Then
Jennifer Taylor as Chelsea Melini | Now
Born in New Jersey, Taylor started her career in entertainment in the beauty pageant world. She starred in the 1998 thriller ‘Wild Things’ Prior to her role in Two and a Half Men. Not active in showbiz any longer, Taylor holds a BA in social sciences and is a strong supporter of environmental activism. She even claims to grow most of her household food on her own property, where she and her husband, songwriter Paul Taylor, raise their two children.
Jennifer Taylor As Chelsea Melini Now
Allison Janney as Beverly | Then
As was the nature of the relationship subplots revolving around Alan, Beverly’s character arc was far more fatuous, and debatably the better for it. Having met Beverly on an online dating site, Alan claimed that Charlie’s lavish home and lifestyle were his own. In a sweet twist, Alan opened up to Beverly about his deceit after she spilled her heart regarding her past failed marriages. The relationship was not derailed, and with Beverly forgiving him, things seemed set to go well for her and Alan. A rather strange and abrupt end befell their relationship when Charlie walked in on them during an ‘intimate moment’.
Allison Janney As Beverly Then
Allison Janney as Beverly | Now
A successful actor long prior to her role on Two and a Half Men, Allison Janney starred in the ‘West Wing’ for seven years, whilst making numerous guest appearances on other shows, before making her transition to the big screen. She has starred in a number of notable and award-winning films including ‘The Girl on the Train’, ‘Hairspray’ and perhaps most notably, ‘Juno’. Back in the world of sitcoms, currently, Janney plays the role of Anna Faris’ complicated, recovering addict mother in the hit show ‘Mom’. This role has landed her many nominations as well as an Emmy Award.
Allison Janney As Beverly Now
Jeri Ryan as Sherri | Then
Cast as the female equivalent to Charlie himself, the character of Sherri represented an interesting, if not entirely satisfactory take on what might happen if a woman with equally nonchalant values regarding the emotional wellbeing of others in the context of sexual relationships clashes with a male counterpart. A game of sorts ensued, summarising the nature of their story. Starting with Charlie finding himself incredibly attracted to her game of hard to get, and culminating in the two calling it quits. There was also a non-event involving her failing to seduce Alan.
Jeri Ryan As Sherri Then
Jeri Ryan as Sherri | Now
Before one can say anything else about Jeri Ryan, you must wrap your head around the fact that this in-demand female actor was once married to Republican party politician Jack Ryan. We can’t really picture it either. Best known for her iconic role as Seven of Nine in ‘Star Trek Voyager’, where she played the complex role of a character rediscovering her own humanity after having been subsumed into an artificial intelligence collective for most of her life. This role alone secured her a cult following amongst science fiction fans, and she has frequently attended fan conventions across the globe. Her resume includes roles in ‘Law and Order’, ‘Body of Proof’ and ‘Helix’. She has made a lot of guest appearances on a variety of well-received TV shows.
Jeri Ryan As Sherri Now
Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Gretchen Martin | Then
Speaking to Alan’s complicated relationship with his mother and his lack of confidence when dealing with women, he once again resorts to lying about his personal affairs in an attempt to make up for his own low sense of self-worth. This time it is in an effort to court character Larry Martin’s sister, Gretchen. Claiming that his son’s apartment is his, threading a web of lies regarding living with Charlie, his conscience once again catches up with him. This time the confession doesn’t sit well with his potential paramour and Gretchen breaks up with him.
Kimberly Williams Paisley As Gretchen Martin Then
Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Gretchen Martin | Now
Kimberly Williams-Paisley had enjoyed success as an actor for many years prior to her appearance on Two and a Half Men. Notably starring in the popular romantic comedy, ‘Father of the Bride’, alongside Steve Martin, Kimberly has seen success on television shows and the big screen alike. She spent six years on the set of ‘According to Jim’, with recent years seeing her work on films including ‘The Christmas Train’ and ‘Darrow and Darrow’. She and her husband Brad Paisley have been married since 2003.
