Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.
Cast
Robert De Niro
Leonard Lowe
Robin Williams
Malcolm Sayer
John Heard
Dr. Kaufman
Julie Kavner
Eleanor Costello
Penelope Ann Miller
Paula
Ruth Nelson
Mrs. Lowe
Max von Sydow
Peter Ingham
Anne Meara
Miriam
Dexter Gordon
Rolando
George Martin
Frank
Alice Drummond
Lucy Fishman
Richard Libertini
Sidney
Laura Esterman
Lolly
Barton Heyman
Bert
Judith Malina
Rose
Mary Alice
Nurse Margaret
Keith Diamond
Anthony
Bradley Whitford
Dr. Tyler
John Christopher Jones
Dr. Sullivan
Mary Catherine Wright
Nurse Beth
Jayne Haynes
Frances
Le Clanché du Rand
Magda
Yusef Bulos
Joseph
Steven Randazzo
Luis
Gloria Harper
Dottie
Gwyllum Evans
Desmond
Steve Vinovich
Ray
Tiger Haynes
Janitor
Harvey Miller
Hospital Director
Tanya Berezin
Psychiatrist
Peter Stormare
Neurochemist
Shane Fistell
Man in Hall
Waheedah Ahmad
Hysterical Woman
Charles Keating
Mr. Kean
Christina Huertes
Christina
Linda Burns
Fishsticks
Judy Jacksina
Hospital Receptionist
Gary Tacon
George
Rico Elias
Orderly #1
Mel Gorham
Nurse Sara
Chris Carolan
EEG Technician
Debra Kovner-Zaks
Cafeteria Nurse
Bret McCormick
Head Ward Orderly
Gordon Joseph Weiss
Ward #5 Patient
Byron Utley
Ward #5 Patient #2
Anthony McGowen
Ward #5 Patient #3
Paul Montgomery
Ward #5 Patient #4
Leonard Tepper
Ward #5 Patient #5
Vincent Pastore
Ward #5 Patient #6
Howard Feller
Ward #5 Patient #7
Libby Titus
Club Singer
Michael Hyde
Bus Driver
Tomislav Novakovic
Bartender
Adam Bryant
Librarian
Anthony J. Nici
Young Leonard
Oliver Block
Leonard's Friend #1
Buck Smith
Leonard's Friend #2
Joan E. MacIntosh
Teacher
Harry L. Seddon
Medical Student
Jack Mulcahy
Psych Ward Intern
Jason W. Fuchs
Pot-Head Hippie
Vin Diesel
Hospital Orderly (uncredited)
Crew
Penny Marshall
Director, Executive Producer
Steven Zaillian
Screenplay
Oliver Sacks
Book
Gerald B. Greenberg
Editor
Battle Davis
Editor
Debbie Goldsmith
Assistant Editor
Suzanne Pillsbury
Assistant Editor
Jere Huggins
Additional Editing
Miroslav Ondříček
Director of Photography
Tony Gittelson
First Assistant Director
Glen Trotiner
Second Assistant Director
Elliot Abbott
Executive Producer
Arne Schmidt
Executive Producer
Walter F. Parkes
Producer
Lawrence Lasker
Producer
Amy Lemisch
Associate Producer
Anton Furst
Production Design
Tom Priestley Jr.
Camera Operator
Bonnie Timmermann
Casting
George Potts
Assistant Costume Designer
Cynthia Flynt
Costume Design
Ilona Herman
Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
William A. Farley
Hairstylist
Scott W. Farley
Hairstylist
Bernadette Mazur
Makeup Artist
Sarah Knowles
Art Department Assistant
Lynn Nigro
Art Department Assistant
Alan E. Muraoka
Assistant Art Director
Jerry Ross
Supervising Sound Editor
Bob Newlan
Sound Editor
Hugo Weng
Sound Editor
Hamilton Sterling
Sound Editor
John Morris
Sound Editor
Michele Perrone
Assistant Sound Editor
Michelle Pleis
Assistant Sound Editor
Linda Yeaney
Assistant Sound Editor
Matthew Iadarola
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Gary C. Bourgeois
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Les Lazarowitz
Production Sound Mixer
Linda Murphy
Boom Operator
David Williams
Foley Editor
Mark Pappas
Foley Editor
Beth Bergeron
Supervising ADR Editor
Joe Dorn
ADR Editor
Richard Quinlan
Chief Lighting Technician
Randy Newman
Original Music Composer
James Flamberg
Music Editor
Laura Perlman
Music Editor
Michael Hyde
Transportation Captain
Margaret Mitchell
Production Accountant
George DeTitta Jr.
Set Decoration
Ron Petagna Sr.
Construction Coordinator
Louis Goldman
Still Photographer
Sheila Paige
Script Supervisor
Richard Baratta
Location Manager
Robert Griffon Jr.
Property Master
Mike Bedard
Cableman
Donah Bassett
Negative Cutter
Timothy M. Bourne
Unit Production Manager
Larry Kaplan
Unit Publicist
Bill Groom
Art Direction
Kathryn Camp
First Assistant Editor
Gerald DeTitta
Leadman
Jack Winter
Thanks
Yakov Sklyansky
Thanks
Tracy Reiner
Thanks
Ed. Weinberger
Thanks
Carrie Fisher
Thanks
Patricia Birch
Thanks
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