Ed O'Neill played family patriarch Al Bundy, a put-upon working man whose wife and children constantly berate him. O'Neill had appeared in a number of TV movies and made guest appearances on several TV shows before "Married With Children," which was his big break. His film credits include several projects for writer/director David Mamet, including "The Spanish Prisoner," "Spartan" and "Redbelt," and a recurring role in Mike Myers' "Wayne's World" films.
Actress Katey Sagal portrayed Al's wife Peg Bundy, a disingenuous layabout with little interest in her family. Sagal has subsequently starred in several successful TV series, including "Futurama," "8 Simple Rules," and "Sons of Anarchy." She received a Golden Globe award for her work in "Sons of Anarchy."
Christina Applegate played the Bundy's eldest child Kelly, a dimwitted teenager who mooches money off her father. She's often portrayed as sexually promiscuous, with a string of equally imbecilic boyfriends. In addition to her role on "Married," Applegate also starred in a number of prominent movie comedies, including "Anchorman," "The Rocker" and "Hall Pass," as well as the TV series "Samantha Who?" She engaged in a public and successful battle with breast cancer in 2008.
David Faustino played the Bundy's youngest child, Bud. Though smarter and more aware than the remainder of the family, he remains painfully self-absorbed and often struggles to connect with girls. Faustino's post-"Married" career has included TV guest appearances and voice-over work on animated series such as "Batman Beyond," as well as a string of low-profile films.
Amanda Bearse was best known as the romantic lead in the cult horror movie "Fright Night" before landing the role of the Bundy's neighbor, Marcy. Intelligent and opinionated, Marcy often acted as a foil for the family's loutish behavior and was often the target of their verbal barbs. Bearse directed over 30 episodes of "Married With Children" and continued directing television shows in the years since "Married's" cancellation. She came out as a lesbian in 1993 and has been quietly active in gay and lesbian's rights issues ever since.