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.
Claudette Colbert
Beatrice 'Bea' Pullman
Louise Beavers
Delilah Johnson
Warren William
Stephen 'Steve' Archer
Rochelle Hudson
Jessie Pullman, Age 18
Ned Sparks
Elmer Smith
Fredi Washington
Peola Johnson, Age 19
Juanita Quigley
Baby Jessie Pullman, Age 3
Alan Hale
Martin the Furniture Man
Henry Armetta
The Painter
Wyndham Standing
Beatrice's Butler Jarvis
Joyce Compton
Young Woman at Party (uncredited)
Noel Francis
Mrs. Eden (uncredited)
Jane Withers
Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)
Marcia Mae Jones
Peola's Frontrow Classmate (uncredited)
Henry Kolker
Dr. Preston (uncredited)
Hattie McDaniel
Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
William B. Davidson
Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
William Austin
Englishman at Party (uncredited)
G.P. Huntley
James (uncredited)
Tyler Brooke
Tipsy Man at Party (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing
Party Guest (uncredited)
Claire McDowell
Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)
Jean Fenwick
Minor Role (uncredited)
Dick Gordon
Party Guest (uncredited)
Jesse Graves
Pallbearer (uncredited)
Harold Miller
Party Guest (uncredited)
David Newell
Party Guest Saying Goodbye (uncredited)
Dennis O'Keefe
Party Guest (uncredited)
Franklin Pangborn
Mr. Carven (uncredited)
Clarence Wilson
Mr. Bristol, Landlord (uncredited)
Marilyn Knowlden
Jessie Pullman, Age 8 (uncredited)
Lenita Lane
Mrs. Dale (uncredited)
Paul Porcasi
Jackson's Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
Barry Norton
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Edgar Norton
Butler at Party (uncredited)
Ronald R. Rondell
Party Guest (uncredited)
Gay Seabrook
Party Guest (uncredited)
Teru Shimada
Customer in Pancake Shop (uncredited)
Larry Steers
Party Guest (uncredited)
Libby Taylor
Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Cook (uncredited)
Alma Tell
Mrs. Craven (uncredited)
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Walter Walker
Hugh (uncredited)
Dorothy Black
Peola Johnson, Age 10 (uncredited)
Alyce Ardell
French Maid (uncredited)
Monya Andre
Party Guest (uncredited)
Edna Bowdoin
Secretary (uncredited)
Daisy Bufford
Waitress (uncredited)
Norma Drew
Teacher (uncredited)
Paullyn Garner
Mrs. Ramsey (uncredited)
Reverend Gregg
Minister (uncredited)
Sebie Hendricks
Peola Johnson, Age 4 (uncredited)
Stuart Johnston
Undertaker (uncredited)
Tiny Jones
Funeral Spectator (uncredited)
Curry Lee
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Bessie Lyle
Woman at Funeral (uncredited)
Julius Molnar
Footman (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Edmund Mortimer
Party Guest (uncredited)
Hayes Robinson
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Ethel Sykes
Party Guest (uncredited)
Martin Turner
Man at Funeral (uncredited)
Bruce Warren
Party Guest (uncredited)
Hazel Washington
Maid (uncredited)