<P> Gregory "Greg" Heffley is 12 years old in the first novel . Greg's actions can however be antagonistic at times, including terrorizing kids, trying to steal money from a church collection basket, lying in confession, picking on other students, playing pranks on his best friend, selling falsely advertised fitness water and even praying for bad stuff to happen to others . However, he can also be a kind hearted character . He helps his brother with his homework, gets his friend a date for a dance, helps out, and forgives his friends . Greg is portrayed by Zachary Gordon and Jason Drucker in the movie series . He can't stop flirting with girls . But after all, he is a funny kid . </P> <P> Rowley Jefferson is Greg's best friend . In the first book, Rowley is an antagonist in Greg's point of view while technically in a third - person view, Greg is the antagonist and Rowley is the protagonist . In Dog Days, they separate after Rowley damages Greg's chances of winning a video game championship, but they get back together at the end of The Ugly Truth . At the end of The Third Wheel, Rowley begins dating Abigail Brown, a girl who was originally Greg's date for the Valentine's Day dance . This plot continues in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, where he ditches Greg for his new girlfriend Abigail . At the end of the book, the couple break up and he becomes friends with Greg again . </P> <P> Rowley has what Greg considers strange interests for his age and gender, such as liking a singer for "six - year - old girls" named Joshie and action figures Greg believes are for younger kids . Rowley is also the owner of the comic strip Zoo Wee Mama . Rowley claims that Greg had nothing to do with the comic strip in the first book, a rare antagonistic move from him . In the movie series, Rowley is portrayed by Robert Capron & Owen Asztalos . Rowley's shortest appearance was in The Long Haul, where he is only mentioned on one page . </P> <P> Francis "Frank" Heffley is Greg's overreactive but well - meaning father . He is interested in U.S. history, and his replica of a Civil War battlefield is a plot point in the series . Frank is edgy around Rowley, does not appreciate Greg's skill at video games, loathes heavy metal, and adolescents . In Rodrick Rules, during Thanksgiving dinner, Frank turns up the thermostat to make everyone leave . He tries to toughen Greg up and threatens to send him to a military academy in The Last Straw, although ultimately this does not come to fruition, much to Greg's relief . However, Greg and Frank grow together in Dog Days . Frank is portrayed by Steve Zahn in the first three films of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series . In Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, he is played by Tom Everett Scott . </P>

Who plays rowley jefferson in diary of a wimpy kid