Main •
Cedric the Entertainer as Calvin Butler, who is a local homeowner; he is Tina's husband, Malcolm and Marty's father, and Daphne's grandfather. He owns an auto repair shop called Calvin's Pit Stop until selling it in season 5. In season 6, he and Marty open a repair shop called Fuse Box that specializes in electric vehicles. •
Max Greenfield as Dave Johnson, Gemma's husband and Grover's father. Dave is a friendly but awkward man who moves from
Michigan to
Pasadena, California. He is a professional conflict mediator, a military veteran, and a graduate of
Western Michigan University in
Kalamazoo, Michigan. In the season 8 premiere, he gets fired due to teaching AI to do his job resulting in him being rendered “redundant”. •
Sheaun McKinney as Malcolm Butler, Calvin and Tina's older son. He was once a professional baseball player working his way through the minor leagues until an injury ended his career. He had trouble finding steady employment until Marty got him a job as a security guard at
JPL in season 2. In season 4, he is hired as the hitting coach for the
USC baseball team. In the season 7 finale, he graduates from USC and moves to Venice Beach to become a writer. In season 8 he starts ghost writing for a famous "real housewife" and the two begin a romantic relationship. • Marcel Spears as Marty Butler, Calvin and Tina's younger son. He is a successful engineer at JPL with several nerdy hobbies and interests. Chronically unlucky in love, Marty meets a boxer named Necie in season 4 and gets engaged to her, only to have the engagement end in season 5. In season 6, he and Calvin open a repair shop called Fuse Box that specializes in electric vehicles. Marty has a one-night stand with a Fuse Box employee Courtney that results in her getting pregnant. Their daughter Daphne is born in the season 6 finale. As of the season 7 finale, Marty and Courtney are now in a romantic relationship. They get engaged in season 8. • Hank Greenspan as Grover Johnson, Dave and Gemma's son who is initially an elementary school student at Walcott Academy. In season 5, he begins middle school and turns 13 later on. In the season 7 finale, he graduates from Walcott and starts high school in the season 8 premiere. •
Tichina Arnold as Tina Butler, Calvin's wife, Malcolm and Marty's mother, and Daphne's grandmother. A former singer in a semi-successful pop trio, she worked the front desk at Calvin's auto shop before starting her own cupcake business. In season 5, she accepts a part-time job as a music teacher at Gemma's school. •
Beth Behrs as Gemma Johnson, Dave's wife and Grover's mother. Her new job as principal at a private school in Los Angeles is the reason for the Johnson family moving to California. While it takes some time for Calvin to warm up to Dave, Gemma and Tina become fast friends. •
Skye Townsend as Courtney Pridgeon (season 7–8; recurring season 6), Marty's friend and former coworker who becomes pregnant by him after a one-night stand; she gives birth to Daphne in the season 6 finale. As of the season 7 finale, Marty and Courtney are now in a romantic relationship. They get engaged in season 8.
Recurring • Malik S. as Trey, Malcolm's friend; it is later revealed that his real name is Leslie •
Earthquake as Que, the owner of the barbershop that Calvin and Dave frequent •
Gary Anthony Williams as Ernie (seasons 1–5), an old friend of Calvin's who runs a neighborhood bar • Sloan Robinson as Old Miss Kim (seasons 1–4, 6–7), a grumpy neighbor who enjoys the company of younger men • Robinson also plays Kim's identical twin sister Florence. • Sean Larkins as Randall (seasons 3–4; guest seasons 2 and 6), the mailman •
Chelsea Harris as Necie (seasons 4–5) a female boxer and Marty's girlfriend, later ex-fiancé •
Kevin Pollak as Lamar (seasons 5–present), Dave's father with a criminal past who left him at a young age •
Amber Stevens West as Mercedes (season 8), a reality star on the fictional
Trophy Divas of Brentwood series who becomes involved with Malcolm
Guest •
Marilu Henner as Paula (seasons 1, 7 and 8), Dave's mother •
Tracy Morgan as • Curtis (season 4), Calvin's brother • Francois "Crutch" Crutchfield (season 8), Calvin's cousin •
Patti LaBelle as Marilyn (season 4), Calvin's mother •
Glynn Turman as Otis (season 7), Tina's father •
Jackée Harry as Loretta (season 7), the head of a preschool that Marty and Courtney look into for Daphne •
Garrett Morris as Jasper (season 7). Morris worked with Behrs on
2 Broke Girls (2011-17). •
Justin Long as Bruce (season 7), Malcolm's new neighbor in Venice •
Anthony Anderson as Clancy (season 8), Courtney's father ==Episodes==