Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

Plot

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.

Cast

Diana Rossi

Billy Dee WilliamsLouis McKay

Richard PryorPiano Man

James T. CallahanReg Hanley

Paul HamptonHarry

Jarrett LennonMama Holiday

Ned GlassThe Agent

Milton SelzerThe Doctor

Norman BartoldThe Detective #1

Bert KramerThe Policeman

Susan MosherThe Announcer

George WynerThe M.C.

Toby RussThe Jail Guard

Charles WoolfReporter #3

Writers and directors

Sidney J. FurieDirector

Other films by the same director

Top of the World1997

Ladybugs1992

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace1987

Terence McCloyWriterf. -0001

Suzanne De PasseWriterf. -0001

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TMDB reviews

CinemaSerf ★ 7.0/10

I’ve never really be an huge fan of Diana Ross’s voice, but there’s no getting away from her personable and visceral performance here as the flawed jazz musician Billie Holliday. With Motown’s Berry G…5. Jul 2025

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