Duddy is a restless, ambitious working-class Jewish youth growing up in Montreal. Lacking the academic promise of his older brother, he seeks to prove his worth through entrepreneurship and networking. He holds tightly to his grandfather's belief that a man without land is nothing, driving him to pursue wealth by any means necessary.

Max is a widowed taxi driver who supplements his income as an occasional pimp. He speaks plainly and possesses a tough, street-smart demeanor. He makes no secret of his favoritism toward his older son, investing all his pride and hope in a respectable medical career for the boy.

Lennie is the academic pride of the Kravitz family, carrying the heavy burden of his father's and uncle's expectations. He works diligently in medical school but struggles with a deep desire for social acceptance. This desire makes him highly susceptible to the influence of his wealthy, non-Jewish peers.

Simcha is a quiet, stoic Polish immigrant who runs a modest shoe repair shop. He tends a small vegetable garden in inhospitable soil and commands respect from the local community. His core philosophy—that a man is nothing without land—deeply influences his family's younger generation.

Yvette is a hardworking and pragmatic woman who initially meets Duddy while working at the hotel. She becomes instrumental in his business ambitions, managing logistics and property negotiations. Despite her crucial role in his success, she often struggles to receive proper acknowledgment for her efforts.

Virgil is an earnest, loyal young man who suffers from epilepsy. Facing severe employment discrimination due to his condition, he is desperate to prove his usefulness and accepts incredibly low wages. He advocates for better treatment of epileptics and remains fiercely dedicated to those who offer him a chance.

MacPherson is a weary, disenchanted history teacher burdened by his wife's severe illness. He initially clings to his pacifist principles, refusing to use corporal punishment despite constant provocation from his students. The stress of his personal life and classroom environment pushes him to his breaking point.

Benjy runs a successful dress factory and lives a financially secure, upright life. He covers up his marital difficulties by claiming impotence, hiding his wife's infertility to project a certain image. He holds a harsh view of his younger nephew while showering affection on the older one.

Ida is a frustrated woman married to a successful but emotionally distant man. She engages in affairs and publicly contradicts her husband's claims about their inability to have children. She resents the family dynamic and often analyzes the behavior of her in-laws.

Irwin is a wealthy college student working as a waiter for the summer. He uses his higher social standing to mock and humiliate the working-class staff. He frequently organizes gambling events and social activities designed to exclude or exploit those he views as inferior.

Linda is the intelligent, worldly daughter of the hotel owner where Duddy works. She runs with a wealthy, educated crowd and often treats others with condescension. She occasionally entertains the attention of working-class boys but ultimately aligns herself with her affluent peers.

Known as the Boy Wonder, Jerry is a real estate mogul and local legend who overcame humble beginnings and childhood polio. He uses a cane or wheelchair to move around. Beneath his charitable public persona, he operates lucrative gambling establishments and engages in illicit business practices.

Peter is a washed-up, alcoholic filmmaker who claims to be a communist exile. He possesses a massive ego regarding his artistic vision but lacks the discipline to find steady employment. He joins forces with a young entrepreneur to film local events, insisting on complete creative control.

Hugh is a wealthy, non-Jewish man serving on a university board of trustees. Rich and often bored, he finds amusement in bold, unconventional behavior. He becomes an unlikely financial backer and mentor figure, though he expects a certain level of personal connection in return.

Mr. Cohen is a prosperous member of the local Jewish community. He balances sharp business acumen with a sense of communal solidarity. He is willing to take a chance on an unproven young man, believing that Jewish people must support each other in a prejudiced society.

Cuckoo is a local Jewish comic trying to establish a successful entertainment career. He enjoys brainstorming get-rich-quick schemes and values the company of ambitious people. He operates on the fringes of the wealthy resort crowd, hoping for his big break.

Sandra is an affluent university student who runs with a popular, wealthy crowd. When she faces a severe personal crisis, she and her friends pressure a susceptible medical student into helping her. She relies heavily on her family's wealth and status to shield her from consequences.

Jennie is a chronically ill woman confined mostly to her home. Her deteriorating health requires constant care and causes her husband immense worry and emotional strain.