Directed by:
Lee DanielsCinematography:
Andrew DunnComposer:
Rodrigo LeãoCast:
Forest Whitaker, David Banner, Michael Rainey Jr., LaJessie Smith, Mariah Carey, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Aml Ameen, Clarence Williams III (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
For three decades, Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) served as the chief butler for eight consecutive US presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Working intimately with these world leaders at the White House, from his unique vantage point Cecil Gaines witnessed radical transformations in American history through the civil rights movement to Vietnam and the Cold War - and how those changes affected his life and family. Based on a true story, Lee Daniels directs a stellar ensemble cast who between them have garnered 18 Academy Award nominations. (Hopscotch Films)
(more)Cast
![Forest Whitaker](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/438/164438982_ed2bec.jpg)
Forest Whitaker
USA
Best movies:
Platoon (1986)
Phone Booth (2002)
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
![David Banner](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/824/161824738_fb5ea0.jpg)
David Banner
Best movies:
Black Snake Moan (2006)
The Butler (2013)
The Experiment (2010)
Michael Rainey Jr.
Best movies:
The Butler (2013)
Amateur (2018)
Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
![LaJessie Smith](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/245/158245513_417f41.jpg)
LaJessie Smith
Best movies:
The Butler (2013)
When the Game Stands Tall (2014)
Freelancers (2012)
![Mariah Carey](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/033/165033068_b1d371.jpg)
Mariah Carey
USA
Best movies:
Live 8 (2005) (concert)
Tina Turner: Celebrate Live 1999 (1999) (concert)
Precious (2009)
![Alex Pettyfer](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/147/160147826_855447.jpg)
Alex Pettyfer
UK
Best movies:
In Time (2011)
The Butler (2013)
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
![Vanessa Redgrave](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/544/162544391_8289b2.jpg)
Vanessa Redgrave
UK
Best movies:
Atonement (2007)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Blow-Up (1966)
![Aml Ameen](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/686/164686914_37a9b9.png)
Aml Ameen
UK
Best movies:
Sense8 (2015) (series)
The Butler (2013)
Kidulthood (2006)
![Clarence Williams III](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/273/273087_878a41.jpg)
Clarence Williams III
USA
Best movies:
American Gangster (2007)
The Legend of 1900 (1998)
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (1996) (TV movie)
Jim Gleason
USA
Best movies:
Roots (2016) (series)
Trumbo (2015)
Five Feet Apart (2019)
![Oprah Winfrey](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/938/163938657_319982.png)
Oprah Winfrey
USA
Best movies:
Dangerous: The Short Films (1993) (video compilation)
The Color Purple (1985)
Tina Turner: Celebrate Live 1999 (1999) (concert)
Isaac White
Best movies:
The Butler (2013)
![David Oyelowo](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/386/386705_1d6415.jpg)
David Oyelowo
UK
Best movies:
The Help (2011)
Interstellar (2014)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
![Joe Chrest](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/055/165055967_ee5681.jpg)
Joe Chrest
USA
Best movies:
Stranger Things (2016) (series)
Front of the Class (2008) (TV movie)
The Blind Side (2009)
![Colman Domingo](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/033/165033009_0afa19.jpg)
Colman Domingo
USA
Best movies:
42 (2013)
The Butler (2013)
Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
Adriane Lenox
USA
Best movies:
The Blind Side (2009)
Where God Left His Shoes (2007)
21 Bridges (2019)
![Terrence Howard](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/408/161408928_a7ef1d.jpg)
Terrence Howard
USA
![Cuba Gooding Jr.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/996/163996806_92a595.jpg)
Cuba Gooding Jr.
USA
Best movies:
American Gangster (2007)
As Good as It Gets (1997)
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009) (TV movie)
![Lenny Kravitz](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/517/517875_766723.jpg)
Lenny Kravitz
USA
Best movies:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Precious (2009)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
![Colin Walker](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/053/158053453_15df6a.png)
Colin Walker
Best movies:
When They See Us (2019) (series)
The Butler (2013)
Maggie (2015)