About The Great Debaters
- Released on December 27, 2007
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 plays James Farmer Jr.
Denzel Washington plays Melvin B. Tolson
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director and film producer. He first rose to promine...
See Denzel Washington's other roles →Nate Parker plays Henry Lowe
Jurnee Smollett plays Samantha Booke
Jurnee Diana Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. Smollett began her career as a child actress app...
See Jurnee Smollett's other roles →Forest Whitaker plays Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, producer, director, and activist. He is the recipie...
See Forest Whitaker's other roles →Kimberly Elise plays Pearl Farmer
Kimberly Elise Trammel (born April 17, 1967) is an American actress. Elise studied film and acting at the University ...
See Kimberly Elise's other roles →Jermaine Williams plays Hamilton Burgess
Gina Ravera plays Ruth Tolson
John Heard plays Sheriff Dozier
John Heard Jr. (March 7, 1946 – July 21, 2017) was an American actor. He appeared in a number of successful films, in...
See John Heard's other roles →Devyn A. Tyler plays Helen Farmer
Devyn A. Tyler was born on May 7, 1991 and is currently 33 years old.
See Devyn A. Tyler's other roles →Trenton McClain Boyd plays Nathaniel Farmer
Ritchie Montgomery plays Deputy
Jackson Walker plays Pig Owner
Tim Parati plays Pig Farmer
Robert X. Golphin plays Dunbar Reed
Justice Leak plays Harland Osbourne
Justice Leak was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. His father, George, a former police officer, named his daugh...
See Justice Leak's other roles →Glen Powell plays Harvard Debater #1
Glen Thomas Powell Jr. (born October 21, 1988) is an American actor. He began his career with guest roles on televisi...
See Glen Powell's other roles →Brad Watkins plays Harvard Debater #2
Brian Smiar plays Harvard Dean
Damien Leake plays Wilson
Voltaire Sterling plays Paul Quinn Debater #1
Stephen Rider plays Paul Quinn Debater #2
Gordon Danniels plays Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Donny Boaz plays 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...
See Donny Boaz's other roles →Samuel Elliott Whisnant plays Oklahoma City College Debater #2
Bonnie Johnson plays Dr. Jennings
Charissa Allen plays Benita
Michael Beasley plays Trudell
Michael Beasley is an American actor.
See Michael Beasley's other roles →Gary Mathis plays Enormous Man
Georges Wilson plays Samuel
Fahnlohnee R. Harris plays Clementine
Harold Evans plays William Taylor
J.D. Evermore plays Captain Wainwright
J.D. was born in the delta town of Greenville, Mississippi (also the birthplace of Muppets creator Jim Henson) on the...
See J.D. Evermore's other roles →Sharon Jones plays Lila
Kelvin Payton plays Joseph
Southey Blanton plays White Labor Organizer
Michael Mattison plays White Sharecropper #1
Jeff Braun plays White Sharecropper #2
Milton R. Gipson plays Prairie View Professor
Frank Ridley plays Security Guard
Frank Ridley is known for The Box (2009), Don't Look Up (2021) and Edge of Darkness (2010).
See Frank Ridley's other roles →Jeremiah Kissel plays Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate
Jack Radosta plays White Man at Lynching
Alvin Youngblood Hart plays Juke Joint Musician #1
Dom Flemons plays Juke Joint Musician #2
Justin Robinson plays Juke Joint Musician #3
Rhiannon Giddens plays Juke Joint Musician #4
Ahmad Powell plays Fisk Professor
Marcus Lyle Brown plays 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...
See Marcus Lyle Brown's other roles →Gary Mattis plays Enormous Man
Crew of The Great Debaters
Discover the backstage crew of The Great Debaters →
- Denzel Whitaker
- Denzel Washington
- Nate Parker
- Jurnee Smollett
- Forest Whitaker
- Kimberly Elise
- Jermaine Williams
- Gina Ravera
- John Heard
- Devyn A. Tyler
- Trenton McClain Boyd
- Ritchie Montgomery
- Jackson Walker
- Tim Parati
- Robert X. Golphin
- Justice Leak
- Glen Powell
- Brad Watkins
- Brian Smiar
- Damien Leake
- Voltaire Sterling
- Stephen Rider
- Gordon Danniels
- Donny Boaz
- Samuel Elliott Whisnant
- Bonnie Johnson
- Charissa Allen
- Michael Beasley
- Gary Mathis
- Georges Wilson
- Fahnlohnee R. Harris
- Harold Evans
- J.D. Evermore
- Sharon Jones
- Kelvin Payton
- Southey Blanton
- Michael Mattison
- Jeff Braun
- Milton R. Gipson
- Frank Ridley
- Jeremiah Kissel
- Jack Radosta
- Alvin Youngblood Hart
- Dom Flemons
- Justin Robinson
- Rhiannon Giddens
- Ahmad Powell
- Marcus Lyle Brown
- Gary Mattis