List of Wizards of Waverly Place characters explained

The Disney Channel original series Wizards of Waverly Place was created by Todd J. Greenwald. The show first aired on October 12, 2007 and ended on January 6, 2012.

The series centers on the fictional characters of the Russo family, which includes Alex (Selena Gomez), her older brother Justin (David Henrie), and their younger brother Max (Jake T. Austin). The three Russo siblings are wizards in training and live with their Italian-American father, Jerry (David DeLuise), a former wizard, and their Mexican-American mother, Theresa (Maria Canals-Barrera), who is a mortal.

The siblings have to keep their magical powers secret while living in the mortal world. When they complete their wizard training, the three siblings have to compete in the wizard competition to decide who will become the next family wizard and keep their powers.

Overview

CharacterPortrayed byChronology
Season 1Season 2The MovieSeason 3Season 4Alex vs. AlexWizards Beyond
Main characters
Alex RussoSelena Gomez
Justin RussoDavid Henrie[1]
Max RussoJake T. Austin
Harper FinkleJennifer Stone
Theresa RussoMaria Canals Barrera
Jerry RussoDavid DeLuise
ArchieSteve Valentinecolspan="4"
Javier Xavier Torrescolspan="4"
GiselleJennifer Aldencolspan="4"
Mason GreybackGregg Sulkin
DominicBeau Mirchoff
BillieJanice LeAnn Brown
Roman RussoAlkaio Thiele
Giada RussoMimi Gianopulos
Milo RussoMax Matenko
WinterTaylor Cora
Recurring characters
Zeke BeakermanDan Bensoncolspan="2"
Mr. Herschel LaritateBill Chottcolspan="2"
Professor CrumbsIan Abercrombie
Hugh NormousJosh Sussmancolspan="2"
Juliet van HeusenBridgit Mendler
Stevie NicholsHayley Kiyokocolspan="3"
The MummyJohn Eric Bentleycolspan="3"
Gorog, Angel of DarknessJohn Rubinstein
Max "Maxine" Russo Bailee Madisoncolspan="2"
RosieLeven Rambincolspan="2"
Kelbo RussoJeff Garlincolspan="3"
Gigi HollingsworthSkyler Samuelscolspan="5"
The WannabesKelsey Sanders
Heather Trzyna
colspan="5"
Monotone WomanAmanda Tepecolspan="5"
Frankie / JoeyPaulie Littcolspan="3"
RileyBrian Kubachcolspan="6"
Dean MoriartyDaniel Samonascolspan="2"
ConscienceMoises Ariascolspan="3"
Alucard van HeusenJD Cullumcolspan="5"
Cindy van HeusenAnne Ramsaycolspan="5"
Chancellor Rudy TootietootieAndy Kindlercolspan="2"
Talia RobinsonMcKaley Millercolspan="2"
FelixFrank Pachecocolspan="2"
Minor characters
T.J. TaylorDaryl Sabaracolspan="5"
Officer LampMichael A. Shepperdcolspan="5"
Officer GoblinBrian Scolarocolspan="5"
Miranda HampsonLucy Halecolspan="6"
Mr. StufflebyFred Willardcolspan="3"
CarmelaNatalia Nogulich
FrancescaAntonella Lentini

Main

Alex Russo

See main article: Alex Russo. Alexandra Margarita Russo (Selena Gomez) is the only female of the three Russo siblings and the middle child. She is sly, rebellious, outgoing, and usually underachieves when it comes to school. She often gets into trouble because of her constant schemes (usually involving magic).[2] Alex and Justin Russo are the only characters to appear in every episode of the series and the shows focus tends to be on her and her journey being/becoming a wizard

Justin Russo

Justin Vincenzo Pepé Russo (David Henrie) is Alex's and Max's older brother and the oldest of the three Russo siblings. He is very smart and is often considered a "nerd" because he is in numerous clubs and has learned over 5000 spells. He continues his wizard studies in a Monster Hunting course. For his knowledge of wizardry, he takes after his father, Jerry, who originally won the Wizard Family Competition against Kelbo and Megan.

Max Russo

Maximilian Alonzo Ernesto Russo (Jake T. Austin) is the youngest of the three Russo siblings. Although Max is an underachiever in the beginning, he advances more during the series. During season four, Alex and Justin accidentally turn Max into a little girl who is then given the name "Maxine" (Bailee Madison). Maxine remains as such for five episodes starting from "Three Maxes and a Little Lady" and ending with "Back to Max" when the spell is reversed.

Harper Finkle

Harper Finkle (Jennifer Stone) is Alex's best friend. She used to have a crush on her brother, Justin Russo, but eventually falls in love with Justin's best friend, Zeke Beakerman. Harper is a typical teenager: self-expressive but a little insecure at times. Unlike Alex, she is a hardworking student and a fairly positive person. During season 2, Harper finds out about the Russo family's wizard powers.

Theresa Russo

Theresa Russo (Maria Canals-Barrera) is the mother of Alex, Justin and Max Russo and co-owner of the Waverly Sub Station, with her husband Jerry. Theresa is the slightly more serious one of the couple. Theresa is Mexican American (as a Latina, Canals Barrera has Spanish ancestry through her Cuban parents).[3]

Jerry Russo

Jerry Russo (David DeLuise) is the father of Alex, Justin and Max Russo and co-owner of the Waverly Sub Station with his wife Theresa. He is also a former wizard who chose to give up his powers to marry his wife Theresa, a mortal, due to a rule forbidding wizards to marry mortals. Jerry is Italian American (DeLuise also has Italian ancestry).[4]

Billie

Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) is a wizard-in-training who comes to live with him and his family in the sequel series.

Roman Russo

Roman Russo (Alkaio Thiele) is a wizard and Justin's and Giada's son, and Max's and Alex's nephew, whom the latter dotes over.

Giada Russo

Giada Russo (Mimi Gianopulos) is Roman's mother and Justin's human wife, whom he chose to give up his powers to marry.

Recurring

The following is a list of recurring characters in the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place.

Other recurring

Minor

Film

Characters only appear in .

TV special

Characters only appear in .

Guests

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Selena Gomez confirmed for Wizards Of Waverly Place sequel. Lewis. George. January 18, 2024. February 4, 2024.
  2. Web site: 21 Reasons Alex Russo From 'Wizards Of Waverly Place' Is Your Ideal BFF . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026150000/https://www.mtv.com/news/3ilflk/alex-russo-wizards-waverly-place-best-friend . dead . October 26, 2022 . October 26, 2022 . MTV . en.
  3. Wizards of Waverly Place episode: "You Can't Always Get What You Carpet"
  4. Wizards of Waverly Place episode: "Quinceañera"
  5. "Smarty Pants", season 2, episode 1 has Zeke in the credits; in "Movies", season 1, episode 9 he is called "Zack".
  6. Web site: Selena Gomez's 'Waverly Place' Character Would've Been Bisexual, Head Writer Says 'We Weren't Able' to Make It Explicit: 'We Got as Close as We Could'. Variety. Zack. Sharf. March 28, 2023. March 30, 2023.
  7. "The Supernatural", season 1, episode 15, has "Kari Landsdorf" in the credits.