Bessie
Drama
Music
TV Movie
Survival began with a song
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
2015-05-16
en
Cast
Director
Dee Rees
Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith
Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey
Mike Epps as Richard
Tika Sumpter as Lucille
Michael Kenneth Williams as Jack Gee
Charles S. Dutton as William 'Pa' Rainey
Bryan Greenberg as John Hammond
Oliver Platt as Carl Van Vechten
Khandi Alexander as Viola
Tory Kittles as Clarence
Neko Parham as Rehearsal Director
Onira Tarés as Chorus Girl
Jhoni Davis as Chorus Girl
Jim R. Coleman as Host
Jennifer Sears as Ma's Main Girl
Briana Starks as Ma's Dancer
Todd Allen Durkin as Nightclub Manager
Crystal Lee Brown as Bessie's Dancer
Hunter Womack as Roadie
Christopher Harvey as Roadie
Tia Hendricks as Doreen Dupree
Marie Burke as Etta Johnson
Terence Rosemore as Detroit Theater Manager
Kaden Washington Lewis as Swarm Boy
L. Warren Young as Sharkish Man
Bralyn Stokes as Harry Herbert Pace
Joe Knezevich as Frank Walker
Troy Faruk as Brave Man
Jessejames Locorriere as Vanity Fair Editor
Whitney Goin as Fania Van Vechten
Jeremie Harris as Langston Hughes
Sylvester Ambrose James II as Jack Gee Jr.
Levi Erik as Benny Goodman
Tim McAdams as Shady Guy
Kenny Banks Jr. as Bessie's Band Member
Christopher L. Plunkett as Dancer
Sheerod Tate as Dancer
Alkoya Brunson as Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)
Taurus Davis as Extra (uncredited)
Shannon Edwards as Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited)
Adella Gautier as Neighbor #2 (uncredited)
Damita Jane Howard as Jack's Lover (uncredited)
Andre Lamar as Cheering Fan (uncredited)
Trey McGriff as Pedestrian (uncredited)
John Merical as VIP Guest (uncredited)
Dan Michael as Theater Goer (uncredited)
Swift Rice as Stage Hand (uncredited)
Nicole Spiezio as Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)
Dorothea Syleos as Switchboard Operator (uncredited)