Larry David is back on television with his signature brand of social commentary, but this time he’s taking it to the past. The new HBO comedy series Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness premiered on June 26, 2026, with David playing different characters across pivotal moments in American history. The show, which also counts President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as executive producers through their Higher Ground banner, combines David’s familiar comedic style with historical settings to create something that one producer describes as “Curb in costume.”
The series kicks off with President Obama himself introducing the concept in the premiere episode, titled “Livingston.” Obama sets up the show as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary before Larry David’s character enters and immediately begins complaining about minor inconveniences in historical moments.
Full Guest Star List for Episode 1
The premiere episode features an impressive roster of guest stars portraying historical figures. Here is the complete list:
- Barack Obama – Himself
- Samuel L. Jackson – Narrator
- Henry Winkler – John Hancock
- Chris Parnell – Benjamin Franklin
- Alan Tudyk – Thomas Jefferson
- Mo Gaffney – Mabel (Alexander Graham Bell’s wife)
- Alison Becker – Spectator 1
- Mary Sohn – Spectator 2
- Rodney J. Hobbs – Spectator 3
- Richard Kind – Thomas Watson
- Jake Reiner – Private Wallace
- Mike Castle – Private Smith
- Michael Chiklis – Sergeant
- Jurnee Smollett – Rosa Parks
The episode also features Samuel L. Jackson as the narrator, providing a dry and amused voice that helps transition between sketches. Richard Kind appears as Thomas Watson, the recipient of Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone call.
The Declaration of Independence Sketch
The first sketch puts David in a powdered wig playing Robert Livingston, one of the founding fathers tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence. David’s character attempts to add some personal grievances to the document, including complaints about being told who is attending dinner parties and making it illegal to share an umbrella in the rain. His ideas are promptly rejected by his fellow revolutionaries, played by Henry Winkler as John Hancock, Chris Parnell as Benjamin Franklin, and Alan Tudyk as Thomas Jefferson.
The Telephone Sketch
The show then moves to the invention of the telephone, with David playing Alexander Graham Bell. When he successfully makes the first phone call to Thomas Watson, played by Richard Kind, the conversation drags on awkwardly as Watson becomes chatty. David’s Bell struggles with how to politely end the call without being rude, turning a historic moment into a very familiar social annoyance.
The Rosa Parks Sketch
The premiere’s most talked-about segment features Jurnee Smollett as Rosa Parks. In this sketch, David plays a man named Murray sitting next to Parks on a segregated bus. When a white passenger demands Parks give up her seat, Murray refuses to move simply because he is comfortable and does not want to stand up.
After Parks thanks him, Murray misreads the situation and begins talking to her endlessly, asking where she is going and sharing far too much about himself. Smollett’s Parks eventually escapes by pretending to pray, allowing her to move to the back of the bus to avoid the conversation.
Smollett, who improvised much of her performance, told TV Insider: “I love improv, and Larry’s the king of it. I think for me, it was just as I would approach any other character, making the person a real person with real intentions, and staying sensitive to upholding her legacy.”
World War I Sketch
In a sketch set during World War I, Michael Chiklis plays a gruff Sergeant who orders Larry’s character into battle. David’s fellow soldiers include Jake Reiner, who also appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm and is the son of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
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Future Episodes to Look Forward To
The series, which runs for seven episodes through August 7, has announced many guest stars for future episodes, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Hamm, Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, Sean Hayes, Isla Fisher, Vince Vaughn, Rita Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and J.B. Smoove. One upcoming sketch features David playing the mother of polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, with a character clearly meant to parody Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
New episodes of Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness air Fridays at 9/8c on HBO and stream on HBO Max.
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