Bessie
Survival began with a song
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Cast
Queen Latifah
Bessie Smith
Mo'Nique
Ma Rainey
Mike Epps
Richard
Tika Sumpter
Lucille
Michael Kenneth Williams
Jack Gee
Charles S. Dutton
William 'Pa' Rainey
Bryan Greenberg
John Hammond
Oliver Platt
Carl Van Vechten
Khandi Alexander
Viola
Tory Kittles
Clarence
Kamryn Johnson
Young Bessie
Rikki McKinney
Chorus Guy
Alan T. Coleman
Stagehand
Clay Chappell
'81' Theatre Owner
Sharan C. Mansfield
Miss Taylor
Videos
Storyline
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Recommended
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
2020
Hounddog
2008
Cadillac Records
2008
Iron Jawed Angels
2004
Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B
2014
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
1999
Preacher's Kid
2010
Good Vibrations
2012
Sarafina!
1992
American Son
2019
Suburbia
1984
Lemonade
2016
