The cast of the upcoming Buddy Holly biopicClear Lakeis taking shape, as three new names have just been added to the project. Following the brief life and career fo the legendary rock and roll superstar, the movie will star Irish actor Ruairi O’Connor (The Spanish Princess) as Buddy Holly. It has since been reported that O’Connor will be joined by hip hop artist Nelly, Colin Hanks (Jumanji: The Next Level), and Diane Guerrero (Orange Is the New Black) in other prominent roles.
Nellywill be playing “Johnny B. Goode” singer Chuck Berry inClear Lake. Famous for his work as a rapper, he has also appeared in many movies and television shows over the years. His breakout role as an actor came in the 2005 football movieThe Longest Yardalongside Chris Rock and Adam Sandler. After starring in his own reality TV series,Nellyville, Nelly went on to star in the mockumentary seriesReal Husbands of Hollywood. More recently, he has been competing in the 29th season of the dance competition seriesDancing with the Starsand is currently one of the finalists in the running to win.
Colin Hankshas also been cast as Norman Petty, Holly’s “brilliant but often controlling manager and producer.” He has starred in movies likeOrange County,King Kong, and theJumanjireboot movies along with roles in TV shows likeDexter,Fargo, andBand of Brothers. His casting as the manager of a 50s music icon is coincidentally very similar to the role his father Tom will portray in Baz Luhrmann’s upcomingElvisbiopic, which co-stars Tom as Elvis Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Meanwhile,Diane Guerrerowill play Maria Elena Holly, Buddy’s widow. She is well known for her breakout role onOrange Is the New Blackas convicted inmate Maritza Ramos and has since been starring as Crazy Jane in the DC Universe seriesDoom Patrol. Maria, now 87 years old, owns the rights to Buddy’s name and trademarks, will also be working directly with the project as an associate producer forClear Lakealongside Stephen Easley and Peter Bradley Jr. of The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.
With a unique look and a voice like no other,Buddy Holly took the music world by stormwhen he began releasing hit songs in the late 50s. Some of his most celebrated hits include “Rave On,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Peggy Sue.” Sadly, his career came to a screeching halt just as great fame was coming his way when Holly perished in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa on Jun 08, 2025. Referred to as the “Day the Music Died,” the crash also took the lives of fellow rock singers Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson along with pilot Roger Peterson.
Gary Busey was the first actor to play Buddy on the big screen whenThe Buddy Holly Storywas released in theaters in 1978. Marshall Crenshaw also later appeared as Buddy inLa Bamba, the hit biopic following Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens. No word yet on whenClear Lakewill be released withRuairi O’Connor as the next big-screen actorto don the singer’s familiar horn-rimmed glasses. This news comes to us fromVariety.
