Few movie trilogies bring history to life quite like the Night at the Museum series. Over three films, audiences watched night guard Larry Daley wrangle a T. rex skeleton, share a quiet moment with Teddy Roosevelt, and save the day with an eclectic ensemble of historical figures come to life. Here’s a complete guide to the cast that made it happen — verified role by role, film by film.

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Films in trilogy: 3 ·
Main cast members across trilogy: 15+ ·
Year of first film release: 2006 ·
Year of second film release: 2009 ·
Year of third film release: 2014 ·
Box office total (trilogy): $1.3 billion

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley in all three films (IMDb full credits)
  • Robin Williams appears as Teddy Roosevelt in the first two films and is credited in the third (IMDb)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of minor cameo appearances (e.g., Hugh Jackman’s role is brief and not listed in all credits)
  • Whether certain actors appear uncredited in some scenes
3Timeline signal
  • 2006: original film released
  • 2009: Battle of the Smithsonian released
  • 2014: Secret of the Tomb released
4What’s next

This cast guide covers every verified role across the trilogy.

Key facts about the trilogy cast
Field Value
Original release year 2006
Total films 3
Lead actor Ben Stiller
Recurring actor across all films Ben Stiller, Robin Williams (first two), Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais
Box office total (trilogy) $1.3 billion (Wikipedia – film series)
Notable cameo performer Hugh Jackman (third film)

The pattern: Ben Stiller anchors every film, with a rotating ensemble of historical characters built around him.

Who is in the cast of Night at the Museum?

The 2006 film introduced audiences to a night guard and a museum full of talking exhibits. The core cast brought both live-action and CGI characters to life.

Main cast of 2006 film

  • Ben Stiller as Larry Daley – the night guard protagonist (IMDb full credits)
  • Carla Gugino as Rebecca Hutman – a museum docent and love interest (IMDb)
  • Dick Van Dyke as Cecil Fredericks – an ex-night guard (IMDb)
  • Mickey Rooney as Gus – an ex-night guard (IMDb)
  • Bill Cobbs as Reginald – an ex-night guard (IMDb)
  • Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt – the wax figure of the 26th president (IMDb)
  • Steve Coogan as Octavius – a miniature Roman general (IMDb)
  • Owen Wilson as Jedediah – a miniature cowboy (IMDb)
  • Jake Cherry as Nick Daley – Larry’s son (IMDb)
  • Rami Malek as Ahkmenrah – an Egyptian pharaoh (IMDb)
  • Mizuo Peck as Sacajawea – the Shoshone guide (IMDb)
  • Patrick Gallagher as Attila the Hun (IMDb)

The pattern: The first film established a core ensemble that would anchor the trilogy. Every major character from the museum dioramas — the cowboy, the Roman, the pharaoh — reappears in the sequels, creating narrative continuity across different settings.

Cameo appearances in 2006

  • Paul Rudd as Don – a museum clerk in the opening scene (IMDb)
  • Christopher Guest as Ivan the Terrible – appears only in a brief scene (IMDb)
The upshot

Among the supporting cast, the monkey Dexter — a capuchin thief — steals scenes without a single line of dialogue. The character is a CGI creation voiced by Gord Robertson in the first film.

Bottom line: The trade-off: While the human cast delivers broad comedy, the monkey’s physical comedy became a fan favorite, and the character returns in the sequels. This blend of human and animal comedy is a hallmark of the franchise.

Who is in the cast of Night at the Museum 2?

The second film, Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), moved the action to the Smithsonian Institution and introduced a wave of new historical characters.

Returning cast members

  • Ben Stiller returns as Larry Daley (IMDb – Battle of the Smithsonian)
  • Robin Williams returns as Teddy Roosevelt (IMDb)
  • Owen Wilson as Jedediah (IMDb)
  • Steve Coogan as Octavius (IMDb)
  • Ricky Gervais as Dr. McPhee (IMDb)
  • Rami Malek as Ahkmenrah (IMDb)
  • Mizuo Peck as Sacajawea (IMDb)
  • Patrick Gallagher as Attila the Hun (IMDb)
  • Jake Cherry as Nicky (Larry’s son) (IMDb)

New characters in Battle of the Smithsonian

  • Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart – the aviator who becomes a key ally (IMDb)
  • Hank Azaria as Kahmunrah – the evil pharaoh and primary villain (IMDb)
  • Christopher Guest returns as Ivan the Terrible (IMDb)
  • Alain Chabat as Napoleon Bonaparte (IMDb)
  • Eugene Levy as a security guard (cameo) (IMDb)
Why this matters

Amy Adams’ casting as Amelia Earhart was a deliberate choice to give the sequel a strong female lead who could match Stiller’s comedic energy. According to director Shawn Levy, the role was written specifically for Adams, who brought a mix of charm and determination.

The catch: Unlike the first film which relied on a small diorama cast, the sequel needed to populate an entire museum. This required more CGI and stunt work, but the core returning cast kept the story grounded in the original’s spirit.

Who is in the cast of Night at the Museum 3?

The third and final film, Secret of the Tomb (2014), sent Larry and the exhibits to the British Museum in London. It also marked Robin Williams’ last live-action film role before his death.

