About Ironweed
- Released on December 18, 1987
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
Full Cast of Ironweed
Jack Nicholson plays Francis Phelan
Meryl Streep plays Helen Archer
Carroll Baker plays Annie Phelan
Michael O'Keefe plays Billy
Diane Venora plays Peg
Fred Gwynne plays Oscar Reo
Margaret Whitton plays Katrina
Tom Waits plays Rudy
Jake Dengel plays Pee Wee
Nathan Lane plays Harold Allen
James Gammon plays Reverend Chester
Laura Esterman plays Rowdy Dick
Will Zahrn plays Nora
Joe Grifasi plays Jack
Hy Anzell plays Rosskam
Bethel Leslie plays Librarian
Richard Hamilton plays Donovan
Black-Eyed Susan plays Clara
Louise Phillips plays Flower Girl
Marjorie Slocum plays Elderly Woman
Lena Spencer plays Slatternly Woman
Lola Pashalinski plays Fat Woman with Turkey
Paul A. DiCocco Jr. plays Bus Driver
Priscilla Smith plays Sandra
James Dukas plays Finny
Jared Swartout plays Guard Captain
Ted Levine plays Pocono Pete
Martin Patterson plays Foxy Phil Tooker
Terry O'Reilly plays Aldo Campione
Michael O'Gorman plays Strike Leader
Frank Whaley plays Young Francis
Jordan Valdina plays Youth at Strike
Louis St. Louis plays Piano Man
John Wright plays Goblin
Robin Wood-Chappelle plays Goblin
Nicole Weden plays Goblin
Peter Pryor plays Goblin
Duane Scholz plays Goblin
Matt McGrath plays Goblin
Lois Barden Stilley plays Mrs. Dillon
Cori Irwin plays Young Girl
Pamela Payton-Wright plays Mother
Boris McGiver plays Clerk
Phyllis Gottung plays Old Woman
James Yoham plays Bald Man
Ean Egas plays Danny
Nebraska Brace plays Andy
Jeff Morris plays Michigan Mac
William Duell plays Moose
George Rafferty plays Raider
Robert Manion plays Raider
Pat Devane plays Nurse
Crew of Ironweed
Sound
Production
Editing
Art
Costume & Make-Up
Crew
Writing
Directing
Camera
Visual Effects
- Jack Nicholson
- Meryl Streep
- Carroll Baker
- Michael O'Keefe
- Diane Venora
- Fred Gwynne
- Margaret Whitton
- Tom Waits
- Jake Dengel
- Nathan Lane
- James Gammon
- Laura Esterman
- Will Zahrn
- Joe Grifasi
- Hy Anzell
- Bethel Leslie
- Richard Hamilton
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Louise Phillips
- Marjorie Slocum
- Lena Spencer
- Lola Pashalinski
- Paul A. DiCocco Jr.
- Priscilla Smith
- James Dukas
- Jared Swartout
- Ted Levine
- Martin Patterson
- Terry O'Reilly
- Michael O'Gorman
- Frank Whaley
- Jordan Valdina
- Louis St. Louis
- John Wright
- Robin Wood-Chappelle
- Nicole Weden
- Peter Pryor
- Duane Scholz
- Matt McGrath
- Lois Barden Stilley
- Cori Irwin
- Pamela Payton-Wright
- Boris McGiver
- Phyllis Gottung
- James Yoham
- Ean Egas
- Nebraska Brace
- Jeff Morris
- William Duell
- George Rafferty
- Robert Manion
- Pat Devane