Lady Sings the Blues [23148] Released: 1972-10-12 Revenue: $19,726,490 Budget: $2,000,000 Profit: $17,726,490 Runtime: 144 mins Popularity: 1.2841 Vote Average: 6.881 Vote Count: 67 Overview: 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. Cast [37] Diana RossBillie Holiday Billy Dee WilliamsLouis McKay Richard PryorPiano Man James T. CallahanReg Hanley Paul HamptonHarry Sid MeltonJerry Virginia CapersMama Holiday Yvonne FairYvonne Isabel SanfordThe Madame Tracee LylesThe Prostitute Ned GlassThe Agent Milton SelzerThe Doctor Norman BartoldThe Detective #1 Clay TannerThe Detective #2 Jester HairstonThe Butler Bert KramerThe Policeman Paul MicaleThe Maitre d' Michele AllerThe Singer Byron KaneThe Announcer Barbara MinkusRadio Actress Kay LewisAngela DeMarco Helen LewisDebbie McGee George WynerThe M.C. Shirley MellineThe Policewoman Toby RussThe Jail Guard Larry DuranHood #1 Ernest RobinsonHood #2 Don McGovernReporter #1 Dick PostonReporter #2 Charles WoolfReporter #3 Denise DeniseDenise Lynn HamiltonAunt Ida Victor MoroscoVic Robert L. GordyThe Hawk Harry CaesarThe Rapist Paulene MyersMrs. Edson Scatman CrothersBig Ben Trailers LADY SINGS THE BLUES Trailer 1972 music by MICHEL LEGRAND