Kimberly Williams Paisley As Gretchen Martin Now
Ming-Na Wen as Linda Harris | Then
Ming-Na Wen is renowned for bringing a certain strength of character to any role she plays. This brought depth to the otherwise stock character of Linda Harris. A stereotype of Hollywood’s portrayal of female independence, Wen’s character would have fallen flat if not for the actor’s nuanced delivery. Linda and Charlie meet when Alan coerces Charlie into joining him on a double date. As surprising as snow on Christmas day, Charlie finds Linda attractive and is shot down, probably because the plot demands it. The relationship ends because of Charlie’s behavior, another of the show’s thematic constants. The onscreen chemistry between Linda and Charlie was perhaps one of the positives of this subplot.
Ming Na Wen As Linda Harris Then
Ming-Na Wen as Linda Harris | Now
Like many guest stars appearing on Two and a Half Men, Wen was no stranger to acting success prior to her appearance as Linda. Voicing the lead role in Disney’s ‘Mulan’ and a character in ‘Sofia the First’, Wen enjoys a cult following amongst science fiction fans for her role in ‘Stargate: Universe’.
Ming Na Wen As Linda Harris Now
Gail O’Grady as Mandi | Then
A subplot reflecting Charlie’s womanizing and the show’s proclivity for understating the inherent sexism in this sort of plot device, Charlie seduces Alan’s girlfriend’s mother, and she is naturally unable to resist. This kind of subtext is par for the course throughout Sheen’s run on Two and a Half Men. It is hence more questionable that Sheen’s character is somehow automatically vindicated for seducing and jeopardizing his brother’s relationship.
Gail O Grady As Mandi Then
Gail O’Grady as Mandi | Now
Appearing on ‘American Dreams’ prior to her Two and a Half Men guest spot, O’Grady went on to star in ‘Ms. Fields’ and ‘Revenge’. She has multiple nominations for daytime Emmys, with her most notable role being on ‘NYPD Blue’. Her career started after she appeared in a few commercials after graduating from high school. The actor gave birth to her first child in 2004, naming him after her deceased brother, Michael.
Gail OGrady As Mandi Now
Paula Marshall as Paula | Then
A peculiar spin on the standard awkward triangle plot device, Alan, continually doubting his chances of finding love, meets Paula in a nightclub. He is immediately infatuated and things seem set to go well. Paula reveals that she was a man who underwent gender reassignment. In a remarkably open-minded moment, Alan is able to see past this and is happy to continue the relationship. Predictable absurdity then strikes by way of Paula’s second confession. She would prefer to have an open relationship. Paula, ne’ Paul’s ex-wife Rachel joins in and Alan gets involved with her in the spirit of the non-committal relationship status he finds himself in.
Paula Marshall As Paula Then
Paula Marshall as Paula | Now
Paula Marshall boasts an impressive resume, having starred in ‘House’, ’Law and Order’, ‘The Mentalist’ and ‘Switched at Birth’. Her career transcends television with her role in ‘We Love You, Sally Carmichael!’. Her early career was defined by her roles in numerous early DC TV shows, including the short-lived ‘Flash’ and ‘Superboy’. Marshall is happily married to her husband Danny Nucci of ‘Titanic’ fame. In the context of her guest appearance on Two and a Half Men, she may have been making a statement fueled by personal affiliation. Her brother is the infamous politician Bob Marshall, known for pushing to pass a bill to outlaw transgender bathrooms.
Paula Marshall As Paula Now
Tammy Lauren as Shannon | Then
Alan meets Shannon at his ex-wife’s wedding. If you guessed the plot device from that sentence alone, good on you. Yes, this subplot is the standard ‘let’s win back our exes by making them jealous’.Starting out as a sincere attempt to woo Shannon, Alan finds out that she is Larry’s ex-fiance. The two are both still apparently being hung up on their former partners; they concoct the predictable plan to use each other to their mutual benefit. The mechanism of the plot device turned out to be one of the show’s cringest moments, with Alan and Shannon psychopathically feigning a moment of inscrutable intimacy at the wedding.
