A cross-country road race is based on an actual event, the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, organized by Brock Yates to protest the 55 mph speed limit then in effect in the U.S. The Cannonball was named for Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, who in the roaring 20's rode his motorcycle across the country. Many of the characters are based on ruses developed by real Cannonball racers over the several years that the event was run.
Main Cast of The Cannonball Run
Burt Reynolds
J.J. McClure
Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018) was an American actor, director, and producer,...
Roger Moore
Seymour
Farrah Fawcett
Pamela
Farrah Leni Fawcett (born Ferrah Leni Fawcett; February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) was an American actress, fashion...
Dom DeLuise
Victor
Dean Martin
Jamie Blake
Sammy Davis Jr.
Fenderbaum
Secondary Cast of The Cannonball Run
Grayce Spence
Chair Person
Simone Burton
Seymour's Girl
Finele Carpenter
Seymour's Girl
Susan McDonald
Seymour's Girl
Janet Woytak
Seymour's Girl
James C. Lewis
Missouri Patrolman #1
Fred Smith
California Patrolman #1
Roy Tatum
Connecticut Patrolman
Hal Carter
New Jersey Patrolman #2
Brock Yates
Organizer
Nancy Austin
Phone Booth Lady
Vickie Reigle
Car Hop Waitress
Bob Stenner
California Highway Patrolman #2
Ken Squier
California Highway Patrolman #3
Samir Kamoun
Bedouin
Linda McClure
Dour Lady
Richie Burns Wright
Farmboy
Steve Dressler
Race Car Assistant (uncredited)
Renee McCullah
Girl in Crowd (uncredited)
Dave Mungenast
Man Kicked by Jackie Chan (uncredited)
Tim R. Worley
Missouri Passerby (uncredited)
Ben Rogers
Pennsylvania Patrolman
Crew of The Cannonball Run
Full backstage crew list →- Released on June 19, 1981