John (voice) (played by Paul Rudd) is a protagonist in Nerdland.
Aspiring actor kicked out of acting school who makes a pact with his best friend Elliot to achieve fame before turning 30. His attempts range from hacking companies to faking deaths, eventually leading to accidental media sensation and a stint in witness protection before settling into an unexpected form of fame. Elliot (voice) (played by Patton Oswalt) appears in Nerdland.
Aspiring screenwriter and John's best friend who joins him in a desperate 24-hour pact for fame. He reluctantly participates in extreme stunts, becomes an accidental media sensation as a mystery witness, and ultimately finds an ironic form of stardom working at a diner. The Nerd King (voice) (played by Hannibal Buress) appears in Nerdland.
Owner of a collectible store and a trade partner to the protagonists. He assists Elliot and John in faking their own deaths using a rare action figure to escape witness protection and continue their media stunt. Archie (voice) (played by Mike Judge) appears in Nerdland.
Homeless man who physically confronts John and Elliot during their initial, failed attempt to gain fame after they try to reclaim a check from him. Linda (voice) (played by Riki Lindhome) appears in Nerdland.
Mall employee who helps Elliot and John gain media attention after they reveal themselves as mystery witnesses. She shares a friendly, flirtatious dynamic with the protagonists and is briefly considered for witness protection. Sally (voice) (played by Kate Micucci) appears in Nerdland.
Mall worker and friend of Linda who provides shelter to Elliot and John after they flee the police. She assists them in their media stunt and is offered a place in the witness protection program before they exchange goodbyes. Brett Anderson / Second Butler (voice) (played by Reid Scott) appears in Nerdland.
Celebrity figure whose disastrous interview with John pushes the protagonist to conclude that infamy, rather than fame, is the goal.
Nerdland (2016) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
John (voice)
(played by Paul Rudd) — protagonist
Aspiring actor kicked out of acting school who makes a pact with his best friend Elliot to achieve fame before turning 30. His attempts range from hacking companies to faking deaths, eventually leadin...
Elliot (voice)
(played by Patton Oswalt) — supporting
Aspiring screenwriter and John's best friend who joins him in a desperate 24-hour pact for fame. He reluctantly participates in extreme stunts, becomes an accidental media sensation as a mystery witne...
The Nerd King (voice)
(played by Hannibal Buress) — supporting
Owner of a collectible store and a trade partner to the protagonists. He assists Elliot and John in faking their own deaths using a rare action figure to escape witness protection and continue their m...
Archie (voice)
(played by Mike Judge) — supporting
Homeless man who physically confronts John and Elliot during their initial, failed attempt to gain fame after they try to reclaim a check from him.
Linda (voice)
(played by Riki Lindhome) — supporting
Mall employee who helps Elliot and John gain media attention after they reveal themselves as mystery witnesses. She shares a friendly, flirtatious dynamic with the protagonists and is briefly consider...
Sally (voice)
(played by Kate Micucci) — supporting
Mall worker and friend of Linda who provides shelter to Elliot and John after they flee the police. She assists them in their media stunt and is offered a place in the witness protection program befor...
Brett Anderson / Second Butler (voice)
(played by Reid Scott) — supporting
Celebrity figure whose disastrous interview with John pushes the protagonist to conclude that infamy, rather than fame, is the goal.
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Sally (voice) → Linda (voice)
(Professional Coworkers)
John (voice) → Linda (voice)
(Romantic Flirt)
Elliot (voice) → Sally (voice)
(Romantic Flirt)
John (voice) → Brett Anderson / Second Butler (voice)
(Professional Failed Interviewee)
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
John (voice) → The Nerd King (voice)
(Alliance Client)
Elliot (voice) → The Nerd King (voice)
(Alliance Client)
John (voice) → Archie (voice)
(Conflict Victim)
Elliot (voice) → Archie (voice)
(Conflict Victim)
Elliot (voice) → John (voice)
(Social Best Friends)
Story Analysis
Two failed entertainers pursue fame so recklessly that public attention becomes inseparable from danger, crime, and disguise.