Tammy Lauren As Shannon Then
Tammy Lauren as Shannon | Now
Lauren is an actor many consider as underrated, and perhaps rightfully so. Famous for her starring role in the long-running soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless’, Lauren’s body of lesser-known work should earn her some credit as a dynamically talented artist. Her mother was a talent agent and her stepfather well-known director Charles Jarrott. It is, therefore, no surprise that her acting career started early. As a child, she appeared in multiple notable television shows including ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and ‘Who’s Watching the Kids’.
Tammy Lauren As Shannon Now
Justine Eyre as Gabrielle | Then
Speaking of predictable plot lines, here’s an oldie but… well just an oldie really. Alan discovers that Charlie had stolen his high school girlfriend. Abandoning his character entirely he brashly sets out to take revenge and seduce Charlie’s most recent paramour, Gabrielle. It is slightly jarring to watch the usually timid Alan take such a forward approach to attempt seduction. Not entirely unrealistic given his character’s undertone of envy of his brother. In poor taste, Gabrielle falls for the trickery and Alan finds himself in an uncomfortable situation. He breaks things off so that the show can demonstrate even worse taste by having him walk in on Charlie and the aforementioned high school girlfriend. Seriously Chuck Lorre?
Justine Eyre As Gabrielle Then
Justine Eyre as Gabrielle | Now
Eyre’s character on Two and a Half Men didn’t sit well with some fans. This doesn’t seem to be a big problem for the actor as she doesn’t seem to be active in the industry of late. She boasts an impressive body of work including on ‘CSI: Miami’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Mad Men’. Married to screenwriter John Allen, perhaps it is safe to assume she has chosen to focus on her personal life for the past couple of years.
Justine Eyre As Gabrielle Now
Maggie Lawson as Ms. McMartin | Then
The effect of Sheen’s dismissal on the show speaks to some of the inherent insensitivities in its very premise. The loss of most of its fan base because one of the most revolting people in showbiz leaving says more than discussion ever can. Even the romantic escapades became less abrasive to watch. In this case, they had the bizarre idea of adopting a child and both became infatuated with the social worker handling the case, Ms. McMartin. She goes on to briefly date Alan before deciding she would rather date Walden. This would come off a lot worse than it sounds if it weren’t for the shows’ then more amicable and less aggressive take on its protagonists’ romantic demeanors.
Maggie Lawson As Ms McMartin Then
Maggie Lawson as Ms. McMartin | Now
Lawson has had a successful acting career with roles in ‘Psych’, ‘Angel From Hell’ and ‘The Great Outdoors’. Her taste for acting was fostered in her formative years whilst participating in a local dinner theatre. Born in Kentucky, Lawson’s first break came in the form of an opportunity to be a host on a local children’s program. She made her way to Hollywood and continued to enjoy success after success. She is married to actor Ben Koldyke of ‘Mr. Robinson’ fame.
Maggie Lawson As Ms McMartin Now
Conchata Ferrell as Berta | Then
Another character who played a deeper role in the lives of the main characters, Berta appeared in every season of Two and a Half Men. Cast as Charlie’s outspoken and dismissive maid, she held a presence of authority that went a long way to redeem some of the misogyny of the show. In conjunction with the character of Evelyn Harper, she played a maternal figure in Alan and Charlie’s lives. The juxtaposition of these two relationships seeing her as the more nurturing despite her brash dismissal of their hijinx. The character was frequently used to emphasize the thematic point that ‘boys will be boys’.
Conchata Ferrell As Berta Then
Conchata Ferrell as Berta Now
Ferrell really impressed the industry with her portrayal of Berta. She received numerous accolades and two Primetime Emmy nominations. She has spent time working on broadway projects and was recently reunited with co-star Kutcher with a starring role in tv’s ‘The Ranch’.
