It’s Judd Apatow’s world and we’re all just living in it. As a writer, producer, director — and occasional actor — Apatow’s comedies have attracted critical praise and cult followings (justice for Freaks and Geeks!). From The 40-Year-Old Virgin to The King of Staten Island, Apatow’s works draw inspiration from ordinary people and real life. That’s the case with his latest film, The Bubble, which follows a group of actors isolated in a pandemic bubble as they attempt to film a franchise sequel during lockdown. 

The filmmaker is no stranger to assembling a powerhouse cast, many of whom recur throughout his oeuvre — most notably his wife, Leslie Mann, and their daughters, Maude and Iris Apatow. “Working with my dad has always felt very comfortable and safe. He just wants us all to feel like we’re doing a good job,” Iris told Netflix. We’ve rounded up some of the familiar faces in The Bubble so you don’t have to think twice about where you’ve seen them in the Judd Apatow cinematic universe. 

(L - R) Laura Radford/Netflix, Everett Collection

Leslie Mann 

The 40-Year-Old Virgin: Nicky, a drunk woman from the club who drives Andy (Steve Carell) home and eventually pukes all over him before he tries to sleep with her.  

Knocked Up: Debbie, a mother juggling two young daughters and an unhappy marriage and trying to be there for her sister Alison (Katherine Heigl), who’s unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand.

Funny People: Laura, whose movie star ex-fiancé George (Adam Sandler) tries to woo her back after he’s diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. 

This Is 40: Five years after Knocked Up, Debbie can’t be intimate with her husband (Paul Rudd) in peace without their daughters fighting — and then she learns she’s pregnant at 40.

The Bubble: Lauren Van Chance, an actress co-starring alongside her ex-husband Dustin (David Duchovny) — a love-hate relationship almost more tumultuous than the filming of Cliff Beasts 6.

(L - R) Laura Radford/Netflix, Everett Collection

Iris Apatow 

Knocked Up: Charlotte, Debbie’s toddler daughter who could pass for a blond orphan Annie and enjoys playing dress-up and fetch with her aunt’s baby daddy (Seth Rogen).

Funny People: Ingrid, the lively daughter of Laura who meets her mom’s ex-fiancé, George.

This Is 40: A little older now, Charlotte can speak in full sentences and chooses chaos by terrorizing her preteen sister (Maude Apatow) with seething one-liners. 

Love, Season 3, Episode 3: Iris, who plays recurring character Arya Hopkins, a young Instagram-obsessed teen actor starring in a fictional series about witches, appears in this episode directed by her father.

The Bubble: Krystal Kris, a TikTok sensation with 100 million followers who teaches her geriatric co-stars (including a dinosaur) how to dance like a Gen Z teen.

(L - R) Laura Radford/Netflix, Everett Collection

David Duchovny 

The Larry Sanders Show, Season 4, Episode 4: Apatow serves as co-writer and consulting producer for this episode featuring Duchovny, guest-starring as himself, who grows a little too fond of Larry Sanders, which prompts the late-night host to ask, “Do you think David Duchovny is gay?” The actor appeared in two more episodes.

The Bubble: Dustin Mulray considers himself the “guardian of the franchise,” which includes not just acting but also rewriting the script and being a pain in the director’s ass.

(L) Laura Radford/Netflix

Fred Armisen 

Anchorman: Tino, a flashy club owner who talks too much, which pays off when he encourages Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) to serenade guests and his date (Christina Applegate) with his flute playing.

The Bubble: Darren Eigen, the powerless director living in constant fear of being banished to “director’s jail.”