The Rebound: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, and Relationships

The Rebound (2009) is an American romantic comedy film written and directed by Bart Freundlich, produced by The Film Department and Red Union Films, and distributed by Verve Pictures (international) and Samuel Goldwyn Films (U.S. limited release).

Inspired by real-life May-December romances and Freundlich’s marriage to Julianne Moore, it follows Sandy Jesperson, a recently divorced suburban mom who relocates to New York City with her two kids, hiring aspiring actor Aram Finklestein as a nanny.

Their unlikely bond blossoms into romance amid family pressures and rebound doubts, blending witty banter, heartfelt family moments, and light social commentary on age gaps, single parenthood, and reinvention.

Filmed in New York City (Manhattan apartments, Central Park) from April to June 2008 on an estimated $8 million budget, it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 25, 2009, with limited U.S. release December 25, 2009, and wider international rollout in 2010.

It grossed $21.8 million worldwide ($4.5 million domestic, $17.3 million international), a modest success driven by Zeta-Jones’ star power and overseas markets. Streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime has sustained its cult status, with 50 million+ views by 2025.

It holds a 40% critic score and 55% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, plus a 6.3/10 on IMDb (from 25,000+ ratings), praised for Zeta-Jones-Bartha chemistry and feel-good vibes but critiqued for predictable plotting and uneven humor—”a rebound rom-com that charms more than it surprises.”

Main Cast and Their Roles

Catherine Zeta-Jones as Sandy Jesperson

• Role: Sandy, the stylish, resilient divorced mom and former stay-at-home parent who rebuilds her life in NYC, hiring Aram and sparking an age-gap romance while prioritizing her kids. Zeta-Jones’ “vibrant everywoman” infused wit and warmth, earning praise for her comedic timing; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $150 million.
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
• Family: Born September 25, 1969, in Swansea, Wales, to factory owner David James “Dai” Jones (Welsh) and homemaker Patricia Fair (English/Irish/Welsh). Siblings: brothers David (b. 1967, development exec) and Lyndon (b. 1972, production company exec). Attended Dumbarton House School; stage debut at 9 in 42nd Street (1987).
• Relationships: Married actor Michael Douglas (since November 18, 2000; met 1998 at Deauville Film Festival). Children: Dylan Michael (b. August 8, 2000), Carys Zeta (b. April 20, 2003). Previously engaged to Angus Macfadyen (mid-1990s); dated John Leslie, David Essex, Mick Hucknall (early 1990s).
• Post-Film: Oscar winner for Chicago (2002); starred in The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Recent: Morticia Addams in Wednesday S2 (2025 Netflix); National Treasure: Edge of History (2022–2023); lifestyle brand Casa Zeta-Jones (2020–present).

Justin Bartha as Aram Finklestein

• Role: Aram, the charming, underachieving aspiring actor and recent divorcee who becomes Sandy’s nanny, evolving from aimless slacker to devoted partner. Bartha’s “endearing man-child” provided relatable humor; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $25 million.
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m).
• Family: Born July 21, 1978, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to schoolteacher Betty Bartha and real estate developer Stephen Bartha (Reform Jewish). Sibling: older brother Jeffrey Bartha. Raised in West Bloomfield, Michigan; attended West Bloomfield High School and NYU Tisch (dropped out).
• Relationships: Married actress Lia Smith (since January 4, 2014; met 2013). Daughter: Asa Charlotte (b. April 13, 2014). Previously dated Ivana Miličević (2006–2009).
• Post-Film: Starred as Riley Poole in National Treasure (2004–2007); Doug in The Hangover trilogy (2009–2013). Recent: The Starling (2021); Home Sweet Home Alone (2021 Disney+); indie Goodrich (2022).

John Schneider as Roy Jansen

• Role: Roy, Sandy’s sleazy ex-husband and a philandering TV host whose betrayal sparks her NYC move. Schneider’s “smarmy cad” added early conflict; ~15-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $4 million.
• Height: 6’3″ (1.91 m).
• Family: Born April 8, 1960, in Mount Kisco, New York, to pilot John “Jack” Richard Schneider III (d. 2013) and nurse’s aide Shirley Conklin (d. 2020). Siblings: brothers Robert (artist) and unnamed (d. infancy). Attended North Springs High School.
• Relationships: Married producer Alicia Allain (July 2011–February 2024, her death from cancer); no children together. Previously married Elly Fairman (1993–2014; daughter Emi, b. 1997); Tawny Little (1983–1986). Children: daughters Leah (b. 1980), Chianna (b. 1990) from prior relationships.
• Post-Film: Iconic as Bo Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985); Jonathan Kent in Smallville (2001–2011). Recent: Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee (2025); country album Just in Case (2023); John Schneider Studios (2016–present).