Conchata Ferrell As Berta Now
Jenny McCarthy as Courtney Leopold | Then
Again distorting the boundaries of appropriate familial relations, Sheen’s character pursues a romantic relationship with his soon-to-be stepsister Courtney. The comedy is mostly extracted from the awkward dialogue between Charlie and his mother. Alan had picked up on Courtney’s game and warned his brother that she was a gold-digger. Charlie was not put off, dismissing his brother’s advice in favor of his libido, buying Courtney lavish gifts and giving her a lot of money. The predictable truth comes to light and it is revealed that both Courtney and her father are con artists who had set their sites on the Harper family. Charlie’s objectivity is supposedly restored, the relationship ends and the Harper family moves on unscathed by the preceding events.
Jenny McCarthy As Courtney Leopold Then
Jenny McCarthy as Courtney Leopold | Now
McCarthy is a household name. Known for her perfect comedic delivery she often guests stars in sitcoms. Her time as a Playboy Bunny no longer defines her image, and she is a passionate activist for the controversial anti-vaccination movement. Divorced from former spouse Jim Carry in 2010 she is now married to Donnie Wahlberg with whom she hosts a reality TV show.
Jenny McCarthy As Courtney Leopold Now
Teri Hatcher as Liz | Then
Fasten your seatbelts for some more fantastically messy family dynamics. The show writers really seemed to enjoy using the intimate lives of family members clashing as a mechanism for humor. This is exemplified by the appearance of Liz, Alan’s ex-wife’s sister. Charlie had hooked up with Liz at Alan’s wedding and can’t remember it. Alan had secretly been after Liz but settled for her sister. Liz now wants Alan badly enough to damage her relationship with her sister. Again, seriously Chuck Lorre? This is the material of an unscrupulous daytime talk show. A tacky, cringe-worthy mess with no clever subtext assembled to garner cheap laughs.
Teri Hatcher As Liz Then
Teri Hatcher as Liz | Now
It is unfortunate how distasteful the episode of Two and a Half Men she guest-starred in was. Teri Hatcher is one of our favorite actresses, with her proven emotional range landing her a golden globe for her starring role in ‘Desperate Housewives’. Hatcher’s rise to fame started with her role as Lois Lane in the hit serious ‘Superman’. She starred in the James Bond film ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ and more recently made a guest appearance on ‘Supergirl’.
Teri Hatcher As Liz Now
Jaime Pressly as Tammy | Then
We could summarize this episode with a giant ‘ditto’. In signature Two and a Half Men tastelessness, Alan’s son Jake dates the mother of a girl he had previously had a relationship with. This should be enough to just write the plotline off as garbage, but wait, there is more. Jake introduces the much older Tammy to his father. She is the mother of three and owns a tattoo parlor. Tammy, with no moral qualms about dating her daughter’s ex, proceeds to top it off by hooking up with his dad’s housemate Walden. It’s almost as though the writers are going out of their way to invent increasingly disturbing family dysfunction at this point. Perhaps they too were eager to have the show canceled.
Jaime Pressly As Tammy Then
Jaime Pressly as Tammy | Now
And once again, we could summarize with a simple ‘ditto’. Pressley is a fantastic actor who has proven the mastery of her craft by taking on nearly every type of role imaginable. Most of her repertoire does fall in the category of comedies, not a bad thing given her talent and spot-on delivery. Most recently appearing as a frequent guest star on CBS’s Mom, Pressly’s character is based on a self-aware tongue in cheek caricature of her own incident of being arrested and pleading guilty to a DUI.
Jaime Pressly As Tammy Now
Judy Greer as Bridget Schmidt | Then
When he joined the show, the character of Walden was still completely distraught over his divorce from Bridgette. Walden’s child-like mentality had gotten too much for Bridgette and she parted ways with the tech billionaire. As the story arc progressed Walden became embroiled in a serious relationship with the character Zoey. This sparked the flames of jealousy and soon Bridgette was in hot pursuit of her ex-husband. Bridgette’s character served as a driving force behind Walden’s new life with Alan and Jake. Not a permanent on-screen presence, her relevance in Walden’s back story saw the character referenced throughout Kutcher’s time on Two and a Half Men.
