Nick Nolte

~ as ~

Neal Cassady

Sissy Spacek

~ as ~

Carolyn Cassady

John Heard

~ as ~

Jack Kerouac

Ray Sharkey

~ as ~

Ira (based on Allen Ginsberg)

Ann Dusenberry

~ as ~

Stevie

Margaret Fairchild

~ as ~

Mrs. Kerouac

Tony Bill

~ as ~

Dick

Mary Margaret Amato

~ as ~

Waitress

Kent Williams

~ as ~

Ogden

Susan Niven

~ as ~

Ogden's Secretary