Bessie (2015)

Survival began with a song

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

Cast (132)CrewGenresDetailsReleasesMediaAwards

Queen Latifah

Bessie Smith

Mo'Nique

Ma Rainey

Mike Epps

Richard

Tika Sumpter

Lucille

Michael Kenneth Williams

Jack Gee

Charles S. Dutton

William 'Pa' Rainey

Bryan Greenberg

John Hammond

Oliver Platt

Carl Van Vechten

Khandi Alexander

Viola

Tory Kittles

Clarence

K

Kamryn Johnson

Young Bessie

R

Rikki McKinney

Chorus Guy

A

Alan T. Coleman

Stagehand

C

Clay Chappell

'81' Theatre Owner

S

Sharan C. Mansfield

Miss Taylor

Neko Parham

Rehearsal Director

Onira Tarés

Chorus Girl

Jhoni Davis

Chorus Girl

Jim R. Coleman

Host

M

Melissa Youngblood

Theatergoer

Jennifer Sears

Ma's Main Girl

Briana Starks

Ma's Dancer

Todd Allen Durkin

Nightclub Manager

Crystal Lee Brown

Bessie's Dancer

Hunter Womack

Roadie

Christopher Harvey

Roadie

Tia Hendricks

Doreen Dupree

Marie Burke

Etta Johnson

Terence Rosemore

Detroit Theater Manager

K

Karri Mack

Wild Child

Kaden Washington Lewis

Swarm Boy

L. Warren Young

Sharkish Man

S

Saundra Dunson-Franks

Hostess

Bralyn Stokes

Harry Herbert Pace

C

Cj Sykes

Black Swan Executive

A

Adebukola Bodunrin

Black Swan Receptionist

Joe Knezevich

Frank Walker

Troy Faruk

Brave Man

D

David Paul Lord

Klansman

C

Chris Walters

Doorman

Jessejames Locorriere

Vanity Fair Editor

Whitney Goin

Fania Van Vechten

Jeremie Harris

Langston Hughes

C

Chantelle Rose Mussenden

Gertrude

Sylvester Ambrose James II

Jack Gee Jr.

Levi Erik

Benny Goodman

G

Gerard 'Gus' Williams

Gangster

Tim McAdams

Shady Guy

Kenny Banks Jr.

Bessie's Band Member

M

Michael Burton

Bessie's Band Member

R

Roderick Harris

Bessie's Band Member

J

John A. Harvey

Bessie's Band Member

R

Reggie Hines

Bessie's Band Member

K

Kevin Kendrick

Bessie's Band Member

M

Marcus Lewis

Bessie's Band Member

K

Kenneth Murray Jr.

Bessie's Band Member

K

Kwame Paige

Bessie's Band Member

J

Jason Passmore

Bessie's Band Member

D

Daniel Saintil

Bessie's Band Member

C

Craig Shaw

Bessie's Band Member

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