Judy Greer As Bridget Schmidt Then
Judy Greer as Bridget Schmidt | Now
The talented Greer is a celebrated actress, casting director and author. She has graced the big screen in films like ‘The Wedding Planner’, ‘13 Going On 30’ and ‘27 Dresses’. She was the casting director for the movie ‘Entourage’, and to top of her diversified resume, she published her book ‘I Don’t Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star’, a witty take on her popularity as a guest star.
Judy Greer As Bridget Schmidt Now
Sophie Winkleman as Zoey Hyde-Tottingham-Pierce | Then
When Walden was finally ready to open his heart he fell for the sophisticated Zoey. As mentioned, it was this relationship that saw his ex-wife’s renewed romantic interest. Two years into their relationship Walden is once again left heartbroken when Zoey declines his proposal. To add insult to injury he learns that she had been cheating, dating another man during their time together.
Sophie Winkleman As Zoey Hyde Tottingham Pierce Then
Sophie Winkleman as Zoey Hyde-Tottingham-Pierce | Now
A member of the extended British monarchy, the wife of the Queen’s cousin Lord Frederick Windsor, Winkleman continues to pursue a career in acting. In addition to her time on the set of Two and a Half Men, she has made appearances in ‘CSI: Miami’ and ‘Milo Murphy’s Law’.
Sophie Winkleman As Zoey Hyde Tottingham Pierce Now
Diora Baird as Wanda | Then
Wanda is an ex paramour of Charlie’s. She is a model-of-sorts and Jake has a poster of her in his bedroom. Charlie and Wanda had enacted some sort of sexual predation in Las Vegas, this is the origin story of their relationship. Wanda turns up in the neighborhood, accurately imbibed, impairing her judgment so extremely that she makes sexual demands of Charlie. Charlie suddenly has some sort of seizure we assume, because the otherwise misogynistic playboy develops a conscience and decides not to cheat on his current partner.
Diora Baird As Wanda Then
Diora Baird as Wanda | Now
Baird has done some impressive work outside of her time spent on the set of Two and a Half Men. With early aspirations of modeling, her mother enrolled her in acting classes to overcome her introversion. She moved to LA in hopes of making a break in the modeling world, working part-time jobs while remaining focussed on her ambitions. She was noticed by a recruiter for Guess, affording her numerous opportunities in the industry. She has done a number of guest appearances on TV shows and in movies, and has broadened her fan base by appearing in viral videos on the popular YouTube channel ‘Funny or Die’.
Diora Baird As Wanda Now
Krista Allen as Olivia Pearson | Then
A copy, paste and thin coat of paint spin on the same dysfunctional narrative that sees Charlie and his mother involved with a woman and her father. This time the setting is an introductory dinner for Evelyn’s new boyfriend. Said boyfriend’s daughter is a guest as well, and obviously, she and Charlie have a history, because if not whence from would come to the mandatory debauchery. Everyone gets very awkward because, if the laugh-track is to be believed, that’s very funny and the whole thing spins out of control. The subplot culminates in Evelyn being dumped for a younger woman.
Krista Allen As Olivia Pearson Then
Krista Allen as Olivia Pearson | Now
Krista Allen is no stranger to the silver screen. She had a successful run on the record-breaking soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’. She featured in the original Baywatch and starred in the popular thriller ‘Final Destination’.
Krista Allen As Olivia Pearson Now
Kelly Stables as Melissa | Then
It almost feels as though one could start every introduction off with ‘but just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse’. Yet another mind-bending foray into the obscenely inappropriate, Alan’s secretary Melissa first dates his brother and then decides to move on to her boss. Alan lies to his employee in a desperate attempt to secure her affections. As is Alan’s modus operandi, the lies revolve around his lifestyle. But just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse (see, we told you so), it turns out he was still living with Lyndsay. Yet, somehow, none of that proved the end of this relationship. The end was to come when Malissa asked for a raise and medical cover.
