Matewan (1987) featured a cast of 49 tracked actors. Of these, 17 (77%) are still alive today and 5 have passed away. The oldest surviving cast member is Ken Jenkins, age 86. This film starred Chris Cooper and James Earl Jones.
77% still with us· verified cast35% of full cast · incl. 27 unverified
Survivorship
Cast Reunion Index: 77% still living
Avg. Age at Death: 73.2 yrs
Deaths by Year
1988
1992
2007
2011
2024
Cast49 members
| Person | Character | Status | DOB | Age | DOD | Age in 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chris Cooper Joe Kenehan | Joe Kenehan | Living | 09/07/1951 | 75 | — | 36 |
 James Earl Jones 'Few Clothes' Johnson | 'Few Clothes' Johnson | Deceased | 17/01/1931 | 93 | 09/09/2024 | 56 |
 Mary McDonnell Elma Radnor | Elma Radnor | Living | 28/04/1952 | 74 | — | 35 |
 Will Oldham Danny Radnor | Danny Radnor | Living | 15/01/1970 | 56 | — | 17 |
 David Strathairn Police Chief Sid Hatfield | Police Chief Sid Hatfield | Living | 26/01/1949 | 77 | — | 38 |
 Ken Jenkins Sephus Purcell | Sephus Purcell | Living | 28/08/1940 | 86 | — | 47 |
 Kevin Tighe Bill Hickey | Bill Hickey | Living | 13/08/1944 | 82 | — | 43 |
 Gordon Clapp Tom Griggs | Tom Griggs | Living | 24/09/1948 | 77 | — | 39 |
 Bob Gunton C.E. Lively | C.E. Lively | Living | 15/11/1945 | 80 | — | 42 |
 Jace Alexander Hilllard Elkins | Hilllard Elkins | Living | 07/04/1964 | 62 | — | 23 |
 Joe Grifasi Fausto | Fausto | Living | 14/06/1944 | 82 | — | 43 |
 Nancy Mette Bridey Mae Tolliver | Bridey Mae Tolliver | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Jo Henderson Mrs. Elkins | Mrs. Elkins | Deceased | 10/05/1934 | 54 | 08/08/1988 | 53 |
 Josh Mostel Mayor Cabell Testerman | Mayor Cabell Testerman | Living | 21/12/1946 | 79 | — | 41 |
 Gary McCleery Ludie | Ludie | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Maggie Renzi Rosaria | Rosaria | Living | 30/11/1951 | 74 | — | 36 |
 Tom Wright Tom | Tom | Living | 29/11/1952 | 73 | — | 35 |
Michael B. Preston Ellix (as Michael Preston) | Ellix (as Michael Preston) | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Thomas A. Carlin Turley | Turley | Deceased | 10/12/1920 | 71 | 06/05/1992 | 67 |
Jenni Cline Luann | Luann | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Michael Mantell Doolin | Doolin | Living | 05/06/1951 | 75 | — | 36 |
J.K. Kent Lilly Pappy's Voice (voice) | Pappy's Voice (voice) | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
James Kizer Tolbert | Tolbert | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Ronnie Stapleton Stennis | Stennis | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Davide Ferrario Gianni | Gianni | Living | 26/05/1956 | 70 | — | 31 |
Frank Payne Jr. Old Miner | Old Miner | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 John Sayles Hardshell Preacher | Hardshell Preacher | Living | 28/09/1950 | 75 | — | 37 |
 Hazel Dickens Singer | Singer | Deceased | 01/06/1935 | 75 | 22/04/2011 | 52 |
Charles Haywood Sheb | Sheb | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Neale Clark Isaac | Isaac | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Mitch Scott Mister | Mister | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Hazel Pearl Missus | Missus | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Michael Frasher Lee Felts | Lee Felts | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Frank Hoyt Taylor Al Felts | Al Felts | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Fred Decker James | James | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Bill Morris Bass | Bass | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Delmas Lawhorn Conductor | Conductor | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
William Dean Broker | Broker | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
P. Michael Munsey Broker | Broker | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Thomas Hal Phillips Boxcar Guard | Boxcar Guard | Deceased | — | — | 03/04/2007 | — |
Stephen C. Hall Redneck Miner | Redneck Miner | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Percy Fruit Black Miner | Black Miner | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Thomas Poore Injured Black Miner | Injured Black Miner | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Tara Williams Miner's Wife | Miner's Wife | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Gerald Milnes Fiddler | Fiddler | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Mason Daring Picker | Picker | Living | 21/09/1949 | 77 | — | 38 |
Jim Costa Mandolin Player | Mandolin Player | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Phil Wiggins Harmonica Player | Harmonica Player | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
Ida Williams Mrs. Knightes | Mrs. Knightes | Unverified | — | — | — | — |