Jack Nicholson as J.J. 'Jake' Gittes

Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Cross Mulwray

John Huston as Noah Cross

Perry Lopez as Lieutenant Lou Escobar

John Hillerman as Russ Yelburton

Diane Ladd as Ida Sessions

Roman Polanski as Man with Knife

Roy Jenson as Claude Mulvihill

Richard Bakalyan as Detective Loach

James Hong as Evelyn's Butler

Bruce Glover as Duffy

Joe Mantell as Lawrence Walsh

Roy Roberts as Mayor Bagby

Noble Willingham as Councilman

Rance Howard as Irate Farmer

Jesse Vint as Farmer in the Valley

Burt Young as Curly

Lee de Broux as Policeman

Darrell Zwerling as Hollis I. Mulwray

Nandu Hinds as Sophie

James O'Rear as Lawyer

Beulah Quo as Maid

Jerry Fujikawa as Gardener

Belinda Palmer as Katherine

Elliott Montgomery as Councilman

George Justin as Barber

C.O. Erickson as Customer

Charles Knapp as Mortician

Claudio Martínez as Boy on Horseback

Federico Roberto as Cross' Butler

Allan Warnick as Clerk

John Holland as Farmer in the Valley

Jim Burk as Farmer in the Valley

Denny Arnold as Farmer in the Valley

Elizabeth Harding as Curly's Wife

John Rogers as Mr. Palmer

Cecil Elliott as Emma Dill

Paul Jenkins as Policeman

Bob Golden as Policeman

Richard Warren as Driver (uncredited)

Fritzi Burr as Mulwray's Secreatry

Cosmo Sardo as Barber (uncredited)

Charles Fogel as Retirement Home Resident (uncredited)