Bessie's primary photo
  • Bessie (2015)
  • TV-MA
    TV Movie | 115 min | Biography, Drama, Music
Bessie (2015)
TV-MA
TV Movie | 115 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The story of legendary blues performer Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Director
Writers
Dee Rees (screenplay) (story) | Christopher Cleveland (screenplay) | Bettina Gilois (screenplay) | Horton Foote (story)
Producer
Composer
Rachel Portman (original score)
Cinematographer
Casting Director
Production Designer
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Status
Edit Released
Updated May 16, 2015

Release date
May 16, 2015 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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156 cast members
Name Known for
Queen Latifah
Bessie Bessie   See fewer
Kamryn Johnson
Young Bessie Young Bessie   See fewer
Rikki McKinney
Chorus Guy Chorus Guy   See fewer
Alan T. Coleman
Stagehand Stagehand   See fewer
Tory Kittles
Clarence Clarence   See fewer
Clay Chappell
'81' Theatre Owner '81' Theatre Owner   See fewer
Tika Sumpter
Lucille Lucille   See fewer
Sharan C. Mansfield
Miss Taylor (as Sharan Mansfield) Miss Taylor (as Sharan Mansfield)   See fewer
Neko Parham
Rehearsal Director Rehearsal Director   See fewer
Onira Tares
Chorus Girl (as Onira TarĂ©s) Chorus Girl (as Onira TarĂ©s)   See fewer
Jhoni Davis
Chorus Girl Chorus Girl   See fewer
Melissa Youngblood
Theatergoer Theatergoer   See fewer
Mo'Nique
Ma Rainey Ma Rainey   See fewer
Jennifer Sears
Ma's Main Girl Ma's Main Girl   See fewer
Charles S. Dutton
Pa Rainey Pa Rainey   See fewer
Briana Starks
Ma's Dancer Ma's Dancer   See fewer
Todd Allen Durkin
Nightclub Manager Nightclub Manager   See fewer
Crystal Lee Brown
Bessie's Dancer Bessie's Dancer   See fewer
Hunter Womack
Roadie Roadie   See fewer
Tia Hendricks
Doreen Dupree Doreen Dupree   See fewer
Marie Burke
Etta Johnson Etta Johnson   See fewer
Terence Rosemore
Detroit Theater Manager Detroit Theater Manager   See fewer
Karri Mack
Wild Child Wild Child   See fewer
Kaden Washington Lewis
Swarm Boy Swarm Boy   See fewer
L. Warren Young
Sharkish Man Sharkish Man   See fewer
Saundra Dunson-Franks
Hostess (as Saundra Dunson Franks) Hostess (as Saundra Dunson Franks)   See fewer
Bralyn Stokes
Harry Herbert Pace Harry Herbert Pace   See fewer
Cj Sykes
Black Swan Executive Black Swan Executive   See fewer
Adebukola Bodunrin
Black Swan Receptionist Black Swan Receptionist   See fewer
Joe Knezevich
Frank Walker Frank Walker   See fewer
Mike Epps
Richard Richard   See fewer
Troy Faruk
Brave Man Brave Man   See fewer
David Paul Lord
Klansman Klansman   See fewer
Chris Walters
Doorman Doorman   See fewer
Jessejames Locorriere
Vanity Fair Editor Vanity Fair Editor   See fewer
Oliver Platt
Carl Van Vechten Carl Van Vechten   See fewer
Whitney Goin
Fania Van Vechten Fania Van Vechten   See fewer
Jeremie Harris
Langston Hughes Langston Hughes   See fewer
Chantelle Rose
Gertrude (as Chantelle Rose Mussenden) Gertrude (as Chantelle Rose Mussenden)   See fewer
Sylvester Ambrose James II
Jack Gee Jr. Jack Gee Jr.   See fewer
Bryan Greenberg
John Hammond John Hammond   See fewer
Levi Erik
Benny Goodman Benny Goodman   See fewer
Guss Williams
Gangster Gangster   See fewer
Tim McAdams
Shady Guy (as Tim R. McAdams) Shady Guy (as Tim R. McAdams)   See fewer
Kenny Banks Jr.
