Shirley Jo Finney
— Wilma Rudolph
Cicely Tyson
— Blanche Rudolph
Jason Bernard
— Coach Temple
Denzel Washington
— Robert Eldridge, age 18
Joe Seneca
— Ed Rudolph
Charles Blackwell
— Coach Gray
Norman Matlock
— Dr. Gordon
Réjane Magloire
— Wilma, age 12
L. Warren Young
— Post Office Assistant
Larry B. Scott
— Robert Eldridge, age 12
Piper Carter
— Wilma - Age 4
Pauletta Washington
— Mae Faggs (as Paulette Pearson)
Andrea Frierson
— Martha Hudson
Stacy Green
— Tootie
Dury Cox
— Pappy Marshall
Roger Askew
— Dr. Williams
J. Franklin Taylor
— Principal