Kelly Stables As Melissa Then
Kelly Stables as Melissa | Now
Kelly Stables has graced the stage, television and big screen alike. Famous for her role in ‘Superstore’, Stables lent her voice to the character Will Vandom in the animation ‘W.I.T.C.H’. She was also a voice actor in ‘Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2’ and is now a recurring guest on the CW’s ‘No Tomorrow’. Stables has a BA in Communication from the University of Missouri and is the proud mother of two sons.
Kelly Stables As Melissa Now
Heather Locklear as Laura | Then
In this episode, Charlie meets a lovely woman, changes his ways and becomes a respectable human being. If you’re reading this on April fools that will be doubly funny. Alas in another bout of ‘hilarious’ unethical behavior Charlie starts a romantic relationship with Alan’s divorce attorney, Laura. He makes romantic promises he could obviously never keep and she breaks it off with him. Because of the incredible emotional damage she apparently suffers in this brief period, the educated, professional attorney breaches her legal responsibilities toward her client, Alan, and sabotages the divorce negotiations in favor of his soon to be ex-wife.
Heather Locklear As Laura Then
Heather Locklear as Laura | Now
Needing no introduction, Heather Locklear is one of the most famous TV personalities and actors of the 80s and 90s. The Melrose Place star still gets a lot of media attention, although now primarily for her health problems and very public divorce. We trust Locklear has a reliable divorce attorney.
Heather Locklear As Laura Now
Kimberly Quinn as Donna | Then
Alan met Donna on a double date and the couple hit it off. It is hard to say why Alan grew bored with the relationship, perhaps it was too healthy, but suffice it to say he turns to Charlie for advice on ending things. It seems a prudent move, turning to Sheen’s character for advice on how to make a woman want nothing more to do with you. The advice is put into practice and Alan ends the relationship. Donna takes the breakup very badly but that hardly matters because by next week there will be brand new women to traumatize with their nonsense.
Kimberly Quinn As Donna Then
Kimberly Quinn as Donna | Now
A sitcom veteran, Quinn has starred in ‘Terriers’ and ‘Twisted’, as well as guest-starring in Two and a Half Men and Suddenly Susan. She has guest-starred in more serious roles on ‘Nash Bridges’, ‘NYPD Blue’ and ‘CSI: NY’. Quinn and husband Theodore Melfi co-created the film ‘St. Vincent’.
Kimberly Quinn As Donna Now
Denise Richards as Lisa | Then
One of few long-lived relationships in Charlie’s repertoire, he and Lisa lived together and he acknowledged her as his girlfriend. The more serious the relationship grew the more apparent it became that the emotionally stunted Charlie was looking for the door. After the doomed relationship had run its course Lisa got married. She kept contact with Charlie promising to call if she ever got divorced. As one does. Low and behold she got divorced. Charlie and Lisa were reunited but he proved an unsurprisingly inadequate partner and co-parent to her and her child.
Denise Richards As Lisa Then
Denise Richards as Lisa | Now
Denise Richards was married to Charlie Sheen. She was not under duress. This was of her own free will, we checked. She reaped the rewards four years and two daughters later when she left him due to his severe problems with addiction and incessant cheating. There were brief periods of civility between the two, but Sheen has continuously managed to stir the pot and disrupt any possibility of an amicable co-parenting relationship. Richards has full custody of their children.
Denise Richards As Lisa Now
Kristin Dattilo as Cindy | Then
One of the characters who withstood Charlie’s apparent charm, Cindy did draw the pubescent attention of Alan’s son Jake. He recreated her breasts as a school art project. Given the characters’ male role models, this all checks out. Cindy goes on to bond with Jake’s mother over their negative relationships with their own fathers. The idea that two women can be friends, or have any reason to exist other than to interact with him or his brother has Alan suspect them of being in a lesbian relationship.
Kristin Dattilo As Cindy Then
Kristin Dattilo as Cindy | Now
Kristin Dattilo starred in ‘The Chris Isaak Show’ for three years starting in 2002. She has made innumerable guest appearances on shows ranging from ‘Friends’ and ‘Grounded for Life’ to ‘Dexter’ and ‘CSI’. You may also recognize her from the 1989 music video for Aerosmith’s ‘Janie’s Got a Gun’. Dattilo and spouse Jason Keller share two children.
