Bessie (2015) featured a cast of 132 tracked actors. Of these, 22 (85%) are still alive today and 4 have passed away. The oldest surviving cast member is Charles S. Dutton, age 75. This film starred Queen Latifah and Mo'Nique.
85% still with us· verified cast17% of full cast · incl. 106 unverified
Survivorship
Cast Reunion Index: 85% still living
Avg. Age at Death: 53.7 yrs
Deaths by Year
2017
2021
Cast132 members
| Person | Character | Status | DOB | Age | DOD | Age in 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Queen Latifah Bessie Smith | Bessie Smith | Living | 18/03/1970 | 56 | — | 45 |
 Mo'Nique Ma Rainey | Ma Rainey | Living | 11/12/1967 | 58 | — | 48 |
 Mike Epps Richard | Richard | Living | 18/11/1970 | 55 | — | 45 |
 Tika Sumpter Lucille | Lucille | Living | 20/06/1980 | 46 | — | 35 |
 Michael Kenneth Williams Jack Gee | Jack Gee | Deceased | 22/11/1966 | 54 | 06/09/2021 | 49 |
 Charles S. Dutton William 'Pa' Rainey | William 'Pa' Rainey | Living | 30/01/1951 | 75 | — | 64 |
 Bryan Greenberg John Hammond | John Hammond | Living | 24/05/1978 | 48 | — | 37 |
 Oliver Platt Carl Van Vechten | Carl Van Vechten | Living | 12/01/1960 | 66 | — | 55 |
 Khandi Alexander Viola | Viola | Living | 04/09/1957 | 69 | — | 58 |
 Tory Kittles Clarence | Clarence | Living | 02/08/1975 | 51 | — | 40 |
Kamryn Johnson Young Bessie | Young Bessie | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Rikki McKinney Chorus Guy | Chorus Guy | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Alan T. Coleman Stagehand | Stagehand | Deceased | 19/05/1970 | 51 | 26/07/2021 | 45 |
Clay Chappell '81' Theatre Owner | '81' Theatre Owner | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Sharan C. Mansfield Miss Taylor | Miss Taylor | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Neko Parham Rehearsal Director | Rehearsal Director | Living | 20/06/1972 | 54 | — | 43 |
 Onira Tarés Chorus Girl | Chorus Girl | Living | 21/05/1981 | 45 | — | 34 |
 Jhoni Davis Chorus Girl | Chorus Girl | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Jim R. Coleman Host | Host | Living | 09/02/1961 | 65 | — | 54 |
Melissa Youngblood Theatergoer | Theatergoer | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Jennifer Sears Ma's Main Girl | Ma's Main Girl | Living | 21/03/1982 | 44 | — | 33 |
 Briana Starks Ma's Dancer | Ma's Dancer | Living | 23/04/1987 | 39 | — | 28 |
 Todd Allen Durkin Nightclub Manager | Nightclub Manager | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Crystal Lee Brown Bessie's Dancer | Bessie's Dancer | Living | 13/06/1988 | 38 | — | 27 |
 Hunter Womack Roadie | Roadie | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Christopher Harvey Roadie | Roadie | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Tia Hendricks Doreen Dupree | Doreen Dupree | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Marie Burke Etta Johnson | Etta Johnson | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Terence Rosemore Detroit Theater Manager | Detroit Theater Manager | Living | 29/07/1964 | 62 | — | 51 |
Karri Mack Wild Child | Wild Child | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Kaden Washington Lewis Swarm Boy | Swarm Boy | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 L. Warren Young Sharkish Man | Sharkish Man | Living | 26/08/1955 | 71 | — | 60 |
Saundra Dunson-Franks Hostess | Hostess | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Bralyn Stokes Harry Herbert Pace | Harry Herbert Pace | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Cj Sykes Black Swan Executive | Black Swan Executive | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Adebukola Bodunrin Black Swan Receptionist | Black Swan Receptionist | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Joe Knezevich Frank Walker | Frank Walker | Living | 06/06/1977 | 49 | — | 38 |
 Troy Faruk Brave Man | Brave Man | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
David Paul Lord Klansman | Klansman | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Chris Walters Doorman | Doorman | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Jessejames Locorriere Vanity Fair Editor | Vanity Fair Editor | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Whitney Goin Fania Van Vechten | Fania Van Vechten | Living | 11/10/1969 | 56 | — | 46 |
 Jeremie Harris Langston Hughes | Langston Hughes | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Chantelle Rose Mussenden Gertrude | Gertrude | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Sylvester Ambrose James II Jack Gee Jr. | Jack Gee Jr. | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Levi Erik Benny Goodman | Benny Goodman | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Gerard 'Gus' Williams Gangster | Gangster | Deceased | 20/05/1961 | 56 | 26/09/2017 | 54 |
 Tim McAdams Shady Guy | Shady Guy | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Kenny Banks Jr. Bessie's Band Member | Bessie's Band Member | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Michael Burton Bessie's Band Member | Bessie's Band Member | Unverified | — | — | — | — |