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

Marcia Nasatir

First Receptionist

Mickey Kelly

Second Receptionist

Luis Contreras

Mexican Junkie

Sharon Lee

Blonde in Car

Stephen Davies

Bob Bendix

Jenny O'Hara

Betty Bendix

Don Brodie

Dispatcher

John Larroquette

TV Talk Show Host

Terence H. Winkless

Youth in Bar

Steve Allen

Steve Allen

David Lynch

Painter (uncredited)

Mickey Kelly

Second Receptionist

Raymond Vitte

Undercover Agent