Cicely Tyson as Ruthana Richardson

Blair Underwood as Bob Richardson

Sally Kirkland as Mrs. Canfield

James Earl Jones as Junius Johnson

Margaret Avery as Roxie Turpin

David Strathairn as Bill Thomas

Glenn Plummer as J.T. Turpin

Vondie Curtis-Hall as Clifford Turpin

Paris Vaughan as Lada

Harold Pruett as John Riggs

Adam Arkin as Art Berman

Robert Hooks as Reverend Brooks

Michael Greene as Mr. Canfield

Charlie Korsmo as Jason (age 12)

T.E. Russell as Dominique Freeman

Stephanie Covington as Florence Blake

Janice McElroy as Rachel Freeman

Christopher M. Brown as Reggie Freeman

Emily Yancy as Guidance Counselor

Roger Grato III as Jason (age 6)

Marilyn Coleman as Cora

Bebe Drake as Winnie (as Bebe Drake-Massey)

Mark Rolston as Officer Zekanis

Randy Kirby as Lt. Keyes

Pepper Sweeney as Spook Hunter