Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

10/12/1972 2h 24m

Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.

How old is the movie?

52 years 5 months 27 days

Overview

Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.

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Cast Ages at Release

Diana Ross

as Billie Holiday

Born 03/26/1944, age 81

Billy Dee Williams

as Louis McKay

Born 04/06/1937, age 88

Richard Pryor

as Piano Man

Born 12/01/1940

Died 12/10/2005, age 65

Isabel Sanford

as The Madame

Born 08/29/1917

Died 07/09/2004, age 86

Ned Glass

as The Agent

Born 04/01/1906

Died 06/15/1984, age 78

Norman Bartold

as The Detective #1

Born 08/06/1928

Died 05/28/1994, age 65

George Wyner

as The M.C.

Born 10/20/1945, age 79

Harry Caesar

as The Rapist

Born 02/18/1928

Died 06/12/1994, age 66

Scatman Crothers

as Big Ben

Born 05/22/1910

Died 11/21/1986, age 76