cast
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Susan Sarandon
Sister Helen Prejean
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Sean Penn
Matthew Poncelet
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Robert Prosky
Hilton Barber
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Raymond J. Barry
Earl Delacroix
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R. Lee Ermey
Clyde Percy
-
Celia Weston
Mary Beth Percy
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Lois Smith
Helen's Mother
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Scott Wilson
Chaplain Farley
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Roberta Maxwell
Lucille Poncelet
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Margo Martindale
Sister Colleen
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Barton Heyman
Captain Beliveau
- Steve Boles Sgt. Neal Trapp
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Nesbitt Blaisdell
Warden Hartman
- Ray Aranha Luis Montoya
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Larry Pine
Guy Gilardi
- Gil Robbins Bishop Norwich
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Kevin Cooney
Governor Benedict
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Clancy Brown
State Trooper
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Adele Robbins
Nurse
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Michael Cullen
Carl Vitello
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Peter Sarsgaard
Walter Delacroix
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Missy Yager
Hope Percy
- Jenny Krochmal Emily Percy
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Jack Black
Craig Poncelet
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Jon Abrahams
Sonny Poncelet
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Arthur Bridgers
Troy Poncelet
- Steve Carlisle Helen's Brother
- Helen Hester Helen's Sister
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Eva Amurri
9-Year-Old Helen
- Jack Henry Robbins Opossum Kid #1
- Gary "Buddy" Boe Opossum Kid #2
- Amy Long Opossum Kid #3
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Dennis Neal
Henry
- Molly Bryant Nellie
- Pamela Garmon Mirabeau
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Adrián Colón
Reporter
- John D. Wilmot Supporter
- Margaret Lane Reporter #1
- Sally Ann Roberts Reporter #2
- Alec Gifford Reporter #3
- John Hurlbutt Reporter #4
- Mike Longman News Anchor
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Pete Burris
Parent #1
-
Joan Glover
Parent #2
- Florrie Hathorn Parent #3
-
Lenore Banks
Parent #4
- Idella Cassamier Idella
- Marlon Horton Herbie
- Kenitra Singleton Kenitra
- Palmer Jackson Palmer
- Johnathan Thomas Johnathan
- Walter Breaux Jr. Guard #1
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Scott Sowers
Guard #2
- Cortez Nance Jr. Guard #3
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Adam Nelson
Guard #4
- Dalvin Ford Guard #5
- Derek Steeley Guard #6
- Jeremy Knaster Guard #7
- Mary Robbins Aide to Governor Benedict
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Miles Robbins
Boy in Church
- Crystal Williams Brown Churchgoer (uncredited)
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Marcus Lyle Brown
Parole Board Member (uncredited)
- Joanna Doherty Nun (uncredited)
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Anthony Michael Frederick
Trustee (uncredited)
- Thomas McGowan ER Doctor (uncredited)
- Rawleigh Moreland Senator (uncredited)
- Helen Prejean Woman at Vigil (uncredited)
- Codie Scott Cop (uncredited)