Forest Whitaker character Charlie 'Bird' Parker
Diane Venora character Chan Parker
Keith David character Buster Franklin
Damon Whitaker character Young Bird
Michael Zelniker character Red Rodney
Samuel E. Wright character Dizzy Gillespie
Michael McGuire character Brewster
James Handy character Esteves
Morgan Nagler character Kim
Arlen Dean Snyder character Dr. Heath
Sam Robards character Moscowitz
Penelope Windust character Bellevue Nurse
Glenn Wright character Alcoholic Patient
George Orrison character Patient with Checkers
Bill Cobbs character Dr. Caulfield
Tony Todd character Frog
Anna Levine character Audrey
Washington Rucker character Drummer (Uncredited)
Tony Cox character Pee Wee Marquette
John Witherspoon character Sid
