The Butler

One quiet voice can ignite a revolution.

A look at the life of Cecil Gaines, who served eight presidents as the White House's head butler from 1952 to 1986, and had a unique front-row seat as political and racial history was made.

Drama

Forest Whitaker

(Cecil Gaines)

Oprah Winfrey

(Gloria Gaines)

David Oyelowo

(Louis Gaines)

John Cusack

(Richard Nixon)

Jane Fonda

(Nancy Reagan)

Cuba Gooding Jr.

(Carter Wilson)

Mariah Carey

(Hattie Pearl)

Terrence Howard

(Howard)

Lenny Kravitz

(James Holloway)

Aml Ameen

(Cecil Gaines (15))

Michael Rainey Jr.

(Cecil Gaines (8))

James Marsden

(John F. Kennedy)

Alex Pettyfer

(Thomas Westfall)

Vanessa Redgrave

(Annabeth Westfall)

Alan Rickman

(Ronald Reagan)

Liev Schreiber

(Lyndon B. Johnson)

Robin Williams

(Dwight Eisenhower)

Yaya DaCosta

(Carol Hammie)

David Banner

(Earl Gaines)

Colman Domingo

(Freddie Fallows)

Nelsan Ellis

(Martin Luther King Jr.)

Nealla Gordon

(Senator Kassebaum)

Elijah Kelley

(Charlie Gaines (15-18))

Minka Kelly

(Jackie Kennedy)

Adriane Lenox

(Gina)

Mo McRae

(Eldridge Huggins)

Pernell Walker

(Lorraine)

Jesse Williams

(Rev. James Lawson)

Clarence Williams III

(Maynard)

LaJessie Smith

(Abraham)

John P. Fertitta

(Mr. Jenkins)

Jim Gleason

(R.D. Warner)

Isaac White

(Charlie Gaines (10))

Joe Chrest

(White Usher)

Tyson Ford

(Elroy)

James DuMont

(Sherman Adams)

Robert Aberdeen

(Herbert Brownell)

Olivia Washington

(Olivia)

Margaret M. Owens

(Woolworth Diner Patron #1)

Eric Ducote

(Woolworth Diner Patron #2)

Chloe Barach

(Caroline Kennedy)

Danny Strong

(Freedom Bus Journalist)

Clara Hopkins Daniels

(Freedom Bus Rider)

Dana Gourrier

(Helen Holloway)

Shirley Pugh

(Malcolm X Goer)

Bill Newman

(Pastor)

Colin Walker

(John Ehrlichman)

Alex Manette

(Bob Haldeman)

Rusty Robertson

(Senator Robertson)

Stephen Rider

(Admiral Rochon)

Tarra Riggs

(Sophie Wilson (uncredited))

Xosha Roquemore

(Foxy (uncredited))