Nick Nolte

Neal Cassady

Sissy Spacek

Carolyn Cassady

John Heard

Jack Kerouac

Ray Sharkey

Ira (based on Allen Ginsberg)

Ann Dusenberry

Stevie

Margaret Fairchild

Mrs. Kerouac

Tony Bill

Dick

Mary Margaret Amato

Waitress

Kent Williams

Ogden

Susan Niven

Ogden's Secretary