Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.
Diana Ross
as Billie Holiday
Billy Dee Williams
as Louis McKay
Richard Pryor
as Piano Man
James T. Callahan
as Reg Hanley
Paul Hampton
as Harry
Sid Melton
as Jerry
Virginia Capers
as Mama Holiday
Yvonne Fair
as Yvonne
Isabel Sanford
as The Madame
Tracee Lyles
as The Prostitute
Ned Glass
as The Agent
Milton Selzer
as The Doctor