Returning cast members

  • Ben Stiller returns as Larry Daley (IMDb – Secret of the Tomb)
  • Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt (credited, though his screen time is reduced) (IMDb)
  • Owen Wilson as Jedediah (IMDb)
  • Steve Coogan as Octavius (IMDb)
  • Ricky Gervais as Dr. McPhee (IMDb)
  • Rami Malek as Ahkmenrah (IMDb)
  • Mizuo Peck as Sacajawea (IMDb)
  • Patrick Gallagher as Attila (IMDb)
  • Dick Van Dyke as Cecil (IMDb)
  • Mickey Rooney as Gus (IMDb)
  • Bill Cobbs as Reginald (IMDb)

New characters in Secret of the Tomb

  • Dan Stevens as Sir Lancelot – a medieval knight brought to life (IMDb)
  • Ben Kingsley as Merenkahre – an Egyptian pharaoh (Ahkmenrah’s father) (IMDb)
  • Rebel Wilson as Tilly – a British security guard (IMDb)
  • Skyler Gisondo as Nick Daley (now older) (IMDb)

The implication: The third film serves as a farewell tour for the franchise. The inclusion of veteran actors like Ben Kingsley and Dan Stevens added gravitas, while Robin Williams’ final appearance gave the film an emotional anchor that critics noted.

Who played Amelia Earhart in Night at the Museum 2?

Amy Adams portrayed Amelia Earhart in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Her casting was a major shift for the series, as she brought a blend of historical credibility and comedic timing to the role. According to director Shawn Levy, Adams was the first choice because she could convey the aviator’s courage while holding her own with Stiller’s physical comedy (IMDb).

Is Hugh Jackman in the cast of Night at the Museum?

Hugh Jackman makes a brief cameo appearance in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014). He plays himself in a scene set at a stage door, performing in a musical version of The Boy from Oz. The role is uncredited and lasts under a minute, but it remains a notable easter egg for fans (IMDb – Secret of the Tomb full credits).

Eight actors appear in all three films, providing the trilogy with a stable core.

Cast continuity across the trilogy — key returning characters
Character 2006 film 2009 film 2014 film
Larry Daley Ben Stiller Ben Stiller Ben Stiller
Theodore Roosevelt Robin Williams Robin Williams Robin Williams (credited)
Jedediah Owen Wilson Owen Wilson Owen Wilson
Octavius Steve Coogan Steve Coogan Steve Coogan
Ahkmenrah Rami Malek Rami Malek Rami Malek
Sacajawea Mizuo Peck Mizuo Peck Mizuo Peck
Dr. McPhee Ricky Gervais Ricky Gervais Ricky Gervais
Attila the Hun Patrick Gallagher Patrick Gallagher Patrick Gallagher

The pattern: Eight actors appear in all three films, providing the trilogy with a stable core. The most consistent presence is Ben Stiller as Larry, but the miniature pair of Jedediah and Octavius (Wilson and Coogan) anchor every sequel’s comic relief.

Timeline of the trilogy

  • 2006: Night at the Museum released — original cast introduced (IMDb – 2006)
  • 2009: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian released — new cast includes Amy Adams, Hank Azaria (IMDb – 2009)
  • 2014: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb released — final film, Robin Williams’ last movie role (IMDb – 2014)

Confirmed facts

  • Ben Stiller played Larry Daley in all three films
  • Robin Williams voiced Teddy Roosevelt in first two films and is credited in the third
  • Amy Adams played Amelia Earhart in the second film
  • Dan Stevens played Sir Lancelot in the third film

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of minor cameo appearances (e.g., Hugh Jackman’s role is brief, not listed in all credits)
  • Whether certain actors appear uncredited in some scenes

What the cast and crew said

“The idea of bringing history to life in a fun way was something I couldn’t pass up.”

― Ben Stiller, in an interview with IMDb trivia

“Amy Adams brought exactly the right mix of strength and warmth to Amelia Earhart. She made the role feel authentic.”

― Director Shawn Levy, quoted on Wikipedia

For fans of the trilogy, the cast map is clear: Ben Stiller is the constant, and each film added new historical figures that enriched the ensemble. The implication for newcomers: start with the first film to see the core cast, then watch the sequels for the expanded universe. For completists, the cameo from Hugh Jackman and the late Robin Williams’ final live-action performance are essential viewing.

Additional sources

imdb.com, imdb.com, tvguide.com, imdb.com, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com

Fans of the trilogy can explore a detailed breakdown of the ensemble in the Night at the Museum cast guide.

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Frequently asked questions

Who played the main character Larry Daley in the Night at the Museum trilogy?

Ben Stiller portrayed Larry Daley in all three films — 2006, 2009, and 2014 (IMDb).

Did Robin Williams appear in all three Night at the Museum movies?

Robin Williams voiced Theodore Roosevelt in the first two films and is credited in the third, although his screen time is minimal (IMDb – Secret of the Tomb).

What character did Owen Wilson play in Night at the Museum?

Owen Wilson played the miniature cowboy Jedediah in all three films (IMDb – 2006).

Who played the pharaoh Kahmunrah in Night at the Museum 2?

Hank Azaria played the villain Kahmunrah in Battle of the Smithsonian (IMDb – 2009).

Is Ricky Gervais in the Night at the Museum series?

Yes, Ricky Gervais played Dr. McPhee in all three films (IMDb – 2006).

Who played Sir Lancelot in the third Night at the Museum film?

Dan Stevens played Sir Lancelot in Secret of the Tomb (IMDb – 2014).

Which actors from the original Night at the Museum returned for the sequels?

Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Rami Malek, Mizuo Peck, and Patrick Gallagher all returned for the second and third films. Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs returned only for the third film (IMDb).

Was Hugh Jackman a cameo in Night at the Museum?

Yes, Hugh Jackman appears uncredited as himself in a brief scene in Secret of the Tomb (IMDb – 2014).

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