Claire Dunlap is a recurring character in the FX comedy drama series The Bear. She is portrayed by Molly Gordon.
Background[]
Claire grew up around the Berzatto and Fak families but grew apart from them as they got older and pursued different paths in life. She attended medical school and her residency, leading her to work in the ER full time as a doctor. She is portrayed as smart by everyone around her, and spent her life dedicated to her education and career. Known as "Claire Bear" to Carmy and his family, she was his childhood sweetheart and their relationship when they were younger was seen as cute and juvenile by their families. Upon running into Carmy in the grocery store in Season 2, they rekindle their spark and begin a relationship after she works on cracking through Carmy's tough exterior.
Personality[]
Claire is smart, witty, and very dedicated in pursuing what she wants. She completed medical school and currently works as an ER doctor and spent the majority of Season 2 pursuing a relationship with Carmy. She sees Carmy's reluctance to enter into a relationship or show any vulnerability, but knows that she can crack through his tough persona with some patience and understanding. Claire knows that talking to Carmy and allowing him to be vulnerable is something he needs, whether he wants to admit it or not.
Physical Description[]
Claire is a young, brunette, Jewish woman with light skin and dark blue-green eyes. She typically wears her hair down, in long brunette waves.
Throughout the Series[]
Season 2[]
Claire is introduced as a childhood friend of Carmy’s who reenters his life unexpectedly. Now working as a resident in emergency medicine, Claire reconnects with Carmy during the restaurant’s renovation phase. Initially, Carmy resists getting close to her, even giving her the wrong phone number—but she later obtains his real one through Fak and reaches out. Their relationship begins to develop as Claire invites Carmy to help pack up her mother's house and later encourages him to enjoy life more, eventually taking him to a party and spending meaningful time together. This marks a rare moment of personal happiness for Carmy, culminating in a kiss and her first visit to The Bear.
However, as The Bear nears opening, Claire begins to symbolize a potential distraction. Sydney becomes wary of her presence, noticing Carmy's lack of focus. Despite this, Carmy expresses his love for Claire and makes her a private dinner. But during the soft opening, everything unravels: Carmy gets trapped in the walk-in fridge, grows frustrated, and in a moment of emotional turmoil, he vents that his relationship with Claire has pulled his attention away from the restaurant. Claire overhears this painful confession and quietly leaves in tears. Later, Carmy listens to a voicemail she had left him earlier, where she confessed her love.
Season 3[]
Claire is Carmy's former romantic partner, whose absence hangs heavily over him throughout the season. Carmy laments the way he hurt her, admitting he might have called their relationship a “waste of time.” Despite encouragement from Neil and Ted to reach out, he never musters the courage to contact her. Claire, hurt by his silence, ultimately chooses not to reconnect.
Relationships[]
Carmy[]
Claire was the childhood sweetheart of Carmy, and they later reconnected in the second season of the show. Carmy initially gives her a fake number, but she realizes this and gets his real number through Fak. They begin dating and spending more time together, but as the opening of the restaurant comes closer, his stress and anxiety cut into their relationship.
In the final episode of the season, Carmy is locked in the walk in and having a breakdown. He begins expressing his thoughts and feelings regarding his relationship and his own emotional shortcomings, not knowing Claire is standing right outside the door after waiting for him all night. She lets him know she was present for what he said and walks out without speaking any further to Carmy.
Appearances[]
| Season 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Beef | Absent | ||
| 2. Pasta | Appears | ||
| 3. Sundae | Appears | ||
| 4. Honeydew | Absent | ||
| 5. Pop | Appears | ||
| 6. Fishes | Absent | ||
| 7. Forks | Absent | ||
| 8. Bolognese | Appears | ||
| 9. Omelette | Appears | ||
| 10. The Bear | Appears | ||
| Season 3 | |||
| 1. Tomorrow | Appears | ||
| 2. Next | Absent | ||
| 3. Doors | Absent | ||
| 4. Violet | Appears | ||
| 5. Children | Absent | ||
| 6. Napkins | Absent | ||
| 7. Legacy | Appears | ||
| 8. Ice Chips | Absent | ||
| 9. Apologies | Appears | ||
| 10. Forever | Appears | ||
| Season 4 | |||
| 1. Groundhogs | Absent | ||
| 2. Soubise | Absent | ||
| 3. Scallop | Appears | ||
| 4. Worms | Absent | ||
| 5. Replicants | Absent | ||
| 6. Sophie | Appears | ||
| 7. Bears | Appears | ||
| 8. Green | Appears | ||
| 9. Tonnato | Absent | ||
| 10. Goodbye | Absent | ||
Trivia[]
- Claire and Carmy knew each other since childhood
Gallery[]