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Michael Burton
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Roderick Harris
Bessie's Band Member (as Roderick Harris Jr.) Bessie's Band Member (as Roderick Harris Jr.)   See fewer
John A. Harvey
Bessie's Band Member (as John A. Harvey III) Bessie's Band Member (as John A. Harvey III)   See fewer
Reggie Hines
Bessie's Band Member (as Reginald Hines) Bessie's Band Member (as Reginald Hines)   See fewer
Kevin Kendrick
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Marcus Lewis
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Kenneth Murray Jr.
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Kwame Paige
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Jason Passmore
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Daniel Saintil
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Craig Shaw
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Don Carlos Sherow
Bessie's Band Member (as Don C. Sherow) Bessie's Band Member (as Don C. Sherow)   See fewer
Dashiel Smith
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Eric Solomon
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Joseph Claude Sommerville Jr.
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Teddy White
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Wilbert Williams
Bessie's Band Member Bessie's Band Member   See fewer
Brandon Boone
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Robert Boone
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Daniel Terence Harper
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Anton Harris
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Jody Mayfield
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Derrick B. White
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Edward Wright
Ma's Band Member Ma's Band Member   See fewer
Heather Bland
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Desiree Dixon
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Anthony Hart
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Nia Lancelin
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Keshia McNeal
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Ashley Neal
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Christopher L. Plunkett
Dancer (as Chris Plunkett) Dancer (as Chris Plunkett)   See fewer
Nateli Ruiz
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Primas Leon Stanley
Dancer (as Primas Stanley) Dancer (as Primas Stanley)   See fewer
Dacia Andrea Stinson
Dancer (as Dacia Stinson) Dancer (as Dacia Stinson)   See fewer
Sheerod Tate
Dancer (as Alshasi Sherrod Tate Jr.) Dancer (as Alshasi Sherrod Tate Jr.)   See fewer
Fred Swinton
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Alicia Thompson
Dancer (as Alicia 'Nikki' Thompson) Dancer (as Alicia 'Nikki' Thompson)   See fewer
Kendre White
Dancer Dancer   See fewer
Tae-La Actress
Background Extra (uncredited) Background Extra (uncredited)   See fewer
Selena Anderson
Theatre Goer (uncredited) Theatre Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Selah Avery
Background Extra (uncredited) Background Extra (uncredited)   See fewer
Ricardo Bailey
Frank Newton (uncredited) Frank Newton (uncredited)   See fewer
Perry Ball
Railroad Passenger (uncredited) Railroad Passenger (uncredited)   See fewer
Qualen Bradley
Stage Crew (uncredited) Stage Crew (uncredited)   See fewer
Alkoya Brunson
Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited) Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)   See fewer
Jeffery James Bucchino
Doorman (uncredited) Doorman (uncredited)   See fewer
Judy McGee Burley
Lady in Breadline / Concert Patron / Pedestrian / Audience Member (uncredited) Lady in Breadline / Concert Patron / Pedestrian / Audience Member (uncredited)   See fewer
Jess Marie Carr
Ophelia Franklin (uncredited) Ophelia Franklin (uncredited)   See fewer
Tiffany Chambers
Guest at Show for Opening (uncredited) Guest at Show for Opening (uncredited)   See fewer
Jameson Jamey Copeland
Upscale Party Goer (uncredited) Upscale Party Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Taurus Davis
