Cast and Crew of Defending Your Life

Defending Your Life

Is there love after death? After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a gleaming way station where the newly deceased must prove they lived a life of sufficient courage to advance in their journey through the universe. As the self-doubting Daniel struggles to make his case, a budding relationship with the uninhibited Julia offers him a chance to finally feel alive.

Full Cast of Defending Your Life

Albert Brooks as Daniel Miller

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller

Albert Brooks (born Albert Lawrence Einstein; July 22, 1947) is an American actor and filmmaker. He received an...

Meryl Streep as Julia

Meryl Streep

Julia

Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an American actress. Often described as "the best actress of her...

Rip Torn as Bob Diamond

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond
Lee Grant as Lena Foster

Lee Grant

Lena Foster
Michael Durrell as Agency Head

Michael Durrell

Agency Head
James Eckhouse as Jeep Owner

James Eckhouse

Jeep Owner

James Hays Eckhouse (born February 14, 1955) is an American actor, best known for playing Jim Walsh on Beverly...

Gary Beach as Car Salesman

Gary Beach

Car Salesman
Julie Cobb as Tram Guide

Julie Cobb

Tram Guide
Time Winters as Porter

Time Winters

Porter

Timothy G. "Time" Winters (born 3 February 1956; age 66) is an actor from Lebanon, Oregon who played Glinn Daro in...

Clayton Norcross as Soap Opera Man

Clayton Norcross

Soap Opera Man
Jim McKrell as Game Show Moderator

Jim McKrell

Game Show Moderator
Sage Allen as Game Show Contestant

Sage Allen

Game Show Contestant
Mary Pat Gleason as Waitress

Mary Pat Gleason

Waitress

Mary Pat Gleason (February 23, 1950 - June 2, 2020) was an American film and television actress. From 1983–85 she...

Maxine Elliott Hicks as Elderly Woman on Tram

Maxine Elliott Hicks

Elderly Woman on Tram
George D. Wallace as Daniel's Judge

George D. Wallace

Daniel's Judge
Lillian Lehman as Daniel's Judge

Lillian Lehman

Daniel's Judge
Raffi Di Blasio as Daniel as a Boy

Raffi Di Blasio

Daniel as a Boy
S. Scott Bullock as Daniel's Father

S. Scott Bullock

Daniel's Father
Ethan Embry as Steve

Ethan Embry

Steve

Ethan Embry (real name Ethan Philan Randall) is an American film and television actor.

Gary Ballard as Mr. Wadworth

Gary Ballard

Mr. Wadworth
Buck Henry as Dick Stanley

Buck Henry

Dick Stanley
Joey Miyashima as Casio Tipster

Joey Miyashima

Casio Tipster
Susan Walters as Daniel's Wife

Susan Walters

Daniel's Wife

Susan Walters (born September 28, 1963) is an American actress and former model, best known for her role as Diane...

Greg Finley as Used Car Salesman

Greg Finley

Used Car Salesman
Newell Alexander as Julia's Judge

Newell Alexander

Julia's Judge
Shirley MacLaine as Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty; April 24, 1934) is an American actress, singer, author, activist, and...

Hal Landon Jr. as Man in Past Lives Pavilion

Hal Landon Jr.

Man in Past Lives Pavilion
Noley Thornton as Victorian Girl

Noley Thornton

Victorian Girl
Glen Chin as Sumo Wrestler

Glen Chin

Sumo Wrestler
David Purdham as Peter

David Purdham

Peter
James Paradise as Stage Manager

James Paradise

Stage Manager

Peter Schuck

Stan

Sharlie Stuart

Susan

Beth Black

Soap Opera Woman

Wil Albert

Game Show Contestant

Marilyn Rockafellow

Helen

Roger Behr

Comedian

Art Frankel

Arthur

Ernie Brown

Ernie

Kristopher Kent Hill

Bully

Eric Ehasz

Child in Schoolyard

Matthew Scharch

Daniel as an Infant

Carol Bivins

Daniel's Mother

Mary Mukogawa

Sushi Hostess

Toshio Shikami

Head Sushi Chef

Samee Park

Sushi Chef

Kagko Shikami

Sushi Chef

Tommy Inouye

Sushi Chef

Ken Thorley

Frank

Bob Braun

Talk Show Host

Jennifer Barlow Grodsky

Talk Show Guest

Nurit Koppel

Daniel's Date

Sidney Chankin

Used Car Salesman

Leonard O. Turner

Sam

Clifford Einstein

Julia's Prosecutor

Rachel Bard

Julia's Judge

Ida Lee

Woman in Past Lives Pavilion

James Ekim

Native

Clarke Coleman

Knight

Ronald L. Colby

Majestic Doorman

Jerry Prell

Banquet Manager

Arell Blanton

Fire Marshall

Shana Ballard

Julia's Daughter

Chris Macris

Julia's Son

Joseph Darrell

Maitre d'

James Manis

Eduardo

Alex Sheafe

Martin

Cathleen Chin

Ticket Counter Agent

Lisa Sears

Tram Port Attendant

Mark Dunlap

Tram Port Attendant

Vernon Roguen

Tram Port Attendant

Dennis Germain

Tram Driver

Crew of Defending Your Life

Full backstage crew list →