Characters / 8 Simple Rules

Hennessy Family

Paul Hennessy

Played by John Ritter

• Boyfriend-Blocking Dad: The show is based on this concept, particularly a very funny list from such a father. The full title, of course, was Eight Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter.
• Happily Married: Was in a happy marriage with Cate.
• Parental Favoritism: He's less strict towards Rory than he is towards his daughters, especially when it comes to dating.
• "Well Done, Dad!" Guy: Paul genuinely valued the opinions of his children and wanted to make them proud.

Cate Hennessy

Played by Katey Sagal

• Aesop Amnesia: During the first season, Cate tells Paul not to get his hopes up about the idea of being seen as popular in their daughters' eyes. However, sometime after Paul's passing, she tries to appear to be "with it" in front of them herself.
• Embarrassing Middle Name: One she didn't even know about: Stinky, after Jim's friend. While she knew her middle initial was S, she always assumed it stood for Stacy.
• Former Teen Rebel: As a teen, she was as rebellious as Bridget.
• Happily Married: Was this to Paul, before Paul's death obviously.
• Important Haircut: Cate puts a blonde streak in her hair as a sign she's changed over the summer.
• Only Sane Woman: She's the sanest member of the family.
• Women Are Wiser: More reasonable than her husband.

Bridget Hennessy

Played by Kaley Cuoco

• Brainless Beauty: Considered more attractive than Kerry (initially) and usually not very bright, save for a few moments of hidden intellect.
• Bratty Teenage Daughter: She likes boys, parties and rebelling.
• Character Development: She becomes more mature after her father's death.
• Childish Older Sibling: She's ditzier than her younger sister Kerry.
• Dumb Blonde: She has blonde hair and is The Ditz of the family.
• Everyone Loves Blondes: She gets voted Class President, is able to make men do anything she wants and even is still loved when she has to walk around with a facial mask on. Everyone loves her so much that when she announces herself on the intercom, a faint standing ovation is heard.
• Fallen Princess: After Kyle breaks up with her.
• Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: The ditzy and shallow Foolish to Kerry's studious Responsible. However, both mature after the death of their father.
• Lovable Alpha Bitch: She is a vain, superficial blonde ditz. However she's shown with enough Hidden Depths to be presented as a likable character. In fact, one episode has her introducing herself on the intercom, and is met with thunderous applause from around the school
• Parting-Words Regret: Before Paul dies, the last thing she said to him was "I Hate You" when he wouldn’t let her borrow the car, making her feel guilty for it.
• Phoneaholic Teenager: In an episode in which each member of the Hennessey has to temporarily give up a bad habit, Bridget's is talking on the phone too much.
• Single Woman Seeks Good Man: "Dorky" Donnie Doyle, a clean-cut Naval Academy student who Bridget dates briefly.

Kerry Hennessy

Played by Amy Davidson

• Bratty Teenage Daughter: In a different way than Bridget as she acts out for not fitting in.
• Character Development: Kerry started out as a cynical and depressed teenager but eventually grew to be nicer and more confident.
• Deadpan Snarker: The most sarcastic in the family.
• Fiery Redhead: Has red hair combined with her snarky and outspoken attitude.
• Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: The studious Responsible to Bridget's ditzy and shallow Foolish.
• Middle Child Syndrome: Although she spends more time whining about it than fulfilling it. She actually seems to be Paul's preferred child.
• Not So Above It All: Kerry speaks about how shallow modelling is when an agent comes around to see Bridget. However the agent says her red hair is fabulous and suggests she try it too - reducing Kerry to a bashful pile of giggles. The Stinger has her acting out the commercial Bridget auditioned for in her room.
• Soapbox Sadie: She is a passionate activist who cares about animal rights.

Rory Hennessy

Played by Martin Spanjers

• Annoying Younger Sibling: He constantly tattles on his older sisters.
• Character Development: Like Bridget, he becomes more mature after his father's death and shows more his Hidden Depths.
• Cloudcuckoolander: Was originally the most eccentric in the family, but after he matures, C.J. replaces him in the role.
• Last Het Romance: Rory is this for his date. He goes to great lengths to make her fall for him, but fails. However, even she thinks it should have worked, and thus concludes that she must not be into guys at all.

Hennessy Extended family

Jim Egan

Played by James Garner

Jim Egan is Cate's father.

• Screw Politeness, I'm a Senior!: Tends to be blunt about his opinions, particularly when paired with C.J.

C.J. Barnes

Played by David Spade

C.J.Barnes is Cate's nephew and cousin to Bridget, Kerry and Rory.

• Casanova Wannabe: He often pursues women, albeit unsuccessfully.
• Manchild: He's very childish for his age.
• Noodle Incident: The reason C.J. is Only Known by Initials is implied to be the result of some illegal activity that never gets elaborated upon at all.
• Only Known by Initials: What "C.J." stands for is never revealed.
• Parental Abandonment: The episode "C.J.'s Real Dad" reveals that he and his mother were abandoned by his biological father, who has recently tried to reconnect with him...to help advertise his new self-help book.