Kristin Dattilo As Cindy Now
Courtney Thorne-Smith as Lyndsey McElroy | Then
Getting back to sketchy familial boundaries, Alan starts a long term relationship with son Jake’s best friend’s mother. Lindsay’s story arc lasted for most of season seven, with her and Alan undergoing a tumultuous routine of break up and reunion. Her drinking was a problem in their relationship and offered to show writers an opportunity to communicate a message on the challenges of alcoholism and the strain it puts on relationships. An opportunity they did not take. Lindsay ends up hooking up with Walden and the whole thing plays out with the show’s signature lack of self-awareness and a laugh track to let us know when there was meant to be a joke.
Courtney Thorne Smith As Lyndsey McElroy Then
Courtney Thorne-Smith as Lyndsey McElroy | Now
Courtney Thorne-Smith played in the Popular television show ‘Ally McBeal’ for five years prior to her time on Two and a Half Men. Shifting her focus to her personal life in the years since she has made an appearance in ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ and done a bit of voice acting in animated shows and on Seth Green’s ‘Robot Chicken’.
Courtney Thorne Smith As Lyndsey McElroy Now
April Bowlby as Kandi | Then
One of Alan’s most serious commitments in the show was also one of the more short-lived. Kandi and Alan eloped in Vegas and ended up moving in together. An aspiring actress, Kandi was offered the opportunity of a lifetime on a popular TV show. Rather than making arrangements to facilitate her opportunity, they got divorced.
April Bowlby As Kandi Then
April Bowlby as Kandi | Now
Her vapid character in two and a half men didn’t define April’s career. Remembering her as the brilliant and utterly insane grad student from ‘The Big Bang Theory’ or reflecting on her appearance in ‘How I Met Your Mother’, she managed to shun what could have become a career ruining image that would have seen her typecast as ‘Kandi’.
April Bowlby As Kandi Now
Missi Pyle as Miss Pasternak | Then
Is it really necessary to state that there is a description of questionable ethics to follow at this point? We think not. Charlie starts a romantic affair with his nephew Jake’s teacher. We assume that she is suffering some sort of blunt force trauma to the head, because this educator, professional educator, starts bestowing fraudulently good grades on Jake. In return for the privilege of dating his uncle? At least she was banned from teaching and became a dancer for whatever contrived reason. Maybe it’s a standard plan-b for mentally deranged education workers.
Missi Pyle As Miss Pasternak Then
Missi Pyle as Miss Pasternak | Now
Missi Pyle has had a very successful career in acting, appearing in many popular shows including ‘Mad About You’, ‘Friends’ and ‘My Name Is Earl’. She has most recently held a guest role in the hit series ‘Mom’. Pyle also has a career in music, constituting part of the country-rock band Smith & Pyle.
Missi Pyle As Miss Pasternak Now
Brooke Shields as Danielle Stewart | Then
Rounding out our list is Danielle Stewart played by Brooke Shields. Charlie misses his days of independent and solitary debauchery and concocts a scheme to get Alan out of his house by way of an ex of his. One might say that it is, at the very least, presumptuous of Charlie to assume that Danielle would take an interest in Alan, but it turns out he is on the money. Charlie has a testosterone-fueled change of heart, deciding that he must have Danielle for his own once more, and the brothers end up fighting over her. The twist is that the two settled their difference turning instead on Danielle and prompting booting her from their respective lives.
Brooke Shields As Danielle Stewart Then
Brooke Shields as Danielle Stewart | Now
The award-winning child actor enjoyed success in the worlds of acting and modeling in her youth. She has a resume spanning four decades during which she has received critical acclaim and numerous accolades. Shields reprised her role in ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’ in 2017. She is married to long time partner Chris Henchy and the couple shares two children.
Brooke Shields As Danielle Stewart Now