Bessie
Survival began with a song
DramaMusicTV Movie
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Trailer
Cast
Michael Kenneth Williams
Jack Gee
Jessejames Locorriere
Vanity Fair Editor
Christopher L. Plunkett
Dancer
Swift Rice
Stage Hand (uncredited)
Jhoni Davis
Chorus Girl
Mike Epps
Richard
Crystal Lee Brown
Bessie's Dancer
Jeremie Harris
Langston Hughes
Bryan Greenberg
John Hammond
Tory Kittles
Clarence
Dorothea Syleos
Switchboard Operator (uncredited)
Charles S. Dutton
William 'Pa' Rainey
Onira Tarés
Chorus Girl
Tia Hendricks
Doreen Dupree
Nicole Spiezio
Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)
Hunter Womack
Roadie
L. Warren Young
Sharkish Man
Queen Latifah
Bessie Smith
Damita Jane Howard
Jack's Lover (uncredited)
Kenny Banks Jr.
Bessie's Band Member
Shannon Edwards
Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited)
Terence Rosemore
Detroit Theater Manager
Mo'Nique
Ma Rainey
Todd Allen Durkin
Nightclub Manager
Sylvester Ambrose James II
Jack Gee Jr.
Tim McAdams
Shady Guy
Jennifer Sears
Ma's Main Girl
Troy Faruk
Brave Man
Adella Gautier
Neighbor #2 (uncredited)
Christopher Harvey
Roadie
Kaden Washington Lewis
Swarm Boy
Briana Starks
Ma's Dancer
Trey McGriff
Pedestrian (uncredited)
Sheerod Tate
Dancer
Levi Erik
Benny Goodman
Taurus Davis
Extra (uncredited)
Tika Sumpter
Lucille
Neko Parham
Rehearsal Director
Joe Knezevich
Frank Walker
Alkoya Brunson
Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)
Jim R. Coleman
Host
John Merical
VIP Guest (uncredited)
Marie Burke
Etta Johnson
Oliver Platt
Carl Van Vechten
Bralyn Stokes
Harry Herbert Pace
Andre Lamar
Cheering Fan (uncredited)
Khandi Alexander
Viola
Whitney Goin
Fania Van Vechten
Dan Michael
Theater Goer (uncredited)