Paul Newman as The Star (William F. Cody)

Joel Grey as The Producer (Nate Salisbury)

Kevin McCarthy as The Publicist (Maj. John Burke)

Harvey Keitel as The Relative (Ed Goodman)

Allan F. Nicholls as The Journalist (Prentiss Ingraham)

Geraldine Chaplin as The Sure Shot (Annie Oakley)

John Considine as The Sure Shot's Manager (Frank Butler)

Robert DoQui as The Wrangler (Oswald Dart)

Mike Kaplan as The Treasurer (Jules Keen)

Bert Remsen as The Bartender (Crutch)

Bonnie Leaders as The Mezzo-Contralto (Margaret)

Noelle Rogers as The Lyric-Coloratura (Lucille DuCharme)

Evelyn Lear as The Lyric-Soprano (Nina Cavallini)

Denver Pyle as The Indian Agent (McLaughlin)

Frank Kaquitts as The Indian (Sitting Bull)

Will Sampson as The Interpreter (William Halsey)

Ken Krossa as The Arenic Director (Johnny Baker)

Fred N. Larsen as The King of the Cowboys (Buck Taylor)

Jerri Duce as Trick Rider

Joy Duce as Trick Rider

Alex Green as Whip & Fast Draw Act

Gary MacKenzie as Whip & Fast Draw Act

Humphrey Gratz as Old Soldier

Pat McCormick as The President of the United States (Grover Cleveland)

Shelley Duvall as The First Lady (Mrs. Cleveland)

Burt Lancaster as The Legend Maker (Ned Buntline)

E. L. Doctorow as President Cleveland's Adviser (uncredited)

Patrick Reynolds as President Cleveland's Aide (uncredited)