Imitation of Life

A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter. The two women start a successful business but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way.

Cast

Claudette Colbert

Played Beatrice 'Bea' Pullm…
Louise Beavers

Played Delilah Johnson
Warren William

Played Stephen 'Steve' Arch…
Rochelle Hudson

Played Jessie Pullman, Age …
Ned Sparks

Played Elmer Smith
Fredi Washington

Played Peola Johnson, Age 1…
Juanita Quigley

Played Baby Jessie Pullman,…
Alan Hale

Played Martin the Furniture…
Henry Armetta

Played The Painter
Wyndham Standing

Played Beatrice's Butler Ja…
Joyce Compton

Played Young Woman at Party…
Noel Francis

Played Mrs. Eden (uncredite…
Jane Withers

Played Peola's Frontrow Cla…
Marcia Mae Jones

Played Peola's Frontrow Cla…
Henry Kolker

Played Dr. Preston (uncredi…
Hattie McDaniel

Played Woman at Funeral (un…
William B. Davidson

Played Man Buying Cigar (un…
William Austin

Played Englishman at Party …
G.P. Huntley

Played James (uncredited)
Tyler Brooke

Played Tipsy Man at Party (…
Sayre Dearing

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Claire McDowell

Played Teacher Outside Clas…
Jean Fenwick

Played Minor Role (uncredit…
Dick Gordon

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Jesse Graves

Played Pallbearer (uncredit…
Harold Miller

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
David Newell

Played Party Guest Saying G…
Dennis O'Keefe

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Franklin Pangborn

Played Mr. Carven (uncredit…
Clarence Wilson

Played Mr. Bristol, Landlor…
Marilyn Knowlden

Played Jessie Pullman, Age …
Lenita Lane

Played Mrs. Dale (uncredite…
Paul Porcasi

Played Jackson's Restaurant…
Barry Norton

Played Young Man Proposing …
Edgar Norton

Played Butler at Party (unc…
Ronald R. Rondell

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Gay Seabrook

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Teru Shimada

Played Customer in Pancake …
Larry Steers

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Libby Taylor

Played Woman at Funeral (un…
Madame Sul-Te-Wan

Played Cook (uncredited)
Alma Tell

Played Mrs. Craven (uncredi…
Fred 'Snowflake' Too…

Played Man at Funeral (uncr…
Walter Walker

Played Hugh (uncredited)
Dorothy Black

Played Peola Johnson, Age 1…
Alyce Ardell

Played French Maid (uncredi…
Monya Andre

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Edna Bowdoin

Played Secretary (uncredite…
Daisy Bufford

Played Waitress (uncredited…
Norma Drew

Played Teacher (uncredited)
Paullyn Garner

Played Mrs. Ramsey (uncredi…
Reverend Gregg

Played Minister (uncredited…
Sebie Hendricks

Played Peola Johnson, Age 4…
Stuart Johnston

Played Undertaker (uncredit…
Tiny Jones

Played Funeral Spectator (u…
Curry Lee

Played Chauffeur (uncredite…
Bessie Lyle

Played Woman at Funeral (un…
Julius Molnar

Played Footman (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse

Played Man at Funeral (uncr…
Edmund Mortimer

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Hayes Robinson

Played Man at Funeral (uncr…
Ethel Sykes

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Martin Turner

Played Man at Funeral (uncr…
Bruce Warren

Played Party Guest (uncredi…
Hazel Washington

Played Maid (uncredited)

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