I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979) featured a cast of 39 tracked actors. Of these, 1 (9%) are still alive today and 10 have passed away. The oldest surviving cast member is Tonea Stewart, age 79. This film starred Paul Benjamin and Diahann Carroll.
9% still with us· verified cast3% of full cast · incl. 28 unverified
Survivorship
Cast Reunion Index: 9% still living
Avg. Age at Death: 80.5 yrs
Deaths by Year
1995
1998
2006
2008
2014
2019
2022
2024
Cast39 members
| Person | Character | Status | DOB | Age | DOD | Age in 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paul Benjamin Freeman | Freeman | Deceased | 04/02/1935 | 84 | 28/06/2019 | 44 |
 Diahann Carroll Vivian | Vivian | Deceased | 17/07/1935 | 84 | 04/10/2019 | 44 |
 Ruby Dee Grandmother Baxter | Grandmother Baxter | Deceased | 27/10/1922 | 91 | 11/06/2014 | 57 |
 Roger E. Mosley Bailey, Sr. | Bailey, Sr. | Deceased | 18/12/1938 | 83 | 07/08/2022 | 41 |
 Esther Rolle Momma | Momma | Deceased | 08/11/1920 | 78 | 17/11/1998 | 59 |
 Madge Sinclair Miss Flowers | Miss Flowers | Deceased | 28/04/1938 | 57 | 20/12/1995 | 41 |
Sonny Jim Gaines Uncle Willie | Uncle Willie | Deceased | 10/09/1927 | 78 | 02/09/2006 | 52 |
 Art Evans Principal | Principal | Deceased | 27/03/1942 | 82 | 21/12/2024 | 37 |
Constance Good Maya | Maya | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
John M. Driver II Bailey, Jr. | Bailey, Jr. | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Georgia Allen Mrs. Gurney | Mrs. Gurney | Deceased | 12/05/1919 | 94 | 11/01/2014 | 60 |
 J. Don Ferguson Mr. Donleavy | Mr. Donleavy | Deceased | 21/11/1933 | 74 | 01/10/2008 | 46 |
 Tonea Stewart Lillie | Lillie | Living | 03/02/1947 | 79 | — | 32 |
Monica Kyles Julie | Julie | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Rick Salassi Parmenian | Parmenian | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Lewis Liddell Tommy | Tommy | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
| Ira | Unverified | — | — | — | — | |
Sylvester Spann Tutti | Tutti | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Shaunery Stevens Policeman | Policeman | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Hosie Phillips Preacher | Preacher | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
| Red | Unverified | — | — | — | — | |
George Cummins Sheriff Rogers | Sheriff Rogers | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Torain Teacher | Teacher | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Darleen Taylor Girl #1 | Girl #1 | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Laurie Waters Tall Girl | Tall Girl | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Mose Lee Williams Mrs. Fletcher #1 | Mrs. Fletcher #1 | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Frankie Mitchell Mrs. Fletcher #2 | Mrs. Fletcher #2 | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
M.L. Breeland Mr. Peters | Mr. Peters | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Angela Brown Kitty | Kitty | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Abbie Burns Mary | Mary | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Johnny Lewis Picker #1 | Picker #1 | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
| Man | Unverified | — | — | — | — | |
James Peters 2nd Man | 2nd Man | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Melvin Kennerly 3rd Man | 3rd Man | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Shirley Perkins Woman | Woman | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
John C. Roper Jr. White Man | White Man | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Terri Ann Ross Small Girl | Small Girl | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
I.D. Thompson Black Man | Black Man | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Darryl Antony Williams Tommy Valdon | Tommy Valdon | Unverified | — | — | — | — |