Top Billed Cast

1. 

   Queen Latifah

   Bessie Smith

2. 

   Mo'Nique

   Ma Rainey

3. 

   Mike Epps

   Richard

4. 

   Tika Sumpter

   Lucille

5. 

   Michael Kenneth Williams

   Jack Gee

6. 

   Charles S. Dutton

   William 'Pa' Rainey

7. 

   Bryan Greenberg

   John Hammond

8. 

   Oliver Platt

   Carl Van Vechten

9. 

   Khandi Alexander

   Viola

10. 

    Tory Kittles

    Clarence

11. 

    Joe Knezevich

    Frank Walker

12. 

    Jeremie Harris

    Langston Hughes

13. 

    Jennifer Sears

    Ma's Main Girl

14. 

    Crystal Lee Brown

    Bessie's Dancer

15. 

    Terence Rosemore

    Detroit Theater Manager

16. 

    L. Warren Young

    Sharkish Man

17. 

    Tia Hendricks

    Doreen Dupree

18. 

    Whitney Goin

    Fania Van Vechten

19. 

    Neko Parham

    Rehearsal Director

20. 

    Kaden Washington Lewis

    Swarm Boy #1

21. 

    Alkoya Brunson

    Swarm Boy #2

22. 

    Todd Allen Durkin

    Night Club Owner

23. 

    Swift Rice

    Stage Hand

24. 

    Jim R. Coleman

    Host

25. 

    Jessejames Locorriere

    Vanity Fair Editor

26. 

    Onira Tarés

    Chorus Girl #1

27. 

    Jhoni Davis

    Chorus Girl #2

28. 

    Hunter Womack

    Roadie #1

29. 

    Christopher Harvey

    Roadie #2

30. 

    Marie Burke

    Etta Johnson

31. 

    Levi Erik

    Benny Goodman

32. 

    Nicole Spiezio

    Marguerite d'Alvarez

33. 

    Bralyn Stokes

    Harry Pace

34. 

    Sylvester Ambrose James II

    Jack Gee Jr.

35. 

    Briana Starks

    Ma's Dancer

36. 

    Alan T. Coleman

    Stagehand

37. 

    Tray Williams

    Stage Crew (uncredited)

38. 

    Montice Harmon

    Party Goer