Life Or Something Like It Cast & Character Guide

The 2002 movie, Life or Something Like It, features a well-known cast that brings the underrated rom-com to life. Despite receiving negative reviews at the time of its release, Life or Something Like It has found new success on Netflix. The movie joins other great classic rom-coms with its lovable protagonist and her entertaining, if not somewhat predictable, journey to find herself. Life or Something Like It sees Lanie Kerrigan set out to live her life to the fullest after discovering that she may only have days left to live.
The underrated movie features great chemistry between its main characters, Lanie and Pete. Though the two initially begin as enemies, they gradually come to understand each other as the movie progresses, allowing Lanie to see part of what her life has been missing. Despite the negative reviews from critics upon the film’s release, Life or Something Like It is far better than its box-office returns suggest and definitely worth a watch for fans of fun early 2000s romantic comedies, and the movie’s cast is an important part of that.
Life or Something Like It Cast |
Character |
---|---|
Angelina Jolie |
Lanie Kerrigan |
Edward Burns |
Pete Scanlon |
Tony Shalhoub |
Prophet Jack |
Christian Kane |
Cal Cooper |
James Gammon |
Pat Kerrigan |
Stockard Channing |
Deborah Connors |
Angelina Jolie as Lanie Kerrigan
Date Of Birth: June 4, 1975
Actor: Angelina Jolie was born in Los Angeles in 1975, and she made her first movie appearance in 1982’s Lookin’ to Get Out at the age of seven. Jolie then had her breakthrough role as Kate Libby in the 1995 movie Hackers. Since then, Jolie has become one of the biggest names in Hollywood and has had a significant career in humanitarian work as well. She is also known for starring in films such as Girl, Interrupted, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Maleficent, and more. Throughout her career she has earned two Oscars and three Golden Globes.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
Movie/TV Show |
Role |
---|---|
Hackers |
Kate Libby |
The Bone Collector |
Amelia Donaghy |
Girl, Interrupted |
Lisa Rowe |
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider |
Lara Croft |
Shark Tale |
Lola (voice) |
Mr. & Mrs. Smith |
Jane Smith |
Kung Fu Panda |
Tigress (voice) |
Salt |
Evelyn Salt |
Maleficent |
Maleficent |
Eternals |
Thena |
Maria |
Maria Callas |
Character: Angelina Jolie stars as the main character Lanie Kerrigan in Life or Something Like It. Lanie is a television reporter who receives a prophecy that she will die in seven days. After hearing this news and believing it to be true, Lanie goes on an adventure of self-discovery to live every day to the fullest. Along the way, Lanie learns new things about life and love.
Edward Burns as Pete Scanlon
Date Of Birth: January 29, 1968
Actor: Edward Burns was born in New York City in 1968 and entered the movie industry with roles on the production side. Burns then rose to fame with his 1995 movie The Brothers McMullen, which he produced, directed, and starred in. Burns has also directed and produced numerous other films throughout his career. Burns gained further attention after starring in Saving Private Ryan. He has made appearances in popular rom-coms such as The Holiday, 27 Dresses, and Friends with Kids.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
Movie/TV Show |
Role |
---|---|
The Brothers McMullen |
Finbar “Barry” McMullen |
Saving Private Ryan |
Private Richard Reiben |
Sidewalks of New York |
Fire Marshal Jordan Warsaw |
The Holiday |
Ethan Ebbers |
One Missed Call |
Detective Jack Andrews |
27 Dresses |
George |
Friends with Kids |
Kurt |
Man on a Ledge |
Jack Dougherty |
Alex Cross |
Tommy Kane |
Bridge and Tunnel |
Artie |
Character: Edward Burns stars as Pete Scanlon in Life or Something Like It. Pete is a camera operator and coworker of Lanie’s. The two do not get along at the beginning of the film due to a previous, brief relationship, but as the film progresses they grow increasingly close.
Tony Shalhoub as Prophet Jack
Date Of Birth: October 9, 1953
Actor: Tony Shalhoub was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1953, and he became interested in acting through a school theater production. He gained supporting roles in various films and TV series before gaining attention in the role of Antonio Scarpacci in Wings. Shalhoub is likely best known for portraying Adrian Monk in Monk throughout the 2000s. He has also appeared in Men in Black, Gattaca, Galaxy Quest, Spy Kids, Cars, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and more.
Notable Movies & TV Shows:
Movie/TV Show |
Role |
---|---|
Barton Fink |
Ben Geisler |
Addams Family Values |
Jorge |
Gattaca |
German |
Men in Black |
Jack Jeebs |
Wings |
Antonio Scarpacci |
Galaxy Quest |
Fred Kwan |
Spy Kids |
Alexander Minion |
Cars |
Luigi (voice) |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
Master Splinter (voice) |
Monk |
Adrian Monk |
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel |
Abe Weissman |
Character: Tony Shalhoub appears as Prophet Jack in Life or Something Like It. As part of her job, Lanie interviews Jack, who claims to be able to predict the future, despite her initially not believing his claims. However, when Jack’s predictions begin coming true, she realizes that he might be right about her predicted death.
Life Or Something Like It Supporting Cast & Characters
Christian Kane As Cal Cooper: Christian Kane appears in Life or Something Like It as the baseball player Cal Cooper, who is also dating Lanie. Kane has also appeared in the shows Angel, Leverage, and The Librarians. He also works as a country musician.

Related
Angelina Jolie’s 10 Best Performances, Ranked
Angelina Jolie is known for her versatility and talent as an actress with an impressive resume, leading up to her latest amazing portrayal in Maria.
James Gammon As Pat Kerrigan: James Gammon also stars in Life or Something Like It as Pat Kerrigan, Lanie’s father. Gammon was known for starring in Western movies, such as Cool Hand Luke, Urban Cowoby, Wyatt Earp, and more, throughout his career. He is also known for his roles in the Major League films and the series Nash Bridges.
Stockard Channing As Deborah Connors: Stockard Channing portrays Deborah Connors, a celebrity that Lanie interviews in Life or Something Like It. Channing is best known for playing Betty Rizzo in Grease. She has also gained attention in numerous other films and the series The West Wing.
Life or Something Like It
- Release Date
-
April 24, 2002
- Runtime
-
103 minutes
- Director
-
Stephen Herek
- Writers
-
John Scott Shepherd, Dana Stevens