Typically, when Truity breaks down the observed personality traits of beloved ensemble TV shows (like here and here), we stick with the characters’ Myers Briggs or Enneagram types. But when you attempt to capture the unique personalities of Curb Your Enthusiasm, you gotta pull out the big guns: The Big Five personality model.
The most widely accepted personality theory in the scientific community and the basis of most modern academic personality research, the Big Five has been used to illuminate everything from how much of our personality is inherited to which personality factors correlate with income.
The Big Five is different from other personality systems because its model is based on traits rather than types. The Big Five measures personality traits along five common dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. And unlike , the Big Five measures Neuroticism, which I think we can all agree is absolutely necessary in analyzing almost everyone on Curb. (Incidentally, it is partially this inclusion of Neuroticism, that makes the Big Five so much more scientifically accurate).
So to mark the 12th and final season of Curb, here’s our analysis:
Larry David
Openness: High. Openness describes a person’s tendency to think in abstract, complex ways. High scorers tend to be creative, adventurous and intellectual. They enjoy playing with ideas and discovering novel experiences. Low scorers tend to be practical, conventional and focused on the concrete.Larry exhibits a high level of creativity and willingness to engage in new experiences, as evidenced by his constant ventures into various social situations and his unconventional approach to solving problems. Witness Larry's creation of a “spite store” to thwart mortal enemy Mocha Joe, or deciding to wear a MAGA hat in super blue west LA to ward off strangers and their unwelcome small talk. Those high in this trait tend to challenge social norms and are open to discussing taboo topics, such as Larry accusing Michael J. Fox of “exploiting” his Parkinson’s Disease.
Conscientiousness: Low. Conscientiousness describes the degree to which a person is able to forgo immediate demands or distractions in favor of delayed gratification. No surprises here for fans of Curb, but Larry is low in the trait of Conscientiousness, frequently unable to exhibit self-control and having a blatant disregard for rules and social etiquette – like calling out how everyone says “no gifts” but doesn’t mean or it, the “shoes off” rule, or the hypocrisy of the “anonymous donor.” Honestly, there are almost too many examples to count of Larry questioning social etiquette!Other examples of Larry being low in this trait are his impulsive behaviors, such as his investment in the “car periscope,” or being straight-up rude, like calling out, “How did you two meet” as the lowest form of conversation.
Extraversion: Medium. Extraversion describes how likely a person is to experience positive emotions like excitement, joy and enthusiasm, particularly in response to interacting with other people. While one might immediately think that Larry, with his hatred of small talk and forced social gathering, tends to fall on the more Introverted side of this dimension, he also enjoys engaging with his friends and is nearly constantly out on the town with Leon, Jeff, Vince Vaughn, Richard Lewis (RIP), and the golfing crew. He is assertive in his interactions but does not seek out social situations, preferring to keep a relatively small circle of friends, a tell for him being somewhere in the middle of the Extraversion-Introversion dimension.
Agreeableness: Very low. Agreeableness describes how we prioritize our own interests against the needs of others. Larry is frequently confrontational, argumentative and seems to lack empathy for others in many of his interactions, often putting his own interests first, for example: his stealing flowers from a memorial service, letting his therapist go to jail, eating a dying dog’s last meal, or hanging up on Cheryl when she calls from a plane that she thinks is crashing because he has to be available for the TIVO repair guy! All pretty, pretty, pretty good examples here of this trait! He struggles to form and maintain close relationships due to his tendency to offend others, whether intentionally or not. This last plane crashing incident, in fact, precipitated Cheryl leaving him in Season 6.
See AlsoCurb Your Enthusiasm: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.hulu.com/series/curb-your-enthusiasm-7a307be7-978b-4d62-b47d-1cf3839f3c98Curb Your Enthusiasm - Streams, Episodenguide und News zur SerieJ.B. Smoove on the end of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’: ‘I was just blessed to be a part of it’ [Exclusive Video Interview]Neuroticism: High. Neuroticism describes a person’s connection to negative emotions. People who score high in Neuroticism are more prone to emotions like fear, sadness, guilt, and anxiety. People who score lower in Neuroticism experience negative emotions less frequently, and are more relaxed and resistant to stress. Larry often exhibits anxiety and emotional volatility, as seen in his overreactions to minor inconveniences – from his ire over people saying “thank you for your service,” to having a bad assistant “foisted on him,” to plane seat encroachment, to being seated next to ugly people at a restaurant, to his defiance of private restrooms. Larry's frequent displays of anger and frustration, as well as his sensitivity to criticism, suggest a high level of Neuroticism.
Leon Black
Openness: High. Larry’s lovable, mischievous sidekick Leon displays a high level of creativity and originality in his schemes and solutions to problems (see: locating another Mary Ferguson to travel with him to Asia). Leon is open to trying new things and is not afraid to step out of his comfort zone. Heembracesvarious lifestyles and opportunities as they come, including moving in with Larry, his house-husband business, and so much more.
Conscientiousness: Low. Leon tends to be disorganized, as evidenced by his casual approach to living arrangements, the modesty of his shorts, and personal responsibilities. Leon often acts impulsively, without much planning or regard for rules and obligations. He shows a lack of diligence and reliability in traditional work settings (i.e. he doesn’t have a job), preferring to live in the moment.
