Six Feet Under remains one of HBO’s most beloved dramas, even decades after its finale. The show, which premiered on June 3, 2001, followed the Fisher family as they ran a funeral home in Los Angeles while dealing with their own personal struggles. The series ran for five seasons and 63 episodes, ending on August 21, 2005. Today, June 3, 2026, marks the show’s 25th anniversary. The cast of Six Feet Under brought depth, humor, and raw emotion to a story about death, grief, and family.
Michael C. Hall as David Fisher
Michael C. Hall played David Fisher, the responsible middle child who managed the family funeral home with his brother. David was uptight, deeply religious, and struggled to come to terms with being gay. Throughout the series, David’s jealousy toward his older brother Nate affected his actions and decisions. Hall captured David’s steady growth from a repressed, rule-following son to a man who found confidence and love.
Hall later became famous for playing the title role in Dexter. But for many fans, David Fisher remains his most emotionally layered performance.
Peter Krause as Nate Fisher
Peter Krause portrayed Nate Fisher, the eldest son who ran away from the family business years ago. Nate returned home after his father’s sudden death and found himself pulled back into the funeral home. He went from a carefree, wandering soul to a man fully absorbed in family responsibilities.
Krause brought honesty to Nate’s emotional struggles. Viewers watched him face his own mortality, navigate complicated relationships with Brenda and Lisa, and try to be a good father. Krause later starred in Parenthood and 9-1-1.
Frances Conroy as Ruth Fisher
Frances Conroy played Ruth Fisher, the widowed matriarch of the family. Ruth spent most of her life as a wife and mother, suppressing her own desires. After her husband Nathaniel died, Ruth slowly started building a new life for herself. She felt bitter toward her sister Sarah, who lived freely while Ruth stayed trapped in marriage.
Conroy delivered a quiet, powerful performance that showed Ruth’s emotional repression and her gradual awakening. She later appeared in American Horror Story, Dead to Me, and The Mist.
Lauren Ambrose as Claire Fisher
Lauren Ambrose played Claire Fisher, the youngest child and the family’s rebellious artist. Claire started the series as an adolescent dealing with cruel classmates and her own insecurities. Her sharp sarcasm and unique view of the world made her a fan favorite.
Over five seasons, viewers watched Claire grow from a lost teenager into a confident adult pursuing photography. Ambrose later starred in Servant and Yellowjackets, where she plays the adult version of Van.
Mathew St. Patrick as Keith Charles
Mathew St. Patrick took on the role of Keith Charles, David’s longtime partner who worked as a member of the LAPD. Keith encouraged David to come out to his family and stood by him through many difficult moments. His caring nature, especially toward his niece Taylor, showed his softer side.
St. Patrick appeared in all five seasons of Six Feet Under. His other credits include Sons of Anarchy and Extinction.
Freddy Rodríguez as Federico Diaz
Freddy Rodríguez played Federico “Rico” Diaz, a skilled mortician who worked for the Fisher family and later became a business partner. Rico was a family man who loved his wife Vanessa and their children. He often clashed with Nate and David over how to run the funeral home.
Rodríguez’s performance showed Rico’s ambition, pride, and deep commitment to his work. He later appeared in Ugly Betty and Bull.
Rachel Griffiths as Brenda Chenowith
Rachel Griffiths portrayed Brenda Chenowith, Nate’s brilliant but emotionally troubled on-and-off girlfriend. Brenda struggled with depression, a dysfunctional family, and her own self-destructive habits. Her relationship with Nate was messy, passionate, and often painful.
Griffiths brought intelligence and vulnerability to the role. She earned multiple award nominations for her performance. She later starred in Brothers & Sisters and Hacks.
Other Notable Cast Members
Six Feet Under also featured an impressive list of supporting actors who appeared as main cast members in later seasons.
Richard Jenkins played Nathaniel Fisher Sr. , the family patriarch who died in the very first episode. Jenkins appeared throughout the series in flashbacks and dream sequences. He later earned an Oscar nomination for The Shape of Water.
Jeremy Sisto played Billy Chenowith, Brenda’s younger brother who had bipolar disorder. Sisto was a main cast member in season one and returned as a recurring guest star in later seasons.
James Cromwell joined as George Sibley, a geology professor who became Ruth’s second husband. Cromwell became a series regular in seasons four and five.
Justina Machado played Vanessa Diaz, Federico’s wife and a nurse. She appeared as a recurring guest before becoming a main cast member in season five. Machado later led the reboot of One Day at a Time.
Kathy Bates, Rainn Wilson, Ben Foster, Catherine O’Hara, Mena Suvari, Peter Facinelli, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Bobby Cannavale all appeared as recurring or guest stars throughout the show’s run.
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The Show’s Legacy
Six Feet Under won nine Emmy Awards and received 53 Emmy nominations. Its series finale, “Everyone’s Waiting,” is often called one of the greatest endings in television history. The show’s honest look at death, sexuality, and family broke new ground for HBO dramas.
HBO celebrated the 25th anniversary on June 3, 2026, by releasing a new trailer and featuring the show prominently on the Max app. Rumors of a follow-up project have surfaced, but no official plans have been confirmed.
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