Lady Sings the Blues
R“Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.”
1972·144 min·Released
Studio: Jobete Productions, Motown Productions, Paramount Pictures, Sidney J. Furie Productions, Weston Productions
6.9TMDb
7.0IMDb
73%RT
Theatrical Oct 12, 1972
🇺🇸
USA · English · USA
Overview
Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorSidney J. Furie
Cast
Diana Ross
Billie Holiday
Billy Dee Williams
Louis McKay
Richard Pryor
Piano Man
James T. Callahan
Reg Hanley
Paul Hampton
Harry
Sid Melton
Jerry
Virginia Capers
Mama Holiday
Yvonne Fair
Yvonne
Isabel Sanford
The Madame
Tracee Lyles
The Prostitute
Ned Glass
The Agent
Milton Selzer
The Doctor
Norman Bartold
The Detective #1
Clay Tanner
The Detective #2
Jester Hairston
The Butler
Bert Kramer
The Policeman
Paul Micale
The Maitre d'
Michele Aller
The Singer
Byron Kane
The Announcer
Barbara Minkus
Radio Actress
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Keywords
new york citybrotheljazz singer or musicianmental breakdownbiographyaddictionrape victimtour busracismbased on memoir or autobiographyperiod dramadrug overdosemusic historylynchingdying youngblack singerwithdrawalheroin addictnightclub singerblues music
Details
Budget
$2M
Revenue
$20M
TMDb Votes
75
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026