Extraversion: High. Leon is highly sociable, energetic, and he enjoys being the center of attention in social situations. He is quite charming, even taming Susie with his flirtatious banter. He displays assertiveness and is not afraid to speak his mind or take charge when necessary. He often seeks excitement and adventure, leading to hilarious and unpredictable outcomes, like helping Larry deal with a skinhead bully (and delivering one of the show’s all-time best lines, which cannot be quoted in full here, but which includes, “..eat snickers, leave garbage”).
Agreeableness: Medium. While Leon can be confrontational and direct, he also shows a caring side, especially towards those he considers friends. He is willing to help others but often on his own terms, balancing self-interest with moments of generosity. Leon's loyalty can be seen in his interactions with Larry David, often providing support in his unique way, like agreeing to “fake mug” Larry’s wife, so Larry will look good to her and her therapist.
Neuroticism: Low. Leon demonstrates a strong sense of self-confidence and rarely seems to be affected by stress or emotional distress. He handles challenging situations with a calm demeanor, often using humor to diffuse tension. Leon's resilience is evident in how he adapts to various setbacks and changes in his environment without apparent worry.
Cheryl David
Openness: Medium. As Larry’s long-suffering wife, Cherylis generally tolerant of his antics, but she is not as driven to seek out novel experiences or engage in creative endeavors as Larry. She is more conventional in her approach to life (eventually leaving Larry to take up with the perfect “Heaven-”quoting Ted Danson), suggesting a moderate level of openness.
Conscientiousness: High. Cheryl is often the voice of reason and is seen organizing events, managing schedules, and attempting to maintain social decorum, indicating a high level of Conscientiousness. Cheryl frequently tries to mitigate the consequences of Larry's actions, showing a sense of responsibility and orderliness. It is Cheryl who gets them involved in a number of charitable activities and volunteers their home for Hurricane Katrina refugees The Blacks.
Extraversion: High. Cheryl enjoys social gatherings, has a wide circle of friends, and is often seen engaging with others in a positive manner, suggesting a high level of extraversion. After taking up with Ted Danson, you see the couple at almost every social gathering and event. Cheryl is also warm and friendly, often a stark contrast to Larry's abrasive nature.
Agreeableness: High. One would have to be high in this trait to have stayed married to Larry as long as she did! Cheryl is generally cooperative, kind and considerate, often trying to smooth over Larry's social blunders. Cheryl exhibits a high level of patience and understanding, even in the face of Larry's most irritating behavior.
Neuroticism: Medium. While Cheryl can become stressed by Larry's actions, she generally maintains a level-headed approach to problems. She does show signs of frustration and disappointment, particularly in response to Larry's lack of social grace, but not to the extent of high Neuroticism.
Jeff Greene
Openness: Medium. Jeff is open to new experiences, as seen in his willingness to go along with Larry's schemes, but he is not particularly driven by creativity or a need for novelty. He tends to be practical in his approach to life and business, suggesting a moderate level of openness.
Conscientiousness: Low. Jeff often neglects his responsibilities, particularly in his personal life, as evidenced by his infidelity to Susie and occasional lack of professionalism. He can be disorganized and impulsive, aligning with a lower level of Conscientiousness.
Extraversion: High. As Larry's manager and friend, Jeff is socially active and enjoys the company of others, often engaging in social events and networking for his job, indicating a high level of Extraversion. He is assertive and enjoys being in the spotlight, whether in his professional or personal life.
Agreeableness: Low. Jeff can be confrontational and is often complicit in Larry's disagreeable actions, showing a lower level of Agreeableness. He sometimes prioritizes his own interests over those of others, including his wife Susie.
Neuroticism: Medium. Jeff exhibits some signs of stress and frustration, particularly in dealing with the fallout from Larry's actions or his own personal indiscretions. However, he generally maintains a relatively stable demeanor, suggesting a moderate level of Neuroticism.
Susie Greene
Openness: Low. Susie is often resistant to Larry's unconventional ideas and prefers to stick to traditional ways of doing things, indicating a low level of Openness to experience. She is not particularly interested in exploring new concepts or engaging in creative pursuits, although her highly inspired outfit-game is a confounding factor here.
Conscientiousness: High. Susie is very organized and often takes charge of situations, managing her household and social events with a high level of Conscientiousness. She is known for her attention to detail and her insistence on adherence to her standards (witness her fury over the missing doll’s head and Larry and Jeff’s terrible jockey statue replacement).
Extraversion: High. Susie is outspoken and enjoys social interactions, often hosting events and being involved in her community, suggesting a high level of Extraversion. She is assertive and does not shy away from expressing her opinions loudly and clearly. This may be the understatement of the century!
Agreeableness:Very Low. You were all waiting for this we know, but Susie has a truly low level of Agreeableness, as seen in her fiery and foul-mouthed tirades and confrontational nature. Susie's frequentclashes with Larry, usually culminating in “get the (insert expletive of choice) out of my house,” are legendary. She is often critical and has a sharp tongue, which can make her seem uncooperative and harsh.
Neuroticism: High. Susie frequently displays high levels of anger and irritation, reacting strongly to perceived slights or disruptions to her plans. Her emotional responses are intense, and she often takes offense easily, aligning with a high level of Neuroticism.
We hope you are enjoying season 12 of Curb as much as we are. Please leave comments for other examples of these Big Five traits you’ve seen with the show’s characters.
Want to learn where you fall on the Big Five? Take our free test.
