Nicolas Cage character Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman
Meryl Streep character Susan Orlean
Chris Cooper character John Laroche
Tilda Swinton character Valerie Thomas
Cara Seymour character Amelia Kavan
Ron Livingston character Marty Bowen
Brian Cox character Robert McKee
Judy Greer character Alice the Waitress
Maggie Gyllenhaal character Caroline Cunningham
Jay Tavare character Matthew Osceola
Jim Beaver character Ranger Tony
Litefoot character Russell
Doug Jones character Augustus Margary
Gary Farmer character Buster Baxley
Roger Willie character Randy
Peter Jason character Defense Attorney
Gregory Itzin character Prosecutor
Curtis Hanson character Orlean's Husband
Sandra Lee Gimpel character Laroche's Mom
Bob Stephenson character David
Lisa Love character Orlean Dinner Guest
Curt Clendenin character Restaurant Customer (uncredited)
John Malkovich character Himself (uncredited)
Catherine Keener character Herself (uncredited)
John Cusack character Himself (uncredited)
Donald Dowd character Cafe Customer