Denzel Washington

Character: Bleek Gilliam

Spike Lee

Character: Giant

Wesley Snipes

Character: Shadow Henderson (Sax)

Giancarlo Esposito

Character: Left Hand Lacey (Piano)

Robin Harris

Character: Butterbean Jones

Joie Lee

Character: Indigo

Bill Nunn

Character: Bottom Hammer

John Turturro

Character: Moe Flatbush

Dick Anthony Williams

Character: Big Stop Williams

Cynda Williams

Character: Clarke Bentancourt

Nicholas Turturro

Character: Josh Flatbush

Samuel L. Jackson

Character: Madlock

Leonard L. Thomas

Character: Rod

Charlie Murphy

Character: Eggy

Rubén Blades

Character: Petey

Abbey Lincoln

Character: Lillian Gilliam

Linda Hawkins

Character: Jeanne

Coati Mundi

Character: Roberto

Flavor Flav

Character: Impatient Movie Patron

Diahann Carroll

Character: Jazz Club Singer (uncredited)

Jeff "Tain" Watts

Character: Rhythm Jones (Drums)

Steve White

Character: Born Knowledge

Raye Dowell

Character: Rita

Angela Hall

Character: Cora

Zakee Howze

Character: Young Bleek / Miles (as Zakee L. Howze)

Deon Richmond

Character: Tyrone

Raymond Anthony Thomas

Character: Joe (as Raymond Thomas)

Sheldon Turnipseed

Character: Benny

Christopher Skeffrey

Character: Louis

Terrence Williams

Character: Sam

Leon Addison Brown

Character: Smith

Scot Anthony Robinson

Character: Cooley

Bill Lee

Character: Father of the Bride

Branford Marsalis

Character: Party Guest

Doug E. Doug

Character: Jimmy the Busboy (as Douglas Bourne)

Tracy Camilla Johns

Character: Club Patron

John Canada Terrell

Character: Club Patron

Joe Seneca

Character: Big Stop's Friend

Darryl M. Wonge Jr.

Character: Miles at Birth

Jelani Asar Snipes

Character: Miles, Age 1

Glenn Williams III

Character: Miles, Age 3

Arnold Cromer

Character: Miles, Age 5

Herbert Daughtery

Character: Minister

Monty Ross

Character: Club Patron

Carol M. Wiggins

Character: Club Patron

Isabella

Character: Club Patron

Mamie Louise Anderson

Character: Club Patron

John Sobestanovich

Character: Taxi Driver

David Droge

Character: Night Club Patron (uncredited)

Anaysha Figueroa

Character: Shanika (uncredited)

Curt Hayward

Character: Jazz Club Patron (uncredited)

Candace Kirkpatrick

Character: Club Patron (uncredited)

Stephen Vause

Character: Club Patron (uncredited)