“Surviving Christmas” was released in 2004 and brought together a surprising Christmas movie ensemble with Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate, and Catherine O’Hara in a quirky romantic comedy about a lonely executive who literally rents a family to spend Christmas at his childhood home. While the movie didn’t fare well with critics or at the box office, the cast has gone on to leave a lasting impact on Hollywood in very different ways.
Ben Affleck (Drew Latham)
GettyAffleck starred as Drew Latham, a wealthy but emotionally distant ad executive. Drew pays a family to pretend to be his own for the holidays, according to IMDb.
GettyWe’ve seen some big changes in Affleck’s career since starring in this movie. He went on to become a highly regarded actor and director.
Affleck won a Golden Globe and Directors Guild award for his work on “Argo.” Earlier this year, he starred in “The Accountant 2,” and continues to work on some other projects for Netflix.
James Gandolfini (Tom Valco)
GettyThe perfect choice to play the tough patriarch, Tom Valco, was James Gandolfini. His family was employed by Drew for this role, but many fans loved having the opportunity to see Gandolfini in a comedy role. This movie came out at the height of “The Sopranos.”
GettyHis portrayal of Tony Soprano on “The Sopranos” is still his best-known role. Before he passed away in 2013, Gandolfini had finished a number of movies. One of those happened to be the romantic comedy “Enough Said,” for which he got high praise and honors from critics. His last movie role was in “The Drop,” a criminal drama.
Christina Applegate (Alicia Valco)
GettyAlicia Valco was the teenage daughter of the family, played by Christina Applegate. She was shocked by Drew’s holiday pranks. Applegate’s performance showed off her stellar comedic chops, which had already earned her a household name on television.
GettyApplegate had a prosperous career in television, with parts in “Married… with Children” and “Dead to Me.” In recent years, the TV star has been very open about her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis. Applegate stays in touch with her fans about her health journey and uses her platform to help raise awareness.
She will release her memoir, “You With the Sad Eyes,” in 2026.
Catherine O’Hara (Christine Valco)
GettyChristine Valco was the patient wife of Tom. She was portrayed by Catherine O’Hara, who brought her trademark humor to the role. Her delivery and improvisational skills helped to make the movie even funnier.
GettySince “Surviving Christmas,” O’Hara has seen a rebirth in her career. That can all be linked to her Emmy-winning performance as Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek.”
In 2025 alone, she received Emmy nods for her work on “The Studio” and a guest appearance on “The Last of Us.” She is a well-liked and versatile performer.
Josh Zuckerman (Brian Valco)
GettyBrian Valco was the shy and socially awkward son of the Valco family. He was portrayed by Josh Zuckerman, and his snarky responses to Drew gave the movie an extra boost of that unconventional humor.
GettyAfter the movie, Zuckerman consistently got work in both television and film. He may be best known for his role as “Hat” on “Desperate Housewives.” Josh would later take on roles in “Kyle XY” and “90210.”
He currently works as a writer and actor. While he isn’t hunting down the major roles, he is taking on roles that have those scene-stealing moments.
“Surviving Christmas” may not be a beloved holiday classic, but it remains a curious footnote in the resumes of some truly remarkable talents. From Affleck’s award-winning directing to O’Hara’s recent Emmy buzz and Applegate’s courageous life chapter, we have seen how these actors’ careers have progressed since that snowy holiday comedy rolled into theaters. May James Gandolfini rest in eternal peace.
