| Denzel Washington | Malcolm X | |
| Albert Hall | Baines | |
| Delroy Lindo | West Indian Archie | |
| Theresa Randle | Laura | |
| Lonette McKee | Louise Little | |
| James McDaniel | Brother Earl |
| Angela Bassett | Dr. Betty Shabazz | |
| Al Freeman Jr. | Elijah Muhammad | |
| Spike Lee | Shorty | |
| Kate Vernon | Sophia | |
| Tommy Hollis | Earl Little | |
| Ernest Thomas | Sidney |