Edward Norton as Lionel Essrog

Bruce Willis as Frank Minna

Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Laura Rose

Alec Baldwin as Moses Randolph

Willem Dafoe as Paul Randolph

Bobby Cannavale as Tony Vermonte

Cherry Jones as Gabby Horowitz

Michael Kenneth Williams as Trumpet Man

Leslie Mann as Julia Minna

Ethan Suplee as Gilbert Coney

Dallas Roberts as Danny Fantl

Josh Pais as William Lieberman

Robert Wisdom as Billy Rose

Fisher Stevens as Lou

Radu Spinghel as Giant Man

Peter Gray Lewis as Mayor

Isaiah J. Thompson as King Rooster Piano Player

Russell Hall as King Rooster Bassist

Joe Farnsworth as King Rooster Drummer

Jerry Weldon as King Rooster Saxophonist

Eric Berryman as King Rooster Bartender

Nelson Avidon as Jacob Gleason

Joseph Siravo as Union Boss Speaker

DeShawn White as Betty

Migs Govea as Formosa Bartender

Erica Sweany as Formosa Hostess

Katy Davis as Inwood Residential Secretary

Olli Haaskivi as Hall of Records Clerk

Yinka Adeboyeku as Angry Young Man

Joyce O'Connor as Cindy Fleming

Thomas Luiz Leninger as Paperboy

Deborah Unger as Brooklyn Bar Waitress

Ezra Barnes as Doctor

Julie Hays as Nurse

Damien Brett as Orderly

Russell G. Jones as Reformer #2

Stephen Adly Guirgis as Detective

Eli Bridges as Beatnik

Luis Castro de Leon as Young Cat #1

Teren Carter as Young Cat #2

Tom Waits as News Stand Owner (uncredited)