The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

A brash, hustling Jew from poverty in Montreal who is determined to make it big. He is resourceful and fearless, yet his willingness to bend ethical lines creates tension with those around him. His ambition drives him to risk relationships, money, and trust in pursuit of a livelihood of his own making.

A cab driver whose pride is tied to his son’s image and success. He remains practical and protective, hoping Duddy finds a path that brings stability to their family. His stance frames the film's look at intergenerational expectations and pride.

A French Canadian hotel employee who becomes Duddy’s love interest and the front for his lakefront land scheme. She experiences the fragility of Duddy's plans when pressures mount and ultimately leaves him to care for others affected by his decisions.

A fellow waiter who manipulates situations and orchestrates a clandestine roulette scheme to push Duddy toward bigger plots. He is sharp and pushy, causing friction with his peers and testing Duddy's ethics.

A blacklisted alcoholic film director who agrees to shoot weddings and bar mitzvahs to survive. He becomes an instrument in Duddy's rising influence and helps turn his early winnings into scalable business.

The epileptic truck driver Duddy hires to bankroll his land purchases. He suffers a seizure in a critical moment, leaving him paralyzed and triggering trouble for Duddy and his girlfriend.

A businessman-gangster who promises financing on a train trip but has only one real aim: to use Duddy for a drug-smuggling plan. He embodies the criminal underbelly of the era.

A patriarch whose opinion matters deeply to Duddy; he refuses to select a plot after seeing the consequences of Duddy's actions. His quiet stubbornness anchors a turning point in the story.

A second portrayal of the same elder patriarch delivering an alternate perspective about the family and stewardship.

The rich uncle figure whose status and wealth push Duddy toward opportunities, even as he is wary of the risks involved. He embodies the tension between old world wealth and the new world Duddy seeks.

The daughter of the hotel's owner who becomes part of the social circle around the resort. She is drawn to Duddy’s ambitious energy but ultimately serves as a reminder of the personal costs of his fast track.

A business contact who represents the kinds of deals and power Duddy encounters on his ascent. His presence marks another rung in the ladder of success and the dangers of cutting corners.

A recurring minor character connected to the hotel's social circle; serves as a reflection of the world the protagonists inhabit.

A minor presence in the social world of the resort; her presence punctuates the film's social fabric.