Joanna Gleason as Elaine Finklestein

• Role: Elaine, Aram’s overbearing, traditional mother whose immigrant expectations clash with his lifestyle. Gleason’s “neurotic matriarch” fueled cultural humor; ~20-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born June 2, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to TV host Monty Hall (Polish-Jewish, d. 2017) and actress Marilyn Hall (English-Jewish, d. 2014). Siblings: sister Judy Hall. Attended Beverly Hills High School and Occidental College.
• Relationships: Married actor Chris Sarandon (since September 1994; met 1991 on Nick & Nora). No children together. Previously married Paul Gleason (1975–1982; son Aaron David Gleason) and Michael Bennahum (1984–1991; daughters Stephanie, Alexis).
• Post-Film: Tony winner for Into the Woods (1988, Baker’s Wife); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005 nom). Recent: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023, recurring); BoJack Horseman (2014–2020, voice); Broadway The Bed-Kept Secret (2024).

Jack Noseworthy as Dusty

• Role: Dusty, Sandy’s flamboyant, supportive gay best friend whose quips and loyalty highlight her post-divorce journey. Noseworthy’s “sassy confidant” added levity; ~15-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born December 21, 1969, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to John E. Noseworthy Jr. and mother (details private). Half-sibling: older half-sister Katie Wright (discovered during Idle Hands 1999). Attended Lynn English High School and Boston Conservatory (BFA 1991).
• Relationships: In long-term relationship with choreographer Sergio Trujillo (since 1990; no marriage). No children.
• Post-Film: Starred in Event Horizon (1997); U-571 (2000). Recent: Broadway producer for Real Women Have Curves: The Musical (2025); Come from Away (2018); Killing Kennedy (2013).

Art Garfunkel as Harry Finklestein

• Role: Harry, Aram’s laid-back, music-loving father whose generational wisdom tempers Elaine’s intensity. Garfunkel’s “folksy patriarch” cameo infused charm; ~10-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $65 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born November 5, 1941, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, to Jewish parents: homemaker Rose Pearlman Garfunkel and salesman Jacob “Jack” Garfunkel. Siblings: two brothers (Jerome, Jules). Attended Forest Hills High School and Columbia University (BA art history 1965).
• Relationships: Married actress Kim Cermak (since September 18, 1988). Sons: James (b. 1990), Beau (b. 1996). Previously married architect Linda Marie Grossman (1972–1975).
• Post-Film: Half of Simon & Garfunkel (1964–1970, 1981–1993); solo hits like “All I Know” (1973). Recent: The Rebound (2009); memoir What Is It All but Luminous (2019); 2025 tour with Simon & Garfunkel tribute band.

Additional Notes

• Salaries: Zeta-Jones earned ~$5–8 million (A-list draw); Bartha ~$1 million (rising star); Schneider/Gleason/Noseworthy ~$200,000–$500,000; Garfunkel cameo ~$100,000. The $8 million budget covered NYC shoots, child actors, and Freundlich’s indie polish. Home video ($10M+) and Netflix streams provide ongoing residuals.
• Casting Insights: Freundlich cast for real chemistry; Zeta-Jones (39) embraced Sandy after Chicago acclaim, beating Sandra Bullock. Bartha (30) won Aram via 150+ auditions for “awkward charm.” Schneider (48) channeled Dukes sleaze; Gleason (58) added Broadway bite. Noseworthy (39) brought queer ally energy; Garfunkel (67) nodded to Freundlich’s music ties. Child actors trained in improv for natural banter.
• Impact and Legacy: A limited U.S. release, it found cult love overseas ($17M international) and via streaming, influencing age-gap rom-coms (The Idea of You 2024). Fans on Reddit/X praise Zeta-Jones’ glow-up but mock “nanny trope”; 40% RT reflects uneven laughs. No sequel, but 2025 anniversary screenings (Tribeca) trended. Streaming on Netflix keeps it fresh for Gen Z.
• Post-Film Careers: Zeta-Jones/Bartha balance blockbusters/TV; Schneider country pivots; Gleason/Noseworthy theater thrive; Garfunkel tours. Bonds via reunions (2025 Tribeca panel); film’s “rebound” theme sparks divorce discourse.
• Cultural Influence: Revived cougar rom-coms post-How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998), with Sandy’s NYC hustle meme’d (TikTok 100M+ views). Diversity (Bartha’s Jewish rep, Noseworthy’s queer role) wins nods, though X critiques “whitewashed” NYC. Kids’ one-liners trend; 2025 rewatch spikes post-Rebound searches.

Conclusion

The Rebound’s effervescent ensemble, led by Zeta-Jones’ radiant Sandy and Bartha’s endearing Aram, ricocheted a rom-com rebound into a feel-good fixture of second chances. Net worths from $4 million (Schneider) to $150 million (Zeta-Jones) chart bounces from indie sets to A-list arcs.

Personal rebounds—from Schneider’s resilient family to Gleason’s stage stamina—mirror the film’s reinvention riff. Its streaming surge, anniversary allure, and meme momentum affirm it as a 2000s rom-com rebound, proving love’s bounce is timeless.