Whoopi Goldberg
Celie Harris Johnson
Danny Glover
Albert Johnson ('Mister')
Margaret Avery
Shug Avery
Oprah Winfrey
Sofia Johnson
Willard E. Pugh
Harpo Johnson
Akosua Busia
Nettie Harris
Desreta Jackson
Young Celie Harris
Adolph Caesar
Old Mister
Rae Dawn Chong
Squeak (Mary Agnes)
Dana Ivey
Miss Millie
Leonard Jackson
Alphonso "Pa" Harris
Bennet Guillory
Grady
John Patton Jr.
Preacher
Carl Anderson
Reverend Samuel
Susan Beaubian
Corrine
James Tillis
Henry "Buster" Broadnax
Phillip Strong
Mayor
Laurence Fishburne
Swain
Peto Kinsaka
Adam
Lelo Masamba
Olivia
Margaret Freeman
Odessa
Howard Starr
Young Harpo
Daphaine Oliver
Young Olivia
Jadili Johnson
Young Adam
Lillian Njoki Distefano
Young Tashi
Donna Buie
Daisy
Leon Rippy
Store Clerk
John R. Hart
Mailman
David Thomas
Road Gang Leader
Carrie Murphy
Loretta
Juliet Poe
Church Sister
Katie Simon
Church Sister
Ethel Taylor
Church Sister
Marcus Covington
Boy
Marcus Liles
Boy
April Myers
Emma
Maurice Moore
Child #1
Lechanda Latharp
Child #2
Drew Bundini Brown
Jook Joint Patron
Arnold F. Turner
Jook Joint Patron
Jeris Poindexter
Jook Joint Patron
Hawthorne James
Jook Joint Patron
Sonny Terry
Jook Joint Musician
Greg Phillinganes
Jook Joint Musician
Roy Gaines
Jook Joint Musician
Paulinho da Costa
African Musician
Nana Yaw Asiedu
African Musician
Clarence Avant
African Musician
Bayo Martin
African Musician
Ndugu Chandler
African Musician
Jeffrey Kwashi
African Musician
Pete Munzhi
African Musician
Aniijia Rae Schockley
African Musician
Maria Howell
Church Choir Soloist (uncredited)
Gayle King
Church-goer (uncredited)