---
title: "Imitation of Life: cast and crew"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/imitation-of-life/cast-and-crew"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/imitation-of-life"
cast: 51
crew: 44
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Imitation of Life (1959): cast and crew

51 cast and 44 crew, as credited (TMDB). Cast in billing order.

## Cast

- [Lana Turner](https://film.one/person/lana-turner.md) as Lora Meredith
- [John Gavin](https://film.one/person/john-gavin.md) as Steve Archer
- [Sandra Dee](https://film.one/person/sandra-dee.md) as Susie (16)
- [Susan Kohner](https://film.one/person/susan-kohner.md) as Sarah Jane (18)
- [Robert Alda](https://film.one/person/robert-alda.md) as Allen Loomis
- [Dan O'Herlihy](https://film.one/person/dan-oherlihy.md) as David Edwards
- [Juanita Moore](https://film.one/person/juanita-moore.md) as Annie Johnson
- [Karin Dicker](https://film.one/person/karin-dicker.md) as Sarah Jane (8)
- [Terry Burnham](https://film.one/person/terry-burnham.md) as Susie (6)
- [John Vivyan](https://film.one/person/john-vivyan.md) as Young Man
- [Lee Goodman](https://film.one/person/lee-goodman.md) as Photographer
- [Ann Robinson](https://film.one/person/ann-robinson-103079.md) as Showgirl
- Troy Donahue as Frankie
- Sandra Gould as Annette
- David Tomack as Mr. McKenney
- Joel Fluellen as Minister
- [Jack Weston](https://film.one/person/jack-weston.md) as Tom
- Billy House as Fat Man on Beach
- Maida Severn as Teacher
- Than Wyenn as Romano
- Peg Shirley as Fay
- [Mahalia Jackson](https://film.one/person/mahalia-jackson.md) as Choir Soloist
- Frank Baker as Party Guest (uncredited)
- [George Barrows](https://film.one/person/george-barrows.md) as Furniture Mover (uncredited)
- Rodney Bieber as Moulin Rouge Dancer (uncredited)
- Chet Brandenburg as Man at Coney Island (uncredited)
- Teddy Buckner as Marching Band Member (uncredited)
- George Calliga as Security (uncredited)
- Steve Carruthers as Actor at Audition (uncredited)
- Richard Collier as McKinney (uncredited)
- Paul Cristo as Show Spectator (uncredited)
- Joe Darensbourg as Marching Band Member (uncredited)
- Robert Darin as Waiter (uncredited)
- Mike De Lay as Marching Band Member (uncredited)
- [Elinor Donahue](https://film.one/person/elinor-donahue.md) as Lora's Friend (uncredited)
- Cicely Evans as Louis Morton (uncredited)
- Myrna Fahey as Iris Dawn (uncredited)
- [Bess Flowers](https://film.one/person/bess-flowers.md) as Geraldine Moore (uncredited)
- George Ford as Show Spectator (uncredited)
- Tedd Hadfield as Cop (uncredited)
- Nelson Leigh as Doctor (uncredited)
- Paul Levitt as Waiter (uncredited)
- John McNamara as Doctor (uncredited)
- Joseph Mell as Watchman (uncredited)
- Eddie Parker as Cop at Funeral (uncredited)
- Waclaw Rekwart as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Cosmo Sardo as Audience Member (uncredited)
- Jeffrey Sayre as Audience Member (uncredited)
- Cap Somers as Truck Driver (uncredited)
- Ted Thorpe as Dog Owner (uncredited)
- Napoleon Whiting as Kenneth - Lora's Butler (uncredited)

## Directing

- [Douglas Sirk](https://film.one/person/douglas-sirk.md): Director
- Frank Shaw: Assistant Director
- Wilson Shyer: Assistant Director
- Luanna Sherman: Script Supervisor

## Writing

- [Eleanore Griffin](https://film.one/person/eleanore-griffin.md): Screenplay
- [Allan Scott](https://film.one/person/allan-scott-1082918.md): Screenplay
- Fannie Hurst: Novel

## Production

- [Ross Hunter](https://film.one/person/ross-hunter.md): Producer
- Norman Deming: Production Manager

## Camera

- [Russell Metty](https://film.one/person/russell-metty.md): Director of Photography
- Eddie Pyle: Camera Operator
- Ledge Haddow: Assistant Camera
- Roy Vaughn: Assistant Camera

## Editing

- [Milton Carruth](https://film.one/person/milton-carruth.md): Editor

## Sound and music

- [Frank Skinner](https://film.one/person/frank-skinner.md): Original Music Composer
- Leslie I. Carey: Sound
- Earl Grant: Theme Song Performance
- Joseph Gershenson: Music Supervisor
- Joe Lapis: Sound
- Sammy Fain: Songs
- Paul Francis Webster: Songs
- [Henry Mancini](https://film.one/person/henry-mancini.md): Original Music Composer
- Henry Janssen: Sound
- Ethmer Roten: Musician
- Glenn E. Anderson: Sound

## Art

- Alexander Golitzen: Art Direction
- Richard H. Riedel: Art Direction
- Julia Heron: Set Decoration
- Russell A. Gausman: Set Decoration
- Wayne Fitzgerald: Title Designer

## Costume and make-up

- Bill Thomas: Costume Designer
- Larry Germain: Hairstylist
- Bud Westmore: Makeup Artist
- [Jean Louis](https://film.one/person/jean-louis.md): Costume Designer
- Lynn F. Reynolds: Makeup Artist
- Del Armstrong: Makeup Artist
- Martha Bunch: Wardrobe Master
- Nick Marcellino: Makeup Artist
- Pat Westmore: Hairstylist
- LaVaughn Speer: Hairstylist
- Rydo Loshak: Wardrobe Master
- Rosamonde Lytele: Wardrobe Master

## Visual effects

- Clifford Stine: Visual Effects

## Crew

- Don Morgan: Unit Publicist

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/imitation-of-life.md