Meet the Cast of The Great Debaters Movie

The true story of a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African-American college students into a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.

Full Cast of The Great Debaters

Denzel Whitaker

as James Farmer Jr.

Denzel Washington

as Melvin B. Tolson

Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director and film producer. He first rose to promine...

Nate Parker

as Henry Lowe

Jurnee Smollett

as Samantha Booke

Jurnee Diana Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. Smollett began her career as a child actress app...

Forest Whitaker

as Dr. James Farmer Sr.

Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, producer, director, and activist. He is the recipie...

Kimberly Elise

as Pearl Farmer

Kimberly Elise Trammel (born April 17, 1967) is an American actress. Elise studied film and acting at the University ...

John Heard Jr. (March 7, 1946 – July 21, 2017) was an American actor. He appeared in a number of successful films, in...

Devyn A. Tyler

as Helen Farmer

Devyn A. Tyler was born on May 7, 1991 and is currently 33 years old.

Trenton McClain Boyd

as Nathaniel Farmer

Ritchie Montgomery

as Deputy

Jackson Walker

as Pig Owner

Tim Parati

as Pig Farmer

Robert X. Golphin

as Dunbar Reed

Justice Leak

as Harland Osbourne

Justice Leak was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. His father, George, a former police officer, named his daugh...

Glen Powell

as Harvard Debater #1

Glen Thomas Powell Jr. (born October 21, 1988) is an American actor. He began his career with guest roles on televisi...

Brad Watkins

as Harvard Debater #2

Brian Smiar

as Harvard Dean

Damien Leake

as Wilson

Voltaire Sterling

as Paul Quinn Debater #1

Stephen Rider

as Paul Quinn Debater #2

Gordon Danniels

as Paul Quinn Debate Judge

Donny Boaz

as Oklahoma City College Debater #1

Donny Boaz is an actor and producer, known for Flashes (2014), Osprey (2017) and 13 Sins (2014). He portrays the rol...

Samuel Elliott Whisnant

as Oklahoma City College Debater #2

Bonnie Johnson

as Dr. Jennings

Charissa Allen

as Benita

Michael Beasley

as Trudell

Michael Beasley is an American actor.

Gary Mathis

as Enormous Man

Georges Wilson

as Samuel

Fahnlohnee R. Harris

as Clementine

Harold Evans

as William Taylor

J.D. Evermore

as Captain Wainwright

J.D. was born in the delta town of Greenville, Mississippi (also the birthplace of Muppets creator Jim Henson) on the...

Sharon Jones

as Lila

Kelvin Payton

as Joseph

Southey Blanton

as White Labor Organizer

Michael Mattison

as White Sharecropper #1

Jeff Braun

as White Sharecropper #2

Milton R. Gipson

as Prairie View Professor

Frank Ridley

as Security Guard

Frank Ridley is known for The Box (2009), Don't Look Up (2021) and Edge of Darkness (2010).

Jeremiah Kissel

as Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate

Jack Radosta

as White Man at Lynching

Alvin Youngblood Hart

as Juke Joint Musician #1

Dom Flemons

as Juke Joint Musician #2

Justin Robinson

as Juke Joint Musician #3

Rhiannon Giddens

as Juke Joint Musician #4

Ahmad Powell

as Fisk Professor

Marcus Lyle Brown

as Howard Debater #1

Marcus Lyle Brown was born on December 26, 1970. He is an actor and producer, known for The Host (2013), Stolen (2012...

Gary Mattis