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| “ | I have a problem. But the reason I have a problem is this family. That's why. I'm not allowed to form an emotional connection. And I'm an emotional guy. You fuckers backed me into a corner. But you know what? I think you've set me free. So...this is farewell. | ” |
| — Cal to his family[src] | ||
Cal Jacobs is a main character in the first, second, and third seasons of Euphoria. Cal is portrayed by Eric Dane, while his 18-year-old counterpart is portrayed by Elias Kacavas.
Well known in town for his real-estate ventures, Cal is Nate's strict, demanding father with a secret sex life where he frequently has hook ups in motels with primarily young men and trans women.
He is son of Margaret and Bud Jacobs. He also is brother of Cassandra and Bud Jacobs, Jr., husband of Marsha Jacobs, and father of Aaron and Nate Jacobs, and uncle of Dean Jacobs.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Cal grew up in East Highland. Much like his son Nate Jacobs, he was popular and athletic, participating on the wrestling team with his best friend Derek; who he spent every day with. It is strongly implied that he had a difficult relationship with his own father as well. He began dating his now-wife, Marsha, when they were both 17. Despite this, Cal was actually secretly bisexual, and had feelings for Derek but never acted on them, most likely due to his homophobic father.
One night after they graduated, Derek took Cal to a bar on the outskirts of East Highland to have one last night time before they went to separate colleges. At this bar, the two share a kiss and hook up later that night. It was the first and perhaps only time Cal didn't have to hide who he was.
The next morning however, Marsha called Cal to inform him she was pregnant. When the call ended, Cal burst into tears, devastated upon realizing he will never be free to be who he truly is.
Season 1[]
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Season 2[]
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In a drunk state, Cal told his family he hooked up with a man - really his best friend Derek - the day before his wife announced she was pregnant to their firstborn, Aaron. He also revealed he had been living a double life, secretly hooking up with men, women, and trans women.
Personality[]
| “ | It's not just football. It's life. It's about mantaining your focus, it's about putting your all in everything you do. Why do you think I have the business I have? Why do I have the family I have? The success I have? [...] It's about who you wanna become in the world. | ” |
| — Cal to Cassie Howard | ||
Cal Jacobs is a complex man who's lived his entire life as a lie, pretending to be someone he's not due to his upbringing with an homophobic father. On surface he seems to be living example of "masculinity" having a successful job, a great fortune and apparently a perfect family. However, this is only the image he built and shows to society.
Underneath, he is in constant pain due to not being able to be himself, but he also refuses to do it in order to keep safe what he had accomplish in his life. He chose to live a double life considering it as the only escape for himself and have a place where he can act naturally. He tells Jules that he envies people of her generation because they don't care about rules or following social standards, something he couldn't when he was young because of social expectations imposed in a white, young man in his years as a student. Cal is also meticulous as seen when Nate discovered his elaborated plan to hide his CD tapes in which he recorded all his hook ups and adult videos.
Relationships[]
Family[]
Bud Jacobs[]
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Marsha Jacobs[]
Cal begins dating Marsha when they're both 17 and was the one to have "pushed his boundaries" about sex. They were close at the beginning, but in the present day, it seems that he hides much from his wife. She seems oblivious to his affairs and his coverups for Nate's violence and sociopathy.
Nate Jacobs[]
| “ | Nathaniel...Your whole fuckin' life's a secret. A mystery. Who knows about you? I have lived with you. I have raised you. I am your father. I know nothing about you. That's not true. I know that you're angry. I'm so sorry I fucked you up with my double life. | ” |
| — Cal to Nate[src] | ||
Nate and his father, Cal, shared a complex relationship marked by tension and conflict. Cal always dreamed of having a son who could follow in his footsteps as an athlete. He was a former athlete, and the position of quarterback represented for him not only success in sports but also a symbolic connection to his own identity and accomplishments. From an early age, Cal saw potential in Nate as a gifted athlete, especially in football. However, this vision of success was wrapped in relentless expectation. Cal wanted Nate to be not just a quarterback, but the best on the team, the athlete he himself failed to be.
This constant pressure and unrealistic expectations created a hostile environment between father and son. Cal expressed his displeasure openly, criticizing Nate's every flaw and constantly comparing him to other players he considered more worthy of the quarterback role. Despite the resentment Nate felt toward his father, he continued to undergo rigorous training. Cal's need for approval and acceptance, even if it was based on hard-to-reach standards, motivated Nate to persist in the sport, despite his desire to pursue other interests.
