John Wayne as Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn

Katharine Hepburn as Eula Goodnight

Anthony Zerbe as Breed

Richard Jordan as Hawk

John McIntire as Judge Parker

Paul Koslo as Luke

Jack Colvin as Red

Jon Lormer as Rev. Goodnight

Richard Romancito as Wolf

Lane Smith as Leroy

Tommy Lee as Chen Lee

Warren Vanders as Baghy

Jerry Gatlin as Nose

Strother Martin as Shanghai McCoy

Chuck Hayward as Jerry (uncredited)

Andrew Prine as Fiona's Husband (uncredited)

Charles Weldon as Bailiff (uncredited)

Mickey Gilbert as Hambone (uncredited)

John Howard Hamilton as U.S. Cavalry Lieutenant (uncredited)

Gary McLarty as Emmett (uncredited)

General Sterling Price as Cat (uncredited)