
Bessie Smith

Ma Rainey

Richard

Lucille

Jack Gee

William 'Pa' Rainey

John Hammond

Carl Van Vechten

Viola

Clarence
Young Bessie
Chorus Guy
Stagehand
'81' Theatre Owner
Miss Taylor

Rehearsal Director

Chorus Girl

Chorus Girl

Host
Theatergoer

Ma's Main Girl

Ma's Dancer

Nightclub Manager

Bessie's Dancer

Roadie

Roadie

Doreen Dupree

Etta Johnson

Detroit Theater Manager
Wild Child

Swarm Boy

Sharkish Man
Hostess

Harry Herbert Pace
Black Swan Executive
Black Swan Receptionist

Frank Walker

Brave Man
Klansman
Doorman

Vanity Fair Editor

Fania Van Vechten

Langston Hughes
Gertrude

Jack Gee Jr.

Benny Goodman
Gangster

Shady Guy

Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Bessie's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Ma's Band Member
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer

Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer

Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Dancer
Background Extra (uncredited)
Railroad Passenger (uncredited)
Stage Crew (uncredited)

Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)
Doorman (uncredited)
Extra (uncredited)
Ophelia Franklin (uncredited)
Upscale Party Goer (uncredited)

Extra (uncredited)
KKK Driver (uncredited)
Bodyguard (uncredited)

Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited)
Party Guest (uncredited)
Hoover Town Citizen (uncredited)

Neighbor #2 (uncredited)
Train Passenger #2 (uncredited)
Party Goer (uncredited)
Server (uncredited)
Train Passenger #1 (uncredited)

Jack's Lover (uncredited)
Poker Player (uncredited)
Party Goer (uncredited)
Neighborhood Kid (uncredited)

Cheering Fan (uncredited)

Pedestrian (uncredited)
Dancer (uncredited)

VIP Guest (uncredited)

Theater Goer (uncredited)
Patron (uncredited)

Stage Hand (uncredited)
Club Goer (uncredited)
Pretzel Guy (uncredited)

Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)

Switchboard Operator (uncredited)
Stage Crew (uncredited)

Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Costume Design
Executive Producer
Casting
Art Direction
Executive Producer

Original Music Composer

Editor
Executive Producer

Co-Executive Producer
Set Decoration

Executive Producer
Producer
Production Design

Director
Screenplay

Story

Story

Screenplay

Director of Photography
Screenplay
Unit Production Manager
First Assistant Director
Second Assistant Director
Stunt Coordinator
Script Supervisor
Makeup Department Head

The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.