How old the stars of 'Easy A' were compared to their characters' ages
Olivia Singh
- "Easy A" was released on September 17, 2010, starring Emma Stone as protagonist Olive Penderghast.
- The film centered on Olive going from a wallflower to the most talked-about teen at her high school.
Emma Stone starred as 17-year-old Olive Penderghast, whose white lie about losing her virginity spun out of control and earned her a bad reputation at school.
Olive used to be a clean-cut anonymous student at Ojai North High School. But after lying to her best friend about losing her virginity to a community college freshman named George, she earned a negative reputation.
As rumors began spreading about Olive at school, many perpetuated by her, she embraced her new, provocative persona.
Stone was 21 when the film was released. Her breakthrough performance landed her plenty of awards-show recognition.
Stone earned a Golden Globes nomination for best actress in a musical or comedy, won an MTV Movie Award for best comedic performance, and won a Teen Choice Award for movie actress in a romantic comedy.
Weeks after the release of "Easy A," Stone hosted NBC's "Saturday Night Live" for the first time.
"Gossip Girl" star Penn Badgley played Todd, Olive's childhood crush who was likely the same age as her.
He earned the nickname "Woodchuck Todd" because he dressed as the school's mascot.
When Todd and Olive were in the eighth grade, they were paired together for the game seven minutes in heaven while at a party.
Because Todd wasn't ready to experience his first kiss, Olive lied for him and told everyone they locked lips.
By the end of "Easy A," Todd and Olive started going out.
Badgley was 23 at the time of the movie's release, making him a few years older than his character.
In a 2023 interview with Wired, Badgley said that he was "criminally old to be playing a high schooler" in "Easy A."
When the actor starred in "Easy A," he was already well-known thanks to his role as Dan Humphrey on The CW's hit drama series "Gossip Girl."
The show ran for six seasons between September 2007 and December 17, 2012.
Amanda Bynes played Marianne Bryant, Olive's high-school nemesis who was presumably also 17 or 18.
Marianne was the secretary of the student council, chairman of the Orange Blossom dance committee, and the president of the Cross Your Heart Club.
She and Olive had had classes together since they were in kindergarten. When gossip about Olive's sexual exploits became the biggest talking point at school, Marianne judged her for her alleged indecency.
Bynes was 24 when she played the high schooler and hasn't acted professionally since.
Bynes got her start in the entertainment industry as a child star on Nickelodeon in the '90s.
In the years after "Easy A," Bynes had several run-ins with the law.
Bynes was placed under a 72-hour mental health hold in 2013 after allegedly setting a small fire in her neighbor's driveway, and her mother was granted temporary conservatorship over the actor. The conservatorship reportedly continues to this day.
Dan Byrd portrayed Brandon, Olive's friend (presumably around the same age as her) who was bullied at school for being gay.
At a party, Brandon and Olive pretended to have sex because he was tired of being tormented at school for his sexuality and wanted people to believe he was straight.
In real life, Byrd was 24 years old.
Byrd started acting professionally in the late '90s. Throughout the 2000s, he guest-starred on shows like "ER," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and "Heroes."
Most notably, Byrd played Hilary Duff's on-screen best friend in the 2004 movie "A Cinderella Story."
Disney Channel alum Aly Michalka played Rhiannon Abernathy, Olive's best friend.
She was presumed to also be 17 or 18 years old. Olive described Rhiannon as having a "strong personality."
A 21 years old, Michalka was somewhat close in age with her "Easy A" character.
Michalka became a household name on Disney Channel with her role as Keely Teslow on the sitcom "Phil of the Future" and as one half of the musical duo Aly & AJ with her sister, AJ Michalka.
The same month that "Easy A" hit theaters, Michalka made her debut on the CW series "Hellcats." She played a cheerleader and pre-law student named Marti Perkins on the show, which lasted for one season.
Thomas Haden Church starred as Mr. Griffith, Olive's favorite teacher.
He taught English class and although his age wasn't indicated, he was likely middle-aged.
Church was 50 when he played the English teacher.
Church was already an Emmy winner ("Broken Trail") and Oscar nominee ("Sideways") by the time he starred in "Easy A."
Three years prior to the movie's release, he played Flint Marko/Sandman in the third movie in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy that starred Tobey Maguire.
"Friends" star Lisa Kudrow played Mrs. Griffith, the high-school guidance counselor.
Similar to Mr. Griffith, Mrs. Griffith's age also wasn't clear, but she was likely also middle-aged.
Kudrow was 47 years old when she appeared in "Easy A."
A year prior to "Easy A," Kudrow and Michalka costarred in the film "Bandslam."
Aside from appearing in "Easy A" in 2010, Kudrow also guest-starred on "Friends" costar Courteney Cox's show "Cougar Town."
She played a dermatologist named Dr. Amy Evans on season one, episode 11, released in January of that year.
Cam Gigandet portrayed Micah, a 22-year-old high school senior.
Micah was a fourth-year senior who had an affair with Mrs. Griffith while dating Marianne.
Their secret relationship came to light after Micah contracted chlamydia from Mrs. Griffith.
Gigandet was 28, making him six years older than his character.
Two years before playing Micah in "Easy A," Gigandet portrayed James, the main antagonist of "Twilight."
Two months after "Easy A," Gigandet appeared alongside Christina Aguilera and "Glee" star Dianna Agron in the film "Burlesque."
Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson played Olive's lively parents, Dill and Rosemary, respectively.
Olive lived in Ojai, California with her easygoing parents and adopted brother.
Tucci was 49 and Clarkson was 50 at the time.
"Easy A" marked Tucci and Clarkson's third movie together.
They previously costarred in "Joe Gould's Secret" (2000) and "Blind Date" (2007), both of which were directed by Tucci.
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