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Aaron Jacobs[]
| “ | Don't talk me about secrets. | ” |
| — Cal to Aaron[src] | ||
Cal and Aaron share a father-son relationship that is predominantly neutral, marked by daily coexistence without major conflicts or extreme affection. While Cal always maintained an emotional detachment, he harbored a certain contempt for Aaron's procrastinating personality. Cal, a more practical and results-oriented father, frequently expressed his frustration with Aaron's approach to life and goals. He viewed procrastination as an obstacle to Aaron's future success and often tried to offer advice or guidance, albeit in a more distant manner.
Despite their differences, the relationship between Cal and Aaron was not entirely strained. They shared some moments of connection in everyday activities, but the challenge was finding common ground between such different personalities.
The dynamic between them began to change when Cal realized that Aaron's more relaxed approach to life wasn't necessarily a sign of a lack of ambition. Over time, Cal began to accept and even appreciate Aaron's uniqueness, recognizing that success can take different forms and trajectories.
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Dean Jacobs[]
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Romances[]
Derek[]
Cal had been best friends with Derek for a while and always had feelings for him, but never expressed it. The two wrestled together and eventually got girlfriends in their junior year. Once they graduated, they went to a bar on the outskirts of East Highland to have one last night together before they went to separate colleges. At this bar, the two share a kiss and hook up later that night.
Jules Vaughn[]
Cal had a sexual encounter with Jules at a motel and then they met again at the carnival to tell her that he was sorry and begged her to not to tell anyone about their encounter at the motel, as it could ruin his reputation.
Physical appearance[]
In the past, as an 18 year old, he was quite tall and fit, showing some muscle definition and being slim. His grey hair was originally brown when he was younger, and slightly longer, parted with some falling down the side of his forehead. He has some light but prominent chest hair and a line of hair running from his navel. He also has a five o'clock shadow, with some stubble on his chin and sideburns.
In the present day, he has short grey hair, hooded blue eyes, square-like face shape with an angular jawline, and has a fair skin complexion. He has maintained and developed his muscular and well built physique, with pecs, biceps and abs, and is considerably attractive. He seems to have trimmed his chest hair, but the stubble on his chest and stomach is still seen. However, he has a slight dad bod due to his age. He has a trimmed beard and a soul patch and mustache, but sometimes he trims his sideburns, but keeps the hair on his chin and jaw. He is 6’2”. He is shorter than his son Nate who is 6’6”. He often wears muted neutral colors.
Appearances[]
Quotes[]
| “ | I’m envious of your generation, you don't care as much about the rules. | ” |
| — Cal to Jules[src] | ||
| “ | I'm a man. I'll fuck whoever I want, whenever I want. I'll fuck men, I'll fuck women, I'll fuck transsexuals, and I'll have a mighty fine time doin' it. I eat what I kill. I'm a f*****... sexist, chaser, pig, fuckin' creep, and I love it. | ” |
| — Cal to his family[src] | ||
| “ | Living a double life? Not my biggest regret. You are. | ” |
| — Cal to his family[src] | ||
| “ | I mean, we all have secrets. Aaron? The porn on your fucking computer made my jaw drop. Marsha, come back! You saw it. Your mother's the one who showed me. Don't talk to me about secrets. Watching eight people cum on one person's face, gang-bangs, fucking cum-funnels, fuckin' pissin' in people's asses. Jesus fuckin' Christ, man. I got problems, you got problems. | ” |
| — Cal to Aaron[src] | ||
Trivia[]
- He has a deep sexual desire, and doesn't care who he has sex with, as he states he has had sex with many people, regardless of gender and age.
- In "You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can", Cal tells Aaron that he had sex with his first male partner while Marsha was pregnant with him.[3]
- In "Ruminations: Big and Little Bullys", Cal unloads years of emotions on his sons and wife with his penis out, urinating and laughing while doing so. This is actually a prosthetic penis that he picked out himself. [4]
- The prosthetic penis is seen again in all his scenes when he is nude.
Gallery[]
- See also: Category:Images of Cal Jacobs
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 In "You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can", Cal states that the night he and Derek shared together occurred 25 years before 2019. They were both 18 at the time, so 18 plus 25 equals 43, and 2019 minus 43 equals 1976.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Ruminations: Big and Little Bullys"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can"
- ↑ https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a38925849/eric-dane-euphoria-season-two-interview/