The Buddy Holly Story (1978) featured a cast of 21 tracked actors. Of these, 6 (30%) are still alive today and 14 have passed away. The oldest surviving cast member is William Jordan, age 88. This film starred Gary Busey and Don Stroud.
30% still with us· verified cast29% of full cast · incl. 1 unverified
Survivorship
Cast Reunion Index: 30% still living
Avg. Age at Death: 72.5 yrs
Deaths by Year
1981
1985
1997
1998
1999
2005
2009
2010
2021
2022
2024
2025
Cast21 members
| Person | Character | Status | DOB | Age | DOD | Age in 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gary Busey Buddy Holly | Buddy Holly | Living | 29/06/1944 | 82 | — | 34 |
 Don Stroud Jesse Charles | Jesse Charles | Living | 01/09/1943 | 83 | — | 35 |
 Charles Martin Smith Ray Bob Simmons | Ray Bob Simmons | Living | 30/10/1953 | 72 | — | 25 |
 Conrad Janis Ross Turner | Ross Turner | Deceased | 11/02/1928 | 94 | 01/03/2022 | 50 |
 William Jordan Riley | Riley | Living | 13/10/1937 | 88 | — | 41 |
 Maria Richwine Maria Elena Holly | Maria Elena Holly | Deceased | — | — | 12/03/2024 | — |
Amy Johnston Cindy Lou | Cindy Lou | Deceased | 22/09/1954 | 66 | 17/03/2021 | 24 |
 Dick O'Neill Sol Gittler | Sol Gittler | Deceased | 29/08/1928 | 70 | 17/11/1998 | 50 |
 Fred Travalena Madman Mancuso | Madman Mancuso | Deceased | 06/10/1942 | 66 | 28/06/2009 | 36 |
 Neva Patterson Mrs. Holly | Mrs. Holly | Deceased | 10/02/1920 | 90 | 14/12/2010 | 58 |
 Arch Johnson Mr. Holly | Mr. Holly | Deceased | 14/03/1922 | 75 | 09/10/1997 | 56 |
 John F. Goff T.J. | T.J. | Living | 24/05/1939 | 87 | — | 39 |
 Gloria Irizarry Mrs. Santiago | Mrs. Santiago | Deceased | 27/03/1937 | 68 | 03/04/2005 | 41 |
Jody Berry Engineer Sam | Engineer Sam | Deceased | — | — | — | — |
Richard Kennedy Preacher | Preacher | Deceased | 14/02/1929 | 56 | 01/10/1985 | 49 |
 Jim Beach Wilson | Wilson | Living | 09/03/1942 | 84 | — | 36 |
 Gailard Sartain The Big Bopper | The Big Bopper | Deceased | 18/09/1946 | 78 | 17/06/2025 | 32 |
 Albert Popwell Eddie | Eddie | Deceased | 15/07/1926 | 72 | 09/04/1999 | 52 |
 Paul Mooney Sam | Sam | Deceased | 04/08/1941 | 79 | 19/05/2021 | 37 |
M.G. Kelly Avalon M.C. | Avalon M.C. | Unverified | — | — | — | — |
 Matthew Beard Luther | Luther | Deceased | 01/01/1925 | 56 | 08/01/1981 | 53 |