Extra (uncredited) Extra (uncredited)   See fewer
Davin DeLoatch
Poker Player #1 (uncredited) Poker Player #1 (uncredited)   See fewer
Dino Demitri
KKK Driver (uncredited) KKK Driver (uncredited)   See fewer
Derrick Dee Drake
Body Guard (uncredited) Body Guard (uncredited)   See fewer
Shannon Edwards
Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited) Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited)   See fewer
Tyrone Emanuel
Party Guest (uncredited) Party Guest (uncredited)   See fewer
Samuel Lee Fudge
Hoover Town Citizen (uncredited) Hoover Town Citizen (uncredited)   See fewer
Shawron Gaffney
Roadie (uncredited) Roadie (uncredited)   See fewer
Adella Gautier
Neighbor #2 (uncredited) Neighbor #2 (uncredited)   See fewer
Curtis Gordon
Train Passenger #2 (uncredited) Train Passenger #2 (uncredited)   See fewer
Jermaine Salute Green
Grave Yard Worker (uncredited) Grave Yard Worker (uncredited)   See fewer
Montice Harmon
Club Patron (uncredited) Club Patron (uncredited)   See fewer
Roger A. Harrison
Theater Goer (uncredited) Theater Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Rob Hays
Server (uncredited) Server (uncredited)   See fewer
Sarah Turner Holland
Train Passenger #1 (uncredited) Train Passenger #1 (uncredited)   See fewer
Damita Jane Howard
Jack's Lover (uncredited) Jack's Lover (uncredited)   See fewer
Geoffrey Howard
Poker Player (uncredited) Poker Player (uncredited)   See fewer
Charlie Johnson
Party-Goer (uncredited) Party-Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Sierra Jones
Party Patron / Concert Goer (uncredited) Party Patron / Concert Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Wayne Jones
Tastemaker (uncredited) Tastemaker (uncredited)   See fewer
Gregory Kelsey
Poker Player (uncredited) Poker Player (uncredited)   See fewer
Noah Hudson Killingbeck
Neighborhood Kid (uncredited) Neighborhood Kid (uncredited)   See fewer
André Lamar
Cheering Stage Fan (uncredited) Cheering Stage Fan (uncredited)   See fewer
Jimi Lanham
Concert Patron (uncredited) Concert Patron (uncredited)   See fewer
Ninita McCan
Singer (uncredited) Singer (uncredited)   See fewer
Gabbie McGee
Homeless Woman (uncredited) Homeless Woman (uncredited)   See fewer
Trey McGriff
Pedestrian (uncredited) Pedestrian (uncredited)   See fewer
Lanier McKinney
Dancer (uncredited) Dancer (uncredited)   See fewer
John Merical
VIP Guest (uncredited) VIP Guest (uncredited)   See fewer
Dan Michael
Theater Guest (uncredited) Theater Guest (uncredited)   See fewer
Keishanna Michele
Party-Goer (uncredited) Party-Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Samuel Oden
Peanut Seller (uncredited) Peanut Seller (uncredited)   See fewer
Mona Parks
Performer (uncredited) Performer (uncredited)   See fewer
Jessica Pressley
Girl in Family Photograph (uncredited) Girl in Family Photograph (uncredited)   See fewer
Letecia Reeder
Patron (uncredited) Patron (uncredited)   See fewer
Swift Rice
Stage Hand (uncredited) Stage Hand (uncredited)   See fewer
Monique Star Robinson
Background Extra (uncredited) Background Extra (uncredited)   See fewer
Anthony Shorter
Background Extra (uncredited) Background Extra (uncredited)   See fewer
Darrell L. Shuler
Club Goer (uncredited) Club Goer (uncredited)   See fewer
Alexis Silvestre
Pretzel Guy (uncredited) Pretzel Guy (uncredited)   See fewer
Nicole Spiezio
Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited) Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)   See fewer
Dianne Starkey
Couple at Cocktail Party (uncredited) Couple at Cocktail Party (uncredited)   See fewer
Eric J. Stokes
Poker Player (uncredited) Poker Player (uncredited)   See fewer
Calvin Swanigan
Fletcher Henderson (uncredited) Fletcher Henderson (uncredited)   See fewer
Dorothea Syleos
Switchboard Operator (uncredited) Switchboard Operator (uncredited)   See fewer
Jasmine Taylor
Railroad Passenger (uncredited) Railroad Passenger (uncredited)   See fewer
Tray Williams
Stage Crew (uncredited) Stage Crew (uncredited)   See fewer
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