(500) Days of Summer: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

500 Days of Summer is a 2009 American romantic comedy-drama directed by Marc Webb, written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, and produced by Mark Waters.

The film, a nonlinear exploration of a failed relationship, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen and Zooey Deschanel as Summer Finn.

Premiering at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, it became a sleeper hit, grossing $60.7 million worldwide on a $7.5 million budget and earning a 85% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Its realistic portrayal of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, paired with a stellar soundtrack, made it a cult classic.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen

• Role: Gordon-Levitt plays Tom Hansen, a hopeless romantic and greeting card writer who falls for Summer, believing she’s “the one.” His journey through their 500-day relationship, told nonchronologically, explores his idealization and eventual growth after heartbreak. Critics, like Roger Ebert, praised his “winning screen presence.”
• Net Worth: $35 million
• Height: 5’9″ (1.76 m)
• Family: Born February 17, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, to Jane Gordon, a political activist, and Dennis Levitt, a radio host. He has an older brother, Daniel Levitt (died 2010). Raised in a progressive Jewish family
• Relationships: Married to Tasha McCauley, a robotics entrepreneur, since 2014; they have two sons (born 2015 and 2017). Private about family details

Zooey Deschanel as Summer Finn

• Role: Deschanel plays Summer Finn, the enigmatic, free-spirited assistant at Tom’s greeting card company who doesn’t believe in true love. Her casual approach to their relationship contrasts with Tom’s idealism, leading to its downfall. Her performance was lauded for its “elusive but earthy” charm.
• Net Worth: $25 million
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m)
• Family: Born January 17, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, to Caleb Deschanel, an Oscar-nominated cinematographer, and Mary Jo Deschanel, an actress. She has an older sister, Emily Deschanel, known for Bones. Raised in a showbiz family
• Relationships: Married to Ben Gibbard (2009–2012). Married to Jacob Pechenik (2015–2019), with whom she has two children: Elsie (born 2015) and Charlie (born 2017). Engaged to Jonathan Scott since 2023

Geoffrey Arend as McKenzie

• Role: Arend plays McKenzie, Tom’s coworker and friend at the greeting card company, known for his drunken antics and blunt humor, like calling Summer a “dude.” His role adds comic relief and support to Tom’s arc.
• Net Worth: $2 million
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m)
• Family: Born February 28, 1978, in New York City, to Geoffrey Arend Sr., of Pakistani descent, and an unnamed mother. Family details are limited
• Relationships: Married to Christina Hendricks (2009–2019). Single as of 2025, with no children reported

Chloë Grace Moretz as Rachel Hansen

• Role: Moretz plays Rachel, Tom’s wise-beyond-her-years preteen half-sister, who offers sage advice during his heartbreak, like urging him to reassess his idealized view of Summer. Her performance was compared to Phoebe in The Catcher in the Rye.
• Net Worth: $12 million
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m)
• Family: Born February 10, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Teri Duke, a nurse, and McCoy Lee Moretz, a plastic surgeon. She has four older brothers: Trevor, Colin, Brandon, and Ethan
• Relationships: Dated Brooklyn Beckham on and off (2014–2018). Single as of 2025, with no children

Matthew Gray Gubler as Paul

• Role: Gubler plays Paul, Tom’s other close friend and coworker, a grounded presence who worries about Tom’s obsession with Summer. His understated role adds depth to the friend group.
• Net Worth: $10 million
• Height: 6’1″ (1.85 m)
• Family: Born March 9, 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Marilyn Gubler, a rancher, and John Gubler, an attorney. He has two siblings, Laura and Gray Gubler
• Relationships: Single, with past relationships including Kat Dennings (2007) and Victoria Asher (2010–2011). No children

Clark Gregg as Vance

• Role: Gregg plays Vance, Tom and Summer’s boss at the greeting card company, a minor but authoritative figure who oversees their workplace dynamic.
• Net Worth: $10 million
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m)
• Family: Born April 2, 1962, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Mary Layne and Robert Clark Gregg Sr., an Episcopal priest. He is an only child
• Relationships: Married to Jennifer Grey since 2001; they have one daughter, Stella (born 2001)

Minka Kelly as Autumn

• Role: Kelly plays Autumn, a brief but pivotal character Tom meets at an architecture firm interview, hinting at a new romantic possibility. Her cameo symbolizes hope after heartbreak.
• Net Worth: $5 million
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m)
• Family: Born June 24, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, to Rick Dufay, an Aerosmith guitarist, and Maureen Kelly, a dancer. Raised by her single mother; no siblings reported
• Relationships: Dated Chris Evans (2007, 2012–2013) and Trevor Noah (2020–2022). Single as of 2025, with no children

Additional Notes

Salaries: Exact salaries for 500 Days of Summer are not public, but leads Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel likely earned $500,000–$1 million each, given their rising-star status and the film’s modest budget.

Supporting actors earned less, likely in the low six figures, typical for indie films.

Impact and Legacy: The film’s nonlinear narrative, iconic scenes (e.g., the IKEA sequence, expectations vs. reality split-screen), and soundtrack (The Smiths, Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams”) made it a cultural touchstone.

It grossed $60.7 million against a $7.5 million budget, earning Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor (Gordon-Levitt).

Its realistic take on relationships, inspired by Neustadter’s real-life romance, resonated widely, sparking debates about Tom’s selfishness and Summer’s portrayal.

Post-Film Careers: Gordon-Levitt became a leading man (Inception, Don Jon), Deschanel a TV star (New Girl), Moretz a versatile actress (Kick-Ass), Gubler a Criminal Minds mainstay, Arend a TV regular (Physical), Gregg a Marvel icon, and Kelly a steady presence (Titans).

Their 500 Days roles boosted their profiles at pivotal career moments.

Cultural Influence: The film deconstructed rom-com tropes, emphasizing flawed perspectives and personal growth.

Its Los Angeles settings, like Angels Knoll, became tourist spots.

The “expectations vs. reality” scene and “You Make My Dreams” dance sequence remain iconic, influencing modern rom-coms and TV (e.g., 30 Rock’s IKEA episode).

Conclusion

The 500 Days of Summer cast, led by Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel’s authentic chemistry, crafted a beloved indie classic that redefined the rom-com genre.

With net worths ranging from $2 million to $35 million, their careers reflect diverse paths in film, TV, and music.

Their personal lives, from Deschanel’s musical family to Gordon-Levitt’s private marriage, mirror the film’s themes of love and self-discovery, cementing